Buying a brand new car can be a once in a lifetime experience for some of us, so it pays to shop around and be absolutely prepared for this exciting milestone. If you’re uncertain of what you’ll need to do to ensure you get your money’s worth when upgrading your car, follow this small guide to navigating the world of car offers and dealerships.
Compare offers
Finding car deals in Australia is significantly easier than most other regions across the globe, primarily because of how passionate we are about our cars. There is a myriad of platforms and online resources for car shoppers, sellers, and avid owners alike, ranging from dealership and secondhand dealer websites to car ownership and maintenance resources.
Be sure to utilise platforms like Carsales to shop around and explore all available offers from a great variety of your local dealers. Your chances of getting your money’s worth are exponentially increased if you take this preliminary step and do all the necessary market research prior to stepping foot in a dealership.
Compare models
You’ll also want to make sure that the cars you’re looking at are right for your needs. Think about what you’re looking for in your ideal ride. Features like in-car navigation, driver alerts, and other driver assistance systems, are important to some, where others may only pay mind to a car’s safety rating and safety features like airbags, hill-descent control, and ABS braking.
At any rate, it’ll definitely be worthwhile to make yourself a list of desired features and use that list as a reference point when it comes to settling on any particular model. AnyAuto can be a fantastic resource when it comes to researching specific models and will definitely help you make a fully informed decision as you narrow the scope of your online search.
Understand your trade-in value
When purchasing a new car, it’s incredibly important to assess the costs of ownership relating to that new vehicle and to compare these costs with the costs of your current vehicle to ensure that you’re able to comfortably afford your new ride. Alongside this, it’s also greatly recommended that you work out the trade-in value of your current car, as well as have a gander online for the resale value of the car that you’re interested in.
If you’re able to successfully sell your current car at its correct market value, you can use those extra profits to take the load off your next purchase. Similarly, researching the current trade-in value of the car you’re interested in may also help you assess that new car’s lifespan as an asset, and may aid you in your future decision of when to make your next upgrade. In any case, understanding trade-in value is crucial to ensuring that you get your money’s worth both during the purchase process and well into your first few years of new car ownership.
Communicate with your dealer
Given the rise of online shopping, it’s not surprising that the way consumers shop for cars has seen some drastic changes over the past few years. Even so, traditional dealerships haven’t suffered much even with the emergence of online sellers, because there are some inarguable benefits to purchasing your car at a dealership.
One major benefit is the added support provided to you by your dealer. Any well-established dealership will be able to walk you through your entire purchase process, from conducting a test-drive to navigating financing options. Remember that your dealer is a valuable resource, and you should feel free to ask any and all questions you may have, both about the car you’re interested in as well as the purchase process.
It’s also worth taking your time when it comes to negotiating terms with your dealer and be sure to inquire about any additional packages that they’re willing to offer. Remember that this is a mutually beneficial arrangement, and your dealer will most likely be working hard to get you the best deal they can. All you need to do is ask.
