If you ask me, heading into a car dealership can be a pretty overwhelming and daunting task. Between the endless lots of cars and the swarming sales associates – you aren’t sure where to begin or how to make sure you’re getting what you need. Since most of us really aren’t experts when it comes to the details of automobiles, doing your research ahead of time can help guarantee you’re getting what you want for a good deal. Take a look at these tips for car shopping 101 – what you need to know and how to get the job done right.
- Have a good understanding of what you want and what will best suit your lifestyle. Got three kids? A small sports car is probably not what you’re after. In fact, finding a vehicle that fits the whole family, plus everyone’s stuff is pretty high up there on the priority list. Think too about things like safety, gas mileage and general styles that you like.
- Know exactly what you can afford. Once you’ve narrowed down your must haves and your wish list, start to match your budget to cars that meet those needs.
- Do some research ahead of time. You know your budget, you know what you want – jump on the web and make a list of cars that suit your situation. Research reviews, costs, safety ratings etc. so that when you head to the dealership, you know exactly what you’re after.
- Always test drive the car. Knowing what you want from looking around on the web is one thing, but actually feeling the way the car handles the road is a whole different ball game. You might find that you thought you wanted a large SUV, but once you get behind the wheel, it’s just too much car for you. If that’s the case, a family-friendly station wagon might be more your speed. Bottom line – you won’t know until you try it. This is also especially important if you’re buying a used car – seeing the exterior, interior and perhaps even having your local mechanic take a look at the engine is important for knowing what you’re buying.
- Be firm on your budget and also be aware of your credit score ahead of time. If you’re headed to a dealership with the expectation to finance a car, you typically need a down payment and your credit score will play a crucial role in the size of your monthly payments and interest rates. Be prepared for this process – it takes a while.
- Bring proof of car insurance. This is an important one – no dealership will let you drive off in your brand new ride without proof of insurance that is compliant for the state in which you live. Make sure you’re prepared ahead of time with this paperwork.
- Have fun! Buying a new set of wheels is a total blast – while there may be some stressful elements included in the process, you should enjoy your new car and all it has to offer.
Have you ever purchased a new car? Got any tips you can share from your own experience?
