Buying a luxury car can be an exciting proposition. Becoming the owner of one of these fast, powerful and flat-out gorgeous machines can feel like a major improvement in your life. It’s like purchasing a work of art. Scratch that—when you buy a beautiful, high-quality car, you are purchasing a work of art. It’s like a painting or a sculpture or a song that you can climb into and enjoy as it takes you where you want to go. But buying a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce isn’t something you should do on a whim. This car is going to be a big part of your life and, like with any major event, you want to make sure it’s absolutely perfect. Here are some ways to make a smart car buying decision when you’ve decided to make a luxury vehicle a part of your life.
Do your research
Knowledge, as they say, is power. Deciding which car to buy strictly by appearance may be tempting—there are some truly gorgeous vehicles out there—but it can ultimately be a mistake. There is so much more to a car than an attractive exterior. Any devoted car enthusiast can tell you that the true power of a luxury car is found inside, in the workings of the engine. If your priority is a beautiful car, then by all means, work from the outside in. But what if your priority is speed, power or endurance? What if you just want a good balance of all of the above in a car that’s suitable for around-town driving? These things can’t be seen in pictures. You’ll need to hit the books (or the Internet) to find out which make and model will best suit your needs.
Know your Budget
Unless you’re the luckiest person in the world when it comes to bargain hunting, luxury cars are expensive. Purchasing a high-end vehicle is a major investment and must be done wisely. A smart buyer will know how much he/she can afford to spend before he/she even starts looking, and won’t stray outside of his/her chosen budget. Not only does this strategy protect your hard-earned money, it will help you to stay on track when you’re at the dealer. When you already know what you want to spend, it will be harder to be distracted by tempting (but pricey) extras. Having a set budget helps you get what you want, rather than what seems like a good idea in the heat of the moment.
Choose your Dealer
Unfortunately, car salespeople tend to have a bad reputation. Watch any movie where the protagonist is looking to buy a car, and you’ll undoubtedly see them spending a lot more money than they wanted to spend, or else just driving away in a car of laughably bad quality. The good news is that in real life, there are honest and reputable car dealerships out there if you care to take the time to look for them. Spend some time on the Internet reading reviews and hearing what customers have to say. Ask your friends which dealers they would recommend (and, just as importantly, which ones they recommend you avoid). Don’t feel committed to the first dealership you try, either. If you find another place that can give you a better deal, take your business where business is best.
Enjoy the process
Purchasing a luxury car isn’t like buying groceries or paying your bills. Those are necessary things and you enjoy the meals and safe shelter that comes with them, but they aren’t what anyone would call fun. Buying a Porsche or a Lamborghini is meant to be fun. You’re getting something beautiful, something wonderful, and something that will bring joy into your life. If luxury car shopping feels like a chore, you are most likely doing something wrong. Take your time and enjoy the shopping process.
Don’t let other people’s opinions get in your way; this is your car, not theirs! Don’t settle for a car you don’t truly want. Most importantly, make certain that the car you’re getting will make you happy. Picture your car sitting in your garage, freshly washed. Picture it flying down the freeway or making a dramatic entrance when you drive by to show it off to a friend. Are you smiling yet? Then you’re probably making a wise car buying choice!
This article was written by Bill Waters, a motor sports writer and a car enthusiast who provides some crucial information about luxury cars.
