If you’re thinking about saying goodbye to your old ride and hello to a like-new one, Carriage Traders has an impressive lineup of cars, trucks, and SUVs for you to shop from. But before you say yes to your dream new-to-you ride, there are a handful of important questions to ask. What are they? Well, lucky for this week’s blog is here to do just that! You want to remember a pre-owned vehicle had a life before it ended up on our lot. That doesn’t mean it isn’t in good shape or the right vehicle for you, it just means it’s important to ask what it has been through before. But not the only thing you should be asking about! So let’s not waste any more time, instead, check out our top 6 questions to ask before saying yes to your like-new ride!
- Is the car I want on the lot?
What’s the point of wasting time and energy negotiating and falling in love with a car to find out the model, or color you want isn’t even on the lot? And even if they can get it from another dealer it won’t be immediately, and who says they will honor the price you’ve agreed upon with another dealer. Talk about a heartbreaker! An easy way to avoid this problem is to do a little research. Go to the dealership with a couple of cars in mind, when you get there ask to see those cars, and have them check the inventory before you fall in love! And if they don’t have your dream car, keep your head up. There are lots of fish in the sea.
- What is the actual cost of the car?
Okay, this one is the obvious question but something important to know, there’s a vehicle’s MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price) and then there is the amount you have to pay to drive that baby off the lot. Depending on the car, the MSRP can be higher or lower. So again, do some research and come informed! You should also expect to pay sales tax, a state licensing fee, and a documentation fee, which dealers charge for filling out the contract. These fees can vary, so here’s where you ask how much your dealer is asking for!
- What features don’t work the way they’re supposed to?
It’s not a bad question when shopping for a used car, I mean come on this baby might have already taken a few trips around the block and it might not be as young as it once was. Most of the time if there is an issue it isn’t a deal breaker and is an easy fix, but it’s better to know everything, rather than know nothing.
- What is the ownership history?
If you ask this question and the dealer doesn’t know much about the vehicle’s history this could be a red flag! Don’t be afraid to ask for the vehicle history report or service records. Remember this will be your car, you don’t want to find any surprises after you’ve already signed your name!
- What is the mileage on my car?
This is an important question even when buying new cars. What if the car was the “test drive car” or maybe it was traded from another dealership. If you’re buying a new car and the odometer reads over 300 miles ask for a discount!
- What are my terms of payment?
Deciding whether to lease or buy is only half your battle, you have to then figure out how much you’ll be paying each month. Don’t discuss how much you can pay monthly until you’ve settled on a price of the car. And before you sign a lease, be sure to understand all of the fees and conditions, including what is considered “wear and tear.”
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