7 Things to Consider When Buying a Car
Buying a car can be pretty exciting, but it’s also a process that requires a lot of time, patience and of course, money. Keeping that in mind, it’s good to know all the steps involved with making a big purchase — especially if you’re a credit-challenged customer with bad credit or no credit established.
Here are seven things to consider during the car-buying process:
- Do your research.
You may already have an idea about the type of car you want, but hey, you can never be too sure. Researching several vehicles beforehand can help you determine which options best suit your needs. Reading reviews from vehicle experts and owners is a good way to gain valuable insight on the features and benefits a car has to offer. - Determine what you can afford.
Before you purchase a vehicle, it’s important to review your finances and determine a feasible budget that allows you to cover all of your monthly expenses. - Get a copy of your credit report.
If you are considering financing your vehicle, it’s a good idea to check your credit report and credit score. Knowing this information beforehand can improve your car-buying experience because you know what to expect when trying to get an auto loan or financing. You can obtain one free credit report from each of the big three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — every 12 months, by visiting annualcreditreport.com or calling 877-322-8228. - Finding a car dealer.
Getting connected with the right dealer can make a world of a difference in your car-buying experience, especially if you’re a credit-challenged customer looking to get approved for financing. Credit Acceptance has a strong network of enrolled dealers who can help you get started on your credit approval. To get connected with an enrolled dealer near you, fill out the Find Your Credit Approval form on our website. - Test it out.
Test-driving a car is an important step in the car-buying process because it gives you the opportunity to thoroughly inspect the car and get a feel for everything it has to offer, from the features to the way it drives. If you’re looking at a used car, you may also want to consider getting a professional mechanic to inspect the car before you make a purchase. - Think about it.
Take some time to process your observations and consider all of your options before making a final decision. Purchasing a car is a pretty big deal, so you want to be sure that you are making the right choice. - Congratulations on your new car!
You’ve signed all the paperwork and are ready to drive your newly purchased vehicle off the lot. But before you do that, you may want to ask thesalesperson for one last walk-through of the car in case you have any last-minute questions about any features or functions.
Do you need to get approved for financing? Fill out the form on our website to get connected with an enrolled dealer who can help you get started on your credit approval today!
