How To Buy A Car — 9 Best Car-Buying Tips

No doubt a headache-inducing process, purchasing a car is a daunting undertaking for most. If the prospect of buying a new vehicle gives you pause, don’t fret. With guidance from industry experts, you can master the art of car-buying. Before the affairs are underway, pore over the following steps.

Establish A Budget

If you’re shopping the lot without a dollar figure in mind, you can bet that a salesperson will capitalize on your naivete. In the hopes of evading the long arms of dubious sales tactics, it’s prudent to set parameters on your spending. Fortunately, there are online tools you can use to streamline the process. A car affordability calculator is one such implement. Here are some factors the calculator will compute.

• Desired monthly payment
• Loan term
• Cash down payment
• Market finance rate

Consult The Internet

Any savvy shopper knows the importance of performing online research before plunging into proceedings. With that said, it’s imperative that you scour the web for makes and models you’re interested in. Above all else, it’s essential that you look into potential dealerships. Testimonials will be particularly telling.

Whittle Down Your Options

Once you’ve found a handful of contenders, it’s time to shorten your list. The moment you enter the showroom, you’ll want to have a clear-cut vision of your desired automobile. Again, if a salesperson can sense your indecisiveness, they’ll exploit your fickleness. One surefire way to stick to your guns is to set your sights on a particular vehicle.

Orient Yourself

When it comes to purchasing a car, knowledge is undoubtedly power. If you’re unfamiliar with the procedures, take time to acquaint yourself; that way, you won’t be blindsided. Though everyone has different experiences, the operations run parallel to each other. Consider asking a friend, family member, or the web for insight on the matter.

Review Your Information

During negotiations, your credit score will continually come into play. Whether you’re discussing financing options or finalizing leasing details, it’s vital that you know your credit score. Bear in mind that if you have poor credit, you’ll have considerably less financial resources available to you. With that in mind, you may want to improve your credit before shopping the market for a new automobile.

Shop The Sales

Dealerships are infamous for holding sales throughout the year. Given how frequently these money-saving opportunities arise, it can be hard to discern a genuine sale from a pseudo one. If you have a dealership on your radar, monitor their prices to see if you’re truly receiving the deal of a lifetime. Specialists suggest shopping towards the end of a month or quarter.

Check The Car’s Credentials

Now it’s time to note some pertinent information. The manufacturing date, mileage, and vehicle information number are some important stats. Your VIN is a unique code that essentially serves as the car’s fingerprint. Knowing this information is exceedingly critical.
*Pro Tip: You can check VIN number at carvertical.com, Carfax or AutoDNA.

Test Drive The Car

The most crucial phase of the process is the test drive. After all, the proof is in the test drive. If you’ve fallen in love with a car, don’t let your affections blind you to any glaring red flags. If you aren’t comfortable behind the wheel, you need to kiss that option farewell. The vehicle you select should include the bells, whistles, and driving qualifications you desire.

Sharpen Your Negotiation Skills

You don’t have to be a master negotiator to handle this stage of the car purchase. Don’t let anyone give you a run for your money or inflate your head with hot air. If your opinions can be swayed, you’re in for quite the runaround. In essence, it’s important that you never falter from your position.