For the more old-fashioned, buying the family car might be seen as ‘dad’s job’, whatever that may mean. But the truth is that mothers are more likely to use the car more.
Studies last year showed that women are better with car dealers than men; they do their homework and make sure to get the best deal. They’re better negotiators, too. Buying a car is a big decision and now finding a way to finance your car is easier than ever. So all you need now is a few tips and tricks to make sure you’re ready for the job.
Learn the Lingo
There can be a lot of abbreviations, terms and obscure definitions when it comes to buying a car. It is always smarter to read up a little, familiarise yourself with the subject, even undertake an internet search before going into a car dealership. It’ll give you an advantage.
Be Decisive
Make a list of what is important to you; the safety of the vehicle, the price, etc. Then go online and get to know the price ranges, the information on the models and anything else you might want, so that when you go in you’ll know what you want.
Know your Money
Look into your options, consult with advisers and try to take the best option for you. Is it by cash, leasing or taking out a loan? Look into what makes the most sense for you and your family.
Ask Questions
This is especially true if you’re buying a used car, as you will want to know the full history of the vehicle before agreeing to anything. Don’t worry about seeming uninformed – ask questions now and it will pay off in the future. Look through the incident history and make sure it’s all up to scratch.
Negotiate
Get your bargaining hat on and be prepared to play hardball. Salespeople are trained to part fools from their money. So don’t be one, don’t be afraid to be tough and never accept anything on face value alone.
What do you actually need?
Dealers will often try to throw in several extras in order to ‘sweeten the deal’. Be sure you know what you’re getting – add-on features can pile up and send your agreed price soaring sky-high. Just say no.
Play the Field
Just because you walk into a dealership, does not mean you have to commit to anything. Spread your search out, visit other dealers, look in the papers and online and try to search over a longer period of time so you can make a clearer, more informed decision.
Trust yourself
If things are unclear, follow your instinct. Your gut reactions are often worth heeding and sometimes even when a car seems to tick all the boxes, something might be off. Trust yourself and go with what feels right.
If buying a car isnt for you then you could always look into the options of leasing a car instead. This gives you the peace of mind knowing you can get a new car at the end of your lease.