Buying a car has always been and will always be a hard decision to make. That is if you’re not reckless and buy the first shiny car you see, but that is not the case, so let’s find out what are the best six steps to take when considering a car change.
First of all, you have to decide: new car or used one. You know that depreciation is the biggest cost in running a car. Even with a 1 year old model you will be missing out on large losses since the biggest drop in price comes in the first 12 months. After that consider the price and the money you are willing to pay, since you may find yourself in the situation where you can get the exact same model but used yet more powerful and better equipped, and even further upgrade it with the money left.
New Car or Used Car?
Understanding your needs is another important step. Make an in-depth analysis of exactly what kind of car do you need and what will you use it for, because if not you may end up with a turbocharged roadster when you wanted a safe family car. Attack the problem from all angles.
The next logical step would be testing the car. It’s not enough to kick the tires to check the pressure in the forecourt or look at how shiny it is in the showroom, you never know what surprises may hide under the hood. A test drive is an absolute requirement. Never ever buy a car without attempting one.
When it comes to buy a used car, always be suspicious. Make sure that the car corresponds to the specifications of the seller. Always interrogate the seller for as much as possible, why is he selling the car? for how long has he/she owned it? who was the previous owner (if existent)? Find answers to all these questions so you don’t buy a museum piece for your daily activities.
Why is He Selling the Car?
Be careful for scams when buying used cars. If a good car is priced too low than be very suspicious, it may be a scam. Don’t give in easily to half cut prices for cars from abroad, you may find yourself sending the money to a foreign account and before you know it, the money, the car and the dealer have vanished into smoke.
And last but definitely not least, you need to know how to haggle. It may not be the noblest of arts but you need to master it or else you may find yourself paying twice the value of the car for ridiculous reasons. One of the most important things is research. Know the price range for the car you’re suppose to buy. If the seller tries to give you nonsense, you can show him that you can always take your business elsewhere.
Author: 
Theo Grigore
