Car Buying 101

I was talking recently with some of the sales staff at Checkered Flag and one of them mentioned something that I hadn’t thought about before. They said that most people who come in to purchase don’t think about the fact that vehicles are the second largest investment that the average person makes in their life (the first being a home). It makes sense. It got me thinking about how much preparation goes into buying a home versus buying a car. When buying a home, people recognize that it’s a process and that there will be tons of paperwork. With a vehicle, not so much. So, what can a prospective car buyer do to make the experience easier? I asked around and here’s a few things that I found might make the process go more smoothly.

Know what you want. I mean, exactly what you want. Manufacturer websites have come a long way and now let you build out your vehicle exactly the way that you want. You can choose trim level, color, accessories, options, the works, with just a few simple clicks. Print out your choices and look them over to see which are really important to you. I especially like the build-out feature on the websites of Honda and BMW. Brett Shopsin, Client Advisor at Checkered Flag BMW, told me that when a client comes in with this printout, it’s very easy for him to look in the database to see if there is such a vehicle on the lot, and if there isn’t, where there is and how long it takes to get. Technology makes searches so much faster! Doing this can also give you a good idea of the price you can expect to pay. Additionally, if there are features that you have questions about, you can walk in knowing what to ask! Knowledge is power, indeed.

Have all pertinent information with you when you come to buy. This sounds like common sense, but more than one salesperson that I spoke with told me that customers have come in to the dealership looking to trade-in their current vehicle and not brought the vehicle! The only way to accurately determine trade-in value is to have the car present. Have the vehicle’s title with you along with current pay-off information.

Lastly, accept that buying a car is a process, but not a chore. It can, and should, be FUN! Brett at BMW was very clear that buying a vehicle is different for everyone. Some folks like to come in with printouts, some like to come in a dozen times before they buy, some want a lot of input from the staff and some want none at all. Whatever your preference, the exchange should always make you feel comfortable.