Car buying pitfalls can make it difficult and stressful to find a car. Read on for excellent advice on how to avoid these traps.
Know your budget
A lot of first-time car buyers make the mistake of getting a car that’s way above their budget. Don’t make the same mistake. When you browse through the available makes-and-models at a Ford car dealership in Clinton TN with a trustworthy reputation, always keep your spending limit in mind.
Calculate the costs
Buying a car doesn’t just mean shelling out money for the monthly payments. You need to have enough to cover the repair and replacement as well as maintenance costs as well.
Know your trade-in’s value
Before you step into a Ford car dealership in Clinton TN, know the trade-in value of your car, the USA Today says. That’s going to give you better negotiating power when you exchange your old ride for cash.
Take it for a test drive
This will tell you a lot about the car. Does everything work or did you encounter problems while you were behind the wheel? Did you hear squeaks or rattles when you drove it along? If you didn’t hear any, then that’s a good sign that you’re getting a good car.
Read the histories
Be sure to ask for the histories of the cars on your list. You’ll want to check the repair or service report for any accidents on record. Cars that have been in accidents aren’t a good bet so you’ll want to move on to other options on your list.
Walk away
Be prepared to walk away if you don’t find a model that fits your needs and budget. However, a handy side-benefit of this is that dealers are often much more inclined to negotiate with you if you see willing to walk away. They may even throw a freebie or two.