Anyone who is interested in buying a new car is always on the lookout for the best deals. Buying a car is a big investment, so waiting for the right time can be hugely beneficial when it comes to saving money. In fact, by waiting for attractive holiday car sales such as those that take place in the holidays, buyers can save a fortune on the cost of their new vehicle purchase.
However, before you rush out and hand over your savings in exchange for a shiny new vehicle, there are some key points you need to keep in mind. Buying a new car, no matter how good a deal it seems, is never something you should rush into. You need to make sure you make the right decisions and that you do your research before you sign on the dotted line.
Some Steps You Need to Take
There are some key things you need to do before you rush out and snap up a new car in the holiday sales that are coming up. Some of these are:
Compare Deals
Many people cannot stop themselves from rushing out and signing up for a deal when they see a slick advertisement for what appears to be the bargain of a lifetime. However, you need to remember that these holiday car sales are not just available from one dealership but from multiple ones. So, changes are that if one dealership has a great deal on, many others will also have special offers. With this in mind, make sure you compare deals from a range of dealerships rather than just assuming that the first offer or deal you come across is the best.
Email for Best Drive Away Deals
Another thing you should do is to play dealerships off against one another in a bid to get a great deal. So, how do you do this? Well, all you have to do is to contact them by email and ask them what the best price is for a drive away deal. Car sales is a competitive industry, and even if the vehicle is advertised at a great price already, many will go a step further in a bid to get you on board as a customer. Make sure you email a range of dealerships to try and get the best offer and keep hold of the emails so that you have the offers in writing.
Remember Depreciation
You also need to remember that your new vehicle will depreciate in value once you drive it away, so keep this in mind when working out how good a deal you are getting. Sadly, depreciation is part and parcel of buying a brand-new vehicle and there is nothing you can do about it. However, by keeping it in mind when you are choosing a new car, you can reduce the impact it has in terms of the value of the vehicle you buy and the level of depreciation you are hit with.
Consider Insurance Costs
Another thing you must think about when you purchase a car in the holiday sales is the cost of actually running the vehicle. While that brand-new sports number with an attractive price tag may seem appealing, you need to look past the initial cost and consider the ongoing costs involved. For example, some cars are very expensive to insure, and you could find yourself facing crippling premiums even though you may have secured a great deal on the vehicle itself. Make sure you research what sorts of ongoing costs you are looking at, and look for special deals such as instant car insurance with no deposit.
Don’t Part Exchange
Some people try to reduce the cost of purchasing a new vehicle even further by using their old vehicle as a trade-in. However, it is often best to avoid this, as it can be more trouble than it is worth. If the dealer needs to appraise your vehicle, this can waste a lot of time. In addition, they may confuse you with all the numbers relating to what you get for your old vehicle versus what you pay for your new one. Sometimes, you may get more for your old vehicle if you sell privately, so this is another reason to avoid part-exchanging.
Don’t Waste Time Haggling
Some people try to haggle with car dealership salespeople, but you need to remember that they are probably better at securing a sale than you are at driving the price down. So, with this in mind, don’t waste your time haggling at the showroom in the hope of getting a slight discount. Instead, do what was mentioned earlier and email dealerships in advance in order to get the best offer on a drive away in writing. This is also the best option for those who do not have the confidence to haggle.
Check the Terms Carefully
Finally, before you snap up that great offer on a new vehicle, make sure you check the terms carefully and thoroughly. You need to look at the small print, the finance details, and all aspects of the sale to see exactly what you are getting for your money and what is and is not included. In addition, if you are taking out finance for the purchase, make sure you check the terms of the finance carefully including any interest charges and the period over which the finance is taken.
Get the Best Deal with a Little Effort
By taking all these points on board, you can actually get the best deal rather than getting a deal that appears to be good. Buying a new car is a very important decision, and this is why it is something that you should never rush into without following the steps outlined above. While it may take you a little more time to buy your new vehicle, it can also save you a lot of headaches and can help to ensure you get the best price possible.
WRITTEN BY
Clara Rose