With all of the information available to consumers today, you can just about choose the right car for you before you walk into a dealership. Remember, going in with the research done will help put you in the driver's seat when it comes time to negotiate with for the price of the car. There are Websites, consumer reports and auto magazines all dedicated to educating the public on all of the latest products, technology and competitive pricing in the automobile world.
As tempting as it may be, the shiny red sports car in the front of the lot is not the right car for everyone. Before you start to look into specifics, take a step back and ask yourself a few general questions. Here are a few important ones to consider:
- What will you use the car for primarily?
- How much do you drive? Are you a commuter?
- Do you need a roomy vehicle to accommodate kids, clients, or large objects?
- How much wear and tear will the car have to sustain?
- Where do you live? Depending on your answer, four-wheel, or at the very least, front-wheel drive may be a feature you can't live without.
- Do you drive primarily on the highway, or in stop-and-go situations? Depending on your answer, you will likely prefer a standard, automatic, or semi-automatic transmission.
- Do you prefer an American or foreign car?
Where to do your research
There are several reputable sources of information on the auto market - both on and off-line. Here are a few good places to start:
New vs. used
Once you have determined the general type of vehicle you are in the market for, you will need to decide whether or not to buy a new car or a used one. Let's take a closer look at each.
HerTip: Whether you are buying new or used, before making your final decision be sure to take a test drive. No amount of research can speak to a car's performance like getting behind the wheel. Be sure to drive the version of the car you want too. That isn't to say that it needs to be the same car cosmetically as the one you hope to end up with, but be sure that the basic mechanical features are the same.
Buying a new car
As enticing as a brand new car can be, keep in mind that cars are depreciating assets. In fact, studies have shown that most new cars depreciate in value up to 40 percent in their first three years on the road. If you are looking to keep the car for a number of years, this may not be an issue for you. If, on the other hand, you are not going to keep the car for a long period of time, a used car might be a better option.
HerTip: When buying a new car, be careful of first-year models. They won't have had time on the road to get the kinks out like an older car would and you could run into unforeseen problems.
Buying a used car
As the technology has evolved, today's cars are simply made better than older ones, so if you do end up buying a used car, as long as you stick to models that go back just a few years, you should still be in keeping with today's quality standards.
You will find your used car either through a dealer or an individual - both perfectly reasonable strategies. Just keep in mind that the latter is far more time consuming. You will likely spend quite a bit of time combing the classifieds and then heading out to one location to see only one car, rather than a selection of them at a dealership.
HerTip: As a general rule, don't ever put pricing ahead of quality on your priority list. Be wary of a deal on a used car that seems to good to be true - it probably is.
Superstores
Used car "superstores" make buying or leasing a used car easier than ever and are springing up nationwide. Many of the cars offered there have been "certified," meaning that the manufacturers ensure that the vehicle has passed a series of inspections before it is offered to the consumer market. In addition to the certification, many of the manufacturers will enhance the warranty as well.
HerTip: If you are looking at a used car that is not "certified," take the extra time to have your own, trusted mechanic give it a close look - you will be glad you did. If the seller is squeamish about having your mechanic examine the car, that's probably a good indication that there are likely underlying problems and you may want to seriously reconsider.
Continue to: Part VI: Auto Insurance
Determining how much car you can afford