Be aware that negotiations aren’t over after you negotiate the price of a new car. The dealer may sometimes add more charges or fees onto the final bill, of which you may not always be aware. Compared to the sticker price of the car, extra charges of $20 to $200 may not seem like much, but you need to know what you are agreeing to when signing your paperwork.
The following list contains examples of some of these extra fees:
- Dealer Prep: Dealers might offer to look over the car from bumper to bumper for any problems, and if any are found, they will fix them. They sometimes charge an extra $100 – $200 to do this. New cars should be warrantied against any issues so you should not need to spend extra on this.
- Rust Proofing: Sometimes a dealer will charge you $100 to $200 to rust proof the vehicle. When you take into consideration the $25,000 sticker price, this extra charge may not seem like much. However, other manufactures may offer an extended warranty to protect you from premature corrosion and rust. The vehicle should already be protected against rust and if it isn’t, you might consider another model. You can also purchase other protective items at a discount store to protect the interior of the vehicle.
- Miscellaneous Charges: Charges such as closing costs, surcharges and handling charges may be necessary, but should be small fees. Ask your dealer to put these charges and the actual benefit in writing before you agree to them.
