| I need a car. I've been a pedestrian for too long. I | | | | companies with rate comparison features. Use those |
| need information. I'll hop on the web. Search for "car | | | | resources. Be very aware that your past driving |
| buying guides." Whoa! Over 15 million sites/pages! | | | | record will affect your rates, but also if you are a |
| Refine my search. "Free first time car buyer guides" | | | | first time buyer, be ready for slightly higher rates to |
| and narrow it down to only 4 million. That's about as | | | | begin with. After all, the insurance company is really |
| refined as I can get right now. Look over the first | | | | gambling on your not making any claims against the |
| page of my results, chose some links with names I | | | | insurance. Think about the type of driving you will be |
| recognize. Open some pages. Lots of interesting | | | | doing and review the "extras" offered by the |
| articles. Let's see if I can pull together a cohesive list. | | | | insurance provider. Also, the type of vehicle you are |
| What type of vehicle do I need? Notice I wrote | | | | looking to purchase will affect your rates as well. |
| "need" not want? I want a cool car, but this is a | | | | Older cars usually mean less safety features, so |
| major investment and cool doesn't really last that | | | | rates will be higher. Your vehicle insurance is just as |
| long. Do I buy new or used? What kind of driving am | | | | important as your health insurance. |
| I really going to be doing, and in what kind of | | | | A short note here about car dealerships (and not just |
| conditions? How much can I reasonably spend for | | | | the new vehicle showroom guys). I personally have |
| monthly maintenance? How much can I spend on a | | | | not had good results buying from a private seller. |
| loan or lease payment? Should I buy from a dealer, | | | | Way too many variables and basically no recourse if |
| an auction or private sale? How's my credit rating? | | | | something isn't right. Dealers have certain rules and |
| Where should I buy insurance? Lots of questions to | | | | restrictions they must comply with, such as title |
| answer, and probably some I haven't included here. | | | | registration time limits, the lemon law, and the |
| Before you search for that cool car, decide exactly | | | | "buyers remorse" (3 day changed my mind) rules. |
| what your needs and wants are. Don't buy what you | | | | Dealerships must be licensed and follow the laws; |
| want, buy what you need. Don't get into a cash bind | | | | private sellers often don't. Dealerships also can |
| because you spent more than you can really afford | | | | provide a wider range of options than a private seller. |
| because the "cool" factor fades fast but those | | | | Go to your state motor vehicle or department of |
| monthly payments continue. Review your budget to | | | | licensing website and educate yourself. What you |
| determine how much you can really afford. That | | | | don't know can hurt you. |
| means not only the car payment, but insurance and | | | | Also, there is a list called the Customer Service Index |
| an estimate of your monthly maintenance (gas, oil, | | | | (or something similar) which each car maker maintains |
| etc.) | | | | for dealerships. The ranking indicates who a dealership |
| Check your credit so you have an idea of what type | | | | satisfies customers not only in sales, but also in |
| of loan you can qualify for. Decide on a firm price | | | | service. Basically, go to the manufacturer's website, |
| (payment or full-purchase), because dealers and | | | | search for customer service index and then navigate |
| salespeople will be doing their best to get more out | | | | the website to find that manufacturer's criteria for a |
| of you. Be firm and stick to your dollar amount. If | | | | great dealership. Yes it takes time, but this is a major |
| financing, decide on a realistic maximum payment you | | | | investment. Family and friends can help here as well. |
| can make. If possible, check with your bank to see | | | | Once you have decided what type of vehicle you |
| what type of loan you qualify for. | | | | want, and which dealerships you want to check out |
| With the internet, it's now much easier to compare | | | | (always try at least 2 dealerships, don't just settle on |
| vehicles. Take the time to check out some websites | | | | one!), take someone with you, preferably someone |
| that offer information about vehicles and compare. | | | | knowledgeable about the vehicle you have chosen (a |
| Don't just rush out and buy the first car you see. | | | | family member or friend you feel comfortable with). |
| Remember, your vehicle is a major investment and | | | | That person will probably ask some questions you |
| unless you can change vehicles every year, this car | | | | didn't think of! I'm a wimp when it comes to |
| will probably have to last you 4 or 5 years. Be | | | | negotiating, but my hubby isn't, and he knows about |
| choosy. Look at the pictures, sure, but READ the | | | | cars. I let him do most of the questioning, even |
| information. Check to see if the dealership offers | | | | though I was the one purchasing the car. Believe me, |
| web discounts (that is, if you buy from them they | | | | it helped, because he asked questions I really never |
| will offer some discount for using the web). | | | | thought about. |
| Educate yourself about vehicle pricing. Dealerships | | | | Last, but certainly not least, TEST DRIVE THE CAR! |
| have to make a profit; otherwise they would not be | | | | Sounds simple, but it is very important. Just because |
| in business! Simple economics. Dealers will negotiate, | | | | you found what looks like the car of your dreams, it |
| but YOU have to be prepared as well. The dealers | | | | may still not be right. You need to be comfortable |
| and salespeople know their bottom line on any | | | | behind the wheel, your sight lines should be clear, you |
| vehicle. Again, check the web for information | | | | should be able to judge your surroundings based on |
| regarding pricing. Ask family and friends to help you | | | | the size of the vehicle, and you should be able to find |
| learn about vehicle pricing. There are many factors | | | | all those little areas of vehicle maintenance you can |
| that most people don't even know about. | | | | do yourself. |
| Make certain you qualify for insurance. Check out | | | | Remember, a vehicle is a major investment. It should |
| your state's department of motor vehicles website | | | | be chosen with care and deliberate thought. There a |
| and learn the minimum insurance necessary. Check | | | | many factors to consider and, ultimately, you are the |
| around the web and you'll find many major insurance | | | | one that has to pay for any mistakes in your choice. |