How to Avoid Common Mistakes When Buying a Car

Purchasing a car is often the second-most expensive investment or purchase you will ever make, and depending on your prospects and overall financial standing, buying a vehicle may be a terrifying, daunting prospect or a thrilling adventure. Either way, it is a complex process through which you may end up forking over hundreds or thousands of dollars more than you might have or end up with a car that you will not be happy with down the road, which means it is important that you avoid mistakes while you are still in the process to avoid headaches later. So here is a little guide for precisely that, shedding light on some of the common mistakes many people make when buying a car and helping you not make them. So with the introductions out of the way, let’s get into it. 

Falling in Love

No, we don’t mean falling in love with another human being, but falling in love with a specific car model, because you might be spending thousands and tens of thousands on a vehicle, which means emotion really should not rule the day. It is vital you stay as collected and objective as possible, and if you become infatuated with a single model, you might be blinded to alternative options that may actually suit your needs far more or make you skimp on doing thorough research on the car’s reviews, ratings, safety, reliability, and pricing information. A wide-eyed almost romantic approach like this can also leave you more susceptible and vulnerable to a salesperson’s sneaky tactics to get you to pay more than you actually should. Sometimes it is something like the chevrolet equinox reliability that is or should be more worth than a shiny coat of paint. To determine which car is best for you, set emotion aside for a while and concentrate on doing your homework, comparing different models, and locking down your real needs and wants.

Skipping Test Drive

One of the most important parts of the car-buying process is the test drive. A lot of cars look great on paper, especially in the glossy, beautifully staged brochure photos but the test drive really is your best chance to find out how a car measures up to your expectations, and how well it “fits” you and your loved ones. You certainly do not want any unwelcome surprises ambushing you after you have already bought the vehicle, which makes it all the more surprising to see so many people giving cars only a token test drive, or even worse, none at all. This is a mistake and a huge ingredient in the recipe for buyer remorse down the line. 

You must take ample time, so at least thirty minutes—to thoroughly take the car for a spin and perform an in-depth walk-around of any car you are considering. A test drive will let you get a feel for the car, how it handles, the speeds and engine, and everything important that you simply will not get until you have driven a vehicle. You will also pick up on possible issues or complications when you have taken it for a spin, as opposed to just having it once over with your eyes.

Focusing on Monthly Payments

Too many car buyers approach the financing conversation with the question “How much am I able to pay each month?”, which is the wrong question, one which many salespeople will quickly hit you with when you meet them. Do not take the bait, as that is the first step down a slippery slope of being intimidated and manipulated with numbers, which ends with you overpaying for your car. The salesman, using this monthly payment as bait or distraction, can just lump the trade-in value, new vehicle price, and financing terms together, which affords them too much latitude in giving you a “good price” in one aspect or area while making up for that money in another. Instead of falling for this old trick, make sure you only negotiate one thing at a time, so settle on the car’s price first before discussing a trade-in and the financing separately, as needed. A small leasing tip, if you do want to lease, do not bring it up until after you have agreed on the car’s price. 

Underestimating Modern Safety Features

The vehicles of today offer a wide range of advanced safety features, but many buyers underestimate their value or do not know which of them are the most important, or what features to look for when comparing cars. Features like electronic stability control (ESC), anti-lock brake systems (ABS), and side airbags that protect your head, for example, are all very effective and worth the money. 

Studies have demonstrated that ESC can seriously reduce accidents and fatalities, a feature that is especially important for SUVs as it can help to prevent rollovers. Side-crash tests have shown that head-protecting side airbags are vital factors in preventing fatalities in side impacts, so when a car rams into another from the left or right side, like at an intersection or the like. Attorneys like Price Benowitz Accident Injury Lawyers, LLP often deal with cases like this, and the safety features have preserved lives and helped them go on to claim hundreds of thousands in compensation. Good car safety also reduces the damage to your vehicle in accidents, which can prevent your car from being written off - or from writing off another car and dealing with the subsequent lawsuit! Sadly, you can not always rely on the salespeople in a dealership to give you reliable guidance or accurate information about these safety features, which is why you should thoroughly research the benefits of all the safety features that are available, and look for cars that have the ones that will best protect you and your loved ones. 

Dealerships will also often try to sell you some fancy extras that boost their profit margin but for you, are just a waste of money. Fabric protection, rustproofing, paint protectant, you just do not need those unnecessary services and the fees that come along with them. If you do see these items on the bill of sale and have not agreed to them, just cross them out and refuse. Hundreds of dollars for things that are either not necessary in the slightest, or just something you can do yourself with a few dozen bucks, is not what you want to go for here. 

Buying a car is exciting, and can be incredibly rewarding if all goes well, which means you want to avoid silly mistakes and complications. You should now have an idea of the basics and can build on them as needed.

Related Article:

• Navigating the Car Buying Process: Dos and Don'ts
• Important Factors to Consider Before Buying a New or Used Car