10 Of the Most Common Car Buying Mistakes You Need to Avoid

Buying a new vehicle can be a very stressful experience. Most people are unaware regarding just how many different types of vehicles are on the market. Finding a way to narrow down the selection of vehicles at your disposal is no easy task. Failing to do the proper amount of research will usually lead to a number of mistakes being made during this process. When trying to find the right vehicle, getting a bit of professional guidance is a must. The right dealership will have no problem helping you find a vehicle that is both reliable and appealing.

The last thing you need to do during the car buying process is get impatient and start overlooking vital information. Rushing through this type of important decision will generally cause you to have a case of buyer’s remorse when it is all said and done. Going online and doing some investigatory work is essential when attempting to get a vehicle that is perfectly suited to your particular needs. When attempting to modify a recent vehicle purchase, working with the professionals at Pro Fabrication is a great idea. They can help you get your vehicle completely customized for an affordable price. Read below to find out about some of the most common car buying mistakes you should avoid at all costs.

1. Having Your Heart Set on a Particular Car Model

One of the worst mistakes you can make during the car buying process is fixating on one particular car model or brand. Failing to see the big picture regarding the vehicles available to you can cause you pass up a great deal. Even if you like all that a particular car model offers, you need to explore all of the alternatives out there. In some cases, keeping an open mind during this process will allow you to find a vehicle you love for a much cheaper price. Working with an experienced car dealership is a great way to get some information on all of the various vehicle options available to you. Having tunnel vision when it comes to car buying will usually result in you getting the wrong car.

2. Failing to Test Drive All Of the Cars You Like

The best way to find out exactly what a vehicle has to offer is by taking it for a test drive. Buying a car without hopping behind the wheel first is foolish. Knowing exactly how a car handles and what interior features is has is a great way to start narrowing down the list of cars out there. Many of the dealerships you come across will insist on you test driving their vehicles. These professionals know that providing buyers will a firsthand experience with a particular vehicle is the recipe for success. Many people will completely fall in love with a car once they have driven. Instead of passing up the opportunity to drive a prospective car purchase, you need to schedule as many test drives as you possibly can.

3. Not Properly Negotiating

If you are trying to negotiate that price of a vehicle down from the sticker price already on it, you are making a big mistake. Often times, car dealerships will increase the price on a car to let a person feel like they are getting a deal by negotiating a few hundred dollars off of this price. Before you go into a car dealership trying to get a good deal on a vehicle, you will need to check to see what the going price is online. Once you get an idea of what similar vehicles are selling for, you can properly negotiate with a dealership. Failing to do your homework before going to a car lot may end up costing you a lot of money. Rather than losing out on a good deal, you need to devote some time to doing a thorough amount of research. Looking on sites like Kelly Blue Book will give you a fair assessment of what a vehicle’s actual value is.

4. Only Focusing on the Monthly Payment

The main thing a car salesman will want to know from you is how much you want to spend on a vehicle each month. The last thing you need to do is take this bait because it will end up costing you dearly. Showing you just the monthly payment you will have to come up with is something a car salesman will do to make you feel at ease while they charge you too much for a vehicle. Your main focus when going in to buy a vehicle is getting the best possible deal. Instead of only focusing on the monthly payment, you need to focus on the actual full price you will be charged for a particular vehicle. By doing this, you will be able to surmise whether or not a car dealership is taking advantage of you. Negotiating the price of the vehicle first is important. Once you have this information, you can start discussing things like trade-ins and financing.

5. Investing in a Deal is a Bad Idea

Many of the larger car manufacturers out there will come out with a number of specialized deals each year to try and attract new buyers. When most people hear things like 0% down or that a car manufacturer is offering large rebates, they will usually jump at the chance to make a vehicle purchase. Investing in a deal rather than the vehicle will get you in trouble every time. Just because a particular vehicle is being offered at a deep discount doesn’t mean you should necessarily buy it. You need to do some research to find out exactly what a particular vehicle has to offer before you fall in love with the sale a manufacturer is trying to offer you. While passing up on a good deal will not be easy, it is better than you buying a car that isn’t going to suit your needs.

6. Weigh All Of Your Financing Options

Some people make the mistake of waiting until they are at a car dealership to think about how they are going to finance this purchase. Rather than doing this, you need to weigh all of the financing options you have available to you. You should start your search for the right financing at your local banks and credit unions. Usually, you will need good credit in order to qualify for a car loan through a traditional banking institution. If your credit is less than stellar, then you may want to speak with a dealership to see what they can offer. In most cases, the dealership will be a bit more flexible when it comes to loan approval. If at all possible, you should save a few thousand dollars to put down on the purchase of a new vehicle. By doing this, you will be able to reduce the cost of your monthly payments. While it may take a bit to save this money, it can help to save you a lot of cash in the long run.

7. Consider the Safety Features a Vehicle Has

Rushing through the car selection process may also lead to you getting an unsafe vehicle. Many of the modern vehicles on the market have great safety features. Taking inventory of what a particular vehicle has is important. The more safety features a vehicle has, the less your car insurance bill will be each month. If you are confused about what features a vehicle has, be sure to consult with a knowledgeable salesman. They will be able to provide you with information regarding what a vehicle has and how it can be beneficial to you. Once you have this type of information, you will be able to make an informed decision regarding which vehicle to purchase.

8. Assess the Value of Your Trade-In

If you have a vehicle you are already driving, you can trade it in to reduce the cost of the upgrade you purchase. Almost every car dealership out there will accept trade-ins. Before taking your existing vehicle into a car lot to trade-in, you will have to do some research to find out what it is worth. If you are trying to get top dollar from your trade-in, then you need to clean it up and make sure it is running efficiently. The last thing you want to do is show up to a car lot with a vehicle that is visibly damaged and mechanically unsound. Doing things like getting the oil changed and washing the vehicle is a great way to get a bit more for it. Shopping around with a few different car lots will serve you well due to the information you can learn.

Getting the right car purchased is no accident. The only way you can narrow down the selection of vehicles at your disposal is by doing your homework. Choosing a reputable dealership will help to ensure you get the quality car you need for the best possible price.