7 Useful Car Buying Tips

Have you decided to buy a new car? If you’re like most people, a car is the second-largest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime after a home purchase. Because of this, we want to make sure you get a great deal and are completely confident in your car buying decision for years to come. Car buying can be tricky, especially if you have never purchased a car before or don’t know much about the industry. With the help of a car buying consultant and by following these tips, your next car purchase can be as smooth as possible.

Here are our top 7 tips for buying a car:

1. Don’t base your purchase on emotion.

When it comes to buying a car, impulse buying is a big “no-no.” Rather than relying on what feels right or seems cool at the moment, you’ll want to take the time to research your options and find out exactly what you want. Your goal should be to make a well-thought-out, planned, confident decision that you aren’t going to regret in a few months. If you aren’t sure what you’re looking for or need help comparing options, an industry expert, like a car buying consultant, can help.

2. Don’t let yourself be pressured to make a fast purchase.

You may be offered a “limited time” deal by a dealership looking to make a fast sale. Even if a deal seems too good to pass up, you don’t have to make a decision right then and there. More often than not, the deal is not going to disappear as soon as you leave the dealership. In fact, you may even get a better deal if you wait and go back. This will also give you time to research more about the car and give yourself some bargaining room, which brings us to our next point…

3. Be prepared to negotiate.

The price on the sticker does not have to be the price you pay. If you’ve done your homework on prices and values, you can often negotiate to pay a lower price. Don’t feel comfortable negotiating for any reason? A car buying consultant can act as your representative and negotiate on your behalf.

4. Don’t buy the newest model as soon as it comes out.

When a new model or version of a car comes out, dealers will only receive a limited number of cars at first. Because of this, the cars will sell for close to the sticker prices, with little room for negotiation. Why? It has to do with the laws of supply and demand. With such a big hype around a new car and so few available, dealers can sell them at the asking price with no problem. You’re better off waiting a few months for a better price, once the hype has gone down a bit.

5. Take time during the test drive.

First of all, never skip the test drive. You want to be sure you’re completely comfortable with the car. Pay attention to extra features, comfort, accessibility, safety features, and how it drives. Take your time before the drive and after the drive to take note of all of the car’s features. Your car buying consultant can advise you on what to look for and pay attention to during the test drive.

6. Look at both new and used cars.

There are pros and cons of both new and used cars, which may be different for each buyer. Consider price, reliability, features, and insurance rates when looking at cars. Many pre-owned cars even offer great warranties and coverage, in addition to costing less.

7. Buy a car you can afford.

Our last and possibly most important tip is to buy a car you can afford. Set a budget for yourself before you even start looking at cars and stick with it. Make sure you’ll be able to make the payments each month comfortably. Take into consideration that your insurance rates may be higher with a new car when drafting a budget.

We hope your next car purchase is as stress-free as possible with the help of the above tips. Whether you’re purchasing your first car or simply don’t have the time to devote to a car search, a car buying consultant can make sure you get a great deal. Click below to learn more about the role of a car buying consultant and how Carcierge can better assist you.

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