You\u2019re buying your first car! Buying your first car can be exciting, but frustrating if you\u2019re not prepared. Here\u2019s what you need to know before and after buying your first car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you buy your first car, there are different factors you should consider. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the things you need to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you have your ideal car in mind or not, you still have to do your homework and research cars on different reputable sites, such as Edmunds<\/a>, Kelley Blue Book<\/a> (KBB), Cars.com<\/a>, and J.D. Power<\/a>. These sites give you information about different vehicles to help you make an educated decision on what car to buy and include reviews, safety information, and other facts about vehicles. You can search for the cars that interest you by providing the model, year, and make of the vehicle. You can also provide mileage range, engine type, and other criteria to help you find vehicles that will suit your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you prefer to purchase your first car from an individual instead of a dealership, the provided sites can help you find people who are selling their vehicles. If you\u2019re going to purchase your vehicle from an individual, consider these 4 factors:<\/p>\n\n\n\n KBB is a great resource for helping you estimate a car\u2019s value based on its current condition, make, model, and year. You can also compare vehicle prices, which will help you negotiate pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your vehicle may be a part of a recall. In this scenario, you must ensure any part(s) that were subject to a recall were\/are correctly replaced or repaired. Making sure the problematic parts were\/are correctly repaired is the best way to avoid unwanted surprises later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Driver feedback is essential information. This information gives you insight into what it\u2019s like to own a vehicle without going through the hassle of purchasing the car and not liking certain things about it. Driver feedback can be in the form of complaints or praises. Read the complaints and praises to get a balanced view of the vehicle and everything it has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re purchasing an older vehicle, consider how easy it is to find parts. You\u2019ll also want to check with a mechanic to ensure the shop works on the type of vehicle you have, especially if it\u2019s a luxury or imported vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Test drives are important because it helps you determine things about a car that you can\u2019t necessarily see with your eyes, such as how comfortable the vehicle is to drive, and how smoothly it operates on roads and highways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re ready to take a test drive, take a solo test drive, which means taking a test drive without the sales representative or current owners in the vehicle. It may sound strange, but taking a solo test drive allows you to focus on your experience in the car without someone trying to soft-sell you into purchasing the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you\u2019re driving the car, venture on smooth and rough roads in the city and the highway. If you can do so at night, this is a plus! You can find out a lot about a vehicle by driving it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you purchase a car, keep its maintenance in mind. If you can make many of the repairs yourself, you can save a lot of money on standard maintenance. However, if you can\u2019t make the repairs on your own, no problem. Make sure you factor the maintenance in with the overall cost of the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ll be maintaining the vehicle on your own, there are a few things you\u2019ll want to consider. Take a look under the hood to see what you have to work with. Determine how accessible the oil filter and air filter are. Check to see if there are any fluid reservoirs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maintaining a vehicle takes time and effort. Figure out if changing the oil and performing simple maintenance on the vehicle will require a host of specific tools to move components and make repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you have a list of at least 3 cars that you\u2019re interested in, get a free vehicle history report. The dealership will give you one for free. If you\u2019re purchasing a vehicle from an individual, you can use the National Insurance Crime Bureau<\/a> to get the vehicle history report. You\u2019ll know if the vehicle has been declared as a total loss (salvage vehicle) or if the vehicle has ever been stolen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people have a smooth car-buying experience until financial matters come up. You\u2019ll notice that when it\u2019s time to discuss payment options and payment methods, dealerships will start offering \u201cextras\u201d. These extras may sound nice, but they will increase the total price of the vehicle. If needed, you ask for time to think about these extras and the price increase you\u2019ll be faced with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can, schedule a financing appointment with your local credit union. Credit unions often have the lowest rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding the perfect first car, and then negotiating the best price can be quite an experience. Finding the answer to these 7 questions can help you find a car that fits your needs and one you\u2019re proud of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an important question because some safety systems are not included as standard equipment. Some safety features can be grouped into different vehicle packages, so make sure you know which features are included in which package.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find this information, research the car and the safety features it offers. Most of the time, the highest vehicle tier possesses a plethora of safety features. The internet is great because you can compare packages and determine which features you can do without.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, you\u2019ll want to call the dealership and ask a sales representative about the standard safety features of the car you want to buy. Double-check that the safety features you want come with that particular vehicle trim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to know this information because the type of car can increase or decrease the car\u2019s price. For example, hybrid and electric vehicles cost more money upfront, but they cost less to operate, especially when gas prices are soaring. When you create your budget for a vehicle, it\u2019s good to know how much you can afford to pay for a new vehicle, and how much it will cost to operate it, such as regular maintenance, gas, and other factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested in a hybrid vehicle, these cars can pay themselves off in as little as 2 years. The monthly fuel savings alone can offset a slightly higher monthly payment from the day you drive the vehicle off the lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re leaning more toward a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, this car will benefit you most if you take short car trips, such as driving around town to school and work. These vehicles have a range between 20 and 50 miles. After this, the gas engine takes over. Check the window sticker to determine the type of fuel economy you\u2019ll receive when it\u2019s in hybrid mode. Did you know that some PHEVs qualify for federal tax credits?<\/p>\n\n\n\n You need to know about the car\u2019s essential extras because some cars are specifically designed to perform certain tasks, such as driving off-road, or towing. Before making your way to the dealership, you need to know what the car\u2019s capability features. Without knowing this information, this mistake could cost you. Paying extra for capabilities you won\u2019t use is a waste of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested in the towing feature, know how much the vehicle can tow. Some vehicles can appear to be the exact same on the outside, but one vehicle can have more towing capacity by thousands of pounds than the other vehicle. The vehicle\u2019s towing capacity will depend on trim levels, option packages, and engine choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll also want to factor in road and weather conditions. If you live in an area where it snows a lot, you\u2019ll want to purchase a vehicle that can handle harsh weather conditions, such as a vehicle that has an all-wheel drive system, or front or rear-wheel drive. As far as road conditions are concerned, if you\u2019re an individual who loves to go on off-road adventures, you\u2019ll want a vehicle that is built for such adventures, such as an SUV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing the cost of maintenance is important because you need to know how much it will cost to keep your vehicle functioning properly. Many new vehicles come with complimentary maintenance, such as free tire rotations and oil changes. However, some new vehicles don\u2019t come with complimentary maintenance, so you\u2019ll need to account for these costs to keep your vehicle on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The most important part of determining the maintenance cost of a vehicle is to get everything in writing. You must find out if any part of maintaining the vehicle is free. You also need to know if there are limits to the number of times you can have your car serviced within a given time. If maintenance coverage is available, you need to know how long the coverage lasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Seating and storage space are important if you have children or you\u2019re considering working for a ride-share company, such as Uber or Lift. Even if you don\u2019t have children or plan on working for a ride-share company, you want to make sure you\u2019re comfortable while you\u2019re traveling. A vehicle that has little to no leg or headroom can be an issue if you\u2019re tall. You\u2019ll notice that car manufacturers will brag about how much space the car has in cubic feet, which doesn\u2019t help you determine exactly how much space is available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you go to the dealership to view the vehicle, sit in the seats to determine if the car has the space you need. Notice how easy or not so easy the seats are to get in and out of, and if there are obvious issues with head and leg room. If the vehicle has a third row, determine if the seating space is big enough for passengers to sit there comfortably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You also want to check out the trunk. If there\u2019s a specific item you need to fit, such as a folding wheelchair, stroller, pet carrier, or other item, make sure there is enough space for this item. It\u2019s a good idea to take the item(s) with you to the dealership to ensure there is enough room. Pay attention to the time you spend loading the item in the truck and how difficult or easy it is to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to car seats, correctly installing one can seem like you need a degree from NASA. If you have small children, take the car seat with you to see how easily you can install the car seat securely. In most instances, the second row can fit a maximum of 3 car seats. In other vehicles, the maximum may be two because of how the car is designed. Remember that all car seats are different, and the only way to be certain the car seat fits is by taking it with you to the dealership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While technology may be at the bottom of your list of must-haves, if the vehicle comes with an infotainment system, you\u2019ll get better use of the vehicle if you know how to use it. Take the time to get familiar with all the bells and whistles of the vehicle during your test drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First, you\u2019ll want to check the basics. See how easy the technology is to figure out and use. Also, many tech features of a vehicle provide a benefit to the driver, so see what benefits you can take advantage of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the worst things you can do in this situation is make assumptions about the equipped technology. Most vehicles don\u2019t have CD players or USB-A charging ports. Depending on the model year of your vehicle, a radio, including satellite radio may not be included. Speaking of satellite radio, if the vehicle has it, there is often a free trial. Once the trial period ends, you\u2019ll have to pay for the service. With satellite radio, you have access to news, weather, and a ton of different radio stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that you can\u2019t always count on the vehicle features that are listed on the website. If there are tech features you are looking for specifically, make sure the vehicle you choose has these features or can be added with a package or different vehicle trim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, if you have questions after you drive the car off the lot, will there be someone available to help you? Some dealerships will help you set up different technology features, such as pairing your phone to Bluetooth and completing the setup of satellite radio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re the master of instant gratification, waiting to purchase the vehicle you want won\u2019t be ideal for you. However, waiting to get the vehicle you want can be rewarding in the long run. For instance, you like to car you just test-drove, but you wish it had more safety features and a different interior color. In this scenario, it may be worth the wait until the dealership has the vehicle in a higher trim level to get more safety features. If you don\u2019t want to wait, you can look at another car altogether.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shopping around is important. There is more than one car dealership with many types of vehicles for you to check out and test drive. If you can\u2019t find a vehicle that interests you at local dealerships, expand your search to a dealership that may be able to ship the car to you, or look at dealerships that aren\u2019t too far away to travel to. If you are interested in having a vehicle shipped to you, keep in mind that this will increase the vehicle\u2019s upfront cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you find a vehicle at a local dealership, don\u2019t be afraid to negotiate the price. You will also want to complete as much paperwork as possible online or over the phone. By doing this, you decrease the amount of time you have to spend at the dealership. The sooner the paperwork is complete, the closer you\u2019ll be to driving off in your new car!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding a car that meets all your needs is rare, so if you find one, it may be worth the wait. You can put in a custom order for the vehicle. Although you\u2019ll have to wait to receive the vehicle, when you put in a custom vehicle order, you can order a new car with all the bells and whistles you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Congratulations! You purchased your first car. There are a few things you need to take care of before you ride off into the sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need an active auto insurance policy to legally operate your car on roads and highways. If you paid for your vehicle in full, you won\u2019t need collision and liability coverage. However, if you took out a loan to purchase the vehicle, you must have liability and collision coverage. Before you choose an auto insurance carrier, make sure you read the fine print. You need to know what you\u2019re paying for and what your policy covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you paid for your vehicle in full, the dealership should sign over the title and give it to you. Make sure the title indicates you are the new car owner. If you are financing the car, the dealership may not provide you with the car\u2019s title. In most states, the dealership is required to send the car\u2019s title to your state agency (DMV, DOR, DOT, etc.) for processing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bill of sale acts as your receipt of purchasing the vehicle. This document shows the following essential information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bill of sale is used to determine sales tax and is often required to register your vehicle with your state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In most cases, the dealership will give you temporary tags that are valid for 30 days. You must register your vehicle in these 30 days. In addition to temporary tags, you may also be given a 30-day registration document. If you get pulled over by authorities, you can use the temporary registration to prove you are the owner of the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before your 30-day grace period ends, you must register your vehicle and pay all applicable fees. Remember that it is illegal to operate your vehicle without registration. In most cases, you can register your vehicle and receive permanent license plates at the dealership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, you are required to visit your state\u2019s transportation authority (DMV, MVD, etc.) in person to register the vehicle. When you reach your local transportation authority office, you\u2019ll need to present the car\u2019s title, loan documents, if applicable, and proof of a valid auto insurance policy. Depending on the state you live in, you may also be required to show proof that your vehicle passed the state emissions test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t assume that your car won\u2019t soon require maintenance because it\u2019s new. Ask the dealership about the car\u2019s maintenance schedule, and follow it to ensure you keep up with the maintenance schedule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although it may be tempting, don\u2019t skip standard maintenance to save money. Avoiding regular maintenance can cost more money in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep all paperwork related to your car in a safe place. The car\u2019s registration should be kept in your vehicle. It\u2019s a good idea to keep all your car\u2019s paperwork in one folder for easy access if you need it later. You should keep the following documents in one folder:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you purchased a used vehicle, you\u2019ll have different steps to complete. Let\u2019s take a look!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The seller must transfer the title to you. If you purchased the used car from a dealership, the title may not be transferred automatically. If you purchased the vehicle from a person, you can transfer the car\u2019s title at the DMV or other transportation authority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You must have an active auto insurance policy before you can register the vehicle and drive it. Some dealerships partner with auto insurance companies to provide special rates. If you obtain auto insurance through a third party, make sure you are aware of the type of auto insurance your state requires your car to have. If your budget allows it, you may want to consider obtaining additional coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your vehicle must be inspected by the dealership or a mechanic. Qualified mechanics can check many vehicle components, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Qualified mechanics can also check your vehicle for emissions, which may be required by your state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To register your used car, you\u2019ll need the car\u2019s title, all loan documentation, proof of a valid auto insurance policy, and your government-issued driver\u2019s license. It\u2019s a good idea to check with your state\u2019s transportation authority to confirm the registration requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not uncommon for a used car to need minor repairs. It\u2019s important to address these issues as quickly as possible to prevent these minor repairs from becoming expensive major repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the vehicle\u2019s owner manual to learn about any routine maintenance the car requires. For instance, you may be required to change the oil, rotate the tires, change the battery, or replace fluids after a certain amount of time or once you\u2019ve traveled a specific amount of miles. Following the manufacturer\u2019s maintenance plan can prevent breakdowns and keep your car running smoothly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buying your first car is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Make sure you are prepared by doing your research. The most important part of buying your first car is to enjoy your experience. Happy buying!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" You\u2019re buying your first car! Buying your first car can be exciting, but frustrating if you\u2019re not prepared. Here\u2019s what you need to know before and after buying your first car. What You Need to Know Before Buying Your First Car Before you buy your first car, there are different factors you should consider. Let\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
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<\/a>Take a Solo Test Drive<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>DIY Maintenance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Get a Vehicle History Report<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Maintain Your Focus in the Finance Department<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Questions You Should Ask Before Buying Your First Car<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>1. What Safety Features Does the Car Include?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>2. Is the Car Gas-Only, Hybrid, or Electric?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>3. Does the Vehicle Have Essential Extras?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>4. How Much Will Maintenance Cost?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>5. How Much Seating and Storage Is Available?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>6. Check Out the Infotainment and Tech<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>7. Should You Wait for the Vehicle You Want?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Things to Do After Buying Your First Car<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Get Auto Insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Get the Car\u2019s Title<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Keep the Bill of Sale<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Obtain Temporary Tags<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Register Your Vehicle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Stick to the Maintenance Schedule<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Keep Your Paperwork in a Safe Place<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Tasks to Complete After Buying a Used Car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Transfer the Car\u2019s Title<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Obtain Auto Insurance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Have the Car Inspected<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Register Your Car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Schedule Repairs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Create a Maintenance Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n