The Key Things You Should Know About Car Shopping
Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases you are likely to make in your entire lifetime (next to becoming a homeowner). There are many factors to consider when making your decision. The following article has some helpful tips and advice that is sure to make your selection process a bit easier.
Rather than buying a brand-new car, purchase a lightly used one that is only a couple of years old. Many cars come with transferable warranties that last for three years or 36,000 miles. You will save a significant amount over buying new, and the warranty will give you peace of mind for the first year or so.
Line up all vehicle financing before you actually start shopping in person. You can talk to a bank or a credit union about it. This often provides you with a much better interest rate, and you can visit the dealership with a solid idea of what you can afford.
If you are frequently using your car, it is important that you ask the dealer about the tires of the car. Find out about the size of the tires and how much they would be to replace. This is a big deal because certain tired cost a substantial amount to replace.
Never take a car at face value. Though you may not be a mechanic, it is a good idea to do a thorough inspection of the vehicle. An important part of the inspection is a test drive. This allows you to feel the car on the road, listen for any wayward noises and possible spot issues with performance.
Know your purchasing price before you drive to the dealership. That number should be about the amount you want to spend, and the research you’ve done about the value of whatever car you want.
When purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle that comes with a warranty, make sure you read the fine print. Most warranties on these vehicles only cover power-train and don’t cover much else. There are also cases in which the warranty may not be transferable which would make it void in your case.
If you cannot find the exact car that you want, ask your dealership if they can order it for you. Most domestic cars can be custom ordered with the exact upgrades and options that you want. Even used cars are often easy for car dealerships to find and have shipped to their location. You will have to wait a bit longer for this option, but it might be worth it if you have your heart set on something specific.
It is illegal for a dealer ship to roll back the odometer on any car they sell. Even if they put a new motor in the car, it is still illegal. If you suspect that a dealer is not stating the correct mileage on a car, leave and shop elsewhere.
Understand that introductory terms are just that, introductory. Therefore, know what to expect afterwards, and assess your budget to make sure that it accommodates it nicely. If you don’t, you could find yourself getting duped by one of the oldest tricks in the book. Don’t let that happen to you!
Consider skipping the dealership entirely. An auto broker will work with multiple dealerships to find you the best deal on the car you want. You can usually find these online, and the dealerships will pay the fees for their use. This is a good way to comparison shop without having to visit multiple dealerships.
Do not fall for the sales pitch that the deal will not be available if you wait until the next day. More times than not, you will be able to walk back into the dealership and get the same price, if not a better one the next day. If you feel that the salesman is pressuring you, walk out the door and come back the next day.
Take the time to find the car that you want before heading to the dealership. Learn about the available options for that car. Furthermore, research to find out what other consumers are paying for that car with the options that you want. This way, you can better be prepared to get the dealer to sell you the car for what it’s worth.
If you are considering purchasing a used car, you might want to buy a membership to AAA. There is a little bit of unknown when buying a used vehicle. If you have the AAA membership, they will come and help you if you have trouble. They will even tow your car for free to have it fixed.
When you want a car with certain features, you may have to special order it, but you may not be able to if the car comes from overseas. That said, the dealer may be able to call other lots to find the exact model you want and have it brought over for you, so ask for that option.
If a dealer offers to give you, a used car that is similar to the new car you are interested in, make sure to check the value of that car first. Go home and take a look at some online pricing guides to help. Sometimes these really are great deals, but sometimes it is a bait and switch practice used to get used cars off the lot.
Know what your budget is before you start shopping for a car. This way, you can avoid any letdown when you find a car that you like but cannot afford. Do not spend anything more than 20 percent of your income on all the household vehicles, including the cost of insurance.
With all the different options to choose from, buying a car can seem a bit daunting at first. However, if you use the information mentioned in this article, you will learn how to make a wise selection that you can be proud of. Just remember to be patient and do your research!