We understand that people have to go through a lot of hassles while buying a car. That is why we aim to help people understand how to make the car-shopping process a pleasant experience. We also wish to tell people how to differentiate between ethical and dishonest sellers and avoid well-known mistakes.
That way they will be able to buy cars from places and people who sell them the right way. It will help those businesses grow while the unethical ones go out of business or are forced to fall in line . Here are 5 ways to be a smarter car buyer.
Buy a Used Car
If you are buying a car to get to point B from point A, it is better to buy a used car than a new one. New vehicles are not only more expensive than used cars, but they get devalued as soon as you drive them out of the dealership. Smart buyers who understand the depreciation of financed vehicles will never buy a new one. The depreciation of a car’s value in the first year of ownership is at least 20%.
That means if you have taken a loan to buy a car, you are paying more in installments than your car’s worth even before you add the amount of interest. On the other hand, when you buy a used car, you get more value for your money since you buy it at an already depreciated rate.
Choose the Dealership Carefully
Whether you are buying a new car or a used one, you must choose the dealer carefully. Many people do not want to buy used cars because they feel that the seller would take advantage of them. They feel unsure that they will be able to judge the price or the condition of the vehicle correctly.
So if you want to act like an educated car shopper, choose the dealership carefully. You can read reviews on online mediums such as Google, Yelp, and several others to read about the experiences of other customers. It will help you to understand how the dealership treats the customers and works towards solving their problems.
You can also look for the warranties or moneyback guarantees they provide for the vehicles they sell. Also, check the average miles of the cars they sell. Reputable dealers tend not to sell very old vehicles with lots of miles.
Consider Buying Online
If you did not know already, you can buy a used car online these days. Buying a used car online can indeed present a set of challenges. However, as long as you choose the online dealership carefully, you should be able to bypass those issues. Buying a used car from an online dealership like Gettacar can make your experience as easy as ordering groceries from Walmart.
There are several advantages to buying a used car on the Internet. It is a hassle-free process where you do not have to bargain with the salesperson over the car’s price. You can also get several services like financing and insurance under the same roof while in the comforts of your own home. Most people feel queasy about buying a car without testing it first.
That is why you must choose a dealer that offers a free trial period of at least seven days. You will be able to ensure that the car is exactly like it was advertised on the website. Reputable dealers will also display the VIN so that you can check the vehicle’s history on your own.
Get the Right Financing Option
Many people are not sure whether they should finance their car through the dealership or approach their bank about it. Some people also think that a credit union will be able to offer them the best rates. We suggest that you should weigh your options before you go to the dealership.
If you have a preapproved offer at your disposal, you might be able to get a better one from the dealer. It will also help you to compare the offers to get one with the best rates and terms. That way, multiple lenders will be competing against each other to get your business, and you will be able to benefit the most.
Avoid Scams
Watch out for scammers when you are trying to buy a used car. There are several tell-tale signs of identifying a scam. We would advise you to read about VIN cloning, odometer fraud, curbstoning, and other scams that can trap an unsuspecting car buyer. If you feel that a price seems too good to be true, make sure that you cross-check the dealer and the deal from every possible angle.
Buying a car can be tricky if you do not know the rules of the game. That is why we intend to help you learn those rules so that you can outsmart any seller who is trying to take advantage of you. If you follow our suggestions, it might help you to buy your dream car at the best possible rate.