Buying a Fresh Car: nine Steps Every Buyer Should Take
Car News
Thinking about buying a fresh car? Not sure if you’re going about it the right way? Have no fear: Our latest list includes nine steps every buyer should take before signing the papers.
Choosing the right car can be difficult, and it’s even more complicated when you’re thinking about interest rates, monthly payments, color choices and options. That’s why you should begin to narrow down your choices before you even set foot in a dealership, even before you look for financing.
The best way to do this often involves reading reviews from experts, who can help you eliminate mediocre cars and concentrate on the best ones. You should also talk to friends and family to find out their views on various cars. Interested in a Honda Civic, for example? Ask a friend who wields one.
Two. Figure Out What Your Trade-In Is Worth
If you’re trading in your current car, this is an significant step. Because you want to be armed with as much skill as possible before setting foot in a dealership, you’ll want to know what your trade-in is worth before a dealer ever makes you an suggest on it. To do this, we very recommend using Kelley Blue Book’s website (kbb.com). We also recommend searching AutoTrader to find asking prices on cars that are comparable to yours. But recall, since you’ll be trading in your car, don’t expect the dealer to suggest you its utter retail value.
Trio. Figure Out What You Can Afford
Once you’ve determined on a few cars worth considering, it’s time to find out what you can afford. If you’re interested in financing or leasing your next car, this means you need to figure out what monthly payment is acceptable without violating the bank. Different shoppers have different strategies for budgeting car payments, and we certainly wouldn’t want to impose our own, but we strongly suggest creating a budget before heading to the dealership or the bank.
Four. Secure Financing
The next step in the process is to secure financing, and we wouldn’t suggest waiting until you’re at the dealership to do it. Attempting to negotiate a car’s price while at the same time working out an interest rate and loan terms can be very time-consuming, and the dealer knows that the more time you spend on a car, the less likely you are to walk away.
Securing financing beforehand — from a bank or credit union, for example — gives you more power in the negotiating process. It also lets you know where your credit stands before you visit a dealership. Reminisce that if you secure financing before visiting a dealership, you should get a little extra money to pay taxes and fees often associated with a car purchase. Otherwise, you could be stuck paying those sometimes-costly items after the purchase.
Five. Find The Cars You Want
The next step may seem plain, but it’s more crucial than you might think. In fact, this is some of the most significant advice we can give you: Don’t just find one car you want. After you’ve read reviews and set a budget, visit AutoTrader’s listings and find several cars available locally. That way, you’ll have several backup choices if your original plan falls through. Additionally, you’ll have some other options if you have a bad practice at one dealership, or if a few cars are sold to other customers before you’re able to check them out.
6. Take a Thorough Test Drive
For many shoppers, this step is possibly the most significant of them all. Unless you have a lot of practice with the make and model of car you’re considering, don’t just lodge for a brief 5- or 10-minute test drive around the block. Take a long, thorough drive, no matter how persistent the salesperson is that a shorter route is better. Recall that you’re the one buying the car, and it’s a hefty purchase. As a result, you shouldn’t feel rushed into any part of the decision. If you do feel rushed, it might be a sign to consider one of the other cars you’ve selected.
Beyond a test drive, shoppers interested in a used car might want a mechanical inspection. While this is often not necessary for certified pre-owned cars sold with a manufacturer-backed warranty, mechanical inspections can be money well spent for drivers interested in used cars with no warranty. At this point, we also suggest that you ask the dealership for a Carfax or AutoCheck vehicle history report to find out whether the car has been in an accident or suffers from any other issues.
7. Negotiate a Lower Price
It’s very infrequently true that the dealership is advertising its best price. Usually, car dealers advertise one price, but they’re willing to come down from that figure if shoppers negotiate. This is especially true on a sales close, which is almost always the last day of the month.
When it comes to negotiating, don’t be a masturbate. Be rock-hard, but reminisce that this is a business transaction, and it’s not individual if the dealer doesn’t meet your price. Still, we strongly suggest that you don’t agree to any figure you aren’t convenient with. Since you have your financing in order and a long list of other cars to consider, you can always walk out the door at any time. That gives you the ultimate bargaining chip in the world of car sales.
8. Scrupulously Read the Buyer’s Order
Before you agree to any transaction, read over the buyer’s order. This is a document that lists the price of every single thing on the vehicle, from its base cost to dealer fees and taxes. If you have any questions, be sure to ask the dealer about everything before signing the order. This includes items like documentation fees and taxes. If you aren’t sure what an item is, now’s the time to ask, and if anything makes you awkward, this is your last chance to back out.
Around this time, dealers will also suggest to sell you various automotive add-ons, such as tire warranties, alloy wheels or alarm systems. We suggest that you be very careful here, as these items can become expensive quickly, and they can increase your monthly payment.
9. Love Your Fresh Car
If you go after our advice, the process of buying a fresh car doesn’t have to be so intimidating. Sure, it’s a lot to keep in mind, but don’t let all that stop you from liking your fresh car as you drive it off the lot for the very first time.
Buying a Fresh Car: nine Steps Every Buyer Should Take
Buying a Fresh Car: nine Steps Every Buyer Should Take
Car News
Thinking about buying a fresh car? Not sure if you’re going about it the right way? Have no fear: Our latest list includes nine steps every buyer should take before signing the papers.
Choosing the right car can be difficult, and it’s even more complicated when you’re thinking about interest rates, monthly payments, color choices and options. That’s why you should begin to narrow down your choices before you even set foot in a dealership, even before you look for financing.
The best way to do this often involves reading reviews from experts, who can help you eliminate mediocre cars and concentrate on the best ones. You should also talk to friends and family to find out their views on various cars. Interested in a Honda Civic, for example? Ask a friend who possesses one.
Two. Figure Out What Your Trade-In Is Worth
If you’re trading in your current car, this is an significant step. Because you want to be armed with as much skill as possible before setting foot in a dealership, you’ll want to know what your trade-in is worth before a dealer ever makes you an suggest on it. To do this, we very recommend using Kelley Blue Book’s website (kbb.com). We also recommend searching AutoTrader to find asking prices on cars that are comparable to yours. But recall, since you’ll be trading in your car, don’t expect the dealer to suggest you its utter retail value.
Trio. Figure Out What You Can Afford
Once you’ve determined on a few cars worth considering, it’s time to find out what you can afford. If you’re interested in financing or leasing your next car, this means you need to figure out what monthly payment is acceptable without cracking the bank. Different shoppers have different strategies for budgeting car payments, and we certainly wouldn’t want to impose our own, but we strongly suggest creating a budget before heading to the dealership or the bank.
Four. Secure Financing
The next step in the process is to secure financing, and we wouldn’t suggest waiting until you’re at the dealership to do it. Attempting to negotiate a car’s price while at the same time working out an interest rate and loan terms can be very time-consuming, and the dealer knows that the more time you spend on a car, the less likely you are to walk away.
Securing financing beforehand — from a bank or credit union, for example — gives you more power in the negotiating process. It also lets you know where your credit stands before you visit a dealership. Reminisce that if you secure financing before visiting a dealership, you should get a little extra money to pay taxes and fees often associated with a car purchase. Otherwise, you could be stuck paying those sometimes-costly items after the purchase.
Five. Find The Cars You Want
The next step may seem ordinary, but it’s more crucial than you might think. In fact, this is some of the most significant advice we can give you: Don’t just find one car you want. After you’ve read reviews and set a budget, visit AutoTrader’s listings and find several cars available locally. That way, you’ll have several backup choices if your original plan falls through. Additionally, you’ll have some other options if you have a bad practice at one dealership, or if a few cars are sold to other customers before you’re able to check them out.
6. Take a Thorough Test Drive
For many shoppers, this step is possibly the most significant of them all. Unless you have a lot of practice with the make and model of car you’re considering, don’t just lodge for a brief 5- or 10-minute test drive around the block. Take a long, thorough drive, no matter how persistent the salesperson is that a shorter route is better. Recall that you’re the one buying the car, and it’s a big purchase. As a result, you shouldn’t feel rushed into any part of the decision. If you do feel rushed, it might be a sign to consider one of the other cars you’ve selected.
Beyond a test drive, shoppers interested in a used car might want a mechanical inspection. While this is often not necessary for certified pre-owned cars sold with a manufacturer-backed warranty, mechanical inspections can be money well spent for drivers interested in used cars with no warranty. At this point, we also suggest that you ask the dealership for a Carfax or AutoCheck vehicle history report to find out whether the car has been in an accident or suffers from any other issues.
7. Negotiate a Lower Price
It’s very infrequently true that the dealership is advertising its best price. Usually, car dealers advertise one price, but they’re willing to come down from that figure if shoppers negotiate. This is especially true on a sales close, which is almost always the last day of the month.
When it comes to negotiating, don’t be a wank. Be rock hard, but recall that this is a business transaction, and it’s not individual if the dealer doesn’t meet your price. Still, we strongly suggest that you don’t agree to any figure you aren’t comfy with. Since you have your financing in order and a long list of other cars to consider, you can always walk out the door at any time. That gives you the ultimate bargaining chip in the world of car sales.
8. Scrupulously Read the Buyer’s Order
Before you agree to any transaction, read over the buyer’s order. This is a document that lists the price of every single thing on the vehicle, from its base cost to dealer fees and taxes. If you have any questions, be sure to ask the dealer about everything before signing the order. This includes items like documentation fees and taxes. If you aren’t sure what an item is, now’s the time to ask, and if anything makes you awkward, this is your last chance to back out.
Around this time, dealers will also suggest to sell you various automotive add-ons, such as tire warranties, alloy wheels or alarm systems. We suggest that you be very careful here, as these items can become expensive quickly, and they can increase your monthly payment.
9. Love Your Fresh Car
If you go after our advice, the process of buying a fresh car doesn’t have to be so intimidating. Sure, it’s a lot to keep in mind, but don’t let all that stop you from liking your fresh car as you drive it off the lot for the very first time.