First Time Car Buyer? Here’s What You Need to Know

first-time-car buyer

There are few things more exciting than embarking on your very first car buying journey. It doesn’t matter if you are sixteen years old, or sixty years old – there is something undeniably thrilling about making a new car purchase. The thrill and excitement that accompanies first time car shoppers at Chevy dealers in Ohio should be celebrated, and last for the duration of the process. Unfortunately, some new car buyers feel taken advantage of due to their inexperience and lack of understanding of how the automotive sales industry works. If you are first time car buyer, it is important to prepare prior to heading to a dealership to ensure your own confidence and the best possible outcome for your new or used vehicle transaction.

Step One: Be Prepared

Buying a new car for the first time is exciting, but it is important that you don’t let your emotions run the show. By doing your due diligence at home, you will be better equipped to approach the situation with facts and knowledge, rather than heart and emotion. Have a general idea of what type of vehicle you want, and create a budgetary guideline that you can stick to. Write out a list of “must-haves” for your new or used car, and a list of amenities you want, but don’t necessarily need. Distinguishing between these two ahead of time will make it harder for a salesman to convince you to upgrade to a vehicle outside of your budget.

Step Two: Decide Between New and Pre-Owned

Sitting inside of a brand new car, breathing in that intoxicating new-car smell, is enough to convince even the most prudent of spenders to splurge on the higher sticker price vehicle. Before you give in to the seduction of that new car aroma, consider all of your options. Buying a new car certainly has its benefits. Things such as extended warranties, an empty past history report, and the allure of owning a brand new car, are all important to consider. Buying a quality used or certified pre-owned vehicle from your local Chevy dealership, also has plenty of benefits. Not only will you save money on the initial cost of the car, but Chevy offers extended warranties on their Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, so you can get that same peace of mind. If you are leaning toward a used car purchase, be sure to research the specific make and model and the year in which it was manufactured. While some models are consistently reliable year after year, others have certain years that are more promising to buy used. Whether you choose to buy a brand new car, or a pre-owned version, it comes down to personal preference and your financial situation.

Step Three: Find a Dealership

There are hundreds of new and used Ford, Hyundai, Honda, and Chevy dealers to choose from, and selecting the right one can have more of an impact on your car buying experience than the vehicle you end up driving home in. The first step to finding a reputable car dealership is to talk to friends and family members who have recently bought a new vehicle. Inquire about their experiences, and ask questions that are important to your particular situation. Once you have a few solid choices to choose from, head online and see what other car shoppers had to say about the same dealerships. DealerRater.com is a reputable car dealership review website, and should certainly be explored prior to deciding on a location. Pay more attention to how many prior customers recommend the dealership to a friend, and their overall satisfaction ratings, more so than a few potentially negative reviews. It is important to have a big picture idea of each of the dealerships you are considering, so that you can make the best choice for your situation.

Step Four: Secure Financing

Many new car shoppers wait until they are at the desk of a salesman before they even think about new vehicle financing, but taking care of this step ahead of time can be essential to your car shopping experience. You can do this easily at your personal bank, a local credit union, or even online. When you secure an automotive loan prior to visiting a Chevy dealership, you can confidently make a buying decision based on the amount of money you can actually spend, and not on the amount you want to spend. The loan-approval process can take a few days, and typically requires buyers to make a purchase within a few weeks time. Eliminate the stress of the unknown on the day you buy your car, by taking care of this necessary step ahead of time.

Step Five: Bring a Friend and Stick to Your Guns

After you have securing financing, decided on which make and model you want to buy, where you want to buy it from, and whether you are interested in a new or used vehicle, it is time to head down to the dealership. Be sure to bring your must-have list, your budget, your loan approval letter, and a friend or family member to help give advice along the way. Car shoppers who have someone they trust by their side are less likely to be swayed into a buying decision they will later regret. Be direct with the sales person who ends up helping you, and insist on sticking to your budget. Don’t be swayed by amenities outside of your budget, and be confident in your final decision.

Step Six: Have FUN

While it is important to take car buying seriously, it is also important to have fun. Buying a new car is one of the most exciting purchases in a person’s life, so try to enjoy it! Take multiple cars for a test drive, ask a lot of questions, and negotiate a lower price on the vehicle you want to buy. At the end of the day, you will be the one driving home in a new-to-you car, so why not enjoy the process?

Discover All that McCluskey Chevrolet Has to Offer

McCluskey Chevrolet is the top choice for new car buyers in the Cincinnati area, and is a proud premier Chevy dealership in Ohio. If it is your first time buying a car, we will help walk you through the process so you feel comfortable and confident every step of the way. Come down and visit us today, and see how easy and fun new car buying can be with McCluskey Chevrolet.