Is it time to look for a new (or used) car? Choosing a new car can be stressful and frustrating when you are not sure what you are looking for or how to go about it. If you are getting ready to purchase a new or “new to you” car, check out these tips first:
Look, but don’t buy.
There is nothing wrong with visiting dealerships without the intention of buying. If you are not sure what type of vehicle you want, it’s a good idea to get out there and take a look around. To avoid being pressured by car salespersons, let them know upfront that you are merely browsing and have no intention of buying today. They will quickly move on to the next potential buyer.
Take notes.
When you are browsing the car lots, take a notepad or even a voice recorder. Make a note of the things you do like and the things you don’t like for each car. If you have questions you would like to ask about a particular vehicle, write it down. It’s likely you will forget after you have looked at hundreds of cars.
Research the vehicles you like.
After you have an idea of the different vehicles you like, go home and do some research. Google will be your best friend in this part of the process. Look at gas mileage, recall information, how much will it cost to insure and most importantly, reviews. Reviews are a great way to get an idea of the potential mishaps that can come with that vehicle before you buy. Keep in mind that there really isn’t a perfect car, but you can find one perfect for you.
Be prepared to negotiate.
Once you have decided on the vehicle you want, arm yourself with information. If you are buying from a dealership, ask to see the invoice for the car you are looking at. Knowing what the dealer paid for the vehicle is a great bargaining chip. You can negotiation up from that price, instead of down from the sticker price.
Stay detached.
It can be exciting when you are getting ready to make the purchase, but try to keep your excitement from showing. If a salesperson knows you are attached to the car, he or she may be less likely to negotiate or give you the price you want to pay.
We hope these tips will be helpful to you as you start the car-buying process. If you have any tips for buying a new car, stop by our brand-new Facebook page and share with our growing online community. Be sure to “like” our page for more tips, relevant articles and useful information!
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