All posts tagged new car buying

New vs Used: Why a Used Car Will be Easier on Your Finances

Shopping for a car can be both exciting and stressful at the same time. Whether you are upgrading to next year’s model or putting the old car to rest, buying another car can be a tough experience when you don’t know what to look for.

There normally are two options: buying new, or buying used. Buying new usually involves taking out loans, getting credit approved, and signing a lease for the next several years. While this process works for some, there are several reasons why buying a used car is better and easier financially in the long run.

Used Cars Are More Expensive For No Reason

While the phrase "you get what you pay for", normally rings true, it is not always so when buying a new car. The price of a new car is inflated tremendously compared to used cars, even in just a few years difference. When looking at the cars side to side, there is hardly a difference to constitute thousands of dollars in price, so why buy new, other than to have the latest and greatest for show.

When comparing the features between model years, there usually are only minute differences in trim or design. It is a safe bet to say that used cars still contain these features, just without the flashy, extraneous options of a new car. A used car will run a fraction of the price for just as much car. Another factor to consider is insurance. The cost of insurance for a brand new car is more than any other comparably priced vehicle.

It is much cheaper to invest in a cheaper, used car, paying less money for the car itself and for insurance over the next several years. When looking for a vehicle, dealerships like Milton Ruben Toyota have a large selection of certified used vehicles fit to save you money and provide you with safe transportation.

Used Cars Have More Documentation

Most manufacturers guarantee their new cars to be almost flawless and lack problems in the warranty span, but a new model year vehicle with different options has a different formula for how the vehicle operates. It may undergo rigorous testing in the factory, but it is unknown what problems it will obtain in its span of life. Used cars have had their problems documented over time, and people have been trained in ways to recognize potential problems before they come.

Cars will eventually need servicing, whether it is new or used. It is safe to say a used car has more actual usage information on it than a new car. After the warranty runs out on a new car, the repairs are much more expensive than older cars, due to the new technology used on the car. It is wiser to invest in a less expensive, older vehicle, and spend the required money to bring the vehicle up to appropriate maintenance standards.

Used cars are an excellent way to save money in daily finances. The cost of insurance combined with new car payments can sometimes be overwhelming. Shopping used can save you money in the beginning and in the long run of your vehicle ownership.

Five Tips to Make The Car Buying Process Less Stressful

Venturing out to purchase a vehicle means you’ll have a lot of details to attend to, and all of this can make you feel stressed out. Learning how to balance your budget and deciding to work with reputable and friendly dealers can help to alleviate these anxieties. Here are five tips to reduce the stress of buying a new car:

Determine Your Budget Beforehand

Even if this is your first trip to the car dealership, you could fall in love with a particular model and want to buy it on the spot. Trying to calculate how much you can afford while you’re standing at the dealership is a bad idea. Chances are, you won’t add up the figures correctly, and you could end up spending far more than you really can afford to. Sit down with your spouse or co-signer early on in the process to determine exactly how much you can spend.

Research Cars Online

People who are really familiar with different types of cars have an advantage here. For those who couldn’t tell a 2014 fancy model from a beat-up car built in 1999, this process adds in another element of stress. Get to know cars online before you go to the dealership. You can find out information about safety ratings and the types of technologies that are built into the vehicle. You can also read reviews about the cars and talk to people who own them.

Choose The Right Dealership

If you walk into a dealership and feel pressured to purchase the most expensive model right from the start, then you aren’t in the right place. Do your research on dealerships too, and work with one that is known for its friendly and reputable staff members. Working with people who have your best needs in mind and who know a lot about cars will help to reduce your stress levels.

Don’t Make it a Family Outing

While bringing the entire family to look at new cars can be fun, imagine how unnecessary it is to have your toddler running through the showroom and your infant screaming because they are hungry. Hire a babysitter for the day, grab dinner after you get your new car and make a date night out of it with your significant other. This will help make sure you don’t feel rushed or make a bad decision at the dealership.

Don’t Haggle Into The Ground

When you walk into the car dealership with an attitude, you are probably going to leave feeling aggravated and frustrated. Remember, the car dealership needs to make money too. While the professionals who work there are used to haggling to some extent, you have to realize that at some point, the sale would not be profitable for the company. Having reasonable expectations in terms of the price you can get is advisable.

If you follow these tips, you can have a shiny new vehicle without all of the stress.

Anita is a freelance writer from Denver and often writes about home, auto, family and business. She enjoys traveling with her family when she isn’t writing. Anita suggests talking with a Premier Mazda dealer to simplify the process of buying a car.

Five Tips You Need to Know when Shopping For Your First Car

There are many things that everyone values in a first car. Affordability, reliability and a good history all make a first car purchase worthwhile. A mechanically sound car with impressive economy would make an ideal first car. A first car can be attractive and sporty too. There’s no reason it can’t be fun. Use these tips when shopping at car dealerships:

Research the Car on the Internet

It’s expensive to run a car. Research the car’s miles-per-gallon on the Internet. Find a car’s MPG by entering the make and model into a Google search and check the average figure, and then the city and highway figure. A full-size car may appear to be a gas-guzzler, but the statistics may say something different. While you’re there, get an idea of the book value of the car you’re interested in.

Bring a Checklist Along When Shopping

When you visit car dealerships in Durham NC, look for cars you would enjoy owning. By test-driving it, you’ll discover whether the car you’re looking at is really a good fit. Bring along a checklist of car body and engine parts with a generic diagram you can mark to identify problems like dents in the body panels and cracks in the windshield. These checklists are available from Chilton Books and other sources.

Check the VIN Number

You never know when you’re purchasing a salvaged vehicle or a flood-damaged car. Check the VIN number at websites online. The VIN number is on the passenger’s side windshield. There are seventeen characters visible through the windshield. A VIN number can also tell you how many wrecks a car has been in, what the actual mileage is and the number of previous owners.

Get a Mechanic to Inspect It

Determine if the car is reliable. Will it start every morning without fail? If you or a member of your family knows a mechanic, show the car to your mechanic and ask for an inspection. In conversation, convey to the mechanic the price the seller is asking. Mechanics are experts in automobiles and can offer invaluable advice.

Calculate the Cost of Ownership

The cost of ownership includes depreciation, cost of insurance and the cost of financing a car. Running and maintaining the vehicle also costs money. Total these factors up and have it in hand before you buy a car.

On the other hand, calculate in fun things like sporty looks and nimble handling. By following these tips, you can get started in the search for your first car. Reduce the time and energy spent in a car search with knowledge you gained beforehand. You will be that much closer to buying your first car.