Tips When Buying a New Car

Getting a new car ought to be a blast, yet it’s often full of stress and jitters. Did you know there are over 268,000 expert car salespeople, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics? There are way fewer skilled car buyers out there, which is why looking into top resources like Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, and AAA can be a game-changer. We even dug up some eye-opening ideas from BankRate, MSN, and ABC. Cracking the code to a smooth car-buying experience could mean learning a few tricks from these insider sources. Before jumping into that next car purchase, check out these tips and secrets. They’re like having a map for your buying adventure, promising to steer you clear of bumps on the road. Dive in and discover what we’ve unearthed for your journey toward your new ride.

• Rarely do people “need” to buy a new car right away. Our first tip is to intentionally decide to take your time and do your research. There is likely no reason you have to buy a new car within a few days of making the decision to shop. Take a week or two, or even more. Visit lots of dealers and go online.
• Decide on what you can afford. Most people budget monthly, so go online and find one of the many free loan calculators and see how much car you can buy based on what you can afford monthly.
• Take your time with a test drive and take someone you trust with you. Get out and look in the trunk, under the hood. Sit in all the seats. Does the car have enough acceleration for you? Is it quiet enough? Does it sound “solid” when you close the doors? Is it comfortable?
• Get pre-approved for a loan. This will give you an idea as to what interest rate you will qualify for. Now, keep in mind, just because you got pre-qualified from one financial institution doesn’t mean you can’t still shop around after you find your perfect car. Shopping for the best rate can be just as important as getting a good deal on the price of a car.
• Don’t get confused by talking trade or with including dealer financing. Talk specifically about the price of the car and any associated fees. You ultimately want to compare cash, out-the-door prices.
• Unless you have an accountant that has some strong reasons for you to lease, buy your car.
• There are better times of the month and year to buy cars. The last week of the month is when dealers and salespeople are trying to “hit their numbers” and will be more willing to negotiate. Christmas is a slow period for car dealers, and in cold weather states, January is also a good time to shop. Avoid Saturdays when dealerships will have their most traffic.

Traffic School can keep you safer on the roadways but you will need to look out for yourself in the showroom. It is our hope the above tips can save you stress, and money, when buying a new car.