| Buying a new car is exciting. I remember the feeling of | | | | Accord that had leather interior, power seating, a |
| going with my father to the car dealership for the first | | | | sunroof and premium sound with only 30,000 miles on |
| time. I had this weird thing for a while where I didn't | | | | it. Compare this to 2010 Honda Civic Coupe at the |
| want anything to do with a car that someone had | | | | lowest end which may be comparable in price but |
| already owned and had driven around in. Instead, I | | | | contain less features. |
| wanted a brand new car, something that hadn't yet | | | | Purchasing a car can be (and often is) a relatively |
| absorbed anyone else's smells or bad driving habits | | | | seamless process. However, you want to make sure |
| such as smoking or owning a pet. | | | | that you have all of your cards in order before you |
| I am not the only person who has felt like this | | | | head out to the dealership. The worst thing that you |
| however. There are plenty of people who go out and | | | | could do is go to the dealership alone and let the |
| purchase a brand new car for the very reasons that I | | | | salesman or saleswoman convince you to buy a car |
| already stated. However, does this mean that they've | | | | that, in the end, you really cannot afford. Granted, while |
| made the right decision? Probably not. In fact, you | | | | not all salespeople are like this, there are a large |
| should never base your decision to purchase a new | | | | amount of salespeople out there who won't think twice |
| car or a used car on the fact that someone may or | | | | about trying to get you into a more expensive vehicle |
| may not have owned it prior to you. The fact of the | | | | because doing so will mean an increase in the |
| matter is that while someone may not have 'owned' | | | | commission that they make. |
| your car outright, someone still had to drive it at some | | | | If you have figured out that you are going to be |
| point. There is no way around that. | | | | purchasing a new car, then you will no doubt want to |
| Instead, when you are looking to buy a new car, the | | | | bring someone with you who has been through the |
| sorts of things that you should be focused on initially is | | | | process of purchasing a car from a dealership and |
| how much money you have set aside for a new car | | | | who can act as a sort of buffer between you and the |
| in your life. Often times, those of us who opt to | | | | salesperson. Don't walk out of a dealership with a car |
| purchase a new or used car do so based on our | | | | that you don't feel comfortable with all because the |
| current income or financial situation. There are some | | | | salesperson managed to convince you that it was the |
| new cars that you can purchase for relatively cheap. | | | | 'car for you'. Instead, use your discretion and make |
| However, often, these cars do not come with quite as | | | | sure that you do your homework ahead of time |
| many features as a slightly older used car. For | | | | before you walk out the door. |
| example, I recently came across a used 2007 Honda | | | | |