Last Updated on December 3, 2020
So, you should try to make this time spent with your precious vehicle as comfortable as possible, and more importantly, as wallet-friendly as possible by reducing repair situations.
This is why we looked into the most common mistakes people make when they want to buy a car. It’s only wise to avoid them.
Table of Contents
Not thinking about resale value
When buying a new car, the very last thing you can think about is its resale value, but it’s really important to keep in mind that one day you’ll probably decide to sell it. To make things easier for you, consider the three following features:
1) The car brand! Because some brands are more or less popular among drivers than others.
2) Learn about the vehicle specifications and the engine.
3) Don’t forget about the color. You can easily sell a black, silver, or white car, unlike a bright colored one.
Not taking expensive car maintenance seriously
The price of the car isn’t the only thing you need to take into consideration. You should also think about other expenses like technical services and insurance, assuming you didn’t make any Mistakes When Buying Car Insurance.
Plus, keep in mind that such expenses will increase over the years, and your paycheck may no longer be enough to cover everything. according to motor1.com the expenses could start from 11,000 and go up to almost 20,000 in a decade. Therefore, you have to think about everything so carefully to avoid a heavy financial burden.
Paying for optional items
Plus, since cars already have an anti-corrosion treatment, an extra corrosion treatment will be useless too. However, safety devices, like additional airbags, are really important, so choose them carefully.
Buying a car that has been recently released
Whatever you do, do not buy a brand new car! Why? Car companies spend the first three years after releasing a new car to collect information about defects, problems, and improvements to make more reliable future cars. Your best bet is a popular car model that is not older than three years.
Buying a car that is too small or too big
When buying a car, you shouldn’t think only about what you like, but also about how many times you might be traveling by car in the future, the number of passengers, and so on.
For instance, if you’re going to use the car to only drive in the city, you should probably consider a sedan that doesn’t require plenty of fuel.
But you travel so often with more than three passengers, a spacious minivan or a hatchback might be the right choice for you.
The car’s prestige VS technical characteristics
In fact, you cannot choose between the car’s prestige and technical characteristics. It’s best to go for a premium class car if you can afford it. In case you cannot, you should better be concentrated on the technical characteristics, its reliability, and its cost.
Not examining the car
When you’re choosing a car to buy, you should rely on what the salesman says. Sure, they are experts, but their only true interest is to make you buy a car so they can make a commission. Your salesman can be telling the truth but not all of it, so do your own research online or consult an independent professional.
Also, don’t forget to take your chosen car for a driving test and examine every piece of it to end up making a decision that you won’t regret.
Missing advantageous offers and discounts
Actually, there is an appropriate time to buy a car! It’s from December to March. You can take advantage of plenty of special offers and discounts at auto dealerships during this period of time. What’s more, it’s easier to negotiate a lower cost at the end of the year, when the dealerships are trying to get rid of last year’s models.
Not trying to lower the price
One great trick you can do to get a lower price on the car you want to buy is calling or sending emails to several different dealerships. Tell them that you have a better offer and ask if they can beat it. According to some drivers, this technique can effectively save you some money because the rivalry between dealers is very high.
Being in a hurry when buying a new car
Don’t rush it! It’s not a pair of pants, it’s an expensive vehicle. Keep in mind that it’s very possible to end up regretting your quick decision later on. It’s best to take your time to collect all the information you need, talk to experts, and weigh the positive and negative points.
A good tip to know more about a certain model is to visit a car dealership at the end of their workday.
