Common Car Shopping Mistakes Everyone Must Avoid

Shopping for a new or used car can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a stressful time, given the consequences of a purchase mistake. There are plenty of great cars available to the buying public, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of pitfalls that can have lasting ramifications if you ignore the time-worn maxim of “buyer beware.” For example, it wouldn’t make sense to purchase a used Jaguar without first checking to ensure there’s a shop providing Jaguar service in your area. Therefore, it only makes sense to find a service provider near you before shopping for used Jaguars for sale in Houston, TX.
Though some car shoppers are wracked with trepidation as they begin their quests for new vehicles, there’s not much to fear if you understand the most common mistakes made by car shoppers. Once you know where others have erred, you can take care to avoid falling victim to those same missteps. Keep reading to learn about a few common car shopping mistakes that you would do well to avoid.

Failing (Vehicle) History

While history may not have been your favorite subject, it’s critically important when it comes to purchasing a used car. A vehicle history report will provide you with a glimpse into the condition of a vehicle before your mechanic inspects it or you take it for a test drive. Vehicle history reports not only tell you if the car has been involved in an accident or recall, but they also detail the service intervals and routine maintenance tasks that have been performed. Skipping the vehicle history report is a bad idea since the consequences could mean that you get a vehicle with significant problems that weren’t visible at the time of purchase.

Falling in Love at First Sight

Another common mistake made by car shoppers is failing to play the field when considering vehicle options. Many people fall in love with the first car their see at the first dealership they visit. It’s one thing if you luck up and find the perfect vehicle early on, but settling for the first vehicle that mildly strikes your fancy isn’t wise. Make sure to visit a minimum of three dealerships, and unless you’re specifically shopping for a particular model, keep an open mind and look at any vehicle that meets your criteria. Once you have an idea of what’s available, you can then revisit the cars you’ve viewed and decide which best matches your affinities and needs.

Skipping the Inspection

Most reputable used car dealerships will allow any vehicle you’re considering to be inspected by a mechanic of your choice. It’s a good idea to take advantage of that since there are many indicators of vehicle condition that may elude the casual car shopper. A mechanic, however, won’t be fooled by a vehicle’s true state. Unlike the prospective buyer, a mechanic can remove emotion from the equation and judge the worthiness of a vehicle on its mechanical condition alone. Don’t ever miss an opportunity to have a trained professional give a prospective purchase a thorough inspection because doing so could save you thousands and prevent a big purchasing mistake.

Focusing on the Monthly Payment

It’s a bad idea to negotiate the price of your car based on the amount you’d like to pay monthly rather than the overall purchase price. The reason is that focusing on the monthly price may lead a buyer to accept a higher total price stretched over a longer term. In general, it’s better to decide what you want to pay for a vehicle overall and find the shortest term you can afford to minimize interest payments. Once you’ve determined the total price you’d like to pay, you can then tinker with the term duration and monthly payment figures to arrive at a price that’ll ensure you get a great deal within the bounds of your budget.
Before you begin perusing Jaguar dealerships in Houston, TX, for the perfect used car bargain, make sure that you heed these common mistakes made by car shoppers and do your best to avoid them. To learn more about what mistakes you should avoid when shopping for new or used cars, contact Bemer Motor Company at (713) 266-2690.