Almost every man or woman on the planet earth dreams to drive his or her car one day. Buying a new car car is a big step in life which may seem difficult. However, the Internet greatly simplifies the process of buying a car. You can use the Internet for setting a budget to finding a fair price and even financing the purchase, the Web offers something for every step of your car-purchasing journey.
Here's how to research, locate, price and negotiate to buy your new car. Mobile technology makes these steps easier than ever, and it is now entirely possible for a buyer to shop for a vehicle while watching a soccer match or waiting to pick up the kids.Following these seven steps below could save you thousands of dollars on a new car. They'll also make the process at the dealer quicker and stress-free. Let's begin.
Step 1: Research Vehicles and Features Online and Verify your Finances
Always start with the basics. If you are not sure what vehicle you want, use websites such as Edmunds.com, AutoTrader.com and Top10greatcars.blogspot.com. These sites have all the information you need including expert and owner reviews, vehicle invoice prices and new-car deals, Top 10 Most Popular Cars for sale in Europe, China, Africa, Germany, in your area and more. You can also consult the Ultimate Car Purchase Guide: How to Choose a Car. This article provides you with all car brands and Automakers’ in the world with the strengths and weaknesses.
Once you have a short list, it's time to figure out how you'll pay for the car you have choosen.To decide how much you can afford to spend on a car, consider two factors - down payment and monthly payment. For a down payment, determine if you can afford to pay part of the price of the car upfront. If you can pay for the car upfront one time, then your car purchase journey will be a lot shorter. If you have a car to trade in or sell, check the Kelley Blue Book or other websites to find its value. If you’ll need to borrow money for part or all of the purchase, tally the amount of debt you currently carry. According to Consumer Reports, Your total debt or loan should be no more than 36 percent of your gross income. Look for a loan application on the mobile web pages of your bank, credit union or other lender such as Capital One or Nationwide.
Once you have a short list, it's time to figure out how you'll pay for the car you have choosen.To decide how much you can afford to spend on a car, consider two factors - down payment and monthly payment. For a down payment, determine if you can afford to pay part of the price of the car upfront. If you can pay for the car upfront one time, then your car purchase journey will be a lot shorter. If you have a car to trade in or sell, check the Kelley Blue Book or other websites to find its value. If you’ll need to borrow money for part or all of the purchase, tally the amount of debt you currently carry. According to Consumer Reports, Your total debt or loan should be no more than 36 percent of your gross income. Look for a loan application on the mobile web pages of your bank, credit union or other lender such as Capital One or Nationwide.
It's a good idea to do your own research on which lender works best for you Calculate 36 percent of your gross monthly income and subtract monthly bills, any loan payments, and mortgage and credit card payments. The resulting figure is how much you can afford for a monthly car payment. Online calculators can help you play out monthly payment scenarios.In addition to the actual ticket price, take into account costs such as insurance. If you buy a car that’s newer than the one you’re driving, then the premiums will rise. Once you’ve set a price range, go online to find cars that fit within those limits. Use websites such as Edmunds.com, Top10greatcars.blogspot.com and AutoTrader.com.
When test-driving the car, make sure you can get in and out of the vehicle easily. You’ll want to feel comfortable while driving it. Also check and verify that you can easily see the instruments and reach the controls. While test-driving is important for any car, it’s essential if you’re purchasing a used one. Ask about the car’s history and to see the car’s title. If you’re seriously considering buying the car, have it evaluated by an Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE, certified technician. You can look for a well known Automative Test Service technician to test and evaluate the car for you.
Hundreds of car dealerships list their car inventories on Edmunds, and in many cases, you can sort by color, trim level and features. It's a better way to shop than configuring a car on the automaker's website and hoping you will find one with that set of options in the real world. All the listings you'll find on Edmunds and Top10GreatCars pages are real cars with a variety of options. Most will have a locked-in price that should be comparable to what others are paying. If you follow the steps below with Top10greatcars or Edmunds, a salesperson from the dealership will contact you to schedule a test drive. If you found the vehicle on another site, call or email the dealership's internet sales department to request more information. In either case, keep these do's and don'ts in mind:
a) Do verify that the car you want is still in stock. Check the cars availability, It might have been sold recently, and online inventories can take a while to catch up.
b) Do ask the salesperson if there are any dealer-installed options. Find out about any dealer installed options because many new vehicles are sold with add-ons such as nitrogen in the tires, all-weather floor mats or theft protection packages. These can easily significantly increase the sale price. In some cases this can add $1,000 to the sale price.
c) Don't simply show up at the dealer on a busy weekend or late at night. Waits may be long, and you may not get the salesperson's full attention. So choose an appropriate time when you will be able to get the salesperson’s undivided attention.
d) Do schedule an appointment for a test drive. Past experiences have shown that early in the week and in the morning are good times. Having an appointment means the car will be waiting for you when you arrive.
e) Don't just drive around the block. Think about your family and other environmental factors while you drive. Take the time to see how you and your family fit in the car and see how it handles on a wide variety of roads. If you will be using the car on a difficult bad road, then this is the time to judge if the car will be able to move smoothly on your road.
d) Do ask yourself the following important questions: Are the controls easy to use? Is there enough cargo space? Will a child seat fit? (Bring it with you and test it.) Does the car have all the add-ins you need? Are all the devices functioning properly?
e) Don't feel obligated to buy the car on the same day. Do not hurry! Feel free to take a night or two to think it over.
It's important to keep in mind that an average price paid is exactly that. Some people have paid more, and others paid less. Some shoppers are only happy if they negotiate their way to a rock-bottom price. But for most shoppers, that usually isn't worth the hassle and frustration. If your price quote is above the average, it's not necessarily a reason to walk away from a deal. Here's why:
A car's price isn't the only factor that determines a good car deal. You also should look at the interest rate, the loan term and the value of your trade-in, if that's part of your deal. There are even some intangibles, such as how the salesperson and the dealership treat you and the time you save in the shopping process. Those are all factors in a good deal. In fact, at this point in the process, you may be able to improve parts of it.
If you obtain an auto loan through a dealership, the dealer is likely to look at the car loans available for you and then mark up the loan rate, say from 10 percent to 13 percent, says Greg Thibodeau, CEO of myAutoloan.com. The difference is profit for them. For a better deal, search online to find direct lender offers. Bankrate lists recent auto loan rates in your area. You can secure a car loan online before going back to the dealer. Also consider going to your bank or credit union equipped with the rates you found online to inquire about an auto loan.
Another option is to make the sale contingent on having your new car delivered to your home or office. Doing so is a great time-saver and allows you to close the deal in a relaxed environment. If you do request home delivery, even if the sale is contingent on it, you'll get more cooperation if you'll agree to receive the car at home during a slow time at the dealership (think Mondays).
But if you’d rather finish up the purchase through the Internet, many dealers will give you a free quote online or consider an offer. In the case of a used car, limit the search to your local area so you can see and test-drive the vehicle before making the purchase. And if you want to forgo all haggling, websites such as From Car to Finish offer a shopping service that will take care of the negotiating for you. It will contact at least four dealers in your area to get quotes on cars and give you a report outlining the offers.
Wherever you finalize the deal, review the contract carefully and make sure the numbers match the out-the-door breakdown. Be sure there are no additional charges or fees. A good finance manager will explain each form and what it means. Don't hurry. Buying a car is a serious commitment. And remember: There is no cooling-off period. Once you sign the contract, the car is yours.
Finally, let the salesperson give you a tour of your new car. The rundown should include showing you how to pair your smartphone via Bluetooth and demonstrating other important features and safety devices. All of this information is in the owner's manual, but frankly, very few people ever read the manual, which can be hundreds of pages long and boring.
If you don't have time for a complete demonstration when you sign the contract, set up an appointment a week or so later. With the amount of technology that comes in most new cars, that walk-through is important and very useful. You'll learn tricks and shortcuts you might not find on your own. This will protect you for headaches after you are all alone with your car and you cannot find or use a feature. Yes! Now there is only one thing in the world left for you to do: Drive and Enjoy your new car.
Discover More:
- Top 15 Best Online Car Buying and Selling Sites
- Ultimate Car Purchase Guide: How to choose a Car
- Top 10 Most Popular Cars for Sale in the UK
Please Share and Leave Comments and Question!
Step 2: Locate and Test-drive the Car
When you now know what you can afford and you have several options within your price range, it’s time to switch off the computer or mobile phone for a while. You should see the cars in person before making a decision. “Never buy a car without testing it”. You can find plenty of information online, but even Google can’t help you determine exactly what it feels like to sit in the driver’s seat.When test-driving the car, make sure you can get in and out of the vehicle easily. You’ll want to feel comfortable while driving it. Also check and verify that you can easily see the instruments and reach the controls. While test-driving is important for any car, it’s essential if you’re purchasing a used one. Ask about the car’s history and to see the car’s title. If you’re seriously considering buying the car, have it evaluated by an Automotive Service Excellence, or ASE, certified technician. You can look for a well known Automative Test Service technician to test and evaluate the car for you.
Hundreds of car dealerships list their car inventories on Edmunds, and in many cases, you can sort by color, trim level and features. It's a better way to shop than configuring a car on the automaker's website and hoping you will find one with that set of options in the real world. All the listings you'll find on Edmunds and Top10GreatCars pages are real cars with a variety of options. Most will have a locked-in price that should be comparable to what others are paying. If you follow the steps below with Top10greatcars or Edmunds, a salesperson from the dealership will contact you to schedule a test drive. If you found the vehicle on another site, call or email the dealership's internet sales department to request more information. In either case, keep these do's and don'ts in mind:
a) Do verify that the car you want is still in stock. Check the cars availability, It might have been sold recently, and online inventories can take a while to catch up.
b) Do ask the salesperson if there are any dealer-installed options. Find out about any dealer installed options because many new vehicles are sold with add-ons such as nitrogen in the tires, all-weather floor mats or theft protection packages. These can easily significantly increase the sale price. In some cases this can add $1,000 to the sale price.
c) Don't simply show up at the dealer on a busy weekend or late at night. Waits may be long, and you may not get the salesperson's full attention. So choose an appropriate time when you will be able to get the salesperson’s undivided attention.
d) Do schedule an appointment for a test drive. Past experiences have shown that early in the week and in the morning are good times. Having an appointment means the car will be waiting for you when you arrive.
e) Don't just drive around the block. Think about your family and other environmental factors while you drive. Take the time to see how you and your family fit in the car and see how it handles on a wide variety of roads. If you will be using the car on a difficult bad road, then this is the time to judge if the car will be able to move smoothly on your road.
d) Do ask yourself the following important questions: Are the controls easy to use? Is there enough cargo space? Will a child seat fit? (Bring it with you and test it.) Does the car have all the add-ins you need? Are all the devices functioning properly?
e) Don't feel obligated to buy the car on the same day. Do not hurry! Feel free to take a night or two to think it over.
Step 3: Compare Prices Online, Check Sale Price and Warranties
Once you have a target car and you know what type of car you want to get, it's time to focus on getting a price or finding a way to pay the best price. Cars.com has a downloadable application to help you browse cars and prices. If you find a website that offers a car-shopping app and it’s free, use it, Fix says. Top10GreatCars.blogspot.com recommends using one of the following ways to get the purchase price of your new car:- Call, text or email the internet sales department of three dealerships that have the car you want. Ask each for the total selling price, including any additional accessories that may have already been installed on the car. The best price will be obvious. You also can take that quote and ask the other dealerships to beat it. If you plan on leasing, this is the way to go.
- You can save time and trouble by getting a locked-in price that's designed to be comparable to the average price that others are paying in your area. Make sure you ask the salesperson to email or text you a breakdown of the "out-the-door price," with all the taxes and fees factored in. That lets you see the total amount you'll be spending.
Step 4: Read Dealer Reviews Online
Before going back to the dealers in your area to negotiate a price, find out what other consumers and experts are saying about them. At review sites such as DealerRater.com, you can see how customers rate dealers in your area by customer service, quality of work, friendliness, overall experience and the price of the car. Two other great sites to visit for reviews and ratings of local dealers are CarDealerReviews.org and MyDealerReport.com.Step 5: Review Dealer Financing: Look into Financing Options
Now that you have a price quote for the car, your big question is probably: Is the price quote for the car competitive? What is the “Average Price Paid"? It's the amount that others are paying in your area for a similarly equipped car.It's important to keep in mind that an average price paid is exactly that. Some people have paid more, and others paid less. Some shoppers are only happy if they negotiate their way to a rock-bottom price. But for most shoppers, that usually isn't worth the hassle and frustration. If your price quote is above the average, it's not necessarily a reason to walk away from a deal. Here's why:
A car's price isn't the only factor that determines a good car deal. You also should look at the interest rate, the loan term and the value of your trade-in, if that's part of your deal. There are even some intangibles, such as how the salesperson and the dealership treat you and the time you save in the shopping process. Those are all factors in a good deal. In fact, at this point in the process, you may be able to improve parts of it.
If you obtain an auto loan through a dealership, the dealer is likely to look at the car loans available for you and then mark up the loan rate, say from 10 percent to 13 percent, says Greg Thibodeau, CEO of myAutoloan.com. The difference is profit for them. For a better deal, search online to find direct lender offers. Bankrate lists recent auto loan rates in your area. You can secure a car loan online before going back to the dealer. Also consider going to your bank or credit union equipped with the rates you found online to inquire about an auto loan.
Step 6: Purchase the Car Online and Close the Deal
If you are satisfied with the price quotes, financing and fees, it’s time to say yes to the deal and purchase your car. You can proceed in one of three ways: Buy at the dealership or have the car and paperwork delivered to your home. Most people tend to wrap up the sale at the dealership. Once you've agreed on a price, the salesperson will take you to the finance and insurance office where you'll sign the contract and purchase any of the additional products we discussed earlier, such as an extended warranty.Another option is to make the sale contingent on having your new car delivered to your home or office. Doing so is a great time-saver and allows you to close the deal in a relaxed environment. If you do request home delivery, even if the sale is contingent on it, you'll get more cooperation if you'll agree to receive the car at home during a slow time at the dealership (think Mondays).
But if you’d rather finish up the purchase through the Internet, many dealers will give you a free quote online or consider an offer. In the case of a used car, limit the search to your local area so you can see and test-drive the vehicle before making the purchase. And if you want to forgo all haggling, websites such as From Car to Finish offer a shopping service that will take care of the negotiating for you. It will contact at least four dealers in your area to get quotes on cars and give you a report outlining the offers.
Wherever you finalize the deal, review the contract carefully and make sure the numbers match the out-the-door breakdown. Be sure there are no additional charges or fees. A good finance manager will explain each form and what it means. Don't hurry. Buying a car is a serious commitment. And remember: There is no cooling-off period. Once you sign the contract, the car is yours.
Step 7: Take Delivery
Whether you take delivery of your car at the dealership or at your home, it should be very clean. The gas tank should be full. Give the car a final walk-around, checking for any dents or scratches that might have occurred during transport.Finally, let the salesperson give you a tour of your new car. The rundown should include showing you how to pair your smartphone via Bluetooth and demonstrating other important features and safety devices. All of this information is in the owner's manual, but frankly, very few people ever read the manual, which can be hundreds of pages long and boring.
If you don't have time for a complete demonstration when you sign the contract, set up an appointment a week or so later. With the amount of technology that comes in most new cars, that walk-through is important and very useful. You'll learn tricks and shortcuts you might not find on your own. This will protect you for headaches after you are all alone with your car and you cannot find or use a feature. Yes! Now there is only one thing in the world left for you to do: Drive and Enjoy your new car.
Discover More:
- Top 15 Best Online Car Buying and Selling Sites
- Ultimate Car Purchase Guide: How to choose a Car
- Top 10 Most Popular Cars for Sale in the UK
Please Share and Leave Comments and Question!
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