The Smart Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Car
So you’re considering buying a car? If this is your first time, you probably want to avoid being a “grape,” which is a term car-salesmen use for gullible customers who will fall for every trick in the book. Once you’ve fully realized that you’re getting involved in a long term payment plan, and that a car is something that has to be manageable to fix, fill with gas and maintain at all times, you definitely need to read this Smart Consumer’s Guide to Buying a Car and do some serious thinking.
You could talk to your friends, but how well-versed and experienced are they really? Commercials for car dealerships will tell you that their vehicles are the best there are or were, and car salesmen will always tell you that they personally own every car on the lot and are amazed by how well they run. Don’t be fall for it, take your time and do the right research to make sure you’re making the right purchase.
Research
Today, research is everything. People are more likely to believe other buyers than they are brand-advertising, which makes perfect sense. So make good use of your online resources and find search engines that will compare prices and technical details for you. In terms of basic figures, Toyota is the bestselling car in the US.
In fact, 180, 467 Toyotas were sold in the last year, and the numbers just keep on growing, so maybe the most popular one is the most reliable one. Chevrolet and Honda are second and third place, for that matter. Look for the ratings of your local dealership online, and carefully go through every comment, video and blog available.
Professional assurance
The majority of buyers do investigate both new and used cars, so if you are thinking about buying a used car, there are a few additional issues that need to be taken into consideration. Of course, make sure that you’ve visited every car lot in town and have all the prices and details memorized or written down.
Once your list is done, choose the three best options and then call a mechanic. This is extremely important and is not to be taken lightly. There are simply too many technical details, parts and options that you won’t even have thought of and they can be crucial for the final price, or might even save your life.
Financing
If you are buying a used car, you should negotiate until the salesman starts to cry and unwillingly gives you the keys with a shaky hand. Don’t worry, it’s all just an act and he is still making profit. Apparently, only 28% of buyers consider leasing as an option, but by all means look into it if you think it might work you.
Assuming that you don’t have enough cash, you will need a loan, and most people get discouraged when they realize how much money will be lost in the process. When you are done with your payments, your car will not be worth even close to the amount you paid for it, and reselling it could be a challenge. To solve this, you can try speeding up the payment process.
Buying a Car
First, try to calculate how much you can save on rates in the long run with this biweekly auto loan calculator. This method will not only get you out of debt faster, but you will be left with a much better resale value for your next purchase. By then, you will be an experienced car owner and you will know exactly what you want and how to get it.
Happy car hunting and don’t forget to drive safely!
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Category: Car Finance, Car Lease
