For many, buying a car is a big step. Just ask our member Cristina Gutierrez.
In 2016, she started visiting car lots looking at cars and decided it was time to make her first major purchase after graduating college. She was overwhelmed both by the pressure of the salesmen and the endless financing options.
She turned to us for guidance, and we helped her understand her options and determine what she could afford. In the end, we were able to offer her a great loan she knew she could afford and made her a more-informed consumer.
"I was a first time car buyer and totally overwhelmed by the process," says Gutierrez. "Tulare Federal took the time to educate me on the process and worked hard to get me the best loan possible so all I had to do was find the perfect car."
See what Tulare County Federal Credit Union can do for you.
Here are some tips for making your next auto purchase.
Think about what car model and options you want and how much you’re willing to spend. Do some research. You’ll be less likely to feel pressured into making a hasty or expensive decision at the showroom and more likely to get a better deal.
Consider these suggestions:
Negotiations often have a vocabulary of their own. Here are some terms you may hear when you’re talking price.
If you decide to finance your car, be aware that the financing obtained by the dealer, even if the dealer contacts lenders on your behalf, may not be the best deal you can get. Contact lenders directly. Compare the financing they offer you with the financing the dealer offers you. Because offers vary, shop around for the best deal, comparing the annual percentage rate (APR*) and the length of the loan. When negotiating to finance a car, be wary of focusing only on the monthly payment. The total amount you will pay depends on the price of the car you negotiate, the APR*, and the length of the loan.
Sometimes, dealers offer very low financing rates for specific cars or models, but may not be willing to negotiate on the price of these cars. To qualify for the special rates, you may be required to make a large down payment. With these conditions, you may find that it’s sometimes more affordable to pay higher financing charges on a car that is lower in price or to buy a car that requires a smaller down payment.
Before you sign a contract to purchase or finance the car, consider the terms of the financing and evaluate whether it is affordable. Before you drive off the lot, be sure to have a copy of the contract that both you and the dealer have signed and be sure that all blanks are filled in.
Some dealers and lenders may ask you to buy credit insurance to pay off your loan if you should die or become disabled. Before you buy credit insurance, consider the cost, and whether it’s worthwhile. Check your existing policies to avoid duplicating benefits. Credit insurance is not required by federal law. If your dealer requires you to buy credit insurance for car financing, it must be included in the cost of credit. That is, it must be reflected in the APR*. Your state Attorney General also may have requirements about credit insurance.
Discuss the possibility of a trade-in only after you’ve negotiated the best possible price for your new car and after you’ve researched the value of your old car. Find out what your current vehicle is worth before you negotiate the purchase of a new car. Check the National Automobile Dealers Association’s (NADA) Guides, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book. This information may help you get a better price from the dealer. Though it may take longer to sell your car yourself, you generally will get more money than if you trade it in.
Service contracts that you may buy with a new car provide for the repair of certain parts or problems. These contracts are offered by manufacturers, dealers, or independent companies and may or may not provide coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty. Remember that a warranty is included in the price of the car while a service contract costs extra.
Before deciding to purchase a service contract, read it carefully and consider these questions:
*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates vary by loan and term. Rates and Terms may change without notification. Not everyone will qualify for the "as low as" rate.