So you’re in the market for a new car, but where do you start? Well, you could spend your time trawling through the classified ads for a private and cross your fingers that you don’t end up with a complete lemon, or you could go to a reputable dealership and be confident with your new auto.
Your first step is to decide what sort of vehicle you would like to buy. New or used? Truck, family mini-van, or a small runabout? Also, consider which features you are looking for, such as air conditioning, the sort of trim, and exterior color. The next step is your budget; how much can you reasonably afford to spend. Once you know the answer to these two questions, it’s time to find your ideal dealership, be it a used car place in Colorado or a Toyota dealership in Draper, UT, and here are the things you need to consider.
Look Online
The first port of call to find your local dealers will be an internet search. There is nothing wrong with visiting a few physical dealers, but why visit 6 or 7 when you can have a shortlist of 2 or 3? A dealership’s online presence will give you that all-important first impression. A site that is a bit clunky to use or doesn’t give a good representation of available stock would be lower down your list to visit than a site that lets you quickly see what they have in.
You can also use a price comparison site to get a feel for the prices on offer by several companies in one go. You will have the added benefit of seeing any available discounts and cash-back offers.
Location
Unless you’re looking for a very particular, hard-to-find vehicle or live a long way from anywhere, there is no need to go a long way from home. Traveling several hours away from home to look for a vehicle will waste your time and money. Staying closer to home will have that vehicle in your possession quicker.
An important note to consider is that buying out of state can pose unexpected hassles due to sales taxes and insurance. If you are serious about going out of state, be sure to check with your state DMV for the list of emissions requirements and the time frame required for having the vehicle registered and insured in your home state, as these do vary. The car must be inspected before being given your title, and registration and some states are stricter than others.
What is on offer
Another vital thing to look for in a car dealership is the range of vehicles they stock. If you’re a little unsure if you need a little runabout car or a sedan, a place that mostly stocks trucks with only a couple of smaller cars probably isn’t for you. In comparison, somewhere with a broader range will allow you to test out a better variety and enable you to make a better-informed choice.
Having a better selection also gives you a better chance of finding something within your price range. Why go to the place with two vehicles you’re interested in, but that is on the pricier side when this other one has four on offer at a lower price? That said, if somewhere you are interested in doesn’t have your preferred vehicle in stock, they may be able to get it in for you, so don’t forget to enquire about that.
Finance Options
While some people are fortunate to buy a new vehicle with cash upfront, most people will need finance. Therefore, it is worth checking out what sort of financial plans various car dealerships offer. Are you likely to be accepted for the payment options available, and can you handle the repayments likely to be offered? If you are unsure about ownership, is leasing an alternative on offer?
Reputation and vehicle knowledge.
The used car industry, unfortunately, has a somewhat chequered past. A company that racks up several complaints will not retain a loyal customer base or have much-staying power. Thankfully this is now mainly in the past, and by using the Better Business Bureau, you can check for BBB accredited dealerships and check for any complaints.
Customer reviews are another way of checking a company’s reputation. A well-established place with plenty of honest, positive reviews points to a company that will be worthwhile dealing with.
You will want someone with a genuine interest and good Product knowledge as every little part of a vehicle can have many options. A salesperson who is genuinely engaged with the subject will be able to talk you through the best alloy wheels to opt for and the benefits of one type of exterior paint over another.
Aftercare
Something else to consider is life after your purchase. Finding out what sort of perks are offered is also a good idea. Do they offer things like free essential maintenance or an after-service car wash?
If you’ve bought a new car and plan to use the dealer for regular services, it pays to check out their service area. For a quick wait, will you be comfortable waiting there? For a long wait, do they offer a courtesy car that you can use? Small things like this may not seem important while you’re busy working out the bigger, more immediate issues, but long term, these are the details you have to live with.
Do you feel comfortable?
Finally and possibly most important of all, do you feel comfortable in your interactions with the dealership? In a choice between two places that both offer the car you think you want, chances are listening to your gut is the way to go. Was place A too pushy and have a waiting area that was not so comfortable? While place B made you feel at ease and offer a little more aftercare? Take the most positive answer and go forth and purchase (or lease) yourself your next vehicle.
