tips for buying a new car
11 Helpful Tips for Buying a New Car Without Regrets
Buying a new car is a big decision. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or upgrading, these 11 great tips for buying a new car will help you make a smart and regret-free purchase. Our sales advisors in Chula Vista know all there is to know about buying a new car at our dealership—so we gathered some pointers to help you.
Experience is the best teacher, but this article puts the pen to paper and talks about setting your budget, researching new Kia models, closing the deal, and much more.
1. Key Tips for Buying a New Car
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Make sure your new car payment is no more than 15-20% of your monthly income; budget enough for taxes as well—7.5% California state car purchase tax.
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Research different car models and features thoroughly to make an informed decision, using comparison tools for insights. Consider buying used, even if for only a moment!
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Decide how electric you can see yourself getting; some of our best models come in internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid, and plug-in hybrid—compatible with fast chargers.
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Lower your initial budgetary impact by trading in an older vehicle, getting car loan approval, and finding affordable insurance options.
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Get pre-approved for a car loan to know your budget and fast-track the buying process.
2. Determine Your Budget and Financing Options
Before you get lost in the shiny world of car showrooms, the first step is to set your financial compass straight. Think of buying a new car as a road trip; you wouldn’t head out without knowing how much you need to spend on gas, food, and lodging, right?
A car isn’t just a one-time purchase, it’s a rolling investment with expenses outside of its purchase price. A savvy shopper like you should aim for a monthly car payment that’s no more than 15-20% of your take-home pay, including the trimmings—insurance, maintenance, and registration fees.
Now, don’t forget about the extras that often fly under the radar. State taxes, for instance, take a 7.5% bite out of your budget. But how do you crunch these numbers without getting a headache? Easy! Online calculators are your new best friends.
With an auto loan calculator, you can estimate interest rates over the life of the loan, ensuring you get the best financing deal without any surprises.
3. Research Car Models and Features
Dive into automaker websites like Kia.com and dealer sites like ours to get a fix on what you'll want based on your lifestyle. Before you come to our showroom, you’ll want to compare those new car deals, understand price differences in trim, and line up your options side by side.
When the comparison set to begin, you'll want to start with a short list rather than exploring every single option. The good news is, Kia itself is an outstanding make, with great reliability, driving experience and resale value.
After shortlisting down to make, class of vehicle, or drivetrain—you can pick from the winners still in the running. Then you can start looking at data points, including:
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fuel economy
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user ratings
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safety features
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performance
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price
It's best not to overlook factors like dependability and the cost of ownership. Kelley Blue Book, Consumer Reports, and others have nifty car loan calculators that can help you foresee your car’s detailed expenses.
4. Get Pre-Approved for a Car Loan
Getting pre-approved for an auto loan has several advantages:
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You get fast-tracked in the sales process at dealers like Chula Vista Kia
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You know exactly what you can afford
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Your credit score benefits from getting started on auto loans sooner.
You can apply for car loan pre-approval from our dealership easily. When you work with us, our trusted lenders are just a call away, and they’ll want to know the usual—who you are, where you live, and how you make your money.
And don’t worry, loan prequalification forms are like golden tickets—usually valid for a month or two so you plenty of time to find your dream car.
5. Test Drive Multiple Vehicles
Now comes the fun part – test driving! Take your time and play the field. Schedule test drives with multiple models like the Kia Sportage (which further comes in ICE, HEV, and PHEV variants) and get a feel for different cars on highways, city streets.
During each test drive, pay close attention to the car’s performance – how it accelerates, brakes, and whether the steering feels smooth enough. Our customers know how San Diego traffic can get, so you should also see how it responds when you need to get one more lane over safely.
Interior Concerns of a Test Drive
Inside the car, it’s all about you. Can you reach the controls without a stretch? Are the seats more comfortable than your favorite couch? After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time together, so it’s important you and your new vehicle are a good match.
In our experience helping customers test drive through Chula Vista, it's best not forget about visibility; blind spots can present a safety hazard; ensure you’ve got clear sight lines in all directions. The great thing about Kias is they balance safety features and a fun driving experience!
6. Compare Prices and Dealer Offers
Manufacturer incentives and special deals on our website can be the cherry on top of your new car purchase. Keep an eagle eye on our website for any discounts that could get you into a great new car. If there's no deal on, that's totally okay. There's still an amazing new Kia model with your name on it just waiting to be driven off the lot.
Electric vehicles are taking California by storm! Are you interested in sticking with gas, switching to EV chargers, or a bit of both? Check out our popular EVs (and hybrids) and EV incentives so you can decide what powers your next new car:
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Sorento Plug-in Hybrid
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EV9
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Niro
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Niro Plug-in Hybrid
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Sportage Hybrid
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Sportage Plug-in Hybrid
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EV6
Thinking of Buying Used Instead of New?
With resources like Kelley Blue Book and Carfax (for used Kia models) at your disposal, you’re no longer shooting in the dark. These sites can help you understand the true value of a vehicle and what others are paying.
Plus, our built-in Carfax reporting allows our customers to see the vehicle's past with clear guidelines on its effectiveness and the confidence you should place in it. Carfax reports can always provide detailed information on previous ownership, accident history, service records, and even whether the car has been in any major incidents like floods or fires.
7. Negotiate the Purchase Price
Negotiation is best done with understanding. Start with the sticker price, but remember, it’s just a starting point. Dive into your research from Kelley Blue Book or our trade-in appraisal to arm yourself with the car’s true value. Bring that to the table, along with any incentives or rebates you might qualify for according to our specials page.
When the salesperson at our dealership starts talking monthly payments, you're on the right track, especially if you've followed the budgeting and preapproval steps we mentioned.
8. Consider Trade-In Value
If you’re trading in your old ride, you’ll want to ensure you’re not leaving money on the table. Get an estimate of your car’s trade-in value using Kelley Blue Book before you even step foot in the dealership. And don’t just stop there – get quotes from online trade-in calculators. Having solid trade-in values in your back pocket can give you a better idea of what you're getting.
A little elbow grease can go a long way. Tidying up your car and fixing minor issues can significantly boost its trade-in value. Don't be afraid to invest in a detail clean before you get it appraised.
9. Review Insurance Costs
Insurance is the silent guardian of your car-buying journey. It may not be the most thrilling topic, but it’s one you can’t afford to ignore important factors, including:
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Your driving record
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The car’s theft risk
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The car’s safety features
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The car’s age and condition
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Your location
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Your age and gender
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Your credit score
Websites and independent agents can help you pull quotes from multiple companies, ensuring you find the best coverage for your buck. And because the insurance landscape is always changing, make it a habit to compare quotes periodically; you never know when you might snag a better rate.
10. Check for Additional Fees and Add-Ons
As you approach the finish line of your car-buying journey, keep a lookout for any last-minute hurdles. Additional fees can sneak up on you, with destination charges and documentation fees part of the process. But dealerships like ours do our best to package the cost of getting you a vehicle into our sticker price.
Market adjustments are another curveball to watch for. During times of supply chain issues, such as the COVID-19 crisis, dealers might be forced to mark up the price above the manufacturer’s suggested retail price due to limited inventory and high demand. But don’t let that throw you off course; it's always a good time to buy a new car.
11. Finalize the Deal
All your research, test drives, and tough negotiations have led to this moment; it’s time to finalize the deal. Read the contract thoroughly, and make sure all the negotiated terms are there in black and white. Double-check the fees, the upfront costs, and ensure they’re all what your sales advisor talked about.
If you’re trading in your used car, confirm that any outstanding loan on it is taken care of in the contract. You don’t want any old debts following you home with your new car.
Book a Test Drive for a New Kia at Our Showroom in Chula Vista Today!
There you have it: a complete roadmap to buying a new car without the regretful pit stops. From calculating your budget to driving off the lot, you’re now equipped with the knowledge to navigate the car-buying process like a pro.
Remember, the journey to your new car should be as smooth as the ride itself. Drive confidently into your next automotive adventure, knowing you’ve got all the tools to secure a deal that makes sense for you.
Booking a test drive is easy: simply visit our website and contact us. Our friendly staff will ensure you have a seamless and enjoyable test drive experience. Don't wait, your perfect car is just a drive away!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my monthly income should I spend on car payments?
You should aim to spend no more than 15-20% of your monthly take-home pay on your car payment, including additional costs like insurance and maintenance. This will help you maintain a healthy budget without stretching yourself too thin.
Following the 20/4/10 rule has long been a good rule of thumb for buying a new car. The idea is you can comfortably pay off a car loan if you put more than 20% down, your loan term is around 4 years, and your car payment plus insurance and maintenance costs are 10% of your monthly income.
Where can I compare car models and features?
You can compare car models and features on websites like Kelley Blue Book using their comparison tools. Our website's dedicated pages also offer a lot of information specific to the inventory we carry.
You can also look for models we take a special look at in our blog! The Kia Soul is an exceptionally reliable vehicle. If you like to hear a lot about a vehicle before you get into one, try talking to a sales advisor about your options one day and book a test drive or two on another!
Is it important to get pre-approved for a car loan?
Yes, it's important to get pre-approved for a car loan because it gives you a clear budget and streamlines the new car buying experience at the dealership.
That way, you can focus on getting details on Kia's competitive warranty and choosing a new model package according to your lifestyle!
What is the most expensive part of owning a new car?
Buying a new car is not completely different from buying a used car. In both scenarios you have to look at something called total cost of ownership. It's the sum of purchase price, interest cost, depreciation, insurance cost, maintenance, fuel costs, and more.
In buying a new car, the purchase price is higher, but maintenance is lower; the most expensive part is usually the purchase price because you're buying a brand-new model fresh off the factory floor.
How often should I compare car insurance quotes?
You should compare car insurance based on your lifestyle and needs, which can change, to make sure you're getting the best rate for your coverage. It's important to stay on top of potential savings and be proactive!
Buying a new car is an occasion you should compare insurance quotes a lot more than usual. But under normal circumstances, once a year seems best. Try getting a quote on the car you think you'll buy after your test drive at Chula Vista Kia!