The benefits to buy i ng a ca r i n person
T he t r a d it ion of buy i ng ca r s i n per son ca n st i l l pay d iv idend s for buyer s a ccu st omed t o buy i ng t h i ng s on l i ne
Technology has changed many things about the way people live their lives including how they buy their cars
Whereas trips to the dealership were once inevitable for drivers in the market for new vehicles, the internet is now littered with websites enabling users to buy new cars with the click of a mouse But buying cars online, and often sight unseen, can be a risky proposition and there are many reasons why buying new cars in person can ben-
efit buyers
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
One of the more widely promoted websites that “sells” cars is TrueCar com Television ads for TrueCar® are ubiquitous, but viewers might not realize that TrueCar com is essentially a network of auto dealerships in which member dealerships pay to obtain buyers contact information That’s important information to know for buyers who want to buy a car online so they can cut
out the middleman (i e , dealerships)
NO SURPRISES
Some online auto dealers promise delivery of the car That can seem especially convenient but it’s always in buyers best interest to test drive cars before buying them That’s not always possible when buying vehicles online While buyers may be able to return cars purchased online after they have been delivered that can be inconvenient, negating what many feel is the single biggest benefit to buying a car online When buying cars they have already driven in person, buyers won’t be surprised when getting behind the wheel
SAVINGS Online dealerships may market themselves as more buyer-friendly than traditional dealerships, but such claims should be taken with a grain of salt Many can only afford to purchase new vehicles if
they get a good deal on an existing trade-in By visiting dealerships in person buyers can negotiate a higher tradein value than they might be able to get online In addition, when shopping for new cars many buyers return to the same dealership where they purchased previous automobiles An existing relationship with a dealer might make buyers eligible for discounts they’re unlikely to earn when buying cars online
CONVENIENCE
Online auto dealerships often cite convenience as one of the biggest feathers in their caps But it can be more convenient, and considerably less time-consuming for buyers to simply walk into a dealership and ask to test drive various vehicles Buyers who visit dealerships can test drive various vehicles in a single morning or afternoon, while those who stick to buying online may have to drive far and wide to drive more than one car in a single day
Veh icle depreciat ion i s somet h i ng a l l new
shed about 60 percent of their original purchase price within the first five years A snapshot of how average depreciation works for a sedan can paint a clearer picture Here is the value of a sedan over five years, according to Edmunds Full price: $30 000 1 year: $24,300 2 years: $20 700 3 years: $17 400 4 years: $14,700 5 years: $12 000 If a person is planning to keep a vehicle for the long haul depreciation may not be much of a concern However for those who may not plan on holding on to a car for long, it is important to know about depreciation and how it affects car resale value and the total cost of owning the car For example, if a person borrowed money to buy a vehicle and decides to sell it shortly thereafter, he or she might end up upside down on the loan or owe more money than the car is worth Car depreciation also can affect
trade-in value when moving on to a new car One of the ways to avoid the perils of depreciation is to purchase a used car since depreciation will have largely been absorbed by the previous owner Another way to mitigate depreciation is to purchase a vehicle that has a slower rate of depreciation CarFax® says that when SUVs and trucks are in higher demand than sedans and compacts, they will retain their value longer When fuel prices rise and cars that are more fuel-efficient are in demand, the reverse is true
WAYS TO REDUCE DEPRECIATION
INCLUDE: driving the vehicle around 10 000 miles a year; keeping up with maintenance, such as oil changes and replacing worn out parts; buying
PHOTO: METRO CREATIVE
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demo,AllWheelDrive,hard-to-findDenalimodel,fully equippedincludingfactorynavigationsystem,leather interior,dualpanelglasspanoramicmoonroof,heated/
2016Chevrolet Cruze LT #514083,ONLY22,000Miles!My-LinkAudiowith Bluetooth,AppleCarplay, 4G LTE W i-F iHotspot $13,450
2016Buick Encore AWDConvenience #513986,ONLY7,180Miles!Powerseat,Remote star t ConveniencePackage,OnStar,Bluetooth $18,450
2016Chevrolet Equinox LTZAWD #514000,Navigation,Sunroof,LeatherInterior, PowerLiftgate,HeatedSeats,RemoteStart $17,948
2015Chevrolet Silverado DBLCab4WD #514084A,V8, LT,ALLSTAR PKG.,LowMileage $23,850
2018GMC Sierra 1500 SLT #N1376A,Cre w, ONLY8,954Miles $39,950
2016Cadillac ATS LuxuryAWD #514081,Navigation,Sunroof $18,950
2016Buick Envision PremiumAWD #513999,ONLY25,889Miles!LeatherSeating, Navigation,Sunroof,CollisionandBlindZoneAlert $23,450
2016Che vrolet Colorado LT CrewCab4WD #514014,V-6,ConveniencePackage,RemoteStar t Trailer TowPkg,LockingRearDiff, XM Radio
2016Chevrolet Silverado DoubleCab LT 4WD #514071,AllStarPackage,V-8,PowerSeat,6.5'Bed, Trailer TowPkg,LockingRearDiff,AlloyWheels
2013Che vrolet Malibu LT #N1224B,RemoteStar t, AlloyWheels $8,995
2016Che vrolet Colorado Cre wZ71 #514069A,Leather,Navigation,ONLY18,925Miles $28,950
2018 Ford F150 Super Cre w XLT #N992A,ONLY20,452Miles $29,650
2017Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury #514037,Navigation,Sunroof,Black on Black $24,850
2017GMC Acadia SLTAWD #513971,Navigation,Sunroof,HeatedLeather Seating,3 d RowSeating,PowerLiftgate $26,950
2016GMC Canyon CrewCab SLT #514015,4WD,V-6,LeatherSeating,Navigation Trailer TowPkg,HeatedSeats,OnStar $28,750
2019GMC Yukon XL SLT4WD #514085,HeatedLeather,Navigation,RearDVD, Sunroof, TowPkg,PowerLiftgate,AssistSteps
2012Honda CR-V EX #N1335A,Sunroof,4WD $10,850
2018Jeep Wrangler Sport #514090,Soft Top 6Cyl,Auto $27,950
2013Cadillac SRX FWDPerformance #514058A,Sunroof,Navigation $13,950
2019Chevrolet Equinox LT #514050,AWD,ConveniencePackage $21,995
COMMONS
PHOTO: MARIO R DURÁN
Consumers shopping for new cars are no doubt familiar with the stickers plastered on the side windows of vehicles at dealerships These stickers are loaded with information and are designed to describe the vehicle and its various options Learning to read the window sticker in depth can help guide vehicle purchases and give consumers a good understanding of the vehicles they’re considering
The window sticker, known to auto industry professionals as the Monroney label is required by law to be the same across all manufacturers in regard to the information it includes However, the automotive resource Edmunds notes that the layout of the sticker can vary depending on the automaker The following is some of the information shoppers will find on the window sticker, as well as a rundown of what that information means
Model infor mation: The top of the sticker will contain the model information, which includes the model, year and style of the vehicle Also included are the engine size and the type of
transmission Exterior and interior colors also will be included
MSRP: One of the prominent components of the window sticker will be the manufacturer s suggested retail price
This does not necessarily represent the amount a buyer will spend on the car, nor is it what the dealer paid for the vehicle, which is the invoice price, says Cars com Many buyers try to negotiate a price lower than the MSRP
Standard equipment: This section of the window sticker lists all of the features and items included in the vehicle Categories will include exterior, interior, safety/security, comfort/convenience, and mechanical/performance
This section can be used to compare vehicles of the same trim level
Warranty infor mation: The warranty information is usually found next to the standard equipment information, offers YourMechanic This will include the comprehensive warranty and those specific to certain elements of the vehicle This warranty information is what is included in the base price although
customers can purchase more extensive warranties if they choose to do so VIN: The vehicle identification number will be located on the sticker as well The VIN on the sticker should match the one on the dashboard to ensure it is the right vehicle
Optional equipment: This is a list of the factory-installed options which may be bundled into packages, states Edmunds
Mileage and safety: The window sticker also will showcase the fuel economy and environmental impact of the vehicle Safety information may include ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety If the car was released before being rated the sticker will indicate it has not yet been rated
Vehicle consumers can consult the window sticker and make a list of the key features they desire in their new car or truck, and then compare them against similar features in other makes and models
Warranties are an option that may help buyers feel a little more secure in their purchases.
Purchasing a previously owned vehicle requires a leap of faith Even after relying on a test drive and a thorough inspection by a mechanic it’s impossible to know how the previous owner drove and maintained the vehicle and the wear and tear it may have endured Drivers also cannot predict any issues that may crop up after signing a purchase contract A certified pre-owned warranty from the dealership an extended warranty or a different type of aftermarket warranty product can offer some peace of mind
Navigating these warranties can take some savviness Certified pre-owned warranties tend to be the smartest bet in the realm of used car warranties This is because factory warranties are backing the product and the vehicles
