Ep 19 - The 10 Rules of Not Getting Screwed When Buying or Leasing a New Car
Jun 9, 2025
Buying or leasing a car can feel like a financial minefield, but it doesn't have to be! Discover why you should never step into a dealership first and how an email script can save you thousands. Learn the pitfalls of focusing on monthly payments and how to leverage pre-approved financing against dealers. Understand the hidden costs like the finance office and dive into the best times to make your purchase. Plus, find out why your car choice could impact your finances for years to come!
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Car Buying is High-Leverage Financial Decision
Buying a car is a major financial decision that impacts budget, net worth, and mental bandwidth for years.
It often becomes the second-largest household expense after housing.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Start Car Buying with Email
Never visit a dealership first; start by emailing multiple dealers to get quotes.
Use email to remove pressure, create leverage, and shop dealers against each other.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Avoid Monthly Payment Talk
Avoid discussing or focusing on monthly payments since dealers use this to inflate overall costs.
Always concentrate on the total price, not the monthly payment illusion.
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Car buying has become one of the most financially dangerous consumer experiences in modern life. In today’s episode, we’re flipping the script.
Whether you’re buying or leasing, trading in or paying cash, I’ll walk you through the 10 timeless rules you must follow if you want to avoid getting taken for a ride—financially and emotionally. No guilt trips. No boomer advice. Just strategy, leverage, and power dynamics decoded.
And full disclosure: I love cars. I lease new ones every few years. I’m not here to shame your joy. I’m here to make sure that joy doesn’t cost you $9,000 more than it should.
WHAT WE COVER:
Why you should never walk into a dealership first—and what to do instead
The email script that can save you thousands before you ever test drive
Why “What can you afford monthly?” is a trap—and how it costs you big
The hidden revenue center called the “finance office” (and how to say no)
The floor plan secret that gives you leverage when buying in stock
How to use pre-approved financing as bait to beat the dealer at their own game
Real math on depreciation—and why some “investments” are worth it anyway
When leasing makes more sense than buying (and what to negotiate)
How emotional timing ruins deals—and how to buy before you need to
The best days of the year to buy, based on actual dealer incentives
Plus, why your car purchase might be one of the biggest financial decisions of your next five years—whether you realize it or not.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Kelley Blue Book average car prices (2024): $47,000+
CFPB, NADA, JD Power, Bankrate statistics on car loans, dealer profit centers, and interest rate games
How to calculate a lease “money factor” and negotiate like a pro
The difference between buying a car and buying a feeling—and why that matters
JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Have a question, a rant, or a car-buying story that others need to hear? Shoot me a note at socialcapconnect@gmail.com. I read every message.
And if this show is helping you feel more powerful and prepared, the best way to say thanks is with a quick review. It helps the show grow and lets me keep delivering practical, real-world financial guidance—without selling out.
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