Buying a vehicle involves thorough research and understanding your budget to negotiate a fair price. It’s important to consider vehicle features, test drive options, and know the value of any trade-in before finalizing a purchase. Buyers should aim to visit multiple dealerships, negotiate effectively, and stay vigilant throughout the buying process to ensure satisfaction.

2. Doing your homework ahead
of time is the key to finding the
vehicle you want at a fair price.
Arming yourself with knowledge
will give you the power to
negotiate the best deal possible.
Now on to the steps…

3. Knowing what you can afford before you start shopping
can help you ensure you stay in budget.
 There are no specific rules as to how
much you should allocate.
 Just make sure that your car payment
fits comfortably in your monthly budget.
Our auto loan calculator
can help!
*http://www.bankrate.com/finance/auto/a-tightwad-s-10-tips-to-
trim-car-costs-1.aspx
The average monthly
payment for a new car is
$479*

4. *http://www.autoconnectedcar.com/2014/10/new-car-buyers-want-
connected-cars-for-internet-safety-productivity-and-entertainment
Consider how often and for what purpose
you'll use your vehicle. Make a list of the
features you'll need and start researching the
makes and models of vehicles that fall into
your criteria. If you have a vehicle in mind,
look into similar makes and models from
competing manufacturers.
Most popular car features buyers want*:
 79% say safety is most important
 64% want crash notification technology
 58% want internet-enabled navigation
 72% stream audio regularly in their car

5. After you find a car that fits your budget,
determine the best way to pay for it.
 Some people will opt to pay cash for the full price
of the vehicle.
 Most people will choose to finance their car and
may obtain a loan from a credit union or bank.
 By not paying in cash, you have more options for
cars, since you are paying less money up front.
 When you finance, you will make monthly
payments over a period of time for the amount
you financed plus interest until the loan is paid off.
20%
80%
About 20% of people pay for
their cars with cash, which
means 80% require a
financing option.*
*http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=fin&story=should-i-
pay-cash&subject=loan-quick-start

6. When your choice is narrowed to a few
vehicles, visit the dealerships and go for
a test drive.
 49% of buyers test-drive one (or zero)
vehicle before purchasing*
 On average, car buyers test-drive
only 1.9 cars pre-purchase*
 Only 26% test-drive three vehicles or more*
 68% of car buyers visit two
dealerships or less*
 15% visit four or more dealerships*
Overall, car buyers visit an average of 2.2 dealerships.*
*http://www.dmeautomotive.com/announcements/1-in-6-car-buyers-skips-test-
drive-nearly-half-visit-just-one-or-no-dealership-prior-to-purchase

7. Negotiate a price which includes rebates or
discounts, and the added costs of sales tax,
title fees, vehicle registration costs, etc. If
you're trading in your vehicle, be sure you
know its current value.
Did You Know?
You can often save between
$1,000 – $2,000 by negotiating.*
*http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/negotiating-101.html

8. Inspect the vehicle before
driving away, sign the
paperwork, and enjoy
your new set of wheels!
Purchasing a car can be
a whirlwind, but just
remember: do your
research, stay grounded
during the process, and
never be afraid to walk
away if you’re not 100
percent satisfied.