New Car Buyer's Guide

Set yourself up to win before you ever sit down at a sales desk.

• Decide on your total budget, not just the payment. Think in terms of total cost over the life of the loan, including taxes, fees, and insurance — not just “Can I handle $499/month?”
• Check your credit score. A small bump in your score can mean a much better interest rate. Fix easy errors before you shop.
• Get pre-approved. Talk to your bank or credit union first so you know what interest rate you actually qualify for.
• Shortlist 3–4 models. Decide which vehicles really match your needs instead of saying “I’m open to anything on the lot.”
• Research real-world pricing. Look up invoice price and typical market price so you’re not negotiating blind.

Your goal: walk into the dealership knowing what you want and what you can afford.

• Don’t rush. Salespeople are trained to create urgency. You’re there to gather information and compare options.
• Separate test drive and money talk. First decide if you even like the car. Only then talk price.
• Keep your trade-in and financing “in your pocket.” Let them quote a price on the new car first, before you mention trade-in or pre-approval.
• Take notes. Write down trim level, options, VIN, and the numbers they quote so you can compare dealers later.

You’re not obligated to buy just because you visited. It’s perfectly fine to say, “Thanks, I’m comparing offers.”

Use the test drive to find out how the car will feel in your real life — not just on a smooth two-mile loop.

• Drive on both city streets and highway if possible.
• Test acceleration, braking, and lane changes.
• Check visibility: blind spots, rear window, backup camera.
• Try parking in a tight spot and backing out.
• Sit in the back seat and cargo area if you’ll use them often.
• Pair your phone and test the infotainment system.

Afterwards, ask yourself: “Could I live with this car every day for the next 5–7 years?”

• Talk “out-the-door” price only. Ask for a single number that includes car price, taxes, and all fees.
• Use your research. Start closer to the market price you found, not the sticker price.
• Avoid monthly-payment traps. Stretching the loan term can hide a bad deal.
• Be ready to walk away. Your strongest negotiating tool is the ability to say, “Thanks, I’ll think about it.”

Remember: the right car at the wrong price is still the wrong deal.

• Get trade-in estimates online before you visit.
• Clean the car and gather maintenance records.
• Ask for the trade-in offer in writing separate from the new-car price.
• Compare selling it yourself if you’re willing to do a little more work for more money.

Separating the trade-in from the purchase makes the whole deal easier to evaluate.

• Compare the dealer’s rate to your pre-approval. If they beat it, great — but compare the full loan terms, not just the rate.
• Be cautious with extended warranties and protection packages. Some are useful; many are pure profit. Only buy what you truly need.
• Avoid rolling old debt into the new loan. Being “upside down” makes your next purchase even harder.

Anything you add to the loan will cost more over time, so choose carefully.

• Verify that the VIN, trim level, color, and options match the car you test-drove.
• Check that the agreed out-the-door price is exactly what’s on the contract.
• Confirm interest rate, loan term, and payment amount.
• Make sure no surprise add-ons or fees have been slipped in.

Take your time. A few extra minutes now can save you thousands over the life of the loan.