Guidlines before buying a new/used car in Qatar

Guidelines before buying a new/ used car in Qatar:

1. know what you want. Don't go to the lot and browse with the intent to buy. Browse, sure. Test drive even, but make NO COMMITTMENT while on the lot. Figure out what vehicle you like then go home and research the trim lines, options, etc. Use many of the car buying apps/sites to get an aggregate price for what the car should cost you.
2. Know what its worth. MSRP on a car is arbitrary. Invoice price is also arbitrary. Don't be fooled into believing that "Invoice price" is some kind of break-even point for the dealer. Even if they sell the car for what they 'paid' for it on paper, they still make money in something called a holdback, which is an incentive from the manufacturer to the dealer.
3. Know the value of your trade. Do your research research. Not every car (honestly, few cars) are in 'excellent' condition. 
4. Know your credit. Get your score and then talk to your bank/credit union about getting pre-approved. Getting your own financing is almost always your best bet unless the manufacturer is running for (and you qualify for) 0% financing.
5. Understand that a vehicle purchase is three distinct transactions. The first is the price for the car. You know what car you want and what a fair price is from doing your homework above. Go to the dealer and tell them "I want this vehicle and I will pay this for it" The second transaction is your trade. The dealer may (read: will) try to recoup some of their profit by lowballing your trade. Again, you know what the trade is worth. Remember that estimate you got from the independent shop? If the dealer wont match it, sell your current ride elsewhere. The third transaction is the financing. You got that external from the dealership, so you don't have to worry here.
6. The extras that they try to sell you are worthless. Extended warranty, rust proofing, window etching, etc. All of them. Don't get them.
7. This is the most important and most difficult piece of advice. If at any time you even get a HINT that the dealer is screwing with you, walk. Remember that in these transactions, you have what the dealer wants (money) and they have what you want (car). Don't let them leverage something you can get almost anywhere else for something you can't! Chances are theres another dealership 30 miles away that has the car you want.