| Buying a new or used car is a very important event. It | | | | to worry less about depreciation and more about |
| is normally a long term commitment, most likely | | | | longevity and maintenance costs, thus their research |
| expensive, and represents a place where you and | | | | will be completely different. |
| your family spend a lot of your time. | | | | Also, length of ownership will help you decide whether |
| Just as most people don't get married or buy a house | | | | to take the low interest rate or the cash back |
| or go to a particular college based upon impulse, so | | | | incentive when considering new cars. That zero |
| too should car buying be treated with respect and | | | | percent financing is very tempting, but if you'll be |
| given a proper amount of preparation. | | | | trading in 2 years, you probably won't save as much |
| There are things that people can do on the internet, | | | | money as you would if you take the cash rebate |
| through reading magazines, by asking friends, using a | | | | instead. |
| Used Car Search website, and other avenues to | | | | Most dealers will have you go with whatever works |
| prepare for car shopping. Here, we will discuss the | | | | best for them. Honest dealers, such as Oklahoma |
| internal, primal, directionally focused process of digging | | | | Truck Dealers, are willing to work with their customers |
| deep and asking a few important questions before | | | | to find what is best for them. Find a dealer like them, |
| embarking on the automobile hunt. | | | | and you will do very well for yourself. |
| 1) How many people will be riding (NOT how many | | | | 7) Will children be coming of age soon? |
| people are in the family)? | | | | It isn't a common consideration, but for those with 13-15 |
| Consider your driving habits and future driving plans. | | | | year-olds, it should be asked. Do you really want your |
| You may have a family of 5, in which case a | | | | child practicing with their learner's permit on your |
| mid-sized sedan should work. But do grandma and | | | | Mustang GT? |
| grandpa like to ride to school events with you instead | | | | Also, will you need to add a vehicle for that very |
| of driving themselves? Does little Timmy need to take | | | | reason? It is something to consider in budgeting - are |
| four of his soccer teammates to practice sometimes? | | | | you going to be buying your kid a car in the near |
| Are we going to fit all of the family and luggage when | | | | future? |
| we head to the Grand Canyon this summer? | | | | 8) Will it fit every driver? |
| 2) Will it fit in the garage? | | | | "That Mini Cooper sure would be nice, but will my 6'4" |
| A Ford Excursion will not fit in 13% of the garages in | | | | husband enjoy it as much as me if he has to drive it?" |
| the US. How big is yours? | | | | Again, not a common consideration, but it has to be |
| 3) How much can I really afford? | | | | taken into account if it applies. |
| Do a true, honest, forward thinking budget. Can you | | | | 9) What are my motivations? |
| really afford $300, plus the extra gas you'll pay for in | | | | Actors need to know their motivations before taking |
| the new SUV, plus the full coverage insurance instead | | | | on a role. Car buyers need to know their motivations |
| of your liability? | | | | before buying. |
| If a car stands out, could you stretch to $450 a month, | | | | If you get "the urge" to get a new sports car because |
| even though you only want to spend $375? | | | | your neighbor just parked her new Dodge Charger in |
| People get credit problems through their car loans | | | | the driveway, you should tread very carefully. Car |
| because of various reasons - divorce, loss of job, | | | | buying can be an impulse decision. In many cases, |
| unexpected medical expenses, etc. Then there are | | | | these impulses lead us down the wrong path and |
| others who simply bite off more than they can chew. | | | | create bad situations down the road (literally). |
| 4) Who should I consult before shopping? | | | | If your motivation is that your current vehicle has |
| Just about everyone knows someone who knows | | | | problems or is old enough to start having problems |
| something about cars. Whether they are or have been | | | | soon, that is a good motivation. If you are expecting a |
| in the car business or if they have a lot of experience | | | | child and need something bigger, that is a good |
| buying, they are assets. If you are not one of those | | | | motivation. If you changed jobs and need better gas |
| people, there is no shame in asking advice or looking | | | | mileage to commute, that is a good motivation. If you |
| for recommendations on dealers, makes, models, or | | | | have lots of money and darn it, you want a new car, |
| any other aspect. | | | | that is a good motivation. |
| There is also no shame in taking a "third base coach" | | | | If your nemesis at work just bought a full ton diesel |
| with you. If Uncle Rick used to sell cars, he has an | | | | and you can't let him have the biggest, baddest truck in |
| insight into the business and can help you sniff out | | | | the parking lot, you should probably wait a few days |
| tricks or scams at the dealership. Ask him to come | | | | and see if the feeling wears off before heading to the |
| along. | | | | Dodge dealership. |
| 5) What options are "must-have" and what options are | | | | 10) How soon do I want and/or need a new car? |
| just nice? | | | | From a money saving point of view, this is the most |
| This is something that seems pretty simple, but often | | | | important question to ask yourself. Fight the society's |
| people will fall in love with a car, then discover later | | | | trend towards "we want what we want and we want |
| that it didn't have the side-curtain airbags that you | | | | it now". If you want a new car, but you can wait a few |
| swore 3 months ago you wanted to get. Make a list | | | | months, order it. Most dealers and manufacturers will |
| of what you need and what you want and bring it with | | | | custom order one for you cheaper than if you buy it |
| you. | | | | from the lot or have it located. |
| 6) How long will I keep this vehicle? | | | | For used car buyers, if you have time, hold out for the |
| If you are one of the millions who trades cars out | | | | best deal. Search the internet diligently through the |
| every 2-3 years, you will need to do some research | | | | various classified sites and dealer websites and wait |
| regarding depreciation. You will want to seriously | | | | for that great deal to come along. Be ready to hop on |
| consider whether it is better to get a new one or a | | | | it, though, because great deals are there, and then they |
| low mile used one. | | | | are gone. |
| Those who keep their cars for 5 or more years need | | | | Happy car buying! |