Advice for Buying a New Car
"Sandy had gotten an amazing raise at work. It was well deserved. So he decided to buy a new car and get rid of the old truck. He knew he wanted a convertible. But there were many details that he did not know how to tackle."
Following are the questions that popped in to Sandy's naive mind (and the answers, of course).
Are the dealers always right about the 'techie' details about the cars?
Do not go by all the dealer's say. You might think that you want a convertible. But make up your mind only on the basis of thorough research. Surf the net, read the manuals of the cars that you seem to have any interest in. The top speed, mileage, pick-up, breaking, technology etc. are very important. Make sure, you have a fair Idea about it. If you can, meet someone who already has that car and you can find out about the performance of the car.
How do I decide the size of the car that I should buy?
It is smartest to buy a car that is of the size that is in compatibility with your available parking space. I am sure that anyone living in a crowded neighborhood would prefer a car that is small, so that parking space can be found easily. If you are a family person and have a house in the suburbs, then you can afford to have a bigger vehicle.
What about the test drive?
The test drive is mandatory before you decide to buy a vehicle. Make a list of the cars of your interest. Back-to-back test drives will help you notice even the slightest differences in them. The dilemma of choice can get clarified very convincingly at the test drive stage. Another thing that you can try, is testing a car that you have not considered. This will help you to know why you have selected one car and why not another one.
I don't understand this lingo. Is it important?
Yes this 'lingo' is exceedingly important. Do you know that people end up getting swindled just because they do not exactly understand the terms and conditions due to this jargon. The jargon cannot be avoided, so awareness about it is imperative. Speaking to a lawyer, or reading up a bit on it can help a great deal. Besides, knowledge is always welcome, here you can take it on a need-to-know basis.
Why the paperwork? What do I do about it?
There is no real answer for why the paperwork is required. It is obvious, ownership should have legitimate proof. So I suggest, don't even consider doing away with the paperwork. Mostly the dealers will tell you the important clauses to read and the locations of all the signatures. Nonetheless, I suggest go through the pile of papers (ignore the size). This way you can also be fully aware of all that your costs include and you can dodge the extras that they may try to sell you.
At the end of the day, do not let your dealer get your naivety and use it to your loss. Bank on the ample availability of information and guides around and make sure you make an informed decision. Your car is going to be your trusted companion for your journeys, choose it well!
