Keep these 5 things in mind to get a great (and affordable) vehicle
With Christmas coming up soon, you may be hoping that your friends or family have gotten all the hints you’ve dropped and that they’ll surprise you with a shiny new car in your driveway, complete with one of those huge red bows. But if that doesn’t happen, you’ll have to be the one who gets the car. These tips will help you out:
Figure out your budget
The first thing you should do is take a look at your finances. See how much you spend every month and then come up with a number you can realistically afford to part with. You’ll also want to think about how much you can use for a down payment. If you’ll be trading a car in, you should see how much it’s worth before visiting a dealership.
Decide on new or used
If you’ve got the dough, a brand-new car could be the best choice. When it’s just off the assembly line, you won’t have to worry about anything going wrong for a while. However, if you’re like most folks, you probably don’t have the bankroll for a new car, and that’s perfectly fine. A used car is often the better value, and with a good warranty (especially on a dealer certified car), you’ll still have that same peace of mind.
Consider your options
Your next decision has to do with buying or leasing, and there are pros and cons of each. When you buy, once the payments are done, the car is yours. The downside is if it takes you many years to pay off your car, its value may not match the amount of money you pay every month. A lease is more or less a rental; the car doesn’t belong to you. However, at the end of each lease, you do have the opportunity to change cars, which gives you the chance to try different vehicles.
Don’t get too fancy
You know those car commercials where they say a car starts at, for example, $22,000, but the model shown costs $35,000? The one being driven around those scenic roads comes with all of the bells and whistles. While it would be nice to have satellite radio or a moon roof or perhaps an ejector seat, you don’t really need any of that stuff.
Shop around
This one may be obvious, but once you’re test driving that sleek auto and the salesperson is encouraging you to step a little harder on the gas pedal, you’ll almost certainly think about driving it home. This is why you need to do your research. Most dealerships have similar prices on comparable cars, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able find discounts or special offers. Plus, often warranties vary greatly.
Once you’ve found the perfect ride, you’ll of course want to protect your investment. This is where Avante Insurance comes in. Even if you currently have a company for your car insurance, it’s possible you’re not getting the best rates. To see how much we can save you, get in touch for a free quote.