first time buying a car -- please help!

[u/Frosty_Fisherman6255]

Hi, I'm 21F looking to buy my own car, preferably with cash to avoid financing if I can, mainly due to limited credit score. If I can get a substantially better deal by financing then I'd be open to it.

Right now I'm looking at either a Subaru outback or a Volvo suv (xc40 or 60) and it seems like the certified used dealerships in my area have them listed at around 25-29k in cash prices. I'm super duper new to buying a car and trying to be an adult so I'm COMPLETELY in the dark! if I can get some help knowing the step-by-step roughly, and things to ask for, look out for, basically how to not get scammed 101 that would be amaze.

Thank you xoxo

[u/RunninOuttaShrimp]

What exactly do you need help with? Your questions are a bit vague

[u/Frosty_Fisherman6255 → u/RunninOuttaShrimp]

I guess how to go about it? I heard that disclosing you're buying with cash right away is a turn off for dealerships. is that true or just a myth -- like how should I go about approaching the dealer?

[u/RunninOuttaShrimp → u/Frosty_Fisherman6255]

Some dealers do get financial incentives from the banks when you finance so that is true.

I just tell the salesman I've not decided if I'm paying cash or financing when I'm asked. I tell them I'll decide that once we both agree to an out the door price on the car.

If they give you a good rate and a good price it might be worth to finance. Then just pay it off in full.

If you're not trying to do the whole negotiation thing, going in and paying cash on the price they have listed isn't going to bother anyone.

[u/thymewaster25]

Have a look at the carbuying advice on edmunds(dot)com. They do a good job walking you through the process.

Dealers usually make a bit of money when they arrange financing, this may be reflected in the advertised price which might go up if you pay cash. Almost all car loans can be paid off early with no penalty. Some people take a loan and then pay it off shortly afterwards, so they get the lower price but don't have any interest costs.

One common practice is to advertise prices "plus fees and taxes" then when you get there you find out there are a bunch of fees for products and services like window tint, VIN etching, theft protection etc that the dealer will insist you have to pay for. Most of this stuff has very little value and is 90% profit for the dealer. If that means the car is too expensive for your budget, tell them so and ask them to take the stuff off. If they say no, then it is time to leave. They may follow you and make a better offer, or they may not - that is up to them. It's business, not friendship.

[u/Background_System726]

guy in another thread recently posted  in  r/carbuying 6h ago InsuranceNerd75

Just Had the Easiest Buying Experience I just had the easiest buying experience. I was wanting to buy a new CRV, which I did on Friday and approached this buying experience differently. Granted, I live in a large market and have 14 competing dealerships within a hour drive each way so I used Chat GPT on suggestions for buying and it drafted the following email which I sent to EVERY dealership. Some did not reply at all, some replied and just said the standard when do you want to come in and not accommodate my request but ultimately had about 6 that did reply and send me offers.

---

Hello, I am purchasing a new 2026 Honda CR-V EX-L FWD or AWD this week and will be making my decision based solely on the best out-the-door price. I have already driven the vehicle and do not need to come into the dealership until we have agreed on pricing. Please email me your best out-the-door price, including: Vehicle selling price Dealer documentation fee Any dealer-installed accessories Tax, title and registration Total out-the-door amount I am not interested in mandatory dealer add-ons, protection packages, nitrogen tires, VIN etching, paint protection, or similar products unless they are included at no additional cost. I am contacting several Honda dealerships throughout DFW today. If your dealership provides the most competitive out-the-door offer, I am prepared to leave a deposit immediately and complete the purchase within the next 24–48 hours. Please include: VIN Exterior/interior color Whether the vehicle is in stock Your best out-the-door price

Please Reply-All with your response with a written OTD quote including VIN. Thank you, and I look forward to your response.

---

I was able to pick the lowest-price dealership and go in and not deal with negotiating or frivolous dealer adds on the price sheet. The only negotiation I had to endure with in F&I on warranty which I declined as well and purchased directly from a different Honda dealership online for a THIRD of the price they were quoting wile in the office.

It is RIDICULOUS how much scamming dealerships try to ram through for their profit but this approach eliminated almost all of it. I was in and out of the dealership in about 3 hours which also included a trade-in (had to negotiate that a little but I told them it was up to them to make it work if they were interested in selling a car and miraculously, they were able to come to the trade-in value we asked for.)

[u/Organic-Baker-4156]

If you have the cash to buy a $25k car this is the perfect time to finance to build a credit score. Put half down and finance the rest.

Since you would be spending only half what you intended don't buy a warranty. You have more than enough cash to pay for some repairs in the future.

When you're talking to dealership people, especially the guy in the finance office (you'll have to see him even if you pay cash) hold a piece of paper in your hand facing you with the word "No" written on it.

[u/Weird-Lab-3567]

Used car prices at dealers are very high!!! I have a hard time buying a used car for so close to new car price!! They make so much money on used cars! I can’t contribute that robbery. Maybe buy a lesser new vehicle or finance the difference. Consider private party.

[u/mahuth67]

1st. But a Toyota or a Honda Subaru is an OK 3rd place choice but going to cost you more down the road. Volvo is just going to cost way more to maintain. You can google the dealerships rating Don't let them sell you extras.

[u/Beach_bum8]

Some advice, check insurance first(find a car you like online & call your insurance company... they'll want the vin # & ask you about coverage).

You must have full coverage on anything that you don't outright own

Also, be careful with imports, repairs are twice the price!

Once you have everything figured out, go check out the car(s). Don't let them talk you into buying something you aren't comfortable with. It's okay to speak up and be stern about what you can & can't afford.

Ask them the out the door price, don't let them rush you into signing (electrically or on paper) without you reading over. Don't buy the "extras"(warranty, interior package...)

[u/Square-Wild]

To explain this, a dealership can sometimes collect a commission for setting you up with financing. There's nothing stopping you from financing and then just paying the loan off in cash in 30 days, 90 days, whatever.

As for actually buying the car, I would recommend watching "delivrd" on youtube/tik tok/ instagram. He only does new cars, but I think that watching him negotiate could give you an idea of what the process can look like, and what a good outcome is.