Buying a new car is exciting. You have probably been saving up for months and now that you have enough money you cannot wait to get your hands on a new car. Whether it’s your first car or you just need an upgrade from your old car, you will need to buy a car at some point in your life. But before you jump into the next car you see at the dealership, here are some tips to help you on your way.
What Are Your Needs?
Everyone has different needs. A family with a new baby, for example, will have different needs from a young couple with no children. The case is the same for a single man with no family and a love for fast cars. A great tip is to write down a list of all the things your new car must have and then make sure you consider them as you explore your options.
If you’ve got a baby on the way, a flashy two-seater isn’t going to do the job. A Range Rover won’t help you find a parking space in the city, but might stop you getting stuck in the mud in the sticks.
Write a list. Define your criteria. If a vehicle doesn’t fulfil them, it’s out of the running. Doesn’t matter how great the sound system is if you can’t fit your buggy in the boot. Read more at Citton Cars…
Prepare Your Budget
First, consider how you will finance your car purchase. Will you be taking a loan or have you been saving up for this moment? You can then determine your budget based on how much you have saved or how much you can repay without significantly reducing your disposal income.
Remember to find out how much it will cost to maintain the car, as well as its fuel consumption. These will factor into your monthly expenses along with car loan repayments.
Unless you’re paying cash for your car, you’ll need to think about financing your purchase or lease. How much can you really afford to allocate toward a car payment each month? The general rule is that your monthly new-car payment should not exceed 15 percent of your monthly take-home pay.
A used car will be less expensive, but the same rule should apply. If you’re looking to lease, aim for a monthly payment that’s less than 10 percent of your take-home pay. You’ll also want to factor in an additional 7 percent of your monthly income to cover fuel and insurance costs. Knowing your budget beforehand will help you when negotiating your next car or truck. Read full post at Edmunds.com…
Shop Around
That’s right. Don’t be in a rush to close the deal at the first dealership you visit. Buying a new car is a process that will certainly cost you time. Take the time to look around and compare prices and even brands. One brand could be less popular than another, but offer a better package in terms of features and price.
Check the internet for the latest offers, read plenty of reviews and then start visiting the dealerships once you have a good knowledge of the car you’re after. Go into a showroom to get a quote and then leave. Take said quote to another dealership and see if they can beat it. This is a tedious process but it will pay off. Read more at DriveTribe…
Test Drive
Last, but certainly not least, pay close attention when you take a test drive before you purchase the car. Feel it out in terms of ease of driving as well as space. If you have kids, bring them along during the shopping trip if possible and get a real feel of the car. Remember to consider how much room you’ll need for additions like baby seats.
Are you planning a special event in Charlottesville? Camryn Limousine provides the best luxury rides in the city, and we’d like to make your event extra special. Call us today on (434) 990-9070 for bookings.
