What should you bring with you when buying a car?

You'll need to bring your driver's license, proof of auto insurance, and financing documents (if applicable) to the dealership when buying a car. If you are financing, experts also recommend getting preapproved for a car loan, which requires current proof of residence, proof of income, and your credit score.


What extras should you get when buying a car?

2 Extras to Get When Buying a Car
  • Extended Warranties. Perhaps the most popular add on when purchasing a car is an extended warranty. ...
  • Gap Insurances. ...
  • Chrome Rims and Trim. ...
  • Window Etching. ...
  • Paint and Fabric Protection. ...
  • Rust Proofing. ...
  • Key Protection. ...
  • Nitrogen for Your Tires.


What are 3 things you should do before buying a car?

10 things you need to know before buying a car
  • Think about financing. ...
  • Check your credit score. ...
  • Shop around. ...
  • Compare prices. ...
  • Research your trade-in's value. ...
  • Test drive potential purchases. ...
  • Look at car histories. ...
  • Find repair records.


What are the 5 things you should consider when purchasing a vehicle?

The Top 5 Factors to Consider When Purchasing a New Car
  • Price. Arguably the most important factor to consider when purchasing a car is the cost of the vehicle. ...
  • Features. ...
  • Resale Value. ...
  • Maintenance. ...
  • Protect Your Car with Endurance.


What should you do before buying a car?

Here's how to buy a car without getting over your head in debt or paying more than you have to.
  1. Get preapproved for a loan before you set foot in a dealer's lot. ...
  2. Keep it simple at the dealership. ...
  3. Don't buy any add-ons at the dealership. ...
  4. Beware longer-term six- or seven-year car loans. ...
  5. Don't buy too much car.


What to bring to a car dealership when buying a car



What should you not say to a car salesman?

5 Things to Never Tell a Car Salesman If You Want the Best Deal
  • 'I love this car. ' ...
  • 'I'm a doctor at University Hospital. ' ...
  • 'I'm looking for monthly payments of no more than $300. ' ...
  • 'How much will I get for my trade-in? ' ...
  • 'I'll be paying with cash,' or 'I've already secured financing. '


What should you avoid when buying a car?

What to avoid when buying a used car
  1. Not test-driving the car thoroughly. ...
  2. Not looking at maintenance ratings. ...
  3. Not getting a mechanic to look at it. ...
  4. Not asking about the vehicle history. ...
  5. Not asking for the car you want. ...
  6. Not negotiating up from the dealer cost. ...
  7. Not reviewing the final sale paperwork carefully.


What are the 7 steps to buying a car?

The Car Buying Process in Seven Steps
  1. Step 1 – Research Car Option. Many people buy cars based on what the car looks like or what they are familiar with. ...
  2. Step 2 – Find Financing. ...
  3. Step 3 – Take Your Time. ...
  4. Step 4 – Negotiate. ...
  5. Step 5 – Take Precautions. ...
  6. Step 6 – Determine your Payment Amount. ...
  7. Step 7 – Consider Your Other Costs.


What mileage is good for a used car?

The average car gets in 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year, so used cars with an annual average lower than that can be considered as having good mileage. Simply divide the odometer number by the car's age in years to determine it's annual average.

What to know before buying a car 2022?

Buying a Car in 2022? Here Are 5 Ways To Get the Best Deal.
  • Be patient. While new car prices are increasing at a slower rate in 2022, they continue to reach record-heights. ...
  • Look at used cars that are one to three years old. ...
  • Consider SUVs and wagons. ...
  • Go domestic. ...
  • Finance with credit unions. ...
  • Leverage your old car.


What is the 20 rule for buying a car?

Basically, the rule goes that you provide a down payment of 20% of the balance, sign a loan for a four-year period, and pay no more than 10% of your monthly income on car expenses. These expenses include any money you put towards your new vehicle, including gas, insurance, and loan payments.


What credit score is needed to buy a car?

In general, you'll need a credit score of at least 600 to qualify for a traditional auto loan, but the minimum credit score required to finance a car loan varies by lender. If your credit score falls into the subprime category, you may need to look for a bad credit car loan.

How many pay stubs do I need for a car?

Last two recent pay stubs (if you have more than one job, bring the stubs from those as well) Proof of residency (any current utility bill should do, such as water or electric) List of references (not including anyone living in your household)

What freebies should I ask for when buying a new car?

25 Freebies To Ask For When Buying a New Car
  • Service and Maintenance. Scroll to continue with content. ...
  • Preventative Maintenance Service (PMS) Vouchers. ...
  • Rust Protection. ...
  • Fabric Protection. ...
  • An Extra Set of Keys. ...
  • Floor Mats. ...
  • Navigation System. ...
  • Mud Flaps.


What not to do when buying a new car?

7 Things Not to Do at a Car Dealership
  1. Don't Enter the Dealership without a Plan. ...
  2. Don't Let the Salesperson Steer You to a Vehicle You Don't Want. ...
  3. Don't Discuss Your Trade-In Too Early. ...
  4. Don't Give the Dealership Your Car Keys or Your Driver's License. ...
  5. Don't Let the Dealership Run a Credit Check.


What add ons are worth it for a new car?

Common add-ons include anti-theft devices, nitrogen in tires, window tinting, chrome-plated wheels, all-season floor mats, splash guards, wheel locks, cargo trays and alarm systems. Some buyers may want these things and would be willing to pay a reasonable fee for them.

When should I buy a car in 2022?

Best time of year to buy a used car

Like purchasing a new car, you can save the most money by buying a used car between October and December. Because these months coincide with peak season for new car buying at the dealerships, there are more used or trade-in cars for sale—and better prices available, Montoya says.


Is a 10-year-old car too old?

When buying a used car that's 10-years-old or older, your primary concerns are purchase price and reliability. Don't pay more than that 10-year-old car is worth. And, pick a car with a solid reputation for dependability. No car is really too old if you follow those rules.

How old of a car should I buy?

In retaining “like new” quality and inheriting a slower depreciation rate, the best used car age for buying is 2-3 years. In fact, Americans are saving up to $14,000 on a 3-year-old vehicle. For example, a car that may have cost you $30,000 when new would cost around $16,000 after just 3 years.

How much money should I save for my first car?

Save for a down payment

Aim to cover at least 20% of the purchase price, which might take some time. Being patient and saving up for a large down payment is likely worthwhile if you can delay getting a car until you have the funds. It will save you money overall and lower your monthly costs.


What is the 1/10 rule for car buying?

The rule states that you should spend no more than 1/10th your gross annual income on the purchase price of a car. The car can be new or old. It doesn't matter so long as the car costs 10% of your annual gross income or less.

How do I prepare myself to buy a car?

New Car Purchase Checklist
  1. Your driver's license. The dealership needs to see that you're a legally licensed driver before you drive off in your new car. ...
  2. Proof of insurance. ...
  3. Form of payment. ...
  4. Recent pay stubs. ...
  5. Recent utility bills. ...
  6. Credit score and history. ...
  7. Discount information. ...
  8. A list of references.


What are 3 disadvantages of buying a car?

Drawbacks of Buying a Car
  • Buying Can Be More Expensive – in the Short Term.
  • Pay Interest on the Total Cost of Your Car.
  • You May Pay More Sales Tax.
  • Larger Down Payments.
  • Future Value of Your Car is Unknown.
  • Manufacturer Warranties Will End.


Are car prices going down in 2022?

Average prices were up 42.5% in September 2022 vs. February 2020. Used car prices have likely peaked, but new car prices are set to remain elevated through end-2022. In 2023, prices are expected to decline by 2.5% to 5% for new cars and by 10% to 20% for used cars.

Do dealerships prefer cash or finance?

Although some dealerships give better deals to those paying with cash, many of them prefer you to get a loan through their finance department. According to Jalopnik, this is because dealerships actually make money off of the interest of the loan they provide for you.