Lot's a people will offer you different types of buying
a car tips. It's usually best to ask for as much advice as
possible since buying a car is usually quite a large investment.
There's so much to consider these days, the mechanics of the car,
the warranty, financing the car. We've provided the article below,
this is expert advice.
Tips to Buying a Car
I need a car. I've been a pedestrian for too long. I need
information. I'll hop on the web. Search for "car buying guides."
Whoa! Over 15 million sites/pages! Refine my search. "Free first
time car buyer guides" and narrow it down to only 4 million. That's
about as refined as I can get right now. Look over the first page
of my results, chose some links with names I recognize. Open some
pages. Lots of interesting articles. Let's see if I can pull
together a cohesive list.
What type of vehicle do I need? Notice I wrote "need" not want?
I want a cool car, but this is a major investment and cool doesn't
really last that long. Do I buy new or used? What kind of driving
am I really going to be doing, and in what kind of conditions? How
much can I reasonably spend for monthly maintenance? How much can I
spend on a loan or lease payment? Should I buy from a dealer, an
auction or private sale? How's my credit rating? Where should I buy
insurance? Lots of questions to answer, and probably some I haven't
included here.
Before you search for that cool car," decide exactly what your
needs and wants are. Don't buy what you want, buy what you need.
Don't get into a cash bind because you spent more than you can
really afford because the "cool" factor fades fast but those
monthly payments continue. Review your budget to determine how much
you can really afford. That means not only the car payment, but
insurance and an estimate of your monthly maintenance (gas, oil,
etc.) Check your credit so you have an idea of what type of loan
you can qualify for. Decide on a firm price (payment or
full-purchase), because dealers and salespeople will be doing their
best to get more out of you. Be firm and stick to your dollar
amount. If financing, decide on a realistic maximum payment you can
make. If possible, check with your bank to see what type of loan
you qualify for.
With the internet, it's now much easier to compare vehicles.
Take the time to check out some websites that offer information
about vehicles and compare. Don't just rush out and buy the first
car you see. Remember, your vehicle is a major investment and
unless you can change vehicles every year, this car will probably
have to last you 4 or 5 years. Be choosy. Look at the pictures,
sure, but READ the information. Check to see if the dealership
offers web discounts (that is, if you buy from them they will offer
some discount for using the web).
Educate yourself about vehicle pricing. Dealerships have to make
a profit; otherwise they would not be in business! Simple
economics. Dealers will negotiate, but YOU have to be prepared as
well. The dealers and salespeople know their bottom line on any
vehicle. Again, check the web for information regarding pricing.
Ask family and friends to help you learn about vehicle pricing.
There are many factors that most people don't even know about.
Make certain you qualify for insurance. Check out your state's
department of motor vehicles website and learn the minimum
insurance necessary. Check around the web and you'll find many
major insurance companies with rate comparison features. Use those
resources. Be very aware that your past driving record will affect
your rates, but also if you are a first time buyer, be ready for
slightly higher rates to begin with. After all, the insurance
company is really gambling on your not making any claims against
the insurance. Think about the type of driving you will be doing
and review the "extras" offered by the insurance provider. Also,
the type of vehicle you are looking to purchase will affect your
rates as well. Older cars usually mean less safety features, so
rates will be higher. Your vehicle insurance is just as important
as your health insurance.
A short note here about car dealerships (and not just the new
vehicle showroom guys). I personally have not had good results
buying from a private seller. Way too many variables and basically
no recourse if something isn't right. Dealers have certain rules
and restrictions they must comply with, such as title registration
time limits, the lemon law, and the "buyers remorse" (3 day changed
my mind) rules. Dealerships must be licensed and follow the laws;
private sellers often don't. Dealerships also can provide a wider
range of options than a private seller. Go to your state motor
vehicle or department of licensing website and educate yourself.
What you don't know can hurt you.
Also, there is a list called the Customer Service Index (or
something similar) which each car maker maintains for dealerships.
The ranking indicates how a dealership satisfies customers not only
in sales, but also in service. Basically, go to the manufacturer's
website, search for customer service index and then navigate the
website to find that manufacturer's criteria for a great
dealership. Yes it takes time, but this is a major investment.
Family and friends can help here as well.
Once you have decided what type of vehicle you want, and which
dealerships you want to check out (always try at least 2
dealerships, don't just settle on one!), take someone with you,
preferably someone knowledgeable about the vehicle you have chosen
(a family member or friend you feel comfortable with). That person
will probably ask some questions you didn't think of! I'm a wimp
when it comes to negotiating, but my hubby isn't, and he knows
about cars. I let him do most of the questioning, even though I was
the one purchasing the car. Believe me, it helped, because he asked
questions I really never thought about.
Last, but certainly not least, TEST DRIVE THE CAR! Sounds
simple, but it is very important. Just because you found what looks
like the car of your dreams, it may still not be right. You need to
be comfortable behind the wheel, your sight lines should be clear,
you should be able to judge your surroundings based on the size of
the vehicle, and you should be able to find all those little areas
of vehicle maintenance you can do yourself.
Remember, a vehicle is a major investment. It should be chosen
with care and deliberate thought. There a many factors to consider
and, ultimately, you are the one that has to pay for any mistakes
in your choice.
About the Author
Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian
Discount Car Rentals, specialists in car rentals Kauai. He has personally
researched and experienced many of the Hawaiian activities and as
described above.