Tips to Follow When Purchasing a New Car
Buying a new car is an exciting process, but it can also be extremely draining and tedious if you don’t plan and prepare. Having a game plan for buying the car of your dreams is a good idea—especially if you have your standards set high. Buying a luxury car or an import vehicle takes a little extra preparation too—the value retention of such cars is high, and people can get away with selling salvaged luxury vehicles at top dollar. Therefore, once you find the right car, it’s most important to buddy-up with an automotive shop that caters to the needs of that vehicle and seek their input on the deal—having a professional’s opinion can make or break the “car of your dreams” scenario pretty easily. If you’re considering purchasing a new car, you may find some of these tips to follow especially helpful.
1. Assess and make a list of your needs
When you first got the idea in your head to buy a new car, it’s likely you were thinking of how much you hate your current car and all the ways it doesn’t serve your needs well. This is good fuel for finding the right product for you. While our needs change over time and ebb and flow with the changes in our lives, the car that was right for you a decade ago may not meet your needs now. The first step to buying a new car is to assess what you love and hate about your current car and then make a wish list that includes all your top priorities in a new one. Some find that safety features are most important to them, while others might prioritize vehicle performance above all else; some people need a car with at least four seats, others could do with just one. Find out who you are as a driver, and find the car to match.
2. Come up with a budget
This might be step 1 for many car buyers, but not certainly not all. There are a wide range of affordable vehicles on the market today, but they won’t all fit your criteria. It helps to be realistic about what you might get in a new car, and it’s important to realize that you might have to make sacrifices in one area or another—whether it be your wish list or budget, sometimes buyers have to adjust to the circumstances and available options. Be firm about your budget, but know what number you’re willing to bend to.
3. Research vehicles on the market
Stock vehicles sold today are leaps and bounds ahead of cars a decade ago, in terms of safety features, infotainment, and top-of-the-line technologically-based mechanics. Additionally, luxury vehicles are especially impressive, particularly European imports in that vehicle performance rates have hit an all time high. It’s easy to get swindled and swooned by car salesmen—so do yourself a favor and conduct your own research.
4. Once you find the right car, have a pre-purchase inspection performed
This is the most important step in purchasing a new vehicle. Whether the car is used or brand new, problems can exist. There’s nothing more frustrating or upsetting than realizing you bought a lemon of a vehicle. Having professionals on your side who specialize in the type of vehicle you’re interested in is crucial—it’s like an insurance policy on your purchase. Pre-purchase inspections are the best way to prevent getting locked into expensive, unforgiving contracts over what’s ultimately a broken piece of junk.
The experts at Import Motorworx provide automotive services for a wide range of clients in the areas of Lawndale, Culver City, West Los Angeles, and Southbay, CA. We service European import brands like Porsche, Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, and our specialized knowledge and skill with such vehicles is what sets us apart from other shops in the area. We take pre-purchase inspections very seriously, especially when it comes to such luxury cars—getting diagnostics and initial impressions correct the first time is essential, as you likely only get one chance to inspect thoroughly enough. If you are thinking about purchasing a new or used European import, be sure to contact us for a pre-purchase inspection—we’ll make sure you’re getting a great deal on your new car.