I need a car. Ive been a pedestrian for too long. I need information. Ill hop on the web. Search for car buying guides. Whoa! Over 15 million sites/pages! Refine my search. Free first time car buyer guides and narrow it down to only 4 million. Thats about as refined as I can get right now. Look over the first page of my results chose some links with names I recognize. Open some pages. Lots of interesting articles. Lets see if I can pull together a cohesive list.
What type of vehicle do I need Notice I wrote need not want I want a cool car but this is a major investment and cool doesnt really last that long. Do I buy new or used What kind of driving am I really going to be doing and in what kind of conditions How much can I reasonably spend for monthly maintenance How much can I spend on a loan or lease payment Should I buy from a dealer an auction or private sale Hows my credit rating Where should I buy insurance Lots of questions to answer and probably some I havent included here.
Before you search for that cool car decide exactly what your needs and wants are. Dont buy what you want buy what you need. Dont get into a cash bind because you spent more than you can really afford because the cool factor fades fast but those monthly payments continue. Review your budget to determine how much you can really afford. That means not only the car payment but insurance and an estimate of your monthly maintenance (gas oil etc.)
Check your credit so you have an idea of what type of loan you can qualify for. Decide on a firm price (payment or fullpurchase) because dealers and salespeople will be doing their best to get more out of you. Be firm and stick to your dollar amount. If financing decide on a realistic maximum payment you can make. If possible check with your bank to see what type of loan you qualify for.
With the internet its now much easier to compare vehicles. Take the time to check out some websites that offer information about vehicles and compare. Dont just rush out and buy the first car you see. Remember your vehicle is a major investment and unless you can change vehicles every year this car will probably have to last you 4 or 5 years. Be choosy. Look at the pictures sure but READ the information. Check to see if the dealership offers web discounts (that is if you buy from them they will offer some discount for using the web).
Educate yourself about vehicle pricing. Dealerships have to make a profit; otherwise they would not be in business! Simple economics. Dealers will negotiate but YOU have to be prepared as well. The dealers and salespeople know their bottom line on any vehicle. Again check the web for information regarding pricing. Ask family and friends to help you learn about vehicle pricing. There are many factors that most people dont even know about.
Make certain you qualify for insurance. Check out your states department of motor vehicles website and learn the minimum insurance necessary. Check around the web and youll find many major insurance companies with rate comparison
features. Use those resources. Be very aware that your past driving record will affect your rates but also if you are a first time buyer be ready for slightly higher rates to begin with. After all the insurance company is really gambling on your not making any claims against the insurance. Think about the type of driving you will be doing and review the extras offered by the insurance provider. Also the type of vehicle you are looking to purchase will affect your rates as well. Older cars usually mean less safety features so rates will be higher. Your vehicle insurance is just as important as your health insurance.
A short note here about car dealerships (and not just the new vehicle showroom guys). I personally have not had good results buying from a private seller. Way too many variables and basically no recourse if something isnt right. Dealers have certain rules and restrictions they must comply with such as title registration time limits the lemon law and the buyers remorse (3 day changed my mind) rules. Dealerships must be licensed and follow the laws; private sellers often dont. Dealerships also can provide a wider range of options than a private seller. Go to your state motor vehicle or department of licensing website and educate yourself. What you dont know can hurt you.
Also there is a list called the Customer Service Index (or something similar) which each car maker maintains for dealerships. The ranking indicates who a dealership satisfies customers not only in sales but also in service. Basically go to the manufacturers website search for customer service index and then navigate the website to find that manufacturers criteria for a great dealership. Yes it takes time but this is a major investment. Family and friends can help here as well.
Once you have decided what type of vehicle you want and which dealerships you want to check out (always try at least 2 dealerships dont just settle on one!) take someone with you preferably someone knowledgeable about the vehicle you have chosen (a family member or friend you feel comfortable with). That person will probably ask some questions you didnt think of! Im a wimp when it comes to negotiating but my hubby isnt and he knows about cars. I let him do most of the questioning even though I was the one purchasing the car. Believe me it helped because he asked questions I really never thought about.
Last but certainly not least TEST DRIVE THE CAR! Sounds simple but it is very important. Just because you found what looks like the car of your dreams it may still not be right. You need to be comfortable behind the wheel your sight lines should be clear you should be able to judge your surroundings based on the size of the vehicle and you should be able to find all those little areas of vehicle maintenance you can do yourself.
Remember a vehicle is a major investment. It should be chosen with care and deliberate thought. There a many factors to consider and ultimately you are the one that has to pay for any mistakes in your choice.
Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian Discount Car Rentals specialists in car rentals Kauai. He has personally researched and experienced many of the Hawaiian activities and as described above.