Making Your Search for a New Car Easier

2014 Toyota Tundra 3

Searching for a new car can be fun and challenging at the same time. You want to find the ideal car, get a good price, and make sure that the car you’ve chosen will be a good value. Fortunately, using popular tools that are available will help you make the right decision.

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Top 6 Tips for First Time Car Buyers

First car.

When buying your first car, you will probably feel a little overwhelmed. There are so many things to think about when purchasing any car, but when you are getting your first car, these decisions seem even more important. Keeping these tips in mind can help you when purchasing your first car.

Consider Your Insurance Options

Almost every vehicle on the road must be insured. When you are looking at getting a new car, you will also want to consider buying new car insurance. You may have previously been on your parent’s insurance, but this isn’t always the most affordable option for you. Getting good car insurance can help you significantly if something were to happen to your car.

Don’t Forget to Negotiate

The art of negotiation is slowly dying. Many people don’t feel the need to negotiate their car prices anymore. However, if you do choose to negotiate, you will likely get a much better deal than if you just take the sticker price. Whether buying new or used, try out your negotiation skills when purchasing a new car.

Shop for a Loan

It may be enticing to get a car loan through the dealership, or even go with your normal bank for your loan. However, if you do a bit of shopping around, you may find a better interest rate somewhere else. The interest rate that you get will help determine your monthly payments. Having a great interest rate is important for those looking to buy a new car.

Look at the Options

Though you may feel that one type of vehicle is best for you, take the time to look around. You may find something that you hadn’t thought of before, for a great price. 

Think of the Pros and Cons

Has the vehicle that you are considering been recalled recently? Is there something about the vehicle that may increase your insurance rate? If you are looking at a used car, make sure you find out any damage the car may have had. Can you get a discount on your taxes for this particular car? Going over the pros and cons of your car choice can help you make the right decision.

Have Fun

Don’t forget to have fun while looking for the perfect car. Though it may seem like a chore, it is also a great adventure. Buying your first car is something you will remember for the rest of your life. Keep your car buying experience fun.

If you are buying a car for the first time, use these tips to make sure you bring home a winner. Do you have any car-buying tips to add to this list?

  

How to buy your first car

ITAR-TASS 85: YEKATERINBURG, RUSSIA. MARCH 14, 2010. Customer visits the showroom of a car dealer, which accepts vouchers worth 50000 roubles ($1677) given by the government to people who turn in a car more than 10 years old under cash-for-clunkers program. Such vouchers can be used to buy any Russian-made car, including foreign brands assembled in this country. (Photo ITAR-TASS / Anton Butsenko) Photo via Newscom

For all of you 1st time car buyers out there here is a great article in the Chicago Tribune.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Mom’s scrapbook includes (or will include) a photo of you with your first car, for good reason. It is a badge of your independence, financially and figuratively. Acquiring your first wheels, though, is a road pocked with potholes. So, before you allow shiny new cars to blur your judgment, cruise the Internet and scour the media to narrow down your choices and determine what your budget allows, then bone up on what to watch out for when you go out to dealerships.

The bible of the industry is Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), which lists prices. Search dealer inventories on nadaguides.com. Consumer Reports magazine (consumerreports.org) compares cars’ performance. For advice that targets the under-25 set, go to edmunds.com/youngdriver.

Read the entire article here.