New Car Shopping Tips

Shopping for a new car can be stressful. But to get the best deals you need to be relaxed, positive, and patient. For this to happen, you need to know what you can afford, what you need, what options and features are “must haves,” and do your homework.

The first step in buying a car should be to estimate what you can afford. This requires two pieces of information: (1) How much money can you pay up front in cash, in trade, or a combination of the two, and (2) If you plan to borrow money, what monthly payment can you afford to make? Remember that the more you put down, the less you need to borrow, which means lower monthly payments and lower total interest costs.

When shopping for a new car, look only at models that excel in the things that matter to you the most. How many people do you need to carry? What kind of access do you need to the second or third rows? How much cargo space do you need? What type of driving experience do you want? Is fuel economy important? Where will you park? Be realistic about your wants versus your needs, and then spend some time “virtual shopping” before you ever set foot on a car lot.

The Internet has revolutionized new car shopping. Once you know your price range, the size vehicle that you want, and a few of the major features that you need, use this information to narrow your list of possibilities. Then spend some time online comparing models. Get as much information as you can about each vehicle and compare them in areas such as reliability, fuel economy, safety, features, ownership costs, and owner experience.

When shopping for a new car, never buy without test driving. Try to replicate the conditions you will drive in if you owned the vehicle. For example, if you commute, then drive in stop-and-go traffic. If frequently travel in the mountains, drive on some steep grades. And make sure you drive over bumps, take tight corners, and test the brakes by making a hard stop in a safe location. Adjust the driver’s seat and make sure you can get comfortable and maintain a safe line of sight. And for the sake of future passengers, don’t forget to get in the backseat.

And don’t forget the most important new car buying tip: Be prepared to walk away if you don’t get the deal you want.