How To Buy Your First Minivan
Your family is changing and now you need to buy a minivan. How are you going to make sure that you get the right one for your family and your needs? Follow these tips for a hassle-free purchase.
Know Your Price Point
You need to know how much you are willing to spend on a new car. Not how much you want your monthly payments to be, but the actual purchase price. Never give out a monthly payment number.
Recognize that you will be more likely to get more features for you money based on the make and model that your purchase. You may be able to find a basic Honda Odyssey for the same price as a Dodge Grand Caravan with all the bells and whistles. Their starting prices started out differently, so will their value at the used car dealership.
Is Make and Model Important?
Next you have to decide what you really care about. Do you only want to buy an American-made car? Or are you going to look for a Sienna until you find one in your price point. Every car has positives and negatives associated with it.
If you are very specific in your needs you may have to be willing to pay more or search for a longer time.
Don't Forget Taxes
One of the biggest surprises you may find when you buy your car is that you have to pay taxes. Naturally, you know that you have to pay taxes on everything, but when negotiating price with the car salesman, you can't forget about taxes. Adding that extra 7% needs to be a part of your budget.
What are the Fees?
Some dealerships charge a fee when you purchase a vehicle from them. The fee covers things such as administrative costs and office supplies. Most likely you won't discover these fees until you are in the office with the financial representative going over your contract.
Talk to the employee and make sure you understand exactly what these costs are for and where they are going. The dealership may not be able to lower or waive the fee for one customer (based on state law), however they can lower the sale price on the used vehicle you are considering purchasing.
If you are not comfortable with the contract, then don't sign it. The car dealership wants you to be happy with your purchase so that you will recommend them to others. Neither party benefits if you aren't really ready to sign. To learn more, contact a company like J & J Auto Sales with any questions or concerns you have.