4 Tips for Car Shopping on a Dime

Buying a car can be a stressful experience, but don’t worry we’re here to help! With a bit of research, you can save yourself a lot of cash and hassle. We’ve got your back with these four simple tips.  

Buy at the end year

Buying the current year’s model at the end of year is an easy way to get a great deal on a new car. New models are typically out by this time, so dealerships are in a hurry to make room for new inventory. According to U.S. News and World Report, October through December, as well as New Year’s Day, are the best times to purchase a new car.

Check your insurance rate BEFORE you buy

After you’ve picked out the car you want to buy, and before you sign on the dotted line, check in with your insurance company to gauge what your new rate will be. Newer cars often have higher insurance rates, so you might be paying a lot more than expected. It’s definitely worth it to shop around for the best price, and NerdWallet has a handy price comparison tool to make the process a lot easier.

Make a list of must-have features to take into the dealership with you. Think about your current car and what you like or don’t like about it, as well as what you want for your future ride Not only will this help you (and your salesperson) narrow down the selection, it will also keep you from getting carried away with bells and whistles. Features like lane assist, automatic braking, and parallel park assist will add thousands of dollars to the sticker price.

Do your homework

Do some research ahead of time to get a handle on market value of the car you want to buy, that way you know if the salesperson is giving you a reasonable price. Check out sites like Kelly Blue Book or TrueCar to get fair market valuations. These sites will also give you the value of your current vehicle if you plan on trading it in.

Now that you have the tricks of the trade, it’s time to go shopping. Good luck and enjoy that new ride!