Article: Prepare Before You Shop for a Car

Prepare Before You Shop to Get the Best Car Deal

If getting a good deal is important to you, it's critical to prepare for all aspects of a vehicle purchase before you even begin to shop. Otherwise you're likely to pay too much.

The first step in preparing is to figure out exactly what kind of vehicle you want. Ask yourself how big it needs to be, whom and what you'll be transporting, and how important fuel economy and various safety features are to you. 

Also consider what extras you want. If you've decided beforehand what features you need, you're less likely to get talked into adding others.

There are numerous publications and online resources available to help you decide what car best suits you. For example, Edmunds' buyers' guides (edmunds.com), Consumer Reports (consumerreports.org), the Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com), and J.D. Power and Associates (jdpower.com) all include vehicle descriptions, ratings, reviews, comparisons, and other useful information.

It's also important to know what monthly payment amount fits your budget. As a rule of thumb, your total monthly car payments--for all vehicles you own--shouldn't exceed 20% of your monthly take-home pay. Use our Loan Payment calculator to calculate your potential payment.

Most importantly, you need to know how much your desired vehicle is selling for in your area. It might be quite different from other markets. One source for this information is Edmund's True Market Value Pricing page
(edmunds.com/car-buying/how-to-use-tmv.html).

If you plan to finance your purchase, get pre-approved for a low-interest loan at Advantis Credit Union before you shop. Then, with financing in hand, you can negotiate on a cash basis with dealers.

Lastly, find out what your existing car is worth so you don't accept a low trade-in offer.

Then, visit a number of dealerships and see what they'll do for you. The more information you walk in with, the better deal you'll walk out with."

Learn more with our Auto Loan module in our Financial Education Center.

Contact an Advantis Loan Expert Today

Enjoy the expert guidance of a local Advantis Loan Officer. From application through closing, our specialists can answer any questions you may have and help you find the best loan to fit your needs. Call 503-785-2528 or apply now online.