Buying a car is a major investment and sometimes a stressful process. It can be exhilarating when you find the perfect car at a reasonable price. Though there is great value in purchasing a used vehicle, buying one “fresh off the lot” is a personal aspiration of many.
A new car has state-of-the-art engineering, the latest style, better fuel efficiency, and newest innovations. It will also have the latest safety devices. Then there’s that new car smell! It’s thrilling to own a car that is truly yours, one that’s never been driven by anyone else!
With a new car comes peace of mind. You need not worry about the car’s history or question its accident history. Dealerships will offer you attractive incentives for buying a new car. It can be anything from a cash rebate to 0% financing. Manufacturers also offer incentives for new car sales.
There are several ways to search for a new car. Dealerships typically advertise in local newspapers and television. There are many websites that offer new cars for sale and others who provide detailed reviews of new vehicles. Safety reports are available on the Internet from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Consider the resale value of the car. Every car loses its value once you drive away from the dealership. Some vehicles maintain their value very well. You will want that virtue when you are ready to replace your vehicle. Refer to the Kelley Blue Book website to get an idea of the vehicle’s resale value.
Once you go to a dealership, don’t pick the first car you like. Visit other dealerships and look at more vehicles. Take your time. Once you know that you have found your perfect car, begin negotiating the price. The “sticker price” is always higher than the actual worth because the dealer will then have room to negotiate down in price.
Buying a car is not a one-time expense. You should think of its cost as the total cash outflow over its lifetime. You will have also have registration, insurance, maintenance costs. So do not spend all your money on the purchase of the vehicle itself.
