It is possible to save time and money on a new car if you follow a few steps. The technological world today offers so many new and exciting ways to help you get the car of your dreams. You will not have to simply go down to the nearest car lot and buy the best one that they have. You can shop around and get the perfect car with the extras that you want.
This applies to both types of cars that you may be considering, new or used. To many, a “new” car is actually a used version that can be bought for less, but still has very few miles driven on it. It is said that a new vehicle will lose an average of 49.1% over the first five years, so it is a viable option to consider.
Let us look at a few ways that you can save some time and money. Keep in mind that you can adjust these tips to fit any vehicle buying scenario.
1. Research
The first thing that you will want to do is to research the cars that you may be interested in. You can do some searches online or you can go to the consumer’s report and get a complete breakdown of the car if it is a newer model. Make sure you know the good and bad of the car that you want before you start looking to buy one.
2. Need Not Want
You need to truly sit down and decide what you need from a new vehicle. Are you looking for something sporty that can get you into trouble or are you looking for a family vehicle that can transport kids back and forth to school? You do not want to go by what you want (unless this is an extra car that you are getting) because it will very seldom match your needs. It would not be good to buy a two-seat sports car when you need to be able to haul your spouse and children around. Or if you want to be able to drive in the backwoods it would be pointless to buy a low-rider. You get the point.
3. Online Platforms
The innovative technology that comes out onto the market every day makes it easy to shop for a car. Use an online platform that will search for the vehicle that you are looking for. If you are buying new, go to the website of the dealer closest to you and build your own vehicle. You can add any options that you want but be careful because all the new gadgets can be mesmerizing. Only add what you need.
4. Insurance
When budgeting the price of a new car you need to remember to include the car registration fees, as well as the cost of the insurance that you will need. Use another online platform to search for the best car insurance in Victoria. You need to factor this cost into your buying plan. Iselect can help you with that.
5. Loan
If possible, pay for the cost of the new car outright. Skipping the loan will save you a ton of time, and some money. If you need the loan to be able to buy the vehicle then get one through (you got it) an online platform, such as iSelect, that can connect you to various lenders in your area. You will want to get pre approved before you try to buy a car. This will tell you exactly how much you can get on a loan, and how much deposit you will need to have built up to put down on the new vehicle.
6. Hidden Fees
You will want to read your contracts carefully, especially the fine print. It is common for lenders, and car lots, to tack on hidden fees that they want you to pay. Yes, they are in business to make money, but you are in the middle of a task to get a good deal on a vehicle. You need to step up and talk to them about the added costs. If they are not willing to budge on them, and if you truly are against paying them, move on to the next dealer until you find one that does want your money.
7. End of Model Year
If you are buying a new car consider waiting until the end of the model year. Dealers will be trying to sell their cars to make room for the next year’s models, so you can get a great deal. Do not be afraid to try and get the salesperson to go down on the price because they do mark them up to get a better profit. Yes, the person will get less on their commission, but at least they will get some money from the sale. Do not be afraid to walk away and take your business elsewhere if they are not willing to work with you. If they want the sale, or if they want your business, they will make some counter offers that will still be in your best interest.
8. Certified Used Car
This has been mentioned earlier but it is an important point that you need to consider. A new vehicle will lose its value as soon as it is driven off the lot. Many people will lease a vehicle for a couple of years and then trade it in on something better. These are the cars that you need to look for. As well as any used vehicles that have been pre-certified. They will be vehicles in excellent condition that have been gone over by a certified mechanic.
That is about all that there is to it. Buying a new vehicle, or a “new” used vehicle, is a painless process that you can get through quickly if you follow the steps above. Yes, some of them will take a little bit of time out of your day, but in the end, it will save you time and money on your purchase. Which is what this article has been all about. Take a little time to be prepared because it will save you from pulling your hair out later on.
