Keep That New Car Smell: A Car Search Buying Guide

Everyone knows it. Buying a car is very stressful. It is also an incredibly exciting time. It’s a complex process, but it does not have to be stressful!

Have you decided to buy a new car, but need a little help taking the plunge? Keep reading below for time tips and tricks for starting a car search!

Do Your Planning and Research

When preparing to buy a new car, you should have a pretty good idea of what you are looking for. Consider your lifestyle. If you have kids, a bigger car may be the best choice.

Do you have a long commute? Something with good MPG may be best for you. You may want to consider a hybrid car.

Once you have a pretty good idea of the new car you want, assess your budget. Be realistic here. You will need to know how much your current car is worth if you are trading it in.

Knowing how much additional you have to put down and what you want your payments to be every month are also factors you will need when working out what specific cars are in your price range.

Search online for some helpful tools for this calculation.

Do Not Skip the Test Drive During your Car Search

You see the perfect car on the lot. The price is exactly what you wanted. Even if everything is working out, absolutely do not skip the test drive.

A car may look awesome on paper and in your mind, but to avoid any bad surprises, you need to take it for a spin. Ensure ample time, at least a half hour to get a true feel for the car.

Many GMC dealerships will be happy to set you up with the perfect car to test drive.

Getting your Dream Price

It is unlikely that you will find a perfect car at the perfect price without doing some work. Do not be afraid to negotiate. Don’t gauge the dealer’s offer based on the sticker price.

Many salesmen will offer a decent amount under the sticker price right away. Many people view this as a good deal and accept it. Don’t settle for this.

Instead, find the true cost for the dealer and negotiate up from there. You are likely to get an even bigger deal by doing this.

And if you are going to lease your new car instead of buying it, do not mention this until you have a price locked in.

Make your New Car Last

You’ve successfully purchased your new car and probably have immense pride. You may be handy with some power tools, but be careful with doing maintenance on your car. If you want to save money, stick to things like changing air filters and headlamps on your own.

Otherwise, leave the complicated stuff to the experts.

You’re Ready!

Now that you’ve read the top tips for success during a car search, you can rest easy knowing you will find exactly what you are looking for.

So what are you waiting for? Go find your dream car!