Buying a new car is a significant financial commitment. The purchasing process is also quite stressful, from looking for a reputable car dealership to finding the right financing option. However, if you are well prepared and do some research, your car dealership appointment will go smoothly.
Knowing the right car dealership questions to ask will save you from making costly mistakes.
Below are seven questions you should ask at the car dealership when looking to purchase a vehicle.
Table of Contents
What Safety Features Does the Car Come With?
When looking to purchase a car, the first step is identifying the type of car based on your preferences and needs. However, you don’t have to settle for one car. You could list down numerous car brands and ask your dealership representative about them.
Vehicle manufactures are creating cars with state-of-the-art safety technology. On the other hand, more and more consumers are becoming keen on the safety features and the technology of a car before purchasing. Vehicles safety features may include:
- Airbags
- Automatic emergency brakes
- High-strengths and laminated automotive glass
- Seatbelts
- Over-speeding warning signs
- Stability control
- Convex rearview mirror
While it’s essential to consider the above safety features, keep in mind that different manufacturers may refer to certain features by a different name, which may lead to purchasing mistakes.
How Long Do I Have To Test Drive the Car?
After identifying the car you would like to purchase, ensure you take it for a test drive before beginning any negotiations. A test drive will help you find out if the car meets your requirements and needs. It’s also the best way to get a feel of the vehicle; how it accelerates and brakes.
When taking the vehicle for a spin, ensure you use a route that will show you how it performs under numerous circumstances. How does the car accelerate when you are joining the highway? How does it perform when you’re driving it through a sharp curve or an incline?
Get a feel of how the brakes work and their responsiveness. Even when purchasing a new car, it’s essential to take it for a spin. If the car dealer doesn’t allow you to do a test drive or only allows very little time for the test drive, it’s best to move on to the next car dealership.
Can You Let Me See the Car’s Purchase Agreement?
Asking for the car’s purchase agreement is an essential step in your purchasing process. It should be among the first things you ask the car dealer when looking to buy a car. The purchase agreement typically indicates the price of the vehicle and any other expenses included in the purchasing process.
The agreement will also show you the total price of purchasing the car. Ensure you go through every item on the agreement carefully and ask as many questions about anything you don’t understand. Check for any add-on services and accessories that you didn’t ask for.
What Is the Cost of Maintaining This Car?
Typically, all car manufacturers offer their clients some type of free maintenance and upkeep for new vehicles. However, this free maintenance is only limited to a few years or a specified mileage. Therefore, it’s essential to ask about the overall long-term expenses of maintaining it.
Knowing the car’s maintenance cost will help you better prepare yourself for the financial responsibility of maintaining it. Also, remember that exotic vehicles and sports cars will have a significantly higher maintenance cost than ordinary cars. When buying a car, the cost of maintaining it is an essential factor to consider.
You should also ask about the price of extending the car’s warranty and the possible resale price of the vehicle after five or more years.
What Is Covered in the Vehicle’s Warranty?
One of the most common mistakes first-time buyers make when purchasing their first car is leaving the dealership without understanding what the warranty covers. Immediately you drive the car out of the yard, you start accumulating expensive expenses. The car’s maintenance expenses could add up very quickly.
Therefore, it’s essential to understand what is covered in your warranty as it could save you hundreds of dollars in the future. Different manufacturers have different warranty terms and conditions. Your warranty coverage will depend on the car’s model, manufacturer, and year of manufacture.
When talking to the car dealer, ensure they explain the warranty details thoroughly. This will help you avoid paying for repairs and defects that may be covered in the car’s warranty.
It’s also advisable to purchase your car from reputable and authorized dealers. For example, if you want to buy a Mitsubishi vehicle, it’s advisable to buy directly from authorized Mitsubishi dealers.
Do You Offer In-House Financing?
Most dealerships selling new cars offer their clients manufacturer-funded financing options. Used car dealerships may not have this financing option. For this reason, it’s essential to ask if the dealership provides in-house car loans and financing options before you make a decision.
If they provide financing, check out the loan terms, interest rate, and repayment terms. Compare these terms with other lenders and settle for the loan with the most favorable terms based on your needs and preferences.
What Is the Best Price for This Car?
When you approach a car dealer, don’t take the first price they offer. There is always room to negotiate the price. When you’re considering purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, ensure you do a lot of research before going to the car dealership.
Check the current price of the car in your area from different dealerships and online stores. This will give you leverage when negotiating for a discount.
Now You’re Ready To Visit the Car Dealership
Purchasing a car can be quite nerve-racking and stressful, especially if this is your first car. However, adequately preparing yourself before going to a car dealer will make the car buying process less stressful. The best way to do this is by knowing the right questions to ask at the car dealership.
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