10 Steps of Car Buying
Finding an easy online auto loan is only one step in the car buying process. Use our helpful step-by-step guide to direct you as you buy your new car.
- Getting started. This step involves researching car models, dealerships, and sources for your easy online auto loan. Also set a budget for how much car you can afford.
- Evaluate incentives & rebates. Dealerships and manufacturers often use incentives and rebates to help sell slow-moving vehicle models. Shop around to find out what vehicles offer the best incentives and see if they fit your needs. When offered a choice between 0% financing and a rebate, take the rebate and apply it toward an easy online auto loan.
- Car pricing. You can't negotiate effectively unless you know what a car's true market value is. This is the amount consumers are actually paying for the car, as opposed to an MSRP, which is what the dealer wants you to pay for the car.
- Find the right car for you. This is where you test drive models to find the exact car you would like to buy. Visit multiple dealerships and test drive at least 3-4 comparable models. Once you find your car, consider pre-qualifying for an easy online auto loan.
- Choose your dealership. Make sure you've selected a dealership and a car salesman whom you feel comfortable with and trust.
- A word on trade-ins. Dealers often use trade-ins as just another opportunity to rip you off. You are better off selling it yourself, if you can.
- Negotiate the price of the car. Enter the negotiations with an easy online auto loan already lined up to give yourself more leverage. Also, don't let the dealer con you into negotiating a monthly payment. Negotiate the vehicle price, not the payment.
- Close the deal. This step involves closing the deal on your new car and your easy online auto loan, if you haven't already done so. Expect to pay some closing fees.
- Do the paperwork. Make sure you review everything carefully before you sign any paperwork. If you got an easy online auto loan, you can usually complete this step online.
- Inspection. Never drive off in your new car without giving it a thorough inspection first. Have the dealer fix anything you find wrong.
