On the hunt for your next car, but not sure how to choose the right vehicle? With a few simple steps, you can set yourself up for success, and we’re here to help at Keffer Mazda. Let’s go through each step of the car shopper’s journey to make the way forward as clear as can be.
To get started, identify everything you’ll need from your next vehicle. In addition to the essentials of affordability, safety, and reliability, what else matters to you? Do you simply need a comfortable and efficient way to get around? If so, then a practical sedan or even a lively sports car might be right for you. If you need more space to travel with family and friends, then a larger SUV will offer extra room for passengers and cargo.
The next step is determining how much you should spend on your vehicle. When you set a budget and stick to it, you guard yourself against making a commitment outside of your means, and you also narrow down your options by ruling out vehicles that exceed your price range. When setting your budget, follow conventional advice and keep your automotive expenses within 15 percent of your monthly income.
When you weigh each option with your budget in mind, don’t just look at the price on its own. There are other expenses associated with owning a vehicle, so be sure to calculate the true cost of ownership for each vehicle on your list. This includes registration and fees, car insurance, the interest rate on your auto loan, gas costs, and maintenance expenses.
When you’ve narrowed down your options to two or three vehicles, try each one out to see if they’re a good fit for your needs. Schedule a test drive with the dealership to allow time to get each model ready, and when you’re behind the wheel take mental notes of your experience and ask yourself questions like these:
Many drivers don’t intend to pay the full vehicle price out of pocket, so they finance their investment with an auto loan. Our secure online form makes it easy to apply for auto financing, and when your potential lender receives your income and credit info, they can determine how much money you’re eligible to borrow. Once you’ve used that money to complete your purchase, you’ll have to repay the lender the amount of the loan plus interest over a period of time – usually 36, 48, or 60 months.
If you have a vehicle that you’d like to trade-in, you can use its value toward the down payment of the model you’re buying, so use our Value Your Trade tool to get a free online trade-in estimate. You might also be eligible for certain auto loan types with their own unique perks, like a first-time car buyer’s loan with a lower down payment, or other options with lower interest rates and more.
When it’s time to make a decision, you’ll have to weigh your top contenders carefully. If they all offer the essentials, ask yourself if there’s a model with more of the capabilities and features that appeal to you. It might even be a matter of personal preference or style that gives one option the edge. Remember that your vehicle is an investment that you’ll own for years, so make sure the model you choose is one that you’ll be happy to see in your driveway day after day for a long time to come.
Our team is standing by to help you along your car-shopping journey, and we want to take the hassle out of the search for your next car. You’re sure to find what you need at a price you can feel great about at Keffer Mazda, so come see what we have for you on our lot located at 13307 Statesville Road, Huntersville, North Carolina 28078.
