Top Car Search Tips for Getting the Vehicle You Desire

Top Car Search Tips for Getting the Vehicle You Desire

Now more than ever, anyone can benefit from smart car search tips as they seek out their next vehicle. Right now, the market is competitive. Demand for vehicles is high, but limitations in supplies and production have created shortages in inventory. As a result, prices for new and used cars have increased significantly.

Despite the current seller’s market, you can still get the car you want to fit your lifestyle. The key to a successful search is smart shopping. Here are five car search tips to help you procure the car you desire at the best price.

Top car search tips to get the car you want at a price you can afford

Be flexible about locationBe flexible about location

It’s nice not to have to travel too far to get the car you want, but you may have to do so if you need a car right now. So, widen your search to dealerships 100 or more miles away from you. By considering as many dealerships as possible, you’ll have access to a more extensive inventory of cars, which is essential in a market with low inventory.

Also, by widening your search, you can price check for the best deal on your car of choice. Different dealerships in various locations will naturally vary in their pricing.

Negotiate effectivelyNegotiate effectively

Negotiation is a normal part of buying a car. The goal in negotiating is a win-win situation, where you and the dealership are happy with the final price. But negotiation also means being willing to walk away if you’re not satisfied with the deal offered.

To bargain successfully, begin by researching the car you want thoroughly. In your research, determine your car’s average selling price, also known as its average transaction price (ATP).

Remember that if your ideal car is highly sought after, you won’t be able to negotiate. When other buyers will pay more for the same vehicle, the dealership has no incentive to reduce the price for you.

Secure financing before you shopSecure financing before you shop

Get a pre-approved auto loan from a bank or credit union before going to the dealership. Doing so is more cost-effective and will make your search more manageable because you’ll know what you can afford. In addition, you can determine what you want your monthly payments to be, which will help you navigate a good deal.

Consider buying onlineConsider buying online

Think online buying is impractical for a car? You might be surprised to find it’s a convenient way to find the best deal without having to travel. By looking online, you can easily make price comparisons with dealerships within your reach. Some dealerships even offer test drives and free delivery up to a certain number of miles. Online searching is also another way to obtain comparative price quotes for negotiating at a local dealership.

Choose the right timeChoose the right time

One of the best ways to get the car you want and the deal you want is to buy at the right time. The end of a period — whether it’s the day, week, month, or year — is usually a great time to find a good deal. Because dealerships are trying to reach or surpass sales quotas, they are more eager to move vehicles off the lot. In addition, they need to make room for new inventory. For all of these reasons, the very best day to buy a car is New Year’s Eve.

Important considerations before buying your dream car

Along with these car search tips, don’t forget the importance of support from others. If possible, have a family member or friend join you to serve as a second set of eyes and ears, catching any concerns related to the car.

Don’t let yourself get stuck with a costly mess. Before you buy, invest in a qualified mechanic to check the car completely for any issues. At Mike Duman Auto Superstore, we not only have factory-trained mechanics to evaluate every aspect of your car, but we also have a large inventory of affordable used cars, accessible to all credit types. So if you need a car now and have one in mind, we can help.

Contact us today to get on the road with the car you’ve long wanted. Check out our online inventory to see our wide range of cars for all lifestyle needs.