After months of stashing enough money away, you’re finally ready to buy a car. However, buying a car is one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. As such, you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Before making the final decision, there are a few questions you need to ask first.
What Are the Extra Fees That I Have to Pay?
Unfortunately, some people, specifically first-time car buyers, often overlook the additional costs and focus only on the initial price of the car. Whether you’re buying a new car or one that’s used, you are required to pay for additional fees.
These fees include the documentation fee, sales tax, tire recycling fees and the cost to register. However, there are some dealerships that like to sneak on other additional fees, which can greatly increase the price.
How Long Will the Car Warranty Last?
Because buying a car is a huge investment, you want to make the most out of it. One question you should always ask the car dealership about the length of the warranty. However, there may be a time where you’re offered a warrant that seems like a dream come true. Being offered a long warranty is helpful, but it could also be the result of underlying issues, so keep that in mind.
What Are the Associated Documentation Fees?
It’s worth noting that car dealerships will charge a documentation fee. This means that you’ll be charged for signing the contract. Be mindful of how much the dealer is charging you to do so.
In some areas, it’s mandatory to cap the price, so it may be as low as $50. But, other areas aren’t restricted to how much they can charge, so you may end up paying more than $100 for the documentation fee. If this is the case for you, you’re better off simply negotiating a cheaper price for the car.
Can the Car Be Delivered?
This question is geared toward those who prefer to shop online. Whether you’re shopping for new Ford cars for sale or perusing used cars on Craigslist, if you’re shopping online, you may not be able to pick up the car yourself. Some dealerships will offer you the choice of having it delivered it to you. This is a great choice for people who have busy schedules.
How Much Mileage is on the Car?
Lastly, if you’re buying a used car or one sight unseen, it’s important to know how much mileage it has. Cars that are bought offline or have been previously used have accumulated a bit of mileage on it.
If there is more mileage on the car than you anticipated, then you should negotiate for a lower price. It’s also worth checking the in-service date, which is the time when the warranty began.
Buying a new car is exciting, but it’s also a big responsibility. Shop around for the best deal and try to stay under your set budget. And as with any large purchase, always ask questions.