Advice On Buying a New or Used Volkswagen

Maybe you’re a Volkswagen loyalist who’s been rolling that VW Bus since the 1970s and there is nothing that can separate you from your iconic set of wheels – except a new VW Bus. Or, maybe you’re taking your first steps into this majestic world of automobile royalty and need a little hand-holding to secure the best deal from a VW dealership. VW veteran or entry-level rookie, you’re gonna be a car buying boss after these tips. It’s a VW world. Let’s get started.

• Look for deals online. You can save thousands by doing an Internet search. After finding the right car, just head over to the dealership to arrange for a purchase. If the dealership is close, think about going to them to save a little more money.
• Learn about the true market value of the car before making an offer. Oftentimes, VW dealers will have the car marked up a certain percent over the value so they have some wiggle room. If you know the market value, you can better haggle with them about the price you will pay out the door.
• If you are in the market for a used VW, a great way to tell if the speedometer is correct is to look at the gas and brake pedals. If someone says the car has 30,000 miles on it, and the brake and gas pedals are worn, it is a good indication the odometer was turned back.
• Don’t pay for lots of extras when you are buying a VW car or SUV. Sure, it would be nice to have a lot of fun features in your new ride, but do you really need them? Every toy or gadget you add jacks up the price of the car considerably. Figure out what you really need, and just stick to that.
• Call the bank to see if you can get the financing you need for the vehicle you are interested in. Doing this ensures your security. Dealerships usually can help you get a rate that's better than your personal bank, but you should always know beforehand the interest rate that you are willing to work with.
• Due diligence should be exercised when planning your car budget. It is imperative that you take a full and realistic look at your budget. Not only must you consider a car payment, you must also consider insurance, gas and maintenance for the vehicle. There is nothing worse than having a vehicle that you cannot afford to drive.
• Once you have found the perfect car, ask for a vehicle history report. CarFax comes to mind. A vehicle history report will list any instances that the vehicle has been involved in. If your dealer does not offer this service, you can purchase one yourself online for a nominal fee. This report will help you avoid purchasing a car that has been in a wreck.
• Find out how much it will cost to insure a specific vehicle before you purchase it. Insurance agencies charge a lot more to insure sports cars than other vehicles. Even the color of the car can influence the insurance cost. To guarantee that you are not surprised once you have already paid for the car you must do your research.
• Admittedly a bit paranoid “tin foil” but, don't hand over the keys to your trade-in until the deal is signed. If they have your car "hostage," they can use it to pressure you to buy the new car. Wait until the deal is done to ensure you keep control of the situation at all times during the transaction.
• You should test drive the car you want with every feature you desire. For example, test driving a manual model when you want automatic won't show you anything. Getting behind the wheel of a VW Tiguan doesn’t make sense if you’re dead set on getting a VW Atlas. If they don't have the exact model on the lot, go to a lot which does for the test drive as you can always go back for the purchase, if you want to.
• Watch out for dealership advertising fees. These are often tacked on to new car purchases, and you should not have to pay them. Car dealerships have to advertise as part of doing business, and many shoppers who challenge this fee will win. If your salesman will not remove this fee, ask to speak with a manager.

There you go. Tips to make your VW shopping experience easy and breezy. Buy like a boss.

Can’t find a local dealer that meets your needs? Hop on Google and type in “VW dealership near me” and you’ll get more dealers than you can shake a stick it. Go from there and find your dream car.