BLOG

Buying a car can be stressful. Here are some tips to make buying your next dream car as stress-free as possible!

Figure out what buying option works best for you. Make sure you plan ahead. Will you buy new or used?  Will you lease or buy? Do you need a four-wheel-drive truck or should you invest in a hybrid car to save on gas? Everyone’s scenario is different, so choose what buying option fits your specific needs.  

Do the research. Once you pinpoint the makes and models best suited for you, begin comparing options. Take into consideration fuel efficiency, safety rating, consumer reviews, cost of insurance, vehicle history report and maintenance costs.

Get pre-approved. Before venturing out to vehicle shop, make sure to get pre-approved first. It will save you time and money to know your financial boundaries. Get in touch with our Loan Zone – they can go over our current auto specials and help you get pre-approved.

Negotiate a lower price. Go into your car-buying experience knowing the price you want to pay. You can use one of the top car pricing websites such as Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds. Such sites reveal Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) sticker prices, dealer invoice prices, and average sale prices, so you know the true value of the vehicle you’re shopping.  Bringing your approval amount to the dealership can also keep you from overpaying on the car you want.  It will also unlikely you’ll fall into the trap of buying more car than you really need.

Shop all your options. Car shopping has never been an easier process than it is now. With online inventories, car buying services, and more – dealers are no longer your only option. Make sure to shop different dealers to compare the cars you’re looking at.

Decide what to do with your current vehicle. Selling your car to a private party can be cost-effective, but trading in your current car at the dealer might be easier. If you trade-in your car, make sure you know its current value and then evaluate the trade-in offer against a private sale to see which option works best for you.

Check out the current Auto Loan Specials here.

Happy shopping!