There’s a reason buying a car for the first time can be scary; it is scary. You never know when you’re being swindled, or whether the questions you’re asking are really the right questions to be asking. Essentially, the entire process adds up to a lot of anxiety, especially if you plan to put down a lot of money.
At this point, you might just be begging for someone to tell you what to do. However, if you want to keep your mind at ease and feel more confident as a customer, it may be more beneficial to learn what not to do. Let’s browse through some of the most common (and most foolish) mistakes of first-time car buyers:
Taking Advice from the Car Dealer or Seller. If you’re new to car buying, then the last person you want to take advice from is the one trying to make a sale. In many cases, car salesmen are good, honest people who want to help you. But if you’re a first-time car buyer, then you don’t know many car salesmen; consequently, you don’t know who you can trust. So trust yourself and become educated about cars before you ever need advice from someone trying to sell you one.
Making a rash decision. Many people are convinced about their need to buy a particular car once they’ve visited a dealer only one time; this shouldn’t be you. Why? Buying a car upon your first visit to the dealer means that you do not get a chance to analyze your decision the way you could at home; you don’t even have a chance to sleep on it. Without a fresh, objective perspective, you might talk yourself into a purchase you never really wanted.
Assuming the used car is just fine. If you intend to purchase a used vehicle, have it checked by a mechanic, or, at the very least, someone you know and trust who knows a lot about cars. You might be tempted to take the previous owner’s word as to the quality of their car, but you want to follow a strategy of “trust but verify.” No matter how trustworthy you think the seller is, he is still ultimately just that – a seller.
Having no idea about price or quality. The research you perform prior to buying a car shouldn’t just be about one specific vehicle; it is more beneficial to research the type of car you plan to purchase. The more you research different cars, the wider your perspective will be, giving you a better idea as to the price and quality of the specific cars you’re considering. Essentially, you want to have a bird’s-eye view of the car market and not just know every single thing about one car.
Failing to run the numbers. Buying a car can be a major expense that can continue for many, many years. If you don’t run the numbers before you sign on the dotted line, you may regret it. So run the numbers, and make sure you are committing to pay for a car that you can actually afford.
Attached Images:
- License: Creative Commons image source
- License: Creative Commons image source
Chris Turberville-Tully works with Fast Car Finance in Berkshire, UK. They specialize in sports car finance.