Have you ever gone shopping for a new car and felt confused and overwhelmed when you got to the dealership? Advice from those that have been there can really help you have a better experience. By using the advice that follows, you will see that shopping for a car can actually be a breeze.
Prior to going shopping for a new vehicle, you must be aware of your needs. How much money can you afford to spend? Will you need to tote a big family around? How important is gas mileage? Do you want two or more doors? Write out your wish list, and take it to the dealership with you.
When shopping for a car, bring someone along. This person has the ability to act as the perfect sounding board, and they can help you leave a deal that is not great for you. Bring a friend, a parent or a spouse.
If you are shopping for a car, spend some time at the dealer. You don’t want to feel like you’re rushed and commit to a deal you’re not comfortable with. It is in your best interest to set aside an entire morning or afternoon. If you are really short on time, do not be afraid to leave and come back another day.
If you’re looking to buy a new vehicle, try and get financing from a bank before starting your search. This is for your own safety. Though the dealership’s finance department may get you a better deal than the bank, it’s still wise to know what the interest rates will be prior to shopping.
Don’t talk about down payments, incentives, or trade-ins until the car has a firm price you want. These options should be subtracted from the lowest negotiated price. Also, you will typically end up with a better overall price if you negotiate the deal from the onset.
You don’t have to buy from a dealership. You might be shocked to discover that the car you want is available on a smaller lot, or even from an individual private owner. Take advantage of classified ads and websites intended to help you identify sources for the car you want.
You should consider renting the type of car you want to buy to try it out. You can drive it to the country, another city or somewhere else where you’ll get a nice, long drive out of it. Go on a road trip or something so the car can be tested to see if it works with what you need it to work with. This is a great way to get comfortable with a car before making the huge commitment of a purchase.
Check out an auto show to help figure out what makes and models would be good for you. This is a great way to view many cars in a short amount of time. You can also gain insights from folks who know cars well. When you leave an auto show, you will have a better idea of what kind of car to explore further.
Social Security
Do not be so free in giving out your SSN. Many dealers will ask for your social security number before negotiations even start. They will use this information to pull a credit report. If you don’t get a car purchased there, just getting that credit run by them may end up hurting you in the long run. Wait until you’re sure that a deal can happen before giving out the social security number you have.
Bring a friend who can give you sound advice on your decision. This friend can stop you from making mistakes like allowing your emotions to get involved. Ask them ahead of time to keep their eyes and ears open for any flaws that they might notice as well.
Don’t just sign–read! You should actually read everything before you sign anything. When you have put your signature on a contract, you’re, by law, bound to it. If you do not want to read it when you’re in the dealership, ask them if you can bring it home to read it. If they won’t let you take it with you, ask them for a copy.
Research is key to a used car purchase. The Internet is a great source of pricing and value information. NADA and Kelly Blue Book are great resources for finding out the value of a car. If the dealer is selling a car for more than what these two sources price the car at, then go elsewhere.
Avoid signing as-is warranties when you buy a used vehicle. These type of warranties are always a bad idea. You should get at least 30 days of warranty with your purchase. If the vehicle needs a major repair a day or two after you buy it, you will have to pay for the repair.
Fuel Economy
Consider fuel economy during your car buying process. A car with better fuel economy may cost a little more in the beginning, but it will save you a ton of money on gas. You should consider your budget over the next five years instead of only taking into consideration what you want to spend on a car.
If you feel like the salesperson if pressuring or intimidating you, leave. If they attempt to encourage you to change your mind, leave anyway. Make up an excuse if necessary. Make sure that you leave! There are many other options, and if a salesperson feels the need to intimidate you, they probably need to make up for the low quality of their vehicles.
Whenever you go car shopping, keep in mind the advice you’ve just read. With these tips, buying a car will be smooth sailing. Use this article for reference if need be.