Looking for a new car can be incredibly overwhelming. There are so many different models, sizes, safety features, and entertainment systems to sift through, but with a little bit of research and planning, it doesn’t have to be so daunting.
Set a Budget
One of the first things you should do before you even start looking at cars is to consider how much you are able to spend. There’s no point in walking into a luxury dealership if you know your budget is $20,000 or less.
Consider Your Needs
The first thing you should do is make a list of the things you absolutely need in your new vehicle. If you have a family of six, a five-seater is not going to work. Consider how many seats you’ll need, how much cargo space you want, and whether you need a car that’s great on fuel or can tow a trailer for your family vacations.
Think about what you’ll be using your new vehicle for. Is it for work or for pleasure? Will you be taking it off-road? Try to consider all of the ways in which you’ll be using the vehicle and what the car will need in order for you to accomplish those tasks.
Consider your Options
If you fall in love with a particular car, be sure to look at all of the other vehicles in that class so that you make sure you are getting the best bang for your buck.
You may even realize that you can get all of the same features from the car that you love plus more space at a lower price from another car company. For instance, if you’re interested in the Volkswagen Tiguan, you may want to look at the Honda CR-V or the Kia Sportage to get many of the same features for a fraction of the price.
Look at the Running Costs
Once you know what type of vehicle you want, compare the running costs of each of the vehicles in that class. You might be able to afford the monthly payments for a higher end car or a big truck, but how much will you spend each month on fuel? What will the insurance payments be for that vehicle? These sort of hidden costs could end up costing you a lot more money in the long run.
Go for a Test Drive
Once you’ve created your short list of vehicles, get behind the wheel of each one. Head to your nearby dealership and take them for a drive. You won’t really know if the car is right for you until you take it around the block, sit in the back seat and see how much space there is, and open the trunk to see what fits.
This is also a good time to speak to the salesperson about what the best price is for each vehicle. You might be able to get a great deal on a car that has a higher MSRP simply by asking.
Buying a car doesn’t have to be daunting. Take it step-by-step and ask lots of questions so that you know exactly what you’re driving off the lot.
“2015 Kia Forte” by James Case, licensed via CC BY 2.0
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