Deals on wheels! When it comes to rides, February's the time to buy

Men's Fitness, Feb, 2004 by Josh Max

AT A CAR dealership, President's Day (and its accompanying weekend) may as well be Mardi Gras. They're doing everything short of getting their mams out to get your attention, get you down to the lot, and get you to buy. Sales abound. But before you start talking "undercarriage coating," there are a few things you should know.

WATCH THE WEATHER

One of the best times to pick up a new ride is right after a storm. Salesmen have quotas to fill. If no one's bought anything in days--because snow on the ground kept them away from the lot--he's going to bend over backward to make up for lost time.

SHOP OUTSIDE THE 'HOOD

Car prices vary widely from state to state. Foreign models cost less in GM and Ford country, namely the Midwest. A vehicle on back order in New York may be plentiful in Vermont or Ohio, making it cheaper to buy there, so make some calls before you make the purchase.

IT'S NEVER TOO COLD FOR A DROP TOP

Right now, dealers are fully stocked with convertibles--the new models came in just a month or two ago--but who wants to ride with the top down when it's cold outside, like Kathy Lee's cruel heart? You do. There's no better time to buy a rag top than the dead of winter. Try buying one in the summer--along with every other dreamer--and you'll learn why the hard way.

NEGOTIATIONS ARE FOR SUCKERS

Check the Kelley Blue Book online at KBB.com and Edmunds.com before you go to the showroom. Just a few minutes of Internet research should turn up what the dealer paid for the vehicle and what the cheapest going rate is. Once you hit the lot, let the saleman know you've studied up--you know what he's willing to take and you're not going to pay a cent more. At this point, feel free to spit on the floor. You're the boss and he knows it.