Vehicle
No matter what it is that you need your vehicle to do, you definitely want to be open to a few different options, including used vehicles. Here are a few tips to help make car shopping a little easier on you.
Know What You Can Afford
How much loan you can get depends on many factors (look at credit score, savings account, and more). If you have bad credit there are still options out there. However, your bad credit could limit where you can shop for a vehicle.
You also want to consider how much money you have toward your down payment, as well as whether or not you have a vehicle to trade in. Trade in’s can bring different amount depending on how they are running, how old they are, and what the cost of scrap metal is right now (if your vehicle is a junker).
Know What You’re Looking For
Have some sort of idea what you want before you head out to the dealerships. You want to at least know what size of vehicle you want. This will make things easier on you and easier on the salespeople at the dealerships. Make a list, but also know you might need to be a little lenient.
Consider Used Vehicles
Unless you have your heart set on a new vehicle it’s smart to consider a used one. Some dealerships tend to offer great used Toyotas, among other models, which come with some extra coverage in case anything is wrong with them. You may also want to look into your state’s lemon laws when it comes to buying used.
Never buy a used vehicle without test driving it first. You want to make sure that everything is in working order, especially if there are no lemon laws to protect you where you live.
Be Weary When At Dealerships Or Privately Owned
While you don’t want to be paranoid when you’re vehicle shopping, you do want to be careful. Don’t expect everyone to be truthful with you. When it comes to buying a used vehicle you definitely want to get a CarFax report and take it to a shop for an inspection.
If you are buying a new car you should still look it over from roof to tires. Test drive it. And never be afraid to negotiate for a better price.