Your time is precious and you don’t want to spend hours in a car dealership hunting for your next vehicle. There are some key ways to avoid wasting time and energy on your next purchase.
Do Your Homework
Before you even step foot into a dealership, narrow your selection down to a few vehicles. Read Car and Driver, Auto Week, Consumer Reports and other reputable car magazines to educate yourself. You can also go online and begin your search by reading up on the latest models on manufacturer websites as well as car forums and blogs.
Ask yourself these questions to help you narrow what you are looking for:
- Are you searching for a family sedan or an SUV to haul your family around?
- Is fuel economy your main reason for buying a new vehicle?
- Do you haul a boat or trailer and need more power?
Having these answers will help to define your search and let you zero in on the vehicle you need.
It’s all in the Details
Once you have narrowed your selection down to a few different vehicles, compare the different features offered. Your local dealership’s website is a great source for information. You can compare the features, fuel economy, and prices on all their models. Decide what features are important to you.
If you are trading in your vehicle, go to Kelly Blue Book and look up your vehicle’s trade-in value. This knowledge will prepare for the negotiating table.
Financing
Go to your local bank or credit union and see what rates and deals you can obtain before you go car shopping. You can even do some of this research online, including using a local dealership’s online finance tools and calculators. Knowing your budget will assist you in your selection. It will also speed up the car buying process when you come in pre-approved.
If you would rather have in-house financing, be aware of your credit and budget when you shop. This way there will be no surprises. You won’t have to spend precious time waiting while the dealership locates a lender that will work with you.
Test Drive
You have the car you want in mind. You show up at the dealership and get dazzled by a make and model that is not want you are looking for. Don’t waste your time test driving vehicles that don’t fit the bill. Keep focused and only test drive what you want. This will keep the vehicle purchase on the right path.
Closing the Deal
You have done your homework, secured great low-cost financing, and test drove your dream car. Now it’s time to make a reasonable offer both you and the dealership can live with. A little preparation will go a long way in shortening the time you spend buying your next car. Have in mind where you would like to end up on the final price and realize that the dealership wants to work with you to close the deal and hand you those keys.
What’s Your Experience?
Tell us about your experience when buying a vehicle? Did you have an exceptional customer experience with Melloy? Or, do you have questions about what else you can do to prepare for a vehicle purchase? Let us know below.
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