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There are few decisions that can produce such a mix of emotions as buying or leasing a new car. According to a recent USAA Auto Circle survey, most people are excited at the prospect of buying a car, yet, at the same time they wish the process was easier. In fact, even though most people love driving a new car, the survey found that many people find the experience time consuming, exhausting, and even intimidating.
It’s no surprise that few people want to do it alone. And, if you have a partner, big decisions are usually joint decisions. In fact, this is the number one reason that nearly half of all military spouses surveyed would not buy or sell a vehicle while their spouse is deployed.
Furthermore, two out of five military spouses say the hardest part of navigating the car-buying process alone is deciding which car to buy and negotiating a good price. Military spouses aren’t the only ones—almost no one seems to enjoy negotiating; however, most people feel they have to do it to get a good deal. The only thing people seem to dislike more than negotiating is doing it alone. Unfortunately, if a spouse is deployed, you may have no choice.
If you are buying a car by yourself, how can you make sure you don’t get taken for a ride?
The Car Coach, automotive expert Lauren Fix, has some tips:
1.Be prepared. Make a list of things you need before you walk into a dealership, and line up your own financing with your bank in advance. Remember, you’re being approved for an amount, not a specific car, so being pre-approved for an auto loan doesn’t mean you have to already know what vehicle you want.
Be prepared. Make a list of things you need before you walk into a dealership, and line up your own financing with your bank in advance. Remember, you’re being approved for an amount, not a specific car, so being pre-approved for an auto loan doesn’t mean you have to already know what vehicle you want.2.Look around. After finding a vehicle you like, use a site such as intellichoice.com to look up the price at different dealerships in your area. Some sites such as AutoCircle.com offer consolidated research from multiple sources to make this process easier.
Look around. After finding a vehicle you like, use a site such as intellichoice.com to look up the price at different dealerships in your area. Some sites such as AutoCircle.com offer consolidated research from multiple sources to make this process easier.3.Skip the negotiating. You can bypass the negotiating process if you want to. There are car-buying services that provide an upfront, no-haggle price you can take to a pre-screened dealer who has agreed to honor it. Typically, you can access these services through an organization you belong to or subscribe to, like USAA or Consumer Reports.
Skip the negotiating. You can bypass the negotiating process if you want to. There are car-buying services that provide an upfront, no-haggle price you can take to a pre-screened dealer who has agreed to honor it. Typically, you can access these services through an organization you belong to or subscribe to, like USAA or Consumer Reports.4.Use time to your advantage. The first day of every month, car dealerships have to pay for every car they have on the floor, so they are more anxious to get rid of cars at the end of the month. Typically, you will find the best deals during those last few days on the calendar.
Use time to your advantage. The first day of every month, car dealerships have to pay for every car they have on the floor, so they are more anxious to get rid of cars at the end of the month. Typically, you will find the best deals during those last few days on the calendar.5.Check insurance costs early. Research shows that most people don’t check insurance costs in advance, but some buyers decide against a purchase once they have those costs in hand. Save time by getting a quote from your insurance provider either over the phone, online or even on your mobile phone. Most people don’t shop around for insurance when they buy a car, but it can be a good time to make sure you’re getting a good deal.
Check insurance costs early. Research shows that most people don’t check insurance costs in advance, but some buyers decide against a purchase once they have those costs in hand. Save time by getting a quote from your insurance provider either over the phone, online or even on your mobile phone. Most people don’t shop around for insurance when they buy a car, but it can be a good time to make sure you’re getting a good deal.While buying a new car can be difficult, it’s not impossible. Just remember to take a deep breath and take your time. As a rule of thumb, it’s never a good idea to buy a car the day you start looking, so don’t be afraid to walk away. Finally, stay confident; with a little research and some planning, you can get the car of your dreams at the price you want.
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Test Drive, Before you Buy
According to a recent USAA Auto Circle survey, 90 percent of people have test driven a car prior to purchase. Lauren Fix, The Car Coach, says this is a good idea, as it is important to know what to look for when comparing cars and a test drive can often be the determining factor. However, women have different needs than men when it comes to test driving, says Fix, who offers these tips to help women make the most of these five or ten minutes behind the wheel:
1.When taking a test drive, don’t hand over your driver’s license. You can give a salesperson a copy or let him or her ride with you, but do not let the dealership run a credit check on you using your driver’s license information. No one is supposed to check your credit without your signature, and these checks can lower your credit score by ten to twenty points.
When taking a test drive, don’t hand over your driver’s license. You can give a salesperson a copy or let him or her ride with you, but do not let the dealership run a credit check on you using your driver’s license information. No one is supposed to check your credit without your signature, and these checks can lower your credit score by ten to twenty points. 2.Bring your kids on the test drive to make sure they are safe and comfortable. Make sure you include the car seats if your children are still at an age where it’s required. If you can’t get your car seat into the car, it’s not the car for you. Kids will tell you honestly what they like and don’t like, which is a real plus when shopping for a car.
Bring your kids on the test drive to make sure they are safe and comfortable. Make sure you include the car seats if your children are still at an age where it’s required. If you can’t get your car seat into the car, it’s not the car for you. Kids will tell you honestly what they like and don’t like, which is a real plus when shopping for a car. 3.Sit in the driver’s seat. If test driving with a partner or friend, be sure to take your turn actually driving the car. If you aren’t comfortable during the test drive, move on since your comfort level is not going to get any better.
Sit in the driver’s seat. If test driving with a partner or friend, be sure to take your turn actually driving the car. If you aren’t comfortable during the test drive, move on since your comfort level is not going to get any better.4.Check the visibility. Adjust all of the mirrors, and if you can’t see your surroundings during a test drive you won’t see any better when you get the car home.
Check the visibility. Adjust all of the mirrors, and if you can’t see your surroundings during a test drive you won’t see any better when you get the car home.5.Try all of the controls. Women have smaller hands and may not be able to operate all of the controls effectively. If something doesn’t work for you, don’t settle-the perfect car is out there.
Try all of the controls. Women have smaller hands and may not be able to operate all of the controls effectively. If something doesn’t work for you, don’t settle-the perfect car is out there. USAA-United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates.
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Shopping for a Car Alone? Five Tips to Make Sure You Don't Get Taken for a Ride and Test Drive Before You Buy
by Cara B. Newman (USAA), posted Aug 2010
Archives: Money/Finance-USAA
