4 Things to Ask When Buying a New Car

Purchasing a new car is probably one of the big financial decisions we have to make in our lives. Although it looks easy, it is not practically feasible. Planning is important if you are to have a smooth buying process. You will need to determine how much you have for the car, what type you really need depending on its purpose, and where to get it from. After knowing all these, there are several questions you need to ask yourself before buying that car.

Are there any additional fees?

In most occasions, not so many people budget for the extra costs that come along with buying a new car besides its sales price. These extra costs may include shipping and transportation costs if you are importing the car, extra dealership costs, taxation fees, insurance charges or even service plans. Also, you might buy a new car but some parts or features do not impress you thus a need to replace them. All these costs should be planned for when buying a new car otherwise you will find yourself straining financially. This can only be avoided by having all the prior information on any additional fees.

How many miles are on the car?

Generally, we assume a new car has zero miles on it which turn out to be disappointing when we discover the odometer has some readings on it. Usually, a brand new car comes with a few hundred miles on it. This is probably because the car may have been taken for a few road tests either by the manufacturer or by the dealership. However, a certain reading on the odometer could be disturbing for anyone buying a new car. If you question the mileage of the car you are about to buy, it is important to inquire with the dealership and ensure you get a satisfactory answer. The reading on the bill of sale might be totally different from the actual odometer reading in the car, that is usual, but the dealer must have all the facts on the table about the difference when selling the car.

Is there a warranty and what does it include?

Almost everything has a warranty nowadays. Even that new car you are eyeing probably has one. The only difference is what the warranty comes with since they vary from one car to the other or from one dealership to the other. Most cars have the basic warranty commonly known as a bumper-to-bumper warranty but others have better packages. Ensure you understand clearly what the warranty covers in case the car has manufacture defects not listed in the warranty. Things like car tires have separate warranties which cover for premature tire wear and other defects. The tire warranty is from the tire maker.
Some brands also offer extra coverage depending on different factors that is why it is advisable to know and understand what the warranty entails. Being sensitive to the warranties when purchasing a new car doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t trust the dealership, it only means you want the best of the options there is.

How available are the spare parts in case of repairs?

Typically, no one remembers to even consider this when buying any new car. In some cases, you will find that not all spare parts will be compatible with your car especially if they are from different brands. If your car needs a replacement and it’s not available, it might turn out to be so inconveniencing. Before you buy that car, ensure you have all the details about spare availability plus their costs. This cannot prevent you from buying your desired car but it is definitely a factor to consider.
It’s also wise to know how durable your car parts are since it doesn’t make sense to buy a cheap car that needs repairs every now and then. This will probably save you a lot of time, money, and other related headaches you might have to go through.

Asking all these questions will cost you nothing; it’s your cash at stake anyway. In fact, it will increase your confidence in purchasing that car.