What to look for in buying a new car?
By Cars & Motorcycles on May 04, 2009 with Comments 5
They say its best to have a man with you when looking for a new car, but I don’t so…..I need some help!
Filed Under: Buying New Car
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Easy, for best resale, buy a JAPANESE car. If you are looking at an American car, try to get a dealer demo where they will give you a deal (basically knocking off the money you lose driving a new car off the lot. I’d look at the Honda Civic. The hybrid is…very NICE!!
you don’t need a man…just do plenty of research and have some confidence. Go to Edmunds.com and read through their tips & advice section. That should give you all the info you need to get a good price.
You DO NOT need to have a man with you when you are looking for a new car. You just need to be confident and know what you are looking for. Do you research ahead of time, find out what you want and set a price limit. Know what options you are looking for etc. It is a very good idea to work out financing with your bank or credit union ahead of time.
Once you have your budget stick with it. If you are going to finance through the dealership make sure you know what your final number are, don’t feel bad about reading the paper work, it is your job to know what you are getting into. Also take into account taxes, title, tags and registration fees many prices do not include this and it can get expensive. Many dealers will ask you what payment you are looking for and you may end up with a higher total cost if you are barganing with payments alone.
Once you decide on a price limit and know what kind of a vehicle you are looking for, go to the dealership and take a test drive. Take it on the highway and on city streets so you can get a feel for the vehicle in the different situations. Is the seat comfortable, are the controls in a place where they are accessable while you are driving? Make sure you are comfortable with your views from the vehicle. Are there any uncomfortable blind spots? Also pay attention to how the vehicle feels and sounds. It is a good idea to drive with the radio off during the test drive. This way you can listen to the engine and road noise. If you have any questions ask the sales person when you get back and make sure you are comfortable with the answer. Also, keep in mind that the sticker price is the asking price, you can bargin with them and try to get them to come down on the price. It doesn’t hurt to look at more than one car and use the other as a barganing tool (the second car can be at another dealership).
These are good starting points in my experience. A good website to help is Edmunds.com.
Just remember that just because you are female means that you are incompentant when it comes to vehicles. I bought my first car on my own (my grandpa was with me on a couple of test drive of other vehicles when I was looking, and was with me when I signed the papers because he was on my loan). I did all of the deal making and in my mind ended up with a pretty good deal. I am in the market for a used vehicle right now and have done most of the researching and such on my own. My husband was along on a test drive last weekend, but will have nothing to do with the actual sale itself. There is a chance that he may not even be with me when I sign the papers.
Do your research and know what you are looking for, go in with confidence and don’t settle for anything less than what you want. Car sales people may try to take advantage of you, but it is up to you to keep this from happening! Good luck!
You very capable of buying a vechicle your self, and I dont care what these people say on here if you are dealing with sales man you may want to bring the most knowlegable outspoken person you can find. I have helped many of my friends male and female buy a car. I am a mechanic and am knolegeble about the sales scams to get your hard earned money. Sales man are ruthless although most people have no idea they just got ripped off so you will hear them say ” It was a great deal and great experience.” Its not a male or female thing its just having 2 minds insted of one and whats better than shopping with a friend. This being said I recomend buying private party. if you go to kelly blue book it shows you the retail which dealers tend to charge and private party which common people charge. you get a way better deal and you dont have to have the sales man surgicly removed from you after the experience. GM master tech 8 years..
1. Honda Fit (base) – $15,385
2. Mazda 3i Sport (sedan) – $17,205
3. Hyundai Elantra SE – $17,945
4. Volkswagen Jetta S – $19,865
5. Hyundai Sonata GLS (4-cyl.) – $20,095
decide how much you can afford, then go online and look at few models. then go test drive a few.
ask your friends or just ask some one you see at the store if they like their cars and the where did they but it.