Mechanic Advisor

5 Tips for First-time Car Buyers

Posted September 11, 2014 by Ken Kupchik



Buying a car is a nerve-wracking experience for many people, but it can be even worse for first-time buyers. Most people who have never bought a car don't know what to expect, and can be very intimidated by the prospect of spending so much money on a complicated piece of machinery. We've come up with some tips that can help you when it comes time to purchase your first automobile. Good luck!  

1) Determine your budget and stick to it - Before going out to dealerships, determine exactly how much you want to spend, or at least estimate as closely as possible. Not only will this allow you to take a sober and realistic approach to your finances, it will also give you time to decide exactly how much you're willing to spend. In addition to the cost of the car, keep in mind the down payment, monthly payments for financing (if any), insurance costs, and miscellaneous registration and government fees. Once you've calculated how much you're willing to spend, you'll be able to narrow down your vehicle options. 

2) Do plenty of research - With so many tools at your disposal, it's important that you take advantage of them and conduct extensive research before heading out to the dealership. Search for a car using websites like AutoTrader.com, or KBB.com, look up reliability on Consumer Reports, check vehicle specifications on Mechanic Advisor, and research registration fees and insurance rates beforehand. The more work you do up front, the more empowered you will be when you go to the dealership. Keep track of your research and try to narrow your choices down as much as possible, making your decision that much easier. 

3) Shop around (even for financing) - After you're ready to go out and shop, make sure that you don't settle on the first thing you find, even if you eventually come back to it. If you found a great deal on a car that you like, make sure you shop around and look at other options for the financing. You may get a better deal from your bank of a local credit union than what the dealership will offer you. The same goes for car insurance, which is a highly competitive industry. The important thing is to see all of the available options rather than take the first thing offered. Even if you end up agreeing to someone's terms, every time you get a quote from someone else, you become a better informed customer. 

4) Sleep on it - Once you find something you really like, take your time before signing the paperwork. Of course the dealer will push you to buy right away, and tell you that the car will be gone soon, and there is always a chance of that happening. But it's important to take a step back and digest the decision you're about to make before pulling the trigger. Sometimes you may decide that you want to keep shopping, or that there is something different that you would like to do. Taking some time to reflect on your decision will help you take more sober, reasoned action instead of an impulsive move that you could regret later. 

5) Have a mechanic inspect the car - If you're buying a used car, it's always a great idea to have a mechanic take a look at it before handing over your hard-earned money. Here is a helpful guide on when you should ask a mechanic to take a look at a used car that you're buying. If you're buying a used car that comes with a solid and comprehensive warranty that isn't just for 30 days, then an inspection by a mechanic becomes less necessary. However, if it's a private party sale, or if the dealership is smaller or doesn't offer a nice-looking warranty, it's absolutely necessary to have a mechanic take a look at your car before you buy it. 

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