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Which Car Do I Want? What Car Do I Need? - What does your vehicle need to do for you? What are the available choices and options? Review the various types of car, truck and hybrid; safety features; front-wheel versus rear-wheel versus all-wheel drive; stick versus automatic transmission; optional equipment; and other considerations. This is where you begin to sort through the huge variety of automobiles available, narrowing the choice down to a few categories.
How Much Can you Afford? - The down payment and the monthly installment aren't the only costs of owning an automobile. There are many hidden expenses. To see what money you can realistically afford to put into your car, make a budget early in your car-buying quest. If you need to finance, use a payment calculator to see how changes in rate, purchase price, term, and down payment can reduce your loan payments.
Using Internet Resources - Valuable shopping advice and price information online helps you refine your choices further. You become an expert on the cars on your list: what options they come with, what is their price.
New or Used? - Although new car prices are relatively low, it's easy to find a like-new car for substantially less money. Why buy new? There are benefits and drawbacks of both new and used vehicles.
Financing Options - To get a good deal, get the financing first. How? Loans and leases involve renting money. Some companies offer special loans just for cars. (e.g uCan Car Credit)
Leasing Explained - Leasing is a good idea for businesses, salespeople, or people who can deduct the payments on their taxes. Leasing offers lower payments than conventional financing;
Locating a Good Vehicle - To be a smart car-buyer you need to comparison-shop. There are hundreds of places to look for new and used vehicles.
Dealing With Dealers - For a hands-on look at your choices, it's time to visit the car lots. It is importnat to know how to choose a dealership and handle the salespeople.
Taking the Test Drive - The test drive comes a long way before any negotiation on price. You're here to experience for yourself how different makes and models handle and perform.
Final Vehicle Selection - Narrow down the choices and figure out a reasonable price.
Mechanic's Inspection - If a previously-enjoyed vehicle makes your final cut, don't make a big mistake! A thorough mechanic's inspection is your best protection against buying a used car with costly, hidden problems.
Shopping for Insurance - Don't sign anything until you find out what your insurance costs will be. Before you buy, get a quote on the car you want from an online insurance broker who represents many different firms (e.g. Lloyd TSB).
Selling Your Old Car - How to sell your current vehicle? If you need the cash the best way is to list it with a nationwide used car classified service on the internet.
Buying on the Internet - Discount internet buying services are great for busy people and for cost-conscious consumers who dread typical dealer negotiating or are fearful of being ripped off.
Final Dealer Negotiations - Here's where your knowledge, patience, and hard work pay off. Don't be afraid to haggle...
Maintenance - Don't play dangerous games with your precious new possession. The dealer's service department or your independent mechanic can provide reliable service and spot problems before they turn into disasters, if you visit regularly.
Car Buying News
CAR BUYERS FACE FEAR AT THE DEALERSHIP
-Eight in ten (80 per cent) would never buy from an independent car dealer-
Eight in ten (80 per cent) of car buyers say they wouldn’t use an independent used car dealer to buy a car for fear of facing a Swiss Toni and leaving with a banger rather than a Bentley.
The study, conducted by AA Insurance, today reveals almost two thirds (59 per cent) of the British population say they find all car salesmen untrustworthy, with less than a tenth (9 per cent) seeking advice from a car dealership when thinking about buying a car.
Key concerns for car buyers stem from our lack of knowledge, with more than half (54 per cent) feeling they don’t know enough about cars to know what they should be looking for. This is leading to worries about overpaying (33 per cent) or not being able to choose an appropriate car (40 per cent).
Other findings include:
• Less than half of all car owners in the UK found it very easy to buy a car
(49 per cent)
• More than a fifth (22 per cent) didn’t know what they needed to look for when buying a car
• 10 per cent were worried that they would buy a ‘clocked’ car and find that the mileometer has been ‘wound back’ to show a lower mileage
• 31 per cent were worried they would uncover faults with the car after they bought it
Expert Advice
A fifth (20 per cent) of the nation would prefer to seek advice on buying a car from expert websites and a further sixth (15 per cent) would use online forums and chat rooms to find
out what to look for. Others prefer to get information closer to home, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) going to friends and family first to get advice.
Getting a Better Deal on Your Car
To help more Brits get a better deal when buying new and used cars, AA Insurance has teamed up with leading car expert Giles Chapman to produce a guide to ‘Getting a Better Deal on Your Car’. It covers everything from what to look out for at the forecourt, how to drive a hard bargain and take home those extras car salesmen always ‘forget’ to mention and is available to download from www.gettingabetterdeal.co.uk.
Janet Pell, head of AA Car Insurance, says: “Purchasing a car can be intimidating for many people, especially if they encounter up-selling and are not sure of what to look for or what questions to ask the dealer. Before you buy, it’s really important to do your homework and make sure you know what you want, what you’re willing to pay and key things to check for to ensure you feel confident on the forecourt or wherever you choose to look for your next vehicle.
“We’ve teamed up with car expert Giles Chapman and used the expertise of The AA Team, who are dedicated to getting a better deal for people on their insurance, to produce a guide that offers top tips on getting a better deal when you’re buying a car and to ensure you’ve got something worth insuring!”
To download AA Insurance’s Guide to Getting a Better Deal on Your Car, visit www.gettingabetterdeal.co.uk.
Article Source: AA Insurance News Release
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