Buying a new car, even if it’s just new to you, is a huge deal. So many choices these days and it can be difficult to narrow down the field as well as the decision of who to trust. The better prepared you are before walking onto a lot or someone’s driveway, the more power you have to negotiate and the more confidence you will exude. Take your time and do your research. It will serve you well! Here’s a list of the top 8 things to do to prepare for your next automobile purchase:
Get your financing in order. Whether it’s your local credit union or nationwide bank, it’s important to know your buying power. It’s also important to know what kind of monthly payments you can truly afford that will work within your budget. Also, listen to what the local dealership has to offer because sometimes they really can deliver the best financing option.
Define what’s really important to you ahead of time. That list is going to be different for a teenager vs. a mom vs. someone in their 70’s. Speed, safety features, latest technology, coolness factor… start a list with your first priority and work your way down. Does color REALLY matter? Maybe it does.
Reviews: don’t just read one or two… read as many as you can stand. This provides you with insider information not available on the dealer or manufacturer website. You wanna know what you’re getting yourself into before you drive away with such a huge investment.
Remember that brand perception only goes so far. Don’t get so infatuated with a brand just because it’s pretty or looks cool or was featured in the latest movie you and your friends went to see. Don’t be fooled by a pretty face! Do your homework.
Don’t be tricked into buying all of the fancy extras that could end up costing you a bundle. Go in with your eyes wide open and if you don’t really need the extra paint protectant, don’t let yourself be talked into taking it onto an already expensive price tag.
Take your time. Go to different dealerships and test drive your cars. If you have an opportunity, rent one for even a day to see if it’s really what you love. Time will usually be on your side when making such a big investment.
Know your trade-in value. Check out Kelley Blue Book as one tool and True Car as another. These will give you valuable information to help with the negotiation process for your trade-in as well as the car you wish to purchase.
Invest in a quality pre-purchase inspection. If you take it to an independent auto repair shop, they can run diagnostics and give you the information you need to know to make an informed decision and to get an idea of what repairs are necessary immediately and ones that can wait a bit into the future.
Buying a car can be stressful. These 8 suggestions can help reduce the stress and get you well on your way to happily and successfully navigating your way through the challenging car-buying-process. The highly trained auto mechanics at Robert’s Collision and Repair want to make sure your next vehicle purchase is the best decision for you. Visit our pros at 234 Ramona Ave., Monterey. For best service, schedule an appointment online.