All posts tagged auto buying

Six Things To Consider Before Buying A New Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/03/13 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Whatever you financial situation, investing in a new car is never a small matter. Due to the fact that new cars lose a substantial amount of value the moment they are driven off of the lot, you can never be sure that you are making a sound financial investment without having the right information in hand first. By understanding the right questions to ask at the time of purchase, you can be assured that you are purchasing a winner.

All Charges Considered

Many deals can look very good on the surface. However, hidden charges often abound when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle. Maintain complete transparency when it comes to the price you will be paying by considering every fee that will apply to the deal. Negotiations typically include only the price of the car. Figure out what the total cost will be to drive off of the lot by exploring the fees related to documentation, sales tax, registration, and other hidden charges that are in the interest of the dealer.

The Car You Are Actually Buying

The majority of cars on the showroom floor are outfitted with additional add-ons and options. It is not unusual for dealers to package these extras into the deal in order to raise profits. Insist that all information related to upgrades is disclosed before finalizing the purchase. The most common features to fall into this category include mud flaps, alarm systems, and vehicle-recovery systems. Buyers also regularly encounter “paint-protection” packages and other unnecessary, costly warranties.

Details Matter

It is standard for dealers to charge a fee for documenting the purchase. However, this fee for filling out paperwork related to the purchase is not standardized for all organizations. This fee can range between $100 and $600. Some states cap these charges by law. These charges are negotiable in almost all cases. Address the issue early in negotiations in order to keep your costs to a minimum.

Online Purchases

It is not unusual for buyers today to purchase vehicles through online sources without ever actually seeing the vehicle in person. In these cases, there are several considerations that come into play. Be sure that you are made aware of the number of miles on the vehicle. Not all new cars come with a flawless odometer. It is also wise to explore your options for vehicle delivery. This option can be included at the conclusion of negotiations in order to save a little extra money when it comes to gas and visiting the actual dealership.

Loans and Interest Rates

It is important to know every detail of a dealer-provided loan. Be completely aware of the additional costs and terms of the loan before making all agreements. When looking at the raw numbers, applying for a loan in order to purchase a new car is best done though a neutral, third-party entity.

Stand Your Ground

It is important to let a salesman know that you are prepared to walk away from a deal no matter how good it is on the surface. Ask them directly what the best possible offer is that they can give to you directly. This tactic almost always ensures a better price at the bottom line.

Purchasing a new car can be less stressful with these tips. Consider looking online to read more about the vehicle you are interested in.

Informational credit to Expressway Dodge.

New Car Smell: What to Know Before You Buy

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/10/06 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

Most people are super excited when they finally get the opportunity to purchase a new car. It’s an opportunity to upgrade and finally get all the features you’ve wanted, but you also have so many factors to think about before you decide. Before you start to budget, here are a few things that you should know before buying a new ride.

Cost of Insurance

Some car buyers forget to research the cost of insurance. Before signing your name on any paperwork, it is always a good idea to get a quote from your insurance provider. While the insurance for one particular vehicle may cost around $100 a month, the insurance rates for a similar vehicle may be $150 a month. This is a cost difference of $600 a year. Make sure you have all their information before making a final decision.

Long-Term Reliability

The reliability of a vehicle is a very important quality. Although some vehicles will deliver years of trouble-free service, there are others that will need major repair work in the future. Remember, most car warranties last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. After the warranty period ends, you will have to cover the cost of getting your vehicle repaired. When reading through the reviews for a vehicle, be on the lookout for common problem areas.

Budget

Never go shopping for a car without first developing a budget. If the payments for a vehicle exceed 20 percent of your monthly income, you should seek a more affordable alternative. Some dealerships offer free maintenance for a year, which will help you to save a lot of cash. When outlining your budget, do not forget to factor in the cost of fuel each month.

VIN Check

If you decide to purchase a pre-owned vehicle, be sure to always check the car’s vehicle identification number. According to Instavin, a VIN check gives you complete access to the vehicle’s history. In the event that the vehicle was involved in a major accident or natural disaster, a free VIN check should reveal the facts.

Optional Features

Most new vehicles are offered with several optional features. In most instances, the optional equipment will cause the total cost of the vehicle to increase. Luckily, most insurance companies provide discounts for vehicles that are equipped with upgraded safety features. Ask your dealer what is included in the total cost.

Trade-In Value

You may consider trading in your old ride. However, don’t expect the dealership to give you top dollar for your ride. Try placing an ad on Craigslist before attempting to negotiate with the dealership. If the car is not worth much money, you may want to just keep it as a backup vehicle.

When shopping for a new ride, remember to do your homework before making a final decision. The last thing you want is be stuck with an expensive lemon.

Buying A Used Car? Six Tips To Get You The Best Deals

by Anita Ginsburg on 2014/09/11 in Auto Buying Tips with 1 Comment

Finding a good deal on a used car can seem like a daunting task. These six tips can help you find a car that should stay problem free for as long as you need it.

1. Set Your Price And Expectations

Consider brands and models you might like, how much you’re willing to spend and what features you need a car to have. When you go to a dealership or car owner it’s easy to get talked into something that doesn’t truly fit your needs or budget if you aren’t prepared before you show up. Be sure you don’t go over your budget no matter the circumstances.

2. Research At Home

Most dealers list the cars they have on a website now. Search for cars you want in your area over the Internet before you go anywhere. When you go into the dealership to look at something in person, be prepared with how much that car is actually worth before negotiating.

3. Check Out The Car’s History

Check out a car’s vehicle history before you buy. With a car’s history you’ll be able to find out if it has been in any accidents or had any ongoing issues. You can get instant access to a car’s vehicle history by using a site like InstaVIN.

4. Be Prepared To Walk Away

If you want a specific car more than the dealer wants to make a sale, you will always walk out with a bad deal. Look at cars before you buy, and be prepared to go home empty handed. When you negotiate a car’s price you can stay in control by remembering that there are other cars you can choose.

5. Secure Financing Options

Getting financed in the dealership can be a great deal for new cars, but used cars aren’t often bundled with low interest financing options. Secure financing offers from banks, credit unions and Internet sources before you talk to the dealer. Having options available will help you avoid spending too much on interest.

6. Bring A Knowledgeable Friend

Some mechanical problems are easy to spot on a test drive if you bring a friend who knows cars. Pay attention to warning signs like rust, water damage and signs of a leak under the car. Make sure the tires don’t look damaged, and let your friend check under the hood.

With these simple tips, you can find a used car that will live up to your initial expectations. Simply shop with care and you’ll end up with a car you love.

Five Things to Consider When Buying Your Family Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/03/11 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

For most people, purchasing a vehicle is one of their most important financial investments. If you have children, purchasing a family-friendly vehicle should remain a top priority. Due to the fact that not every family is the same, it is very important to choose the best vehicle that suits the needs of your household. Here are five things to consider when buying your family car.

Cost

Family sedans range in cost from $14,000 to upwards of $100,000 or more. Ideally, the expense of owning the vehicle should not exceed 20 percent of your monthly income. Although the price tag on a particular vehicle may be seem affordable, it is very important to factor in all of the other costs associated with car ownership. Some of the additional costs include fuel, insurance, maintenance, and taxes.

Size

Family vehicles vary greatly in size. If you choose to purchase a small family sedan, make sure that your children will not outgrow the rear seating anytime soon. Do not forget to also consider the total cargo capacity. Items such as strollers and sporting equipment can take up a great deal of space. Some sedans actually have more interior room than a SUV.

Extra features

Although creature comforts add to the total cost of a vehicle, they may prove to be very valuable in the long run. The children will certainly benefit from features such as a built-in entertainment system and rear-seat air conditioning. A USB port will come in handy for hooking up various electronic devices. Some of the available safety features include blind-spot monitoring, a rear-view camera, and lane departure warning.

Fuel efficiency

Most big, powerful SUVs usually have a relatively poor fuel economy rating. There are several family vehicles on the market that deliver over 30 miles-per-gallon on the highway. Diesel-powered cars and hybrid vehicles usually get better fuel mileage than a traditional gas engine.

Safety rating

While some vehicles are very safe, there are others that have distinct weak points. Before selecting a new ride, always check the safety data that is collected by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Purchasing vehicles that have been nominated as a “Top Safety Pick” will give you an extra sense of security.

Although a racy sports car may sound exciting, it will never make the best family vehicle. If you use sound judgment, you will be able to find the perfect ride for your household to enjoy.

Information credit to Diamond Honda of Puente Hills, a Los Angeles used car dealerships

Image source: By imagerymajestic, at www.freedigitalphotos.net

Three Decisions You Need to Make Before Going to the Car Dealership

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/02/12 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

When you have decided to buy a brand new car from one of the many dealerships in your city, it can be a very exciting time. People are often anxious to run out and find the car of their dreams right away. However, it is important to slow down and secure a few things in your mind before visiting the actual dealership. Having some facts and figures in mind before meeting the first salesman can allow you to get better deals, be happier with your purchase over time, and lessen the actual amount of time that you spend on the lot.

Understand What You Want

Dealers make it their business to try to meet the needs of their customers while simultaneously making the most profit possible for their dealership. Many times this practice leads to a dealer attempting to “up-sale” the customer to a larger vehicle, better trim, or a newer model. In order to take this kind of worry out of the picture, buyers should have a definite idea of the make and model of vehicle that they want. Coming into the situation with this idea in mind makes it easy to avoid temptations presented by the salesman. Even if you can’t settle on one specific type of vehicle, at least outline concrete needs that you have from your vehicle that include items such as cargo space, fuel efficiency, and numbers of passengers.

Look at the Numbers in Advance

It is a very bad idea to walk onto a lot without any idea of what kind of cost should be associated with the vehicle you want. Shopping around beforehand in order to understand the kind of price range you should see on the vehicle gives you some leverage when dealing with salesman in addition to providing you with protection against dealers attempting to gouge the price. According to experts at Mazda dealers in Kansas City like Premier Mazda, research the MSRP value on top of getting some round figures that reflect what the final cost should be after taxes and other fees. Decide on a price range and stick to your decision.

Make Your Own Decisions about When to Buy

Smart shoppers will avoid buying a vehicle on the first visit. Use this time to get a feel for the car you want, and gather some information from the dealership about what they can offer you. With this information in hand, you can do further comparisons and research. Schedule an actual appointment with a sales manager when you are ready to buy. These two actions let the dealer know that you are serious and will not be pushed around when it comes to closing the deal.