Top 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Buy a New Car? | Sun Chevrolet 

Maybe you’ve gotten bored with driving your current car or need something better suited for your everyday life. Either way, a new car is definitely on your shopping list. Before you check out our vast inventory at Sun Chevrolet, stop and ask yourself these five popular car-shopping questions:

What Kind of Car Am I Looking For?

With so many choices in the market, it’s easy to get a bit overwhelmed when shopping for a new car. If you don’t already have a specific model in your sights, now’s a good time to figure out what you’d really want in a new car:

• Do you need a vehicle just for yourself or for the entire family?
• Do you commute alone or carpool regularly?
• Are you planning on towing a trailer, boat, or camper?
• Do you regularly haul heavy payloads?
• Do you want a simple, no-nonsense car, a luxurious ride, or something in between?
• Do you value straightforward utility or something fast and flashy?

Use the above considerations to narrow down the type of car, truck, SUV, or minivan you want. If your commute takes you dozens or even hundreds of miles away from home, for example, then you’ll likely pick a hybrid car that saves gas or a fully electric vehicle that doesn’t use gas at all. SUVs are larger and thirstier, but you’ll have ample room for passengers and cargo alike.

What Features Do I Want Most?

You’d be amazed at what today’s manufacturers offer in their vehicles – so much so that the whole car-buying experience becomes overwhelming, again. Figuring out your next new car is just a matter of asking yourself which features are a must-have and which ones you can live without.

Features you’ll want in any new car include a large touch screen display, backup cameras with multiple angles, and driver-assist features like automatic emergency braking and blind-spot alert. Niceties like heated and ventilated front seats, wireless phone charging, and integration with Android and Apple smartphones are great to have, but easy to do away with when you’re shopping with a strict budget.

Many features enhance the overall looks of a car while others improve its performance and efficiency. Larger wheels shod with low-profile tires can help with performance while adding a bit of curbside appeal.

Will My New Ride Fit My Lifestyle?

There are plenty of pivotal moments in life that drastically alter our car-buying needs. You’ll love a fast, flashy sports car as a single person, but not so much when you have kids, car seats, and soccer practice to deal with. Likewise, a subcompact SUV is better suited to life in the crowded big city. Full-size SUVs fit the suburban/exurban lifestyle well thanks to their imposing size and the vast amounts of cargo and interior room they offer.

How Much Do I Want to Spend?

Another question to ask yourself is if a new car is within your financial grasp. Of course, how much you’ll ultimately spend will depend on the total cost of the vehicle itself, including various sales taxes and dealer fees. The key to being happy in your new ride is finding one that comfortably fits within your budget.

A price range based on your budget will help narrow your choices down to vehicles you can easily afford. If you intend on financing your new car, shop around for the lowest interest rates available, and don’t be afraid to cross-shop between the dealership’s in-house financing and rates from your local bank or credit union.

Buying a new car also means car payments will likely be your biggest expense. Recent data shows that the average monthly car payment was $568 for new vehicles. A good rule of thumb is to never let your fixed expenses – car payments included – push your monthly expenses above 50 percent of your income.

Monthly car payments aren’t the only expense you’ll deal with throughout your ownership. A new car also comes with a host of other expenses that could put a deep dent in your budget if you’re not prepared:

• Auto insurance premiums
• Fuel costs
• Routine and preventative maintenance
• Routine and emergency repair costs
• Yearly registration fees

Is It Really Time for a New Car?

Last, but not least, ask yourself if the time is right to buy a new car. That all depends on a dizzying array of factors, but the gist of it is when you’re ready to make a significant down payment and/or trade-in your current ride.

Unexpected life events could push you into buying a new car sooner than you’d want. If you’re buying one after a flash flood, severe hailstorm, or a traffic accident, then chances are you’re replacing a vehicle that was lost due to those events. Cars that have become increasingly unreliable can also drive buyers into the showroom sooner than expected.

If you don’t have to buy a new car right away, focus on building up your savings for a significant down payment or even buying the vehicle with cold, hard cash.

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