The Insider's Guide to Buying a New or Used Car (2nd ed) (Paperback)

by Burke Leon (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
The world has been waiting for this: a book about buying a car written by the owners of a car lot! The fact that this coupling of subject and authors' vocation could easily be a laughing matter may make many readers hesitate to put their trust in what are, after all, the words of used-car salespeople. But in this case, that trust would be well placed. The Leons' consumer guide is no-nonsense and low-key and provides point-by-point coverage, from the first chapter, "Setting the Stage for the Car-buying Process," to the last, "Deal Makers and Breakers." Their attention to detail is admirable, yet the Leons don't let it inextractably bog down their prose. They put themselves squarely in the consumer's corner, which, after all, is exactly what a good salesperson strives to seem to do. So be forewarned and forearmed: consult Leon and Leon before trading or buying. They will have you covered like a loud sport coat. Mike Tribby

Product Description
This revised edition of the book that helps car buyers get the best new- and used-car deals--and not get burned--includes even more information gleaned from the Leons' years of buying and selling experience, plus detailed car-buying checklists.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Betterway Books; 2 edition (March 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1558704531
• ISBN-13: 978-1558704534
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,338,882 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars step by step explains what we do wrong/how to do it right, October 17, 1998

By A Customer

The book highlights how to buy a new car and offers several different routes to follow when buying or selling a used car. The author breaks the car buying process into different steps that are easy and enjoyable to read. The right steps and the order in which to follow them are repeated often, both to show their importance and to firmly place them in your mind. Two car buys are given. The totally wrong way and the textbook vehicle purchase are showcased with the author especially helpful to echo the thoughts of both the sellers and purchaser. Also given are many of the sales tactics dealers will use, your counter approach to them, and a few of your own approaches to use. Many thorough checklists are given as a guide through each part of car buying. Sources for research in the car hunt are mentioned. More than a book about buying that dream car it teaches negotiation, all at once a game, a science, and an art form.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Save Hard Ca$h, Get Savvy Car Buying Advice From Burke!, April 29, 2002

By	elena wyldheart (Shutesbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Insiders Guide to Buying a New or Used Car (Insider's Guide to Buying a New Or Used Car) (Paperback)

Burke Leon is to car buyers, what Click and Clack are to do-it-yourself amateur auto mechanics, and then some. His lively fact-filled book will help any befuddled car buyer learn to skillfully maneuver through whatever obstacles appear on the road to getting the best price possible for a new or used car.

Thanks to his book, when meeting with car dealers I saw some of the hard core sales techniques they use to intimidate buyers come flying at me with bright neon colors. and I was able to not fall for them. For instance, one of the salespeople said he would have "to eat the cost of new brakes " if he gave me the price I wanted. This kind of statement is vividly described in Leon's book stood out immediately as the manipulation techniques it was.

There is much about this book to recommend. Leon lists most useful auto-related internet sites as well as his own (www.usedcarphd.com) and his email address to get in touch with him personally. For your own sake, make car buying fun and get a copy of this book before you begin the journey of car shopping. The buying tips shared by Leon will prevent you from losing hard-earned cash and the knowledge you will gain will help you develop the confidence and composure required to successfully engage with the most seasoned auto salespeople. Go to it and have some fun while you are at it!

Elena from Massachusetts

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Savings to Remember, April 5, 2000

By	Michael Shorter (New Jersey, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This book is an outstanding resource for the unknowing buyer. After reading this book, which details the car buyer/seller's mind, how to get top dollar for a trade-in, how to buy a new/used car and what not to put up with from the car dealer, I put it to the test. I have made one purchase of 2 pieces of furniture and saved $800.00. I just bought a fully loaded Nissan Maxima and saved $2,975 off the MSRP ($300 over invoice)and got $1,100 dollars for my trade-in (the car is not worth that). This book showed me how to deal with car allowances, bait & switch, the silent treatment, and much more. If you are buying anything, pick this book up.