6 Decisions You Must Make Before Buying a New Vehicle

Purchasing a vehicle is an exciting time. A vehicle provides a sense of freedom and independence that you cannot receive elsewhere. However, you don’t want to choose just any automobile at the dealership. Finding the right automobile requires ample research, some effort, and much time to ensure you are making a wise investment and choosing a vehicle that will be ideal for yourself and for all of your regular passengers. Before you make your final decision and drive off the lot, here are six decisions you must make.

1. Do You Want to Buy?

One of the first decisions you must make is deciding between buying the vehicle or simply receiving a new Honda Accord lease at your Los Angeles dealer. When you purchase the vehicle, you will own the automobile. You can do what you want with the vehicle, drive as far as you like, make any upgrades, etc. However, with this option, you will likely have to finance the vehicle, meaning you pay a small percentage of the vehicle upfront and then you will make monthly payments until you have paid off the remainder of the automobile loan.

When you choose to lease the vehicle, it is essentially like renting the vehicle. You only drive the automobile for a short period of time and then you return it to the dealership. You will also have many guidelines you must follow. For example, you may only drive the automobile for a certain number of miles, you cannot make any changes to the vehicle, if damage to the automobile occurs, you will be responsible, etc. But, by choosing this option, you can save a considerable amount of money as these monthly payments are typically much lower than when buying and purchasing the vehicle.

2. Do You Want a Used or New Vehicle?

Another decision you must make is determining whether you want a used or never-been-owned vehicle. There are many pros and cons to each type and it is important that you weigh each option carefully. If you are considering a used Honda Fit to drive around Los Angeles, you can find many models in pristine and exquisite condition. Plus, you can find many excellent deals and the local dealerships typically have some wiggle room during the negotiation process.

Vehicles that have never been owned also have many benefits including low mileage and advanced features. You also don’t have to worry as much about repairs and maintenance and many of these vehicles are under warranty for quite some time. But, you will need to be careful as these vehicles lose their value as soon as you drive it off the lot.

3. Do You Want to Pay All Cash?

When you purchase a vehicle, there are several options available to help you pay for the vehicle. Some individuals want to save up for years to be able to pay for the vehicle in full and with cash. While there are some benefits to this option, some dealerships and lenders will provide you with some discounts if you finance through the company. You will want to carefully weigh your options and ensure you are making the best decision for your specific financial situation.

4. How Much of a Down Payment Do You Want to Pay?

If you are considering financing the vehicle, you want to think about how much money you wish to provide as a down payment. Many financial experts suggest that you provide at least 20% of the vehicle’s purchase price for a down payment. This means that if you are purchasing a vehicle that is $20,000, you will want to provide at least a minimum of $4,000 as a down payment.

However, keep in mind that some dealerships will occasionally offer 0% down options. While this may be enticing, you will end up paying more for your monthly payment or the length of your loan term will increase. You should do the math and weigh all your options before you make any final decisions.

5. What Safety Features Are Important to You?

The safety of yourself and all of your passengers must be a top priority when purchasing an automobile. You want to ensure that everyone is safe and protected when in the vehicle. This means that you need to determine what safety features are important to you and purchase a vehicle that has all of those, plus more. You can look online and read various safety test reports to learn what safety features you need to have and which are most important. As you visit a dealership and look at the various makes and models, be sure to look at vehicles that have all the safety features you need. Never settle for a vehicle that doesn’t offer the advanced safety features that you desire.

6. When Is the Right Time to Purchase Vehicle?

If you are considering purchasing a vehicle, you want to ensure that it is the right time to buy. This means you need to ensure that you are financially prepared to purchase a vehicle and this is the right time for you personally. When buying a vehicle too soon, it can put you in a tight financial situation that can be difficult and time-consuming to get out of.

Additionally, some time periods are better to purchase a vehicle than others. For example, the end of the month is a good time to visit a dealership as salespeople are more anxious to meet their monthly goals and negotiate with you. The end of the year is also a popular time to buy. If there is an upcoming holiday, many dealerships will also have sales during these times.

When you are in the market for a vehicle, make sure to think carefully about the above six questions and make your decisions wisely.

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