How to Buy a New Car

If you’re looking for a new car, truck, or SUV in the Bossier City area, Chevyland is here to help! We pride ourselves on a diverse variety of high-quality Chevy vehicles to match almost every budget and lifestyle, from compact two-door sports cars all the way up to full-size eight-passenger SUVs. We believe that the process of finding and buying a new car should be as seamless and stress-free as possible, but unfortunately, a lot of drivers get frustrated shopping at various dealerships for their next ride. Our team is committed to getting you behind the wheel of the perfect ride, so we’ve put together a guide with some tips on how to buy a new car – check it out!

When to Buy a New Car

Before you start the buying process, the first thing you’ll want to determine is if now is a good time to be buying a new car. Here’s how you’ll know that it’s time to start shopping for a new ride:

1. You find yourself paying for expensive repairs, which potentially add up to more than the cost of a new car.
2. Your car is suffering from safety or mechanical issues that make you feel unsafe while you’re driving it. Need we say more?
3. You’ve undergone some lifestyle changes since buying your car, such as getting married or having children, and now you need something better suited to your new circumstances.
4. Your car may be failing emissions tests because of its age, and getting it up to par may be more expensive than simply buying a new model. 

How to Find Your Ideal New Car

Once you’ve decided that the time is right to buy a new car, you might be wondering how exactly to begin the buying process. The first thing you should do is set a realistic budget and stick to it. If you’re having trouble with the numbers, give our finance center a call and we can help you out! Then, follow these steps:

1. Come up with some key criteria to narrow your search, such as size, specs, safety features, and technology.
2. Pick out your top three models that meet the criteria you’ve come up with, and conduct some third-party research into each model’s specs and features. If possible, take each one out for a test drive around Greenwood to see how they handle on the road.
3. Determine your final choice and do a local search to see what’s available at various nearby dealerships. Get a price quote from each one and compare it to estimates you find online from sources like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds.
4. Check out sales, new vehicle specials, trade-in values, and other ways to save if you’re interested in knocking down the price a bit.

How to Afford a New Car

Now that you’ve decided on the car that you want, the next step is to sit down and examine your budget more closely. You may have determined your budget based on the sticker price of a car, but the truth is that there are some extra fees and taxes to add in. U.S. News & World Report writes that your monthly payments shouldn’t exceed a third of your monthly income when you add it to other expenses such as student loans and rent. Here are some other factors to add to your budget:

• New Car Sales Tax: This tax is non-negotiable and is typically added to your car loan amount.
• Interest Rate: Your car’s interest rate will also impact your monthly payments. If your rate is lower, then your monthly payment will be lower. However, it’s important to note that you only receive a lower interest rate if you qualify, and not all drivers qualify based on their credit score. 
• Trade-in Value: As we mentioned above, if you’re interested in saving on your next ride, you can trade in your current vehicle and put the value towards your next one. Our trade-in calculator can give you a realistic estimate of what to expect.

Find Your Next Ride at Chevyland

If you have any questions about when to buy a new car or the details of the buying process, don’t hesitate to contact our office! You can also stop by our dealership near Benton to talk to a member of our team in person, and we’ll be happy to help you out.