Buying a car is a big decision. You don’t just have to choose a model and go to a dealer. You have to research which model works best with your lifestyle and commuting choices, which dealer will get you the best prices, and which ones should be ignored entirely, and what features do you want in the car you’ve chosen to buy. All of these need to be answered properly, hence you need to create a list of questions you should ask your dealer when buying a car. In this blog, we will discuss those questions in detail.
First, Be Sure of What You Want
Before you go to your dealer to ask questions, you first need to be clear about what you want from the car you’re buying. What are your daily commute requirements and what kind of car would be best for it, what mileage you’re expecting and whether this is a long-term commitment or will you want to change this car in the next 2-3 years?
All of these are things you need to decide beforehand and answer honestly. Because the clearer you are of your objective, the easier it will be for you to ask the questions you need answers to from your dealer. Once this is done, you can make up a list of questions to ask your dealer that have been discussed ahead.
Ask about Safety Features
It’s important for customers to become more and more knowledgeable regarding safety systems and which ones they need to have in their cars so that they’re sure they have the required technology they need from their vehicle. Since different dealers and automobile shops have different names for safety features, it can lead to confusion and buying mistakes, Hence, you need to ask about the specific features you want and whether they’re installed in the car you’re planning to buy.
What Other Features are Included?
Apart from safety features, there is a lot more in terms of features that a vehicle comes with i.e. from tech to physical features, there are a lot of add-ons that you may or may not want. Moreover, you need to remember that every specific add-on comes with its own price tag, so if you don’t want a specific feature, you should really be aware of the car you’re choosing as you’d be paying for those too.
Ask about Test Driving a Used Version
Every car performs well when it’s brand new, hence, it’s important you be aware of how it performs when it’s 2-3 years old. Therefore, you should ask your dealer if they’ll allow you to drive a used version of the vehicle you’re planning to buy, and go for a test drive around town to check whether it’s up to a satisfactory level for you, i.e. do you still like it? Are you still willing to buy it and use it for a few years to come? Because this is literally the car you’ll be driving daily, and you need to be comfortable doing so.
What Incentives are Available?
Different dealers provide you with different incentives depending on how you’re planning to acquire your car, i.e. lease or otherwise. Sometimes, these incentives aren’t openly advertised, and you only get to know about them by asking, and sometimes, these incentives are available on only specific vehicles. Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt they’ll make your deal more affordable, hence you need to ask about them in advance.
Can You Bargain on the Price?
Every automaker issues a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with each vehicle. But smart shoppers will plan to ask and negotiate below this range. So whenever you’re going to buy a car, you need to check its invoice price instead of MSRP, that’s what the dealership paid for the car. With proper bargaining and incentives, you’ll be lucky enough to get a deal closer to the invoice price.
Is Any Warranty Available?
It’s also important for you to know whether the car has any available warranty other than the ones you know of. This can be of a lot of help to you, especially as a first-time car owner.
Does the Warranty Cover Maintenance?
It’s not enough to be aware of the car’s available warranty, but also to know what does the warranty covers. This includes the components that wear out or need regular replacements i.e. oil, brakes, wipers, etc.
What Maintenance will be Required Once the Warranty Period Ends?
Even if maintenance is included in the warranty, the costs of it could only be paid as long as the time duration of the warranty. Hence, you need to ask about the costs of oil changes, new tires, and other replacements that you’ll need to invest in.
How Much Will I Be Paid For My Old Car?
If you already own a car, and you want to sell it without having to deal with the hassle of it all, you can easily trade it in with the dealer. However, there are different prices for different dealers. It’s suggested you go to an official dealer e.g. Toyota Creek Motors, where you can trade in your old car, or exchange it with a used car in the Toyota Sure Certified Vehicles program. This will be a lot more convenient for you and take a lot less effort.
Can I take some time before coming to a Decision?
Choosing a car that you’d buy and then drive for about at least 2-4 years isn’t a decision you should take lightly. That’s the car you’ll use for daily commuting, and that may also be the car you drive when going on long road trips, either in the same province or different cities across the country. Therefore, you need to ask your dealer if their offer expires quickly or if they will give you a bit of time to think about it.
These are the questions you should be aware of when going to your car dealer. If you’re looking for more information on this or other topics regarding new and used cars or Toyota spare parts, etc. visit Toyota Creek Motors to get an expert opinion.
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