Looking To Buy A Car? Keep These Tips in Mind

BBB offers advice for buying a new car Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN TexasTheres nothing more exciting than buying a carperhaps its your very first or one that youve been saving up for. With so many makes and models to choose from shopping for a car can be overwhelming. Before you become the proud owner of a brand new car Better Business Bureau serving Central Coastal Southwest Texas and the Permian Basin advises you to do your research and shop smart. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) buying a new car is second only to home buying as the most expensive purchase many consumers make. The average price of a new car in the U.S. is about $30000 which is why its important to weigh all of your options especially how much youre willing to spend. Although auto dealers have the option to release new car models whenever they choose most auto companies release new models between September and December every year. Next month auto companies will start to release the 2017 models which gives dealers enough time to promote the newest features and versions of previous models. In 2015 new car auto dealers were one of your BBBs top 10 most complained and inquired about business categories with more than 600 complaints locally. Most complaints alleged problems with contracts repairs advertising and customer service. If youre in the market to buy a new car BBB and the FTC offer the following advice:

• Do your research. Search online and check out websites that discuss new car features and prices and shop around to get the best possible price by comparing models and prices. Find a trustworthy auto dealer on bbb.org and check out their BBB Business Profile to view complaint history customer reviews and contact information.
• Visit the dealership. Visit several dealerships if youre unsure of the make and model of car you want. Ask to test drive and inspect the cars youre interested in. Have a plan ahead of time of your budget type of cars that interest you and year. Also plan to negotiate on price as dealers may be willing to bargain on their profit margin. Regardless of whether you pay cash or finance your car negotiating the price can save you money. If your dream car isnt available on the dealers lot consider waiting and ordering it to fit your needs and wants.
• Consider the terms of financing your car. Before you sign a contract to purchase or finance your new car consider the terms of the financing and evaluate whether it is affordable. Some dealers may offer very low financing rates but may not be willing to negotiate on the price. So you may find its more affordable to pay higher financing charges on a car that is lower in price or to buy a car that requires a smaller down payment. Also before you leave the lot make sure you have a copy of the contract that both you and the dealer have signed.
• Understand how to trade in your old car. Before you negotiate the price of your new car find out what your current vehicle is worth. Research the value of your car as this can help you get a better price from the dealer. Check with the National Automobile Dealers Associations (NADA) to compare cars view a vehicle history report and determine what you can afford. Depending on the circumstances or value of your car you may get more money selling your car on your own than if you trade it in.
• Consider a service contract. Service contracts that you may buy with a new car provide for the repair of certain parts or problems and are offered by manufacturers dealers or independent companies. However they may or may not provide coverage beyond the manufacturers warranty which is included in the price of the car. A service contract costs extra so read it carefully and consider if its something you want to purchase.

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