Learning About The Benefits Of Working With Auto Dealers

First-Time Car Buyers: What You Need To Know

8 January 2016

Nino Clement

If you're looking to buy your very first car from a dealership like Quebedeaux Buick GMC, you have a steep learning curve in front you. Buying a car, especially when you need financing, can be complex. Here are some things to know that will help you go into your car buying experience with your eyes wide open.

1. Shop around, but not too much.

It is advantageous to try different makes and models of the type of vehicle you hope to buy. For example, if you are looking for an SUV crossover, trying what each brand has to offer can help you to choose one that fits your needs the best. Help yourself out by doing online research about features and price points before you head to the dealership. But, beware of spending too much time shopping around. After you have test driven a couple of vehicles, it's time to narrow down the search quickly. Seeing too many options and price points can make the decision more anxiety inducing, and the amount of features available can start to overwhelm the basics that you need: a reliable, affordable vehicle with a clean history, good gas mileage, and low miles. 

2. Set your budget and stick with it. 

When buying at a dealership, the line-up of shiny new vehicles can be very enticing. Be sure you let the dealer know your max budget, and never agree to test drive a vehicle before you know if you can afford it. Some dealerships like you to try the vehicle to help you be more open to a sale. Usually, if a vehicle test drives well and is more impressive, it will be harder for you to stick to your budget after you have fallen in love with it. Be up front with your dealer and clearly explain your financial situation before you start looking for vehicles on the lot.

When factoring out how much you can spend per month on a car, be sure to include how much it will cost to insure, register, and maintain in your budget before you shop.

3. Your monthly payment might be more than you think.

With the above information in mind, it is best to shoot closer to the low end of your budget if possible, because you might find that your monthly payment for the vehicle is a little higher than you were expecting. The reasons for this include:

• higher interest rates or special financing for first-time car buyers. If you have never owned a home or made a large-scale purchase like a car before, lenders will see you as a higher-risk customer. Your interest rate will reflect this higher-risk scenario.
• buyer protection packages. Because cars depreciate as an asset, this added monthly cost helps protect you from owing on your car if it is stolen or totaled in a wreck, as insurance only pays out what the car is worth at the time of loss. 
• low down payments. If you did not save very much for a down-payment on a vehicle, your monthly costs will be much higher. The down payment amount can also affect your interest rate, as low down payments reflect a higher-risk lending situation.
• warranties and coverage packages. New and certified pre-owned vehicles can come with some great additional coverage. For example, you might be able to pay an additional sum each month on top of your base payment for coverage on parts and repairs.

4. Be willing to pay a little more for your must-haves.

Cars today have so many awesome features. It can be difficult to separate your needs from your wants. Once you determine what things you need, pick out a few wants that matter the most to you. Even though you should stay within your budget and do your best not to buy what you don't really need, you can still have fun with the purchase. Work out how much it would cost per month to include some of the features you would like your car to have. For example, if you would really like having a back-up camera in your vehicle, and it would only be ten or twenty dollars more per month in the long run, don't be afraid to splurge a little and get the upgrade. You can make allowances in other areas, like skipping a few drinks at the bar or spending a little less on groceries. 

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