Car Buying

Some people decide to buy a car because they have a very specific car in mind for their own reasons. This is understandable, but there are others who are just looking for a decent, reliable car at a good price, and they are open-minded.

They say that experience is the best teacher, and I have found this statement to be true. I’m a lot of things, but a blowhard is not one of them. If I give anybody any advice, it’s probably because I made mistakes to learn the lessons that I’m sharing.

With this in mind, here are five practical car-buying tips that you might find to be useful.

1.) Define basic parameters.
What is important to you? Do you want a four-door car, or a coupe? Is gas mileage a concern? Do you want some power? There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your priorities, but you should identify them before you begin your search.

2.) Take financing into consideration.
Financing is a big factor. Do you know your credit score? If not, there are many different resources on the internet that you could use to obtain your score, and some of them are free. Your credit score will dictate your interest rate, and that will impact the next consideration on this list.

3.) What’s your budget?
Before you can get down and dirty, you have to understand what you can afford. When you know your anticipated interest rate, you can estimate your buying power. You can then go forward with an understanding of what is possible for you.

4.) Do your research.
If you are reading this, you are on the internet, so you have virtually unlimited information at your fingertips. Do your research, and visit websites that provide objective information about cars, like Edmunds, Consumer Reports, Kelley Blue Book, and others.

Vehicle history reports have become an integral part of any used-car purchase. They are one of the best ways to learn about a given vehicle’s past and help make your search for a used car much easier. Make sure and checkout Carfax or AutoCheck before signing on the dotted line

You can find out facts about the relative benefits of the cars that are within your budget, but you can also find out what you should expect to pay for these cars. You should know what a fair price is before you take the final step.

5.) Choose the right dealer.
Buying a car can be like going to the dentist for a root canal, if you go to the wrong dealer. Ask around among your family and friends to see if you can get any recommendations.

Personally, I prefer the no-haggle dealers, but there are those who enjoy the art of the deal.