Best Consumer Advice for Buying a New Car

Buyers can get better deals on new cars by securing a loan beforehand, selling an old auto privately instead of trading at the dealership, and shopping during end-of-year sales.

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By Angela Dalecki

OverviewBuying a new car is a major investment. For most people, a car is the second-most expensive possession after their home. The average cost for a new car is $28,000, and it depreciates in value the minute you drive it off the lot. So you want to make sure you’re making a wise purchase.FunctionThere are many reasons for purchasing a new car. Your old car may no longer fit your current lifestyle. Or you may currently be driving an old car, which could mean expensive repair bills or poor gas mileage.Time FrameOne of the best times of year to shop is between July and October. During this time, dealers are extra-motivated to sell the cars on their lot to make room for next year’s models. The other best time of year is the end of December, when buyer interest is low and dealers are scrambling to meet year-end quotas.ConsiderationsConsider securing a new car loan from a credit union ahead of time, rather than relying on the dealership for financing. And always be prepared to walk away if you’re not happy with the price. Often, dealers will make a more attractive offer to prevent you from leaving.BenefitsNew cars have a number of benefits over used cars. Since you’re the first owner, you know the vehicle’s entire history. Also, most new cars come with a full warranty.WarningGet a copy of your credit report and score prior to visiting a new car dealer. Agree to the shortest car loan term you can manage in order to save money in interest. A large down payment will also help offset the total cost of the car.MisconceptionsDon’t think that trading in your old car is a good substitute for a down payment. Selling your car privately will almost always get you a better price than trading it in at the dealership.ResourcesreferenceCar Buying Tipsreference10 Steps to Buying a New CarreferenceNew Cars Have Benefits Over Used Cars Looking for where to play Crazy Time? Play Crazy Time at 1win online casino .