You like to be prepared, especially when it comes to making a major investment. That’s why you conducted plenty of at-home, online research on different makes and models before setting foot on your first lot in the hunt for your new car. When the research is complete, and you’re ready to see what your local dealer has to offer, come prepared with questions that might influence your purchase.
Here are 6 suggestions for your inquiring mind:
What you see doesn’t have to be what you get, and when it comes to making this substantial purchase, you don’t have to settle. If nothing on the lot is screaming your name, ask about vehicles currently out-of-stock, as well as special/custom ordering.
There are a number of incentives and rebates out there, circling new vehicles on the market. Some come from the dealer, and some come from the automaker itself. Whether the answer is yes or no, it never hurts to ask.
Dealer add-ons are aftermarket parts and/or accessories that increase the asking price. We’re not saying that the add-ons aren’t worth it, but you should always fully understand what you are paying for.
No matter where you buy, expect to pay a fee for processing your purchase contract. However, the size of this fee can vary greatly from dealer to dealer. It can be as low as $100, or as high as $600. Know the documentation fee charged by the dealers you’re working with, and let that knowledge help guide your purchasing decisions.
Experts agree that you need a minimum of 30 minutes of test drive time to really get a feel for how a car handles. Without jumping into a complicated mathematical equation with multiple variables, let’s just say that the average person drives anywhere from 10 to 15 thousand miles a year, and that equates to a lot of minutes behind the steering wheel. Make sure that your dealer will give you at least 30 for determining whether or not this is the right vehicle for you.
When you upgrade to a new vehicle, it usually means that there is now an old vehicle to deal with. Trade-ins alleviate a number of different headaches that spring up the moment you put your “For Sale by Owner” sign in the rear window. Most dealers will be more than willing to take a look at your current set of wheels and offer you a fair trade-in price to apply to your new purchase.
When you drive off the lot in your brand new car, you want to know, without a doubt, that you made the best purchase decision possible with every bit of information that was available. At Granite Automotive, our expert sales staff has all of the answers and advice you need, and we offer it freely in a friendly, “no pressure” environment.
