Tips on Purchasing a Car

Ready for a new vehicle but don’t know where to start? With today’s makes and models of all kinds, make sure to review the following tips on purchasing a car before you sign on the dotted line.

Top Ten Ways to Buy a New Car!

There are tons of top ten lists, especially when it comes to purchasing a car. Which ones are the best tips? LovetoKnow Cars did some research to find the best top ten list to ensure you get the car you want at the price you want.

What type of warranty comes with the car? Does it have a crash-test rating by the NHTSA? Warranty and safety are large concerns when purchasing a car. To find out what type of manufacturer’s warranty comes with any car, ask a salesperson or visit the manufacturer’s website. As far as safety, if it has been tested by the NHTSA then you can find out a car’s crash test safety rating at the web page Safer Car.

If you want to use the car for hauling, you might want a van, wagon, or SUV of some sort. If you plan to use it as a family vehicle, a minivan, sedan or compact car should be on your car-plan agenda. Considering the primary use of your car is important. Purchasing the car you want for the wrong need can be a bad buy.

It is true that the higher-line the vehicle, the more costly it will be at maintenance time. Parts can also be harder to obtain and once your mechanic gets them, expect to pay a hefty price for parts and labor. Ask the salesperson what the average annual maintenance cost is for the car you like. Remember, maintenance costs are just as important as the price of the vehicle.

Can you afford an expensive luxury car or SUV? Or, are compact or sedan models more in you price range? Purchasing a car you can’t afford or being talked into buying such a vehicle can end up in late payments or even repossession. Sit down and look at your monthly household budget before you buy.

The down payment you offer should be as much as you can scrape together without jeopardizing other household expenses. The rule of thumb with down payments is that for every $1,000 you put down, your monthly car payment will decrease by twenty-five dollars. Also, the more the down payment is, the less you’ll owe on it. Finally, no down payment means you could be upside down when it’s time to trade-in that car.

Many people see ads for cars and really want them, but are they the most durable? Do some research on what cars last the longest with the least amount of repairs or downtime. See what the experts recommend. Your research can be two-fold. First, visit Edmunds to get both consumer and expert reviews. Second, visit your local library and ask to see issues of Consumer Reports magazines that offer great car buys and tips.

Along with using our Car Buying Strategies guide, ask yourself if you trust your salesperson? Does he or she talk too fast and explain prices so fast that you don’t understand? Do they waiver on prices for your trade-in. Do they disappear to a back office over and over again to see what discount they can really get you? If your salesperson does any of these things, find another dealer.

Don’t finance your vehicle at the dealership unless they are offering a zero percent interest rate. Your bank or credit union will give you a better interest rate. Ask your salesperson for a buyer’s order and take it to your financial institution to see what they can offer.

Often, to get the best deal, a good tip on purchasing a car will be your ability to compromise. You may visit a dealership and find the sedan you want, but not in the color you desire. Be prepared to accept a vehicle that may not be your first choice in color but is loaded with the options you want. The dealer may give you a discount for buying and driving that car off the lot today! Ask salespeople to show you cars that have been in their inventory for a long time. These are still new cars with full warranties and can often be a great find and deal.

Many car buyers skip the all-important task - the test-drive. If you skip this step, and find the car is too large, too small, or isn’t comfortable to drive, you will have no one to blame but yourself. Make sure you test-drive the vehicle on both city streets and on the highway to get a good feel for the car.

If you use these tips on purchasing a car, you’ll come out ahead. Remember to use common sense about what you need, what you can afford, how much you can put down, and to test-drive the vehicle. It’s also important to do your own research on any car before you make the decision to buy it.

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