The Key to Car Shopping Success!

“Despite the abundance of resources and information available to all car shoppers, women surprisingly still feel less comfortable shopping for and buying a car than men. According to a recent AutoTrader.com survey, approximately one in four women (24%) find shopping for a vehicle “stressful,” compared to 15% of men. And while nearly half of men (44%) feel “certain and confident” when visiting car dealerships, only one in four women (25%) feel the same way. “

We’ve broken it down for ya and here’s the fool proof plan for choosing a great automobile for you and your family while making sure you get the price you deserve…

First, decide whether you want new, used or certified pre-owned?

New –The main reason for a new car is that A. It’s NEW and B. It comes with a Warranty. Warranty periods are typically at least three years or up to 36,000 miles and cover just about everything from bumper to bumper.

Used – The most obvious advantage to buying a pre-owned car is that you can get a great deal. Just be smart about it. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

Certified Pre-Owned – CPO cars are a happy medium. They’re typically two to three years old, have been reconditioned and come with some warranty protection. A CPO car will have a higher price tag than a similar non-CPO vehicle, but the warranty protection may make it worth it.

1. 1.      You’ve gotta know what you WANT and what you NEED (and knowing the difference may help you out some too!).

• Before stepping foot onto a dealership lot…research and prepare for your car buying experience.  Dealerships aren’t open 24/7 anyways, so why not take advantage of your pajama time and check out some local DEALER WEBSITES.  Ah hem….MiltonRubenToyota.com wouldn’t be a bad place to start!
• Start paying attention to other vehicles on the road…what you like, what you don’t like, etc.  Other customers know best….we have plenty of customer testimonials on our YouTube! Page (Milton Ruben Superstore) to help and inform you on what our customers appreciate about their vehicles and their car buying experiences. 

These next tips should seem pretty obvious…but trust us, there are people who think they know what they WANT and NEED until they get home and wonder why they bought a car without a third seat when they just added Bobby Jo and Billy Sue to their already 8 person family! Ask yourself:

• How many passengers are normally in my vehicle? Even if you have only 2 kids, consider the fact that they may want to have one of those “play dates” one day and you may find youself having to strap their friends to the roof! Take into account room for car seats, life-size Dora the Explorer dolls, and everything else kids bring along to make them feel at home while in the car. 
• Do I need a significant amount of trunk space or hauling capacity? When you go on vacation, do you take everything but the kitchen sink with you? If you’re like my mom, you might need a 4×4 truck instead of the cute, little, sporty sedan you were eyeballin’.
• Do I need an all-wheel drive vehicle? Even if you aren’t going to be towing anything, you might want to consider the weather and terrain in your area.  Down here in Georgia, we don’t think its possible to leave the house without a snow plow if there are snow flurries. This is something to consider. 
• How much driving do I do? Can I afford to fill up the tank once a week in this monster?  What are normal maintenance costs on this vehicle? That’s when you may look into a car such as the Toyota Prius…a Hybrid that gets an estimated 51 miles to the gallon.  (Hybrid=gas and electric…but no, you do not have to plug it in to the wall in your garage to charge like your son’s Fisher Price PowerWheels monster truck.) This is cool stuff we’re talkin’ about here.

2. Now it’s time to head to the dealership and there is no reason to fret!

After reading these tips, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to walk in there confident and informed. 

Like in school, DO NOT BE SCARED TO ASK QUESTIONS!!! YOU MUST!!! Asking questions will help you get to know your salesman, sense how committed they are to their customers and show them that you’re prepared and knowledgeable. Be sure to ask:

• What special offers do you currently have available?
• What types of warranties do you offer? Can I purchase an extended warranty?
• What did the previous owners use the car for and what type of climate was it driven in? (If it is pre-owned)
• How long of a test drive can I take?
• What new equipment comes as part of this purchase?
• Do you take trade-ins?

Bring along your research.

Print out pages of the cars that you saw online that caught your attention.  These are good to provide the salesman with and you can write notes on each car as you go.

If you saw the same car for a lower price, print that evidence out! A lot of dealers will match prices.
 3. Test Driving and Inspection

If you aren’t a car officionado, bring along a buddy that knows more about cars to help you point out possible problems or turn-offs.
Start inspecting!

Take time on your test drive and pay attention to things like…funny smells, awkward sounds, handling, and mechanics.  Also make sure the interior and exterior meet your standards and there isn’t a huge scratch on the car that you might not see until you get it home and its too late. 

4.  Considerations and Precautions

Get a CARFAX report. Before buying any pre-owned vehicle, based on the vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), to review its history. We offer them free on any car you buy here!
Consider safety. Review government and insurance company crash test ratings for any vehicle you’re considering and look into the available add-on safety features before signing your lease or purchase agreement. You can do this on sites like Safercar.gov or IIHS.org.

5.  Negotiating

Negotiating can be the most difficult part of the car buying process. Follow these tips to help ease the process.

The car loan and lease experts at Milton Ruben Toyota of Augusta will do the work for you to ensure you get the lowest possible rate on your car loan. We work with area and national lenders to provide you with options, from low rates to short terms. Some dealerships do not provide this service, and you may have to research rates and options with banks in your area.

Focus on the total price of the car and let that dictate what your monthly payment will be and what you can afford to pay each month. 

Get it all in writing. Ask the dealer or seller to explain to you how the cost specifically breaks down and see it clearly in writing. You want to make sure that you understand where any additional fees come in, and that you’re aware of every cost, large or small, for the vehicle. This is your purchase and you have the right to know this information!

We are your “Whatever It Takes Dealer” and we do the deals the other guys just won’t!  Visit us online at MiltonRubenToyota.com or at 3514 Washington Road in Augusta, GA.

Tags: buying a car, ga toyota, milton ruben, negotiating a lease, negotiating car price, sc toyota, southeast toyota dealers
Posted in Financing, New Toyotas, Used Toyotas | Comments Off on The Key to Car Shopping Success!