Buying a New Car? 4 Essentials You'll Need for the Road

There is nothing quite like the feeling of buying a new car. The car offers you endless opportunities while also giving you a chance to express your personality. While you may be itching to take the car for a long drive after leaving the dealership, you need to stock it with a few things. 

These items will help you stay prepared for anything that can happen on the open road. These are the four essentials you must get for your new car.

Spare Tire

While there was a time when every new car came equipped with a spare tire, which is not the case these days. A spare tire is something everyone should have in their vehicle at all times. 

If your new car does not come with a spare tire, then make sure to buy one as soon as possible. You should even be able to get one directly from the dealer. You simply never know when a tire will go flat.

Auto Insurance

It is illegal to drive a car anywhere in the country without having auto insurance. Your current policy will cover the new car for a short period of time, but you will need to eventually get additional coverage. 

Some companies, like The Lofrumento Agency, Inc., know that if this it’s your first car, then you will need to get insurance before the car is allowed to leave the dealership. There is no need to risk tickets or high repair bills when it is so easy to insure your new car.

Emergency Road Kit

It is impossible to predict what will happen when driving on the open road. An accident or car trouble can happen at any time even if you do absolutely nothing wrong. Be prepared for the unexpected by keeping an emergency road kit in the trunk of your car. 

This kit should have jumper cables, flashlights, and a few small tools. It is also a good idea to have some water and snacks in case you are stuck on the side of the road for a long time.

Extra Phone Charger

The security provided by smartphones has vastly improved the driving experience in recent years. Driving to an unknown location is a breeze thanks to GPS directions. 

You can also use the phone to make an emergency call or listen to your favorite music on the road. Since your smartphone is such an important part of your life, you never want it to die while driving. Keep this from happening by getting a spare phone charger.

How to Save When Buying a New Car in 2020

Buying a new car in 2020 is one way to get your year off to a great start. Right now, vehicles are going for great prices, and you have many options for finding a car that fits your lifestyle and budget. While you will have to put out some money for a new car, it is possible to save while you do it by doing a little prep work.

Work on Your Credit Score

The majority of car purchases require an auto loan, and the interest that you pay over the course of your loan is one of your biggest expenses. A good down payment can help you keep the total loan balance lower, and you can get a better interest rate by watching your credit score. 

Keep in mind that you don’t need a perfect score to get a loan, but having one that demonstrates your financial responsibility helps you lock in a lower rate.

Look for Transparent Pricing

One of the biggest complaints that car buyers have is about needing to haggle about their car loan. Dealerships that artificially inflate prices for the sake of expecting a negotiation often come out ahead in the deal. Instead, look for a provider like a Hyundai dealer in your area that takes pride in providing transparent pricing. 

Being able to see their prices on their website and know that they reflect the actual value helps you move through the buying process faster and with the assurance that you need to know you are not being taken for a ride.

Ask About Special Discounts

Dealerships also offer discounts that you can use to save money. For instance, if you work with emergency response, you might mention your status as a first responder and discover that there are special credits offered just for you. Other discounts might include bundling options into your purchase, or specials for specific cars.

Think About Future Savings

Some of the best savings on a new car purchase don’t happen at the point of sale. Instead, you might find that having complimentary services on your vehicle for a period of time can help you save money down the road. The type of car that you buy can also make a difference. Hybrid vehicles tend to help you save money on fuel costs over the life of the vehicle.

Getting the best car for your money shouldn’t be a hassle. Always work with a reputable dealer who simplifies the car buying process, and be prepared by having a general idea of what you want before you head out on a test drive. You’ll save money and time while ending up with a car that you are proud to drive in your community.

Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She lives and works out of her home in Los Lunas, New Mexico. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Brooke via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan

How to Handle Hidden Costs When Buying a New Car

Buying a new car is an exciting time, and it is very easy for buyers to overlook things that in any other situation might give them pause. As with any purchase, price is a paramount consideration, and most people would be surprised to learn a considerable portion of any car dealer's profit doesn't come from the car itself. 

In fact, most of those additional sources of revenue are well-enough hidden that the buyer often doesn't recognize them until they are hours, days or even weeks into owning their new vehicle.

One of the keys to making sure you don't overpay for your new car is to spot these hidden costs as early as possible, evaluate whether they are tied to options or features you actually need and see if there are alternatives that might reduce the overall price of the vehicle. This has two major effects. 

First, it may reduce the amount you need to borrow. Second, it may eliminate options and features you don't really need. Here are some things to consider. 

Financing

Dollar for dollar, nothing is more expensive than borrowing money to buy a car. The easiest way to avoid overpaying for your vehicle loan is to try and get pre-approved. This will give you a chance to negotiate the cost of your financing separate from the purchase itself. 

Even a few percentage points will make a tremendous difference, so this should be at the top of your list.

Insurance

Your choice of vehicle will have an impact on your insurance premiums. Whether you are buying a Subaru, a Ford or a Bugatti, you will be required to carry insurance on the vehicle itself in addition to liability or other coverage. 

The more expensive the vehicle, the higher your insurance premiums. Since insurance is an open-ended expense, extra premiums can add up in a hurry. Make sure you evaluate your insurance costs before you buy. 

Fuel

Since there are now so many options for drivers to reduce fuel costs, this is a category that should certainly be considered before purchasing. Like insurance, fuel is an open-ended expense, so saving even ten to fifteen percent over the entire term of ownership could add up to thousands. 

Fuel economy also doesn't automatically mean hybrid or electric either. Some vehicles get considerably better gas mileage than others. Further, your driving patterns may help you find less expensive options for city vs. highway driving as well.

Extended Warranty

The extended warranty is likely the most complex category simply because of all the factors involved. If at all possible, you should make certain any warranty beyond the manufacturer's is backed by an authorized dealer or the manufacturer itself. 

Warranties by third-party companies can often be far more expensive and far more difficult to enforce than ones offered by a reputable provider. A good source of information on this subject is the Auto Club.

Knowing where additional expense is likely to be found is the first step towards avoiding overpaying for a new car. Driving it will be more fun too.

Fresh Auto: 4 Reasons People Should Budget Before Buying A New Car

Buying a new car may be a worthwhile investment especially if you are constantly taking the bus or putting money into your current junker. However, new cars can be really expensive. 

That is why it is always a good idea to create a budget long before you start shopping for your next vehicle. That way you can make sure that you have the right amount of money saved up to be able to afford the car of your dreams. 

Here are some other reasons why it is a good idea to save up for a new car. 

You Don't Want a Salesperson Telling You What to Buy

When you determine your budget ahead of time, it helps to determine what type of car that you will buy. For instance, if you determine that your budget is $10,000, you aren't going to buy a new Mercedes. 

Instead, you may be looking at a late model Hyundai or a Nissan Versa if you want to buy a vehicle from the current model year. 

Never Base Affordability on the Monthly Payment

Many people determine if they can afford a car based on the monthly payment that they are given. What most people don't realize is that lower payments are generally the result of a longer loan term. 

While buyers may think that they are saving money, they are really paying their lender more interest and building equity in the vehicle at a slower pace.

Make It Easier to Shop for Financing

Lenders base their interest rates based on how much you borrow, how long you want to borrow for and whether the car is new or used. 

Setting a budget ahead of time allows you to do so with those factors in mind. This helps you determine if you want to go to a credit union for a loan, talk with an online lender or just see what a dealer has to offer. 

Those in the Cincinnati area can visit dealers like those at Milton Ruben Toyota if they need a loan.

Can You Afford to Buy Right Now?

Just because you want a new car right now doesn't mean that you can afford buying a new vehicle that meets all of your needs. 

In some cases, it may be best to lease a vehicle or save up for a few months to make a down payment. Waiting may also be a good idea for those who need time to improve their credit to get a better interest rate.

If you are in the market for a new car, it may be a good idea to consider your financial situation before you start shopping. This enables you to control the car buying process as opposed to allowing a salesperson to make decisions for you.

3 Essential Tips to Ensure a Smooth Car Deal

2015 saw a rise in the demand for cars in the USA. This was the period after the recession and several people in the US were opting to buy cars. 

Some of the top cars of 2015 are Hyundai Sonata, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic and Nissan Altima. However, most of these buyers are now finding it difficult to repay the loan amount to the financial institutions.

Mentioned below are some ways by which you can repay the car loans without facing many problems.

1. Choose the most suitable loan with the best rates

You should also take your time when you are selecting which car loan to choose. It is similar to selecting the car of your choice, which suits your preferences and budget. 

Doing a little research about the most profitable loans before you buy a car is going to do you good. It is natural to get attracted by the low rate interests some financial institutions associated with the car dealer offer. 

The low- interest rates are for those who have a good credit score and you may be in problem if your credit score does not match the requirements of the loan. Thinking that the dealer is offering you a profitable loan is a mistake unless you have already gone through the best car deals in town.

2. Get a credit report

Before you go to the car dealer, visit the annualcreditreport.com set up by theAmerican government. It helps you to calculate your credit report. You should opt for reports from multiple credit reporting agencies. 

You can also get your scores from credit card issuing companies.This approach helps you to get a holistic insight into your credit score. The interest rateyou will be offered by the financial institution depends on your credit score. The better your score, the lower rate of interest you will be offered. 

3. Beware of easy and simple finance policies

Some buyers, who are eager to buy some of the best cars of 2015, ignore the finance policies. They are happy to get the car without thinking about the aftermath of the deal. 

http://idealautousa.com is an ethical car dealer which informs its buyers that it does not consider an amount paid unless they have the money in their account.

Sometimes, you and the car dealer agree upon a price, but after a few days, you come to know that the dealer could not get the deal approved at the price they had agreed upon and you need to opt for a new loan at a higher interest rate. 

Some dealers go to the extent of demanding a rental fee for the time you use the car without paying the dealer. If you refuse to negotiate a new deal, the dealer may cancel the deposit you had made initially and also the trade-in. 

Under such circumstances, most buyers tend to opt for a new loan.

If you think that the dealer was being unethical as they had already given you the car keys, you might consider reading the papers once again. 

Most dealers mention in their documents that if the agreed upon price and the interest rate do not get approved, they have every right to declare the deal null and void. Either you missed the point or were too credulous to read the agreement.

There is, however, one way to protect from this trouble. You can tell the dealer that you do not consider the car to be your own unless the transaction is approved.

Keep the above-mentioned tips in mind before you sign a deal with the car dealer. Adhering to these tips can assist you to stay away from trouble after you buy a car.



Author Bio – Melissa George is a car loan expert who helps aspiring buyers to make the right loan choice. She is associated with http://idealautousa.com/ and takes an ethical approach to inform her clients.

How to Save Money When Buying a New Car

Nothing beats being prepared and doing your homework no matter what the situation. When purchasing a new car it is extremely important to head into the transaction fully prepared. Car dealerships are in business to sell cars and make a profit. Otherwise there is no point to being in business. And most companies exact a reasonable profit from every sale and customers get a fair deal. But in those instances were a dealership is trying to get a little too much profit or take advantage during a deal, consumers should be privy to a few common loopholes in the car buying game.

Price and compare

If you don’t care about the price, why should a dealer? Perusing the inventories of several similar brands offering similar features keeps options open when discussing price. After doing an online investigation to determine which makes are most appealing, it is time to visit the dealers and see what local offers are being made. Dealerships like Tischer Auto offer price comparisons that can be made under one roof. Some dealerships may only sell one new brand at a location, but can check with partner dealerships to help compare prices.

Stick to the basics

Anymore, car makers are in competition with their factory warranties that outlast the life of most vehicles. So why pay for an additional dealer warranty? The dealer package, including warranties and undercoating and extra protections are a classic scheme to get more money rolled into the monthly payment, costing the buyer more in interest throughout the life of the loan. If a dealer add-on package is attractive, it should be paid for separately in cash.

Trade in tactics

Offering up your old car as a trade in is a standard practice. But negotiate the new car purchase price before mention of the trade in. This creates two separate transactions and you know what price you are being paid for your vehicle. In some instances, more money can be had from the old car selling it privately.

Secure your cash

Dealership and brand financing plans are not always the best route for your money. Outside financing sources such as banks and credit unions offer competitive terms and repayment plans. Have your financing in place before making an offer on any new car. With that said, you want to save money. The place you buy your car from wants to make as much money off of you as possible. 

When you go to buy your car, have a price range in mind and stick with that price range. Don’t go too far above it as it will defeat the purpose of you saving any money on your new ride. You will also want to negotiate the prices down as much as possible. You will also want to negotiate a number lower than what you are willing to settle for. It will help you keep your cash secure and it will give you the best chance to save some money.

For most, buying a new car is the second largest investment of your life. However, it is not the second largest investment you will make because you will do it only once, but you will likely have to buy a new car multiple times throughout your life. Learn from your first experience in buying a new car for the future ones that you buy. Make sure you especially learn from your mistakes in dealing with the salesman. Learn how to negotiate. These skills will help you be able to buy a new car for the years to come and you will get the best deal that will allow you to save money. More importantly though make sure it is a deal you can live with and enjoy for years to come.