Purchasing a vehicle is an exciting time and a process that you’ll want to tread carefully. With something that can cost you thousands of dollars, it’s in your best interest to equip yourself with as much knowledge and research as you can before you visit our Chevrolet dealership in New Ulm. Being prepared will avoid being swayed by a nicer, more expensive model that will put you way over budget. On the other hand, taking your time will also help you avoid settling for a car that may be within your budget but one that you’re not truly happy with
1. Get preapproved for a loan
A preapproval will give you a good idea of how much you can afford and start you off on the right foot when narrowing down your choices. Most dealerships will offer financing for about 72 months to keep the monthly payments down. Keep in mind that, even if you are preapproved for a larger amount than you had initially expected, you’ll need to consider the cost of owning a car. Add in the interest rate, gas, maintenance, and an estimate of your insurance to your monthly budget to get a good picture of overall costs.
2. Research vehicles
Now, this is the fun part - browsing through vehicles within your price range! One of the greatest benefits of shopping for cars online is that you’re able to filter your search by trim level, features, price, colour, and more. You have detailed consumer reviews and information about the car at your fingertips, along with competitive prices.
With so many choices of Chevy vehicles available, here’s an excellent way to start narrowing your search:
- What type of vehicle are you looking for? Truck, SUV, sedan, crossover, sports utility?
- List your top 3 vehicle models
- What trim level and features would you like?
- Continue to filter out vehicles according to your budget
3. Call your dealership
Once you’ve made a list of your top 3-5 vehicle choices, call the dealership to inquire about its availability. They can verify whether they have the car in stock or give you more information about their current inventory. At this time, because you’ve expressed interest in purchasing a vehicle, you can begin to work with the dealership on the next steps.
4. Schedule a test drive
When you schedule a test drive, it allows the dealership to get the car ready and waiting for you when you arrive. Try to schedule an appointment when the roads aren’t too busy, typically earlier in the week and mornings for New Ulm. When you test drive the car, be mindful of the following:
- How the car handles
- The features and controls that you enjoyed
- The features and controls you can do without
- The amount of cargo space
Don’t feel pressured to purchase the car the same day. Give yourself time to test other cars and compare.
5. Inquire about the sales price, warranties, and offers
Once you have a particular car in mind, it’s time to contact your sales rep for a price. When you’re comparing competitive pricing, be sure to factor in what they are offering, including:
- Interest
- Loan term
- Warranties
- Additional accessories
- Maintenance plan
While one price offer may seem much more favourable than another, you may be able to save with a higher offer depending on what’s included in the purchase price. Also, it depends on you as a consumer. Some customers don’t want the hassle and time to negotiate the price down and are happy to take the price offer to close the deal, while others prefer taking the time to shop around and negotiate.
6. Close the deal
When you’re ready to take the offer, the process of closing the deal takes place. When you finalize a deal, go through each charge and fee with the finance manager who should be able to break it down. Be sure you’re receiving all of the accessories and offers that you were promised. Finally, enjoy your new vehicle and go for a celebratory drive!
Categories:
New Inventory