Purchasing a New Car

Purchasing a new car can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming and expensive without proper preparation. Whether you are thinking about leasing or buying a new or used car, there are a few simple car-buying tips to follow to help give you the best experience.

• Do your research. You can find pricing and feature data, explore safety and reliability ratings, compare pricing, comfort and gas mileage and learn about the vehicle performance online. You can also find the price the dealer paid for a car, what other customers are paying for their vehicles, and the value of any trade in you have. Use this research to inform your shopping and set a budget. Visit AAA's auto buying page to learn more.
• Get pre-approved financing. Before visiting a dealership or seller, get a pre-approved financing offer from your bank or credit union. Many times car dealers get a cut of any auto loan they get customers to accept, so while it may seem like a good deal, it may not be the best fit for you.
• Pick a vehicle with the right safety features. Look at vehicles that offer sufficient protection in case of a crash. New cars are likely to be equipped with the latest safety gear, but if you’re considering an older car, check for features such as anti-lock brakes, air bags and electronic stability control.
• Avoid an unstable vehicle. Sport utility vehicles, especially smaller ones, tend to be less stable than cars because of their higher centers of gravity. Rapid steering maneuvers – such as when a driver over-corrects to avoid an obstacle – can cause rollover accidents in less stable vehicles. A car with a lower center of gravity has a better chance of safely managing an emergency situation.
• Check safety ratings of vehicles. Before you buy, check the online safety ratings of the cars you are considering.
• Take a test drive. Make sure you test drive the car you are considering. Pay particular attention to comfort, how well you can see out of the vehicle, and how you feel driving it, including the response for brakes and accelerator and ease of controls. Don’t feel pressured to purchase if you don’t think the car is right for you.
• Avoid dealer pitfalls. Many dealers will try to sell you additional add-on products and warranties. Don’t be pressured into purchasing these at the dealer – do your research on the product and alternatives to ensure you’re getting the best deal. Even if the add-ons only add a few dollars to each month’s payment, multiply that cost by the length of your loan to find the real price of the product.
• Talk to your insurance agent before you buy. Different types of cars cost different amounts to insure, so you should talk to your insurance agent before making a purchase. You can also visit AAA.com, where you can request a quote or find a AAA tool that helps you compare general costs to insure different cars.

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