Avoiding Common Car-Buying Mistakes: Dos and Don'ts

Buying a car might seem like a relatively straightforward task when looked at on its face, but there are plenty of nuances involved that make the process a little trickier than it first appears. If you want to make sure that you end up with a suitable model for your lifestyle and avoid the dreaded buyer's remorse (which would be particularly painful considering the amount of money you'll drop down), then you should heed the advice in this post. We will cover several dos and don'ts related to the car buying process so that you can walk away feeling confident you have made the right choices.

Do Research Vehicle Prices Beforehand

We will begin with the very thing that most folks hate to discuss, as it somewhat strips away some of the luster of the event, but it is vital nonetheless. One of the key tips for buying a new car is to make an effort to research different models and their costs. By creating a list of models that fit your budget, you can avoid wasting time daydreaming about owning a Mustang and instead focus your efforts on something a bit more useful. Once you have a list of options based on what you are able to afford, you can start digging a little deeper and figuring out which will suit your circumstances the best, whether that be shuttling the kids to school every morning or hauling your heavy equipment to and from your job site.

Don't Rush Into A Purchase

You should never rush into any purchase, especially one as costly as a car purchase. By moving too fast, you run the risk of ending up with a vehicle that is so utterly ill-informed that you might have well chucked your ash down the drain. Obviously that result is pretty rare and a little on the hyperbolic side, but the point remains. An act of this magnitude demands a serious deep dive into all options in order to avoid the need to spend even more money on marriage counseling!

Do Check Your Credit Score If You Plan On Finance

If, like millions of others, you plan on utilizing financing to help you afford a car that might otherwise be slightly outside your budget, it's highly prudent to use a credit score-checking company to see where you stand. When you know what your score is, you can avoid any nasty shocks when it comes to negotiation, possibly avoid taking out finance from the dealership, and find your own options that could be offered at a better rate. If you're worried about the check actually lowering your score slightly, you shouldn't be. A check is classed as a soft inquiry, which should have no effect.

Don't Overlook The Additional Costs Involved

Regardless of how much finance you can take out or how much cash you have available, overlooking all other ancillary costs could land you in serious debt if you're not careful. Just because you might be able to afford a BMW or Mercedes doesn't automatically mean you can afford the upkeep. Certain brands are well-known to charge way over the odds for maintenance, and even items such as a new set of tires could set you back thousands. As such, once you have a shortlist of models you believe are a good fit, you should check online or at your local mechanic what kind of money you are looking at spending for regular upkeep like oil changes, tires, servicing, etc. If you still believe you can afford it, then go for it, but the point is to avoid jumping into something just because you have the money to make the initial purchase.

Do Take A Test Drive

You will never be able to get a decent option of a car if you have only sat inside it with the salesperson shoving their spiel down your throat. Instead, make sure you book ahead so you can take your chosen models for a spin. This will give you a great idea of how it feels on the road and if it feels fantastic or if it's a dog. Just make sure not to inundate the dealership by requesting to test drive all of their models. They won't be happy, and in reality, you should have a list of maybe two or three that you want to finalize based on the test.

Don't Ignore Vehicle History Reports

If you are buying a brand-new vehicle, you can probably skip this step since there won't be any history to check. However, if you are going down the second-hand, nearly new route, a vehicle report will tell you if it's been involved in any major incidents that could be cause for concern.

Using these tips should help you drive away from the forecourt in the car of your dreams, safe in the knowledge that you can afford your chosen option and that it fits the bill perfectly. As long as you perform your due diligence and avoid allowing emotion to enter the chat, you should end up a very happy owner of a brand-new set of wheels.