Top 10 Tips to Buying a New Car
Buying a new car can be a heavy undertaking. If you make the wrong decisions you can quite easily end up paying far too much, or worse, end up with a car that does not meet your needs and requirements. So the most important advice I can give is to put in some thorough research before making any hasty decisions. This article outlines my 10 top tips to buying your perfect new car.
1. Set your budget, and put some serious thought into what kind of car you are looking to get. Think about what the primary uses of the car will be, how many average passenger space you will require, boot space etc. Other factors to consider at this stage include, insurance, tax and fuel.
2. Use all tools and media at your disposal to shop around. Internet comparison sites are great for finding great deals. Visit car dealers, without the intention of buying, but take notes on models you like and their details.
3. Make sure you are buying at the right time. There are certain times of year that are good for buying cars and there are times when it is better to wait. New cars generally arrive at the end of the year with dealers reducing the price of previous models, so this is a fantastic opportunity to pick up a previous year model, with a great discount.
4. Do not be afraid to negotiate. Again re-visit each car dealer, informing them of your best offer, most car respectable car dealers will match if not better another dealer's price. Makes sure you are getting the best deal.
5. Compare the warranties and not just the cars themselves. Manufacturer's warranties differ from 10 thousand miles to several years' worth of driving. Also, try to find a dealer that will offer free basic maintenance for the time of the warranty.
6. Always test drive. Some of the greatest looking cars can handle surprisingly and some cheaper models can drive like a dream. Always test drive for a minimum time period of 15 minutes, this will allow any steering or braking issues to arise, allowing you to fully come to terms with each cars performance.
7. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Never allow yourself to be pushed into deals. Stick to your budget and your car requirements. A fancy sports car for half price may sound like a great idea, but think about those busy shopping trips? School runs? Holiday's? Will it really be worth it?
8. Use internet tools to learn ALL of the specifications about cars and write them down or memorize them. Know more than or as much as the salesman. This will change the pecking order in the buying process.
9. On opposite ends of the spectrum you should make sure that you are asking a lot of questions. The salesman should know a lot about the car that he is trying to sell you. If he seems even a little bit uneasy about the car or the sales process either request a new representative or leave.
10. Finally after your purchase if there are any issues or complaints don't hesitate to contact the dealer. Most good businesses selling new cars will not hesitate to fix the problem.
Buying a new car can seem like a daunting task, but remember, with a little care and attention you can easily snap up a fantastic deal that will provide you with many years of wonderful performance and enjoyment.