It’s an exciting day. You’re finally buying a car. Before you head on over to that Honda dealership in Sacramento, though, here are a few things you should know.
Think about the financing
Are you getting financing from the bank or the dealer? Unless you have oodles of cash at home, then you’ll need to think about the financing before you get ready to buy a vehicle, USA Today says. It may be a good idea to listen to the dealer’s financing offer, though, before you make a final decision.
Know your credit score
Find out what your credit score is. A high one can give you more room to negotiate for a good deal, which could save you a lot in costs. If you’ve got a bad credit score and credit payment history, though, and you plan on buying a car, start cleaning up your credit as early as possible.
Take it out for a spin
Ask the Honda dealership in Sacramento if you can take out the car for a test drive. They should say yes. If they hesitate or if they say no, then you may not be getting the whole picture. They may be trying to hide something about the car that a test drive will reveal. Walk away.
Consider used cars
Don’t limit your buying search to new cars. If you want to save on expenses, then putting your money into a second-hand car is a practical option. Buying a pre-loved car means you’re letting someone else take the depreciation hit. That’s smart.
Consider features and size
Differentiate between features you need and want to have. That’s going to prove helpful to you when you start choosing a car. Don’t forget to consider the size of the vehicle you need. If you’re raising a family, then get one with more room.