Buying a new car is always a tricky experience. Everyone looks for different things in a car, and it can be hard to find a car that has all the features you want. Once you find the car you want, you then have to deal with all the financial aspects of buying it. You may also have to deal with pushy salespeople. Because of all this, it’s common for people to make mistakes when buying a car. They may not do enough research and end up paying more than they should. Or, they may end up with a car that isn’t exactly what they want. If you’re thinking about buying a new car soon, here are nine mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
1) Not Doing Your Research
Before you step foot in the dealership, you should spend a good amount of time researching cars. Many people make the mistake of waiting until they get to the dealership to start thinking about the type of car they want. If you do this, it will be much easier for the salesperson to push you into making a bad decision. Today, it’s easier than ever to research car models and pricing. Spend some time on websites like Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book. Research a wide variety of cars that have the features you’re looking for, and be sure to look at the reviews and pricing on them. Then, once you’re armed with this knowledge, you can head to the dealership and start the process of buying your dream car.
2) Only Shopping at one Dealership
Another common mistake many people make is shopping at just one dealership. When you do this, you’ll have far fewer options to choose from. You also won’t as much leverage when you’re negotiating. It’s a good idea to visit at least three dealerships, but you don’t have to visit all these places in person. Instead, try simply visiting many different dealerships’ websites. Make note of the prices of cars you’re interested in and look at reviews of those cars. Then, decide which of the dealerships you want to visit in person. When you go to the dealership, be sure to tell them that you’re looking at many different dealerships and you haven’t decided who you’re going with yet. This will help give you the upper-hand when you begin your negotiations.