Tips on Buying Your First Car Purchasing your first car, whether you’re just graduating and you need a car for college, or you’ve just landed your dream job and you want a car to reward yourself, can be tricky. There are lots of things you need to know before going into the process and there are even more checks and balances that you need to make sure you’re paying attention to. If you do this right, you’ll get a great car, at a great price, and it will last you until you need or want to purchase your next car. If, on the other hand, you don’t do it right, the debt, payments, and headache of the whole process can haunt you for years to come.
Know Your Limits The first step in the whole process requires that you take a solid look at your financial situation. A car is a major purchase and you want to make sure that you will be able to pay it off without any problems. Start by looking at what your current income and expenses are. Create a budget for yourself that includes the cost of the monthly payments as well as any additional costs. Include estimates for gas, insurance, and maintenance as you figure this out. Knowing this information gives you an idea of how much you can spend on a car and what type of vehicle you need to be looking for.
Research Before you visit a dealership or start making inquiries on used vehicles in your area, there are a few things that you need to research first. What will you be using the vehicle for? Take into account that what you want may not be what you need. While a zippy sports car or a big truck may be fun, it may not be practical when you factor in the cost of insuring and fueling that kind of car. Look online to find out what type of car is recommended for your area. For example, it may be prudent to make sure you have a car with 4-wheel drive if you live in an area where snow is common during the winter months. As you start to narrow your options down to the car that fits both your needs and wants, talk to other drivers who own the types of vehicles you are looking at. They will be able to give you an accurate idea of what to expect.
Be Smart and Take Your Time Once you’re ready to really begin the shopping process, it is important to remember that rushing through it can end up costing you thousands of dollars. Many first-time buyers can pay over $5000 more than another, more experienced buyer would for the same car.
Be very clear with the salespeople and don’t let them talk you into something that you don’t need or want. You’ve done your research so you know exactly what you can do as far as price and options. Never leave the first lot with a car. Shop around and make sure you’re getting the right price. If you are looking for car insurance in San Jose, Campus Insurance may have the policy for you. Stop by our office, call us, or visit us online to get a quote today!