How to Locate Antique Classic Car Dealers

If you want to buy an antique or classic car, you need to locate the best classic car dealer. This is a very easy process that will save you plenty of time and effort. The best dealers will offer complete packages to ensure total peace of mind. If you know how to locate a great dealer, you could be driving away your dream car very soon.

Blanket Search
There are many antique car dealers offering a wide range of different classic cars. Use a blanket Internet search to narrow down those that only deal in antique cars. Using a website like AntiqueCar.com will allow you to find out who is selling the type of car you are after.

Collector Publications
Car collector magazines offer a wide range of different features, including the names and contact details of many antique dealers. You can read regional magazines which can help you find the best dealer in your local area for the car you want to buy. Classic American is a great example of a magazine you could use.

Classic Car Auctions
Classic car auctions are a great way to locate and meet many antique car dealers. They will use auctions as a chance to buy and sell vehicles. This could be a lot easier for you than travelling to a dealership which may be quite a distance from where you live. Use the contact details in the car magazines to find out if a dealer will be at a specific auction. You can meet them and inquire about the car you want to buy. RM Auctions is a good example of a website that lists full details of events in a specific area.

Classic Automobile Forums
There are plenty of these over the Internet. Online classic automobile forums usually have members who have been brought together by a similar interest of classic cars. These forums usually have sections which discuss car dealers or dealerships and where they can be found. Other members might even be able to provide useful links and websites that you can visit to get the information that you need. Aside from being able to find useful information on classic car dealers, you would also be able to get other helpful resources related to classic automobiles.

Classic Car Enthusiast Groups
If you are a member of such a group, you can try asking other members for some information or some recommendations of reputable classic automobile dealers which may have a branch nearby.

How to Negotiate with an Antique Car Trader

Negotiating with an antique car trader can be a tricky business. No two antique cars are the same and because of their age and beauty, their price will often be quite high. However, if you know how to haggle for a fair price then you will save a great deal of time in getting yourself the best possible deal.

Respect the Trader
Respect the antique car trader from the very first moment you meet them. First impressions are everything. They are more likely to knock some money off the price if you are affable, honest and straightforward. If you approach the trader with a stubborn and aggressive attitude, you are likely to be met with resistance and will struggle to get a single penny off of the asking price.

Ask about the History
The next step you should take is to talk about the vehicle history. This can often help to determine the condition the vehicle is in. From the service history, you can judge how well looked after the car has been. This can give you some leverage in terms of getting some money taken off of the sale price.

Research the Car Beforehand
Do your research and make sure you know everything about the car you want to buy. This will help to determine the value of the car and should help in striking the best possible deal. If you know about every single aspect of the vehicle, you can touch on areas the dealer may not know about. You can use these areas to justify getting more money off of the asking price.

Be Reasonable
After you have haggled and presented your concerns and objections, be reasonable when establishing a final price. A trader cannot simply give away a beautiful car as their livelihood works on tight profit margins. Tell the trader what you are willing to pay and why you feel a discount should be given. If you have won the respect of the trader, it is highly likely that they will meet you half way with the price.