taking the stress out of buying a car

If you have decided it is time to buy a new car, you are probably going to the websites of your favorite manufacturers to see what they have to offer this year. As you peruse the options, you are thinking of how great some of the new features are and how much you want them. Of course, being responsible,  you have probably figured out how much money you can afford to pay for the vehicle each month. However, there are some other things you need to think about before heading to the dealership to take your dream car for a test drive.

Your Future

While you may have already thought about your future as far as your job and income, you need to consider what you will be doing for the next 5 years of your life. While it might be just you now, consider the possibility of having a spouse and/or child before the car is paid off or it has depreciated in value so much you can't get what you owe on it if you sell it. You don't want to have to try to fit car seats in the back of your sports car.

Total Vehicle Cost

You may have figured how much you can spend on monthly car payments down to the dime. However, have you also considered how much insurance is going to cost you? A new vehicle is going to need to have full coverage and depending on the make and model, it could be very expensive. Take the time to check insurance rates before buying. You will also need to think about operating costs. If you are used to vehicle that gets great mileage, going with a new one that doesn't do as well is going to cost a lot more money monthly. Tires, oil changes, and regular maintenance costs need to be considered as well. You do not want to end up with a car that sits in the garage because you can't afford to drive it.

Don't be afraid to be honest with the salesperson when shopping. They want to sell you a car that you will keep for the term of the loan. This will mean you are satisfied and will go back to them when you want another vehicle. You will also tell your friends how you were treated so they will go to the same place to buy their cars. All this means they earn more money so be honest with them and with yourself and get the vehicle for sale that will fit your life perfectly.