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Buying a New Car |
by Nessim Sampson Other than buying a home, buying a car is the biggest purchase most people will ever make. This being the case, it is surprising to see car buyers walking into a dealership with little to no idea of what they are doing. A savvy car buyer keeps to a budget, does research on possible vehicles, and sticks to pre-set goals.
The first step to buying a car is to know what your goals are. Asking yourself a couple of questions will help save time, money, and sanity. The questions to ask are:
1-What do I need the car for?
2-What are my priorities?
The most important question is “why do I need a car in the first place?” A parent looking to buy a family vehicle will have wildly different needs than a teenager buying their first car. Knowing what you want will allow you to make an educated purchase that will meet your future needs. You can’t always buy what you want, so setting priories will allow you to get the closest fit possible.
Knowing what you want is only the first part. Keeping to a budget is also critical for successful car buying. Important things to be aware of when buying a car are:
1-Price Range: How expensive is the car?
2-Payments: What monthly payments can I afford?
3-Loans: What kind of a loan is right for me?
Saving enough money for a decent down payment will save hundreds, possibly thousands, of dollars of interest in the long run. Beware of dealerships that offer “zero-down” or “buy now, pay later” deals. These are money pits that savvy buyers will stay away from.
Researching cars is the next step. The Internet in particular is a fantastic tool for research because it is so easy to use. Going to a manufacturer’s website is a good start to find information about a car. Things to look for are:
1-Gas Mileage: Would it bankrupt you to drive it?
2-Reliability: Are mechanic’s fees higher than gas?
3-Size: Is it large enough for all your needs?
4-Apperance: This is a big investment. Make sure you like the way it looks!
Once you know the car’s specs, it’s time to look at reviews. Once again, searching on-line will provide the best and easiest results. A good car review should cover everything the manufacturer mentions, as well as things they left out. A lot of reviewers also make comparisons to similar types of vehicles. These comparisons are a good way to see if some other car fits your “wants” and “needs” better. Another method is customer reviews. Mostly laypeople, they give a good “man on the street” feel for the car, and offer practical advice based of experience.
You know what kind of a car you want, and you know what kind of a car you can afford. Now it’s time to find it! There are many places to start shopping for a car, such as dealerships, local car magazines or the Internet. Internet sites save time, but are not always the most reliable. Going into a dealership allows you to get a feel for the car, as well as a possible test drive. But watch out! There are good dealerships and bad dealerships. A good dealership will gladly answer any questions you may have, while a bad one will only look out for their interests, not yours.
The main thing to remember when buying a car is not to be pressured into buying something you don’t want. By sticking to your goals, making educated decisions, and keeping within a budget, the experience of buying a car becomes easier, cheaper, and a lot more fun!
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