Stress-Free Car Buying Guide For All Drivers

Buying a car is a huge investment that should not be taken lightly. Whether you are buying new or used, there are many things you should consider about your car of choice before you make the purchase. Use the tips in the following article to help you narrow down your choices and make the right decision.

What can you afford? You have to understand exactly how much money you have every month to not only pay for the car lease, but also insurance, licensing costs, gas, and repairs. Everything must be covered every single month or else you’ll have to reduce the amount you have to spend on the car itself.

Take time to look over the dealer prior to making buying offers. When you know what they typically offer, you can use it to your advantage. Reading customer reviews can also give you a good picture of what you may be getting into.

When sitting at the bargaining table, take the time to negotiate the price of the car before talking about your trade-in. Doing this will help you get the best price on both vehicles. To do this effectively do not discuss trade-ins until after you have settled on a price of the new vehicle.

If you are going to be purchasing a used car, one of the top things you should be looking at is the mileage of the car. As nice as a car may be, if it has 150,000 miles on it already, you probably will not get much use out of it.

Do not pay for lots of extras when you are buying a car. Sure, it would be nice to have a lot of fun features in your new car, but do you really need them? Every toy or gadget you add jacks up the price of the car considerably. Figure out what you really need, and just stick to that.

Don’t overlook gas mileage when considering a new vehicle. For instance, you may want a large vehicle so you can tow your camper during the summer months. While it is nice to have this capability with your vehicle, is it something that is affordable for your year-round use?

Avoid shopping for a car by yourself if you feel like a pushover. Ask a friend or family member to come with you and help you make the right decision. Tell your companion your priorities and budget goals in advance of your trip.

Make a wish list of cars that you are interested in. You have seen many cars in advertisements and on the road. It should be easy for you to build a solid list of vehicles that would suit your style. You can add a couple of dream cars that seem out of your range; however, be realistic about what you can afford.

Never purchase a car the same day that you find it. A rule of thumb is to sleep on the decision. That way you have time to think about the pros and cons of the car and how much you think the car is for you. Do not worry that the car will be sold in the meantime as there are many more out there.

Shop for your new car near the month’s end. It is the crunch time for quotas, so salespeople want to sell, sell, sell. At month’s end, sales staff who need to fulfill a quota may be more likely to give you a better price in order to sell a vehicle.

One of the most important things to consider before making a car purchase is which car or style you want. By deciding this before entering a dealership, you will be able to avoid high-pressure sales. It also helps you to consolidate your searching and really inform yourself about one specific make and model.

Research properly when getting a used car. There are many websites online that will give you an estimate of what your car can be sold for. The NADA or the Kelly Blue Book can help you determine the value. If the dealer is selling a car for more than what these two sources price the car at, then go elsewhere.

To make your negotiations go smoothly when purchasing a new car have a minimum of a twenty percent down payment saved. By having a down payment, you will be able to lower your interest rate and payments and have leverage when discussing your trade in options. You may find that you will net more savings by not trading a car in and selling it on your own.

If you are looking at a model that has just been released, don’t pull the trigger too soon. This will result in paying the highest possible price for the car. Let the cost go down some before buying it.

Make sure you know what you are signing. Later on, you may be hit with fees you weren’t expecting, but were spelled out in the contract. By the time you start signing papers you are ready to be out on the road, but take the time to read the paperwork that you are signing before you leave.

As stated in the introduction, buying a new car is a big deal. Cars are expensive, so the decision should not be taken lightly. You want to make a decision that you will be proud of. Use the advice outlined above when you go car shopping and choose a car that you will love.