5 First-Time Car Buyer Tips

Tired of taking Uber and Lyft or public transportation to run errands? While shopping for a new vehicle and taking out a car loan can feel like navigating uncharted waters, it’s easier than you might think when you keep the following first-time car buyer tips in mind. If you’re ready to purchase your first car, check out Green Light Auto Credit‘s pointers below and get an idea of where to start and what to look for.

1. Narrow Down Your Options

Decide what you need from a car — and what you don’t need. Making a list can help you keep track, so when you’re ready to start comparing makes, models, and trims, you’ll know exactly what’s right for you. Do you want a vehicle that’s ideal for taller drivers, offers excellent fuel economy, or plenty of seating and cargo room? Or, maybe you’re looking for an all-wheel drive SUV for traveling the highways and byways around Florissant? Whatever your needs may be, make sure you have a starting point or you’re likely to feel overwhelmed when you visit a dealership.

2. Consider Your Financing Options

Unless you’re able to pay cash, you’ll need to finance the cost of your first vehicle. This may seem scary, but there are a lot of first-time car buyer programs with competitive terms and rates to take advantage of. With Green Light Auto Credit in your corner, you can explore your options and find the right fit for your budget. For a first-time car buyer, no credit is often a major concern. However, we offer plenty of resources discussing auto financing with no credit or bad credit that you’ll want to check out before moving forward. With the right auto loan, you can start building your credit the smart way.

3. Don’t Settle

Don’t be afraid to look elsewhere if you’re not offered a price or terms you can live with, or if the dealer is just plain pushy. For example, if you’re ready to buy a brand-new car, but the dealer keeps trying to convince you to purchase an extended warranty you don’t want, don’t be afraid to walk out. Or, if you’re concerned about the service costs on a used luxury vehicle, and they respond by trying to force you to call an insurance agency for a quote, you’re probably better off going elsewhere. There are plenty of car dealers and cars to choose from; you don’t have to do business with one that makes you uneasy.

4. Consider the Additional Costs

One of the most important steps to buying a new car is to evaluate your budget. Once you’ve decided on a car, do some math to see if the monthly payments will fit into your budget. Don’t forget to consider other costs, such as registration fees and taxes, insurance premiums, repairs and maintenance, gas, car cleanings, new tires, etc. Review the average costs for the make and model you’re considering and see if there’s room enough in your budget to accommodate. If not, aim for a less expensive car.

5. Test Drive the Car

The importance of test driving a car before buying can’t be stressed enough. How you feel behind the wheel should be one of the most influential factors in your decision. Pay close attention to how the car handles and brakes in stop-and-go traffic, and the ergonomics of the dashboard and controls. It’s a good idea to spend at least a half-hour test driving the car to see if it’s a good fit. Again, if the dealership doesn’t have the time or won’t give you the time, consider going elsewhere.

Choose Green Light Auto Credit

Do you have questions about a first-time car buyer loan? Green Light Auto Credit has helped first-time car buyers throughout St. Louis and Herculaneum with financing their new vehicles. Whether you have questions about using a cosigner or how to calculate the interest on a car loan, our team of experts can answer. Contact us to learn more or get the process started by applying for financing online.

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