Get Ready to Take Charge and Buy a New Ride

Much like buying a new juicer or mixer, buying a car is not a decision that should ever be made in haste (maybe it’s a tad bit bigger of a deal). But unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get sucked into purchasing the hottest new vehicle before knowing whether it actually fits within your budget and aligns with your lifestyle. After all, the sticker price is only the beginning.

Do some thorough research before starting the purchasing process. Have an idea of what car you want, but be flexible with the style or age or mileage. Compare new and used cars on Kelley Blue Book to see what kind of price you should expect from a dealer. Once you know what you want and know what to expect, head to the dealer and get ready to stick to your guns.

Now, let’s get serious about financing, insurance and how to avoid scams.

Financing

There are plenty of financing options out there, but for some buyers, low income or poor credit will limit the ability to obtain decent auto financing.

Bank loans usually have lower interest rates but require decent credit ratings. For those with poor credit, car dealerships may offer another option. These payment plans may include higher interest rates but, for someone incapable of securing a loan elsewhere, this may be an acceptable trade-off. Car dealers are sometimes willing to negotiate for lower rates for the right customer.

Finding Affordable Insurance

Insurance is an absolute essential, and not just because it’s against the law to drive without insurance. Decent coverage will leave your finances protected in the event of an accident. But if you have a history of speeding tickets or car accidents, finding decent coverage could be difficult. It pays to shop around, which is especially convenient today, thanks to available insurance quoting sites.

As you make your final decision, be sure to consider how extensive you want your liability coverage. Sometimes, plans that initially seem inexpensive are actually quite pricey in the long run. A careful driver is also more likely to have a low rate.

This is borne out by statistics, recorded by black boxes, which consistently show drivers who heed traffic laws have fewer car accidents. Thus, responsible driving pays off both in terms of accident prevention and lower insurance rates over long periods of vehicle ownership.

Avoiding Scams

Be it financing, insurance or any other aspect of purchasing a car, you’re likely to run into a scammer at some point. The key is being able to recognize scams and avoid them whenever possible. Deals that strike you as too good to be true most likely are. Possibly the easiest and most reliable way to prevent a scam is to check whether the company in question is certified by the Better Business Bureau.

Word of mouth also works well as a system of finding reliable businesses, so take some time to ask friends and family members for recommendations. Choosing a vehicle model may very well be the easiest part of purchasing a car. It’s tough to sort through financing and insurance, but ultimately worth it in the end. Your wallet will thank you for your effort.

Author  – Richard Burgess

A lover of domestic cars and SUVs, Richard writes reviews for auto and tech sites.