Frequently Asked Questions

This isn't as black and white as many people think. The answer depends on really knowing yourself and your purchase habits. People who always want the latest technology, who don't like shopping around their trade-in value, or who might want to get more vehicle for their monthly payment, are probably good candidates to lease. These customers should also be fairly confident that their annual driving habits won't change significantly over the next several years, so they don't find themselves with a lot of excess mileage charges due at lease-end.

Lots of factors here as well. Do you want/need the latest technology? Is it important to have a full warranty (and in some cases, maintenance costs) included? Most new vehicles depreciate approximately 50% over the first three years of regular use. Are you comfortable with that?  If so, new is for you.

There are tons of sites that will tell you how much your current vehicle is worth. Ultimately, they are just fancy calculators. Miles, condition, vehicle history, and the model's reputation are all factors. Also, many states allow sales tax savings on trade values, which offset some-to-most of the additional money you might gain by selling it yourself. 

In short, probably not. The auto business has a very high turnover rate, so chances are good that the salesperson will be relatively new. A more experienced one will be better informed about the vehicles. Ask questions about the model you're considering. A good sales rep should know most/all the answers about the product. 

In short, two people in any showroom: the Sales Manager, and, if you make a purchase agreement, the Finance Mgr. (AKA the F&I Mgr. or Customer Business Mgr.).  These people are in their positions because they came up through the ranks and were the most successful at separating customers from their hard-earned money. They are generally much smoother than your salesperson.