A few things to keep in mind when purchasing a car in 2019!
Budget
The key to not spending too much on your new vehicle is knowing what you can actually afford. Consider how much you can afford before deciding on what car you want. Go into the dealership with a price point in mind and keep it, don’t go over it under any circumstances. This is important if you’re the kind of person who’s easily persuaded with new exciting options. With a set budget, it’ll be easier to talk yourself down when the time comes to add more features to your new car.
Research
When you are in the process of buying a new car, knowledge is key! You want to know everything about the car you want to buy before going into the dealership. Take full advantage of the internet, it will provide you with all the information that you need including expert and owner reviews, vehicle invoice prices and new-car deals.
New or Used
When buying a new car, your goal is to find the “invoice” price of the car. The “invoice” price is what the dealer paid the manufacturer. New cars generally come with a warranty and the latest vehicle technology. On the other hand, if you are buying a used car find out the the recent resale prices for that model. Used cars are more affordable and come with reports that evaluate the car’s performance over time.
Lease or Own
If you are looking to lease a car you will get a better car for your money, but you won’t own the car outright and will need to be careful about the lease terms to avoid hefty penalties. A new car for the same amount of money would likely have fewer features, but you’ll also have a full warranty and pay a lower interest rate.
Buy Based on Price, Not Monthly Payments
Car dealers are known for making a monthly payment sound like you’re getting the best deal imaginable. Be sure to always negotiate based on the purchase price of the car. There could also be many extra, hidden costs factored into the price including various taxes, car preparation and delivery fees, and dealership costs that you usually forget about.
