How To Find The Best Car For You

Finding the right car can seem like quite a daunting process but it need not be. In reality, there are a few simple, quick, and easy steps to follow. Stick with them and you will end up with the best possible car for you and your money.

Step 1: Decide what kind of car you need. Start by examining your needs rather than your wants. Think about how you are going to use your car:

· How many people do you need to transport?
· What kind of driving do you need to do most often?
· How long is your commute?
· Manual or automatic transmission?
· Four-wheel or all-wheel drive?
· What safety features do you need and want?
· Do you need cargo-carrying capacity?
· Do you need to tow anything?
· Do you have a garage or parking area to fit your car?

Step 2: Determine how much you can afford and secure third-party financing. A good rule of thumb is your car payment should not exceed 20 percent of your monthly income.

Step 3: Seriously consider leasing! Keep in mind that a lease requires little or no money up front. It also offers lower monthly payments – most times as much as 40-50%! The obvious downside is that when the lease ends, you will not have a car at the end of it but if you trade your car every 3-5 years, this becomes a moot point. And yes, you can lease a pre-owned car too.

Step 4: Use the internet to research all vehicles in your desired class. There are numerous products and deals in each vehicle segment and designs, features and functions are changing at a rapid pace. Spend time online to compare them all and don’t give in to familiarity and frustration.

Step 5: Test drive if you like. Most people will not buy a car without test driving it first. However, this is not mandatory! You are already protected by Lemon Laws in most states and the quality and drivability of vehicles across the board are better than ever. Take advantage of online reviews and learn from others. Why spend your valuable time traveling to multiple dealerhsips only to endure “buy-it-now” pressure from each of them?

Step 6: Determine your vehicle’s options. Once you have selected your desired vehicle, take a good look at the option packages. Don’t settle for a vehicle that may have extraneous and unneeded options just because a dealer has it in inventory. Spend the time to find the EXACT car you are looking for!

Step 7: Use AutoBidsOnline.com to post the details of the car you want to buy and how much you are willing to pay for it. Let the dealers find the exact car you are looking for and really compete for your business.