Free Car
Buying Extras

30 Seconds Separates
Free & Full Retail

The following list of free car buying extras are some of the most commonly overlooked and easiest to get "for free" items if you ask for them at the right time during the buying process.

Of all the car buying tips, this one won't necessarily save you thousands, but can save you hundreds and make your buying experience much more pleasurable.

Just below the list I'll explain when to ask for these and how to be sure you get what's owed to you.

Free Car
Buying Extras

6. General Service
Not all car dealerships will service every car they sell. This is especially true with smaller used car dealerships. If the oil, air filter, hoses, belts, etc. look like they have some life left, then a service may be skipped in order to keep their costs down.

Servicing a car can run between $30 and $350.

5. Detail
At some dealerships, what you see is what you get. Don't just assume they will detail the car before taking delivery.

Detailing a car can run between $50 and $150.

4. Floor Mats
This works for both new and used cars, but applies mostly to new cars. Don't assume that just because you've purchased a $20,000 brand new car that it's going to automatically come with floor mats.

This is an add for most new cars and if floor mats are not listed on the manufacturers window sticker, then you'll have to buy them separately.

Floor Mats can run between $20 and $150.

3. Owners Manual
An owners manual should be standard with all new cars, but are often missing from used cars. Some dealers will not keep these in the car and will be kept in the dealership. Be sure you know if they've got one.

Owners Manuals can run between $35 and $65.

2. Full Tank of Gas
Most new car manufacturers will require the dealer to fill up your tank prior to delivery, but used cars are a different story. If the gas tank has 3 ounces of gas in it, then that's what you get.

Tank of Gas can run between $25 and $100.

1. Extra Sets of Keys
This is by far the most overlooked free car buying extra and can cause many problems after the sale. I don't know of a manufacturer that doesn't require two sets of keys and two remote keyless entry (assuming the car is equipped) clickers with every sale, but used cars are a different story.

Many people assume that two keys and remote keyless entry clickers are standard, but they are not...and can be expensive these days.

Extra Keys can run between $5 and $75.
Remote Keyless Entry clickers can run between $60 and $300...Ouch!

When Are These Free
Car Buying Extras Free

Before you've signed the contract! If you ask about these while in the Finance Office (as few as 30 seconds after you've signed the contract) or the next day, then you'll probably be in for a surprise when you are told that you'll have to pay, but they'll try to get you a discount.

Ask for them before the paperwork is done and these are all very easy for a car dealer to include with your purchase.

Get What's
Owed To You

This is an easy step and I'm sure you've heard it before, but it is still overlooked by most people...Get It In Writing!

If you don't get promises in writing, then those promises are worth as much as the paper they are not written on! Your salesman might seem like a very honest person and they may be, but oftentimes negotiations are confusing and things are easily misunderstood.

On the other hand, your salesman will have to share a portion of the expenses for your free car buying extras and may suddenly come down with a bad case of selective amnesia the next day when you come to claim your freebies. If you don't have it in writing, then you've got no leg to stand on.

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