Are you thinking about heading to the dealership to pick up a new ride? Whether you find this prospect exciting or stressful, there is a lot to think about before making such a big investment. Consider these 6 things before buying your new vehicle to make sure that your new purchase is a happy one.
Review your credit score before going to the dealership
Your credit score impacts the interest rate you are able to get on your vehicle loan. Make sure you know what your credit score is so that you can factor that into the monthly payment you can afford. Checking your credit score ahead of time also allows you to see if there are any discrepancies that could be lowering your score and gives you a chance to fix them before locking in an interest rate on an auto loan.
Get an idea of how much your trade-in is worth
If you are planning to trade in your current vehicle to help pay for a new one, make sure you have a good idea of what it is worth. Knowing the value of your trade-in is important so that you know how much money you will still need to purchase your new automobile. Having this information ahead of time ensures that you do not over-estimate the value and end up with a monthly loan payment that is larger than anticipated. Kelly Blue Book is the most widely used source for valuing a used vehicle, so it is a good place to look.
Consider fuel efficiency
When choosing a vehicle model and year, take fuel efficiency into consideration. Newer vehicles are typically better on fuel than older vehicles. The amount of fuel needed for a 4-door sedan is much less than the amount needed for a full-cab 2500 truck. Especially consider the fuel efficiency difference if you are switching vehicle models. You may be used to spending $100 a month on gas in your small car, but switching to a large SUV could triple the cost. Be sure to factor in these costs when deciding what you can afford. Always consider the full cost of ownership of the vehicle.
Know how your insurance costs will change
Another piece of the full cost of ownership of a vehicle is auto insurance. Call your insurance agent to get an insurance quote for your potential new vehicle. Insurance amounts can change pretty drastically, especially if you are going from an older model car that has only partial coverage to a brand new vehicle that is financed, and therefore requires full coverage insurance. Again, be sure to consider this when calculating your ideal monthly payment.
Set a firm budget ahead of time
Preferably, you should have a firm number in mind before you enter the dealership. Know what the maximum amount is that you can pay. Be sure to take into consideration your potential auto loan interest rate, your trade-in value, the difference in fuel efficiency (might even allow you to spend a little more!), and the difference in auto insurance that you will need to pay when you are figuring out your budget.
Also, don’t forget about any registration fees, taxes, documentation fees, and other charges you will incur during the buying process.
Consider GAP insurance
If you aren’t familiar with GAP insurance, it is an optional insurance coverage that helps pay off your car in the event that it is totaled or stolen and you owe more than the car’s value. Since most insurance policies only pay out the car’s depreciated value at the time of the incident, and a car’s value drops about 20% in the first year, you could be on the line for a decent amount of money if your car is totaled or stolen without GAP insurance. This is especially important if you rolled over negative equity from an old car into a new loan. You can typically get GAP insurance from your dealership, the financial institution you have your loan through, or from your auto insurance agency.
Make sure you take a test drive
You might think that every car is the same and debate passing on the test drive, but don’t. Every car is not the same, as they do not always come perfect from the factory. You can learn a lot about a vehicle in only a few minutes. This gives you a chance to notice any problems with the vehicle before they become your problems.
Need an Auto Loan?
If you’re ready to purchase a new vehicle and you need auto financing, head to our preferred dealer page, contact one of our lenders, or visit any of our branches to learn more about how Patriot can help you make this investment as simple and stress-free as possible.