Car Buying Tips: Questions to Ask When You’re Car Shopping

In the market for a new car? Many consumers go about car shopping like they would buy a handbag in a boutique or a stereo from Best Buy. Buying a car is very different, though. There are many things to remember and many things to take into consideration. On the other hand, it's not as daunting as some shoppers may think it is. It comes down to a few questions.

Answer these questions and you're on your way to a good deal:

Which 3 models could work for me?

Answer this question based on what you're going to use your car for and how much you can afford to pay each month.You can get an idea of how much your payments will be by taking the MSRP of the car, subtracting about 5% from it, and then dividing it by the months in your financing term. It will probably be upwards of 60 months. If you lease, your payments will be lower. You'll find out why later.

Should I lease?

The answer is yes, if it fits your needs. Lease payments are usually lower than other financing payments because you only have to pay for a portion of the vehicle's value. You don't pay for the entire car, just the part of it's lifetime that you use. You can find the value by researching residual values.

When you lease, you also choose how many miles you need to drive each year, what kind of extra protection you want, and other details. You'll probably have a warranty to rely on for the entire lease period. Leasing is a viable option for so many drivers.

Which dealer should I work with?

The answer to this may surprise you. It's "all of them." Let them compete for you. Get quotes from competing dealers and speak to all of them. Let them know you have other options on the table and don't be afraid to walk out of a negotiation. This is why we recommend choosing a few different models that would work for you. The dealer is forced to compete with others when he or she knows you have options.

How do I get started?

Easy! Request quotes for free, right here! There's no obligation and you can check any models from any dealers. We recommend getting as many quotes as you can. Use them to negotiate a better deal at your dealer of choice. Click here to get started.