It’s easy to see why so many people regard car buying as a relentlessly stressful experience. Between the high price tags, pushy salespeople and tense negotiations, there’s little wonder as to why we dread having to replace vehicles. While there’s no denying that purchasing a new vehicle can be trying, many of us inadvertently make the situation much worse than it needs to be. So, in the interest of simplifying and de-stressing the car buying process, take care to avoid the following blunders.

Failing to Comparison Shop

Comparison shopping is vital to getting a good deal on most large purchases – and vehicles are no exception. Failure to comparison shop is liable to result in you paying way too much for your next car. With this in mind, make a point of comparing the prices various local dealerships are charging for the vehicle you wish to purchase. This will give you a solid idea of what the car is worth and leave you in a good position when it comes time to start haggling. 

Refusing to Buy Used

Closing yourself off to buying used stands to dramatically limit your vehicle options. While there’s a lot to be said for owning a brand-new vehicle, you can expand your options exponentially by going the pre-owned route. A willingness to buy cars that are just a few years old stands to save you a considerable sum while increasing the number of features and amenities you’re able to afford. Additionally, many pre-owned cars purchased from dealerships come with convenient parts and service warranties, which can provide people with reservations about buying used with tremendous peace of mind. Furthermore, certain pre-owned vehicles even boast fantastic Chevy safety packages.     

Not Wanting to Haggle

Although very few car buyers actively enjoy haggling with salespeople, it’s hard to deny that negotiations are often an integral part of the process. So, if you think the price attached to a vehicle you wish to purchase is too high, you’re only hurting yourself by not speaking up. There’s absolutely no harm in asking for a better deal – provided you make a point of being as respectful as possible when doing so. This approach is far more likely to get you what you want than posturing or aggression.

Additionally, some car buyers are hesitant to engage in haggling because they don’t want transactions to become uncomfortable. While this is somewhat understandable, it must be understood that professional salespeople are highly accustomed to haggling. Not only do they deal with it on a daily basis, they practically expect it. Adopting an attitude of discourtesy is virtually the only way for you to make the haggling process awkward for them.

So, if you want a better deal on a vehicle, simply ask. Since the absolute worst-case scenario is you being told no, you needn’t be anxious with regard to haggling. Most car sales involve some degree of haggling, and there’s no reason this transaction needs to be any different. 

Taking Out Exorbitant Car Loans

Many people opt to pay off their vehicles through car loans. Considering how expensive vehicles can be, there’s little wonder as to why this is such a popular route. However, before committing to a certain loan, it’s recommended that you review a number of different financing options. This will help ensure that your monthly payments are as reasonable as possible and that interest is kept to the barest possible minimum.

If doing so is an option, you’d be wise to pay cash for your next vehicle. Yes, this will entail parting with a considerable amount of money, but it stands to save you a fortune in interest. As a bonus, some dealerships provide cash-paying customers with special discounts, since they generally prefer to have their money upfront instead of dealing with monthly payments

Taking Out Exorbitant Car Loans

For most people, car buying is far from fun. Although the prospect of getting a new vehicle can certainly be exciting, exorbitant prices, pushy salespeople and an overabundance of options can effectively place a damper on the whole experience. To make matters worse, many of us have an unfortunate habit of making the car buying even more complicated than it already is. Anyone looking for effective ways to simplify their next vehicle purchase should avoid the missteps discussed above. 

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