9 Car Dealership Lies That Target Older Buyers Specifically

It can be tough to make all the right money moves for car owners. Purchasing a car is stressful and expensive, and often, car dealerships may try to scam you out of more of your hard-earned money with age-targeted tactics. 

Older car buyers often have cash, solid credit, and come to the dealership alone, all of which may make them prime targets for some lies.

Here's a look at what you may be told and how to fight back so you leave with only what you want and need in your next vehicle.

Buy it now before the price goes up. That's one of the "last chance" deal pressure tactics you may hear when buying a car. In other words, the dealership is creating a sense of urgency where one really doesn't exist. In fact, you could probably wait for some time and still snag the same deal.

Since many senior buyers live on fixed incomes, this one can be especially appealing as it's mentioned as a way to save money if you act now. Be careful when faced with such a pressure tactic, as it can keep you from doing enough research to find what truly works for you.

When you're at a dealership and hear the words "senior discounts," take a second and think about the offer being made. Perhaps it's a good deal offered to older buyers, but it may also just be a term used to describe a discount that's not really a good deal at all.

While you may be familiar with saving money through senior discounts at restaurants and retailers, pay special attention to what's being offered when you're buying a car. The dealership may have actually temporarily increased the price on a vehicle and then offered you the "senior discount" to draw your attention.

If you've ever been to the dealership as an older buyer, you may have been told that an extended warranty or two is essential for drivers your age. They may tell you those extended warranties are crucial to ensure the safety and reliability of your vehicle in the years to come.

But do your research before you head to the dealership. Look into recommended extended warranties and how much they cost on average. If it feels like the dealership is putting pressure on you to accept extended warranties that feel unnecessary, it may be best to walk away if your repeated attempts to say no are being ignored.

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When doing your research before heading to the dealership, check out online appraisal tools if you plan to use a trade-in.

A dealership may try to give you a low offer so they can make more profit off your transaction. However, if you conduct thorough research, you can generally determine the true market value and bring it to the negotiating table at the dealership.

Don't let the salesperson unfairly take advantage of you because they assume an older buyer is unaware of the current market.

If you're not a numbers person, this lie might be a bit overwhelming. When you finance a vehicle through a dealership, the dealer typically works with some lenders to secure a loan. The lender gives a "buy rate" to the dealer, and the dealer then marks up that rate to you. The difference between the two rates is sometimes called the "dealer reserve."

Again, it may be helpful to do research and find out about financing rates on vehicles in your market. Then, you can know if you're being offered a fair deal or an unfairly high rate. Don't let the dealership think you're an easy target for this manipulation just because of your age.

If you go to the dealership knowing what you want, it can help you avoid falling for lies and schemes that may cost you unnecessary money.

For instance, the dealership may encourage you to purchase additional add-on services. Whether it's rustproofing, VIN etching, fabric protection, or any other type of added expense, they may suggest these to you as ways to protect or enhance the vehicle for older drivers.

Often, they come with high markups, so before going, do some research to decide if they're really necessary and in your budget. Don't be afraid to say no. A reputable dealership won't continue to pressure you.

When you're a busy driver with a lot to do, one concern can be maintaining your vehicle. While some automakers offer affordable maintenance plans, the dealership may push its own, which might be marked up.

Before agreeing to those plans, make sure they're actually necessary and will help you save money on maintenance. Again, the dealership may try to play on your emotions and suggest that older drivers need high-priced maintenance plans to drive safely.

This lie can be misleading, especially at first. Car dealerships and lenders generally require that you have insurance before you drive away in a new vehicle. But don't let them tell you that insurance must be explicitly bought from them.

Dealerships might earn commissions by selling insurance products and may spin it as a one-stop shop experience. But if you need to update your insurance before buying a vehicle, it's probably best to do it on your own outside of the dealership. Make sure you know what a reasonable price is for you.

Let's be honest. Some cars are especially good choices for older drivers. They can offer comfort and driver safety that may be particularly appealing to you.

But don't let a dealership persuade you to buy a so-called "senior car" that's much more expensive just because they say it'll solve the issues you may face. Instead, do your research ahead of time and come prepared with a short list of vehicles you like and that fall within your budget.

Some car dealerships may try to snag more money out of you just because you're an older driver. You can prevent that from happening and make the right moves by doing your research, knowing some of the lies they may tell, and being prepared to walk away from a bad deal.

And if you don't feel confident doing all of this by yourself, there's nothing wrong with taking a friend or loved one with you to the dealership for an extra set of eyes.