Buying a new vehicle can be a daunting chore. Deciding what type of vehicle to buy, where to buy it and how you can get the best value can seem like an endless task. Luckily, with my past vehicle purchases I have learned a few things about buying a new or used car.
What works
First and foremost, I will never buy a car when I am just out “looking” again. Darn impulse buys. I will also never buy without doing some research on the vehicle first. Some cars are known to have particular problems that can cost a fortune to fix. Now, I know.
With my lifestyle as a wife, mother and dog owner I have determined the best type of vehicle for me is an SUV. I like them because of their style but most importantly I am looking for something that fits my family and is good on gas because I travel a lot.
Save gas
Before shopping at a car dealership I have decided to narrow down my search on the internet at home. Aside from shopping car dealership websites, I have also found great deals by searching my local area for cars on EBay. Because the VINs are usually listed, I can check the value by visiting Kbb.com or Nada.com, obtain a report from Carfax.com and read up on consumer reviews all without leaving my desk. If I am still interested I can contact the seller or the car dealership and get more information.
New or Pre-owned?
Talking to the owner is a must when buying a pre-owned vehicle. Most times I can determine how well the vehicle has been cared for just by talking to the person who has been driving it. Did they have regular maintenance and repairs done? Does it pass emissions and is the registration up to date? I can also find out if the car has the features I am looking for like a great sound system, clean interior and low miles.
Because vehicles depreciate in value so fast, I would like something that is pre-owned but in great condition. If I can’t find a nice pre-owned vehicle, I will wait until October or November which seems to be the best time to buy a new car. As fewer cars are sold at the end of the year I am more likely to get a great deal on my purchase.