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Quick Guide to Buying a New Ride

Filed Under: BLOG, car advice, Sponsored Posts Tagged With: , ,

The purchase of a brand new car is a very important financial decision that should be taken very seriously. Although the process of acquiring a new ride can be exciting, it is important for car shoppers to do the necessary homework. Here are some helpful tips for buying a new car that has actually helped me in the past when I did purchase my own car.

Develop a budget

Before heading out to visit a dealership, it is a good idea to first develop a financial limit. Some car buyers make the mistake of purchasing a vehicle that does not fit their monthly budget. Selecting a vehicle that is too expensive may lead to major financial problems in the future.

Buying versus leasing

Many people are tempted by the cheaper cost of leasing a vehicle. However, leasing a vehicle means that the driver will have to follow the rules of the leasing program. Typically, most lease agreements place a limit on the number of miles that can be driven in the course of a year. If the person goes over the limit, they will be required to pay an extra fee. Buying a vehicle is the best approach for the drivers who do a lot of traveling.

Compare the prospective vehicles

After narrowing down the list of suitable vehicles, take the time to weigh the pros and cons of each vehicle. A few of the most important factors include the fuel economy, cost of maintenance, long-term reliability, and the resell value. The interior room and cargo space needs to be researched as well.

Be on the lookout for bargains

Some dealerships offer cost-cutting bargains throughout the year. For example, the available Toyota Matrix incentives can decrease the purchase price by hundreds of dollars. It is also a wise choice to take advantage of the available rebates.

Perform a thorough test drive

A quick sprint around the block is not a suitable test drive. Ideally, the test drive should last for at least 30 minutes. During the test drive, the driver should test the car out on the highway and the city streets. Do not forget to check out all of the interior features prior to going on the test drive. 

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

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Comments

  4. Billybuc says

    I couldn't figure out why you were writing this until I saw the link at the end. All good information of course, but not the Janine we have grown to love. LOL….have a great day my friend.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Bill, I have to admit I was offered a few guest posts and such over the last few weeks and have them going up int he next few days with Memorial Day coming up just thought it could take a bit of the pressure off me and hoped maybe some of the advice could indeed help others out, too. Have a wonderful day now, too!! 🙂

    • Janine Huldie says

      Aww, thank you Bill and totally didn't take it like that at all. Just figured since it was Memorial Day Weekend, Emma had pre-school graduation yesterday and has Kindergarten orientation today, this was the perfect time to indeed take off a bit 🙂

  6. realhousewife says

    Hey Janine! Yep it's not your usual but nice to mix it up a bit and confuse us:) lol

    I tend to get attached to my cars…buying a new one is a huge deal! I spend a lot of time in that sucker! Lol. Like you couldn't guess that?

    Have a GREAT day!

  11. lisang@expandng.com says

    Good sensible tips. Unfortunately, we followed neither when purchasing our new cars :(. The fancy options and the fact that we "needed" the cars were a factor in our non-decisions. Just donated 1 car after it broke down. The other one, steering wasn't reliable and I was afraid to drive it. Sooooo, another tip is give yourself plenty of time so you don't feel pressured to buy the first thing you see.

    • Janine Huldie says

      Aww, so sorry and trust me I am the type that would buy feeling a bit of pressure myself. Believe I know that feeling very well for other things, too.

  12. day-with-kt.com says

    Great tips!! We have bought cars both ways – thoroughly planned out and researched (better choice!) and once on impulse on a trip, we traded in our current car and bought 2 new vehicles (not the best choice!).
    My recent post School’s Out for the Summer!!

    • Janine Huldie says

      We did both also and admit still feel and happier about the car we bought when we actually had time to plan out and decide here, as well 🙂

  13. dianeroark says

    Janine,

    I have always driven a Chevy Suburban and love them. I love getting in my big tank/truck and riding high and having plenty of space, but I really do not need the space anymore. It also is such a gas hog. My kids are getting older. You know my oldest daughter is in medical school and my oldest son will be graduating high school soon. He told me yesterday he is officially a Senior. I have been really thinking about down sizing my car. I am not their yet, but I will definitely be considering all your tips.

    Blessings,
    Diane Roark
    My recent post Memorial Day BBQ & Sides

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