Tips on Buying a Used Car

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So you want to buy a used car, what is the first thing that you do? Knowing that you need a car is easy, but knowing what to do is not. The easy and shortest answer is to go into a dealership. But what about preparing? What is it you need to do before you even set foot in a dealership?

One of the first things to do is set a budget. This budget is to help you know what you can and can’t afford in a vehicle. To do this, you need to know what you are able to comfortable spend on a monthly basis. In case something happens, it is best to set an amount that you can spend if money gets tighter. You’ll always want to check out cars in this price range and set an idea of what you want to spend.

The next step is to head into the dealership and give the vehicle you think you can afford a look-around. Does it hold up to expectations? It probably won’t, it’ll be difficult for it to, but is it suitable for what you need?

To get a better idea, take it for a test-drive. Never forget that you can ask to take a vehicle you’re interested in a drive around the block. You’ll want to see how it feels and how it performs. If something seems off or it is not what you’re looking for, keep other vehicles in mind to give a try.

If you need help with purchasing a new or used vehicle, be sure to contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. If you need further assistance in finding financing for a new vehicle on bad credit, contact our financing department.  We love to say yes, you’re approved!   Be sure to like Bayside on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

Auto Insurance Advice

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One of the most important things to keep in mind when buying a new car is the auto insurance.  It is something that tends to get pushed to the side while thinking of the bigger picture of buying the car.  Here is some important things that you should know about car insurance.

The first is that your credit has an impact on your rates.  Credit score is always important, it is one of the biggest factors any buyer should be aware of before they go to purchase a vehicle.  In regards to insurance, your credit is used to assess risk in things such as likeliness to file claims.  It’s impossible to really know beforehand what will and will not be used from your credit score to cause a change in the rate.  For that reason, it is important to have your credit score cleaned up and be the best reflection of your current status.

Be careful if you switch auto insurance companies.  If you only place a stop payment in order to get the policy canceled, you’re likely to have the insurance company report you for non-payment to the credit bureaus.  If this happens, it may cause your rate to go up when it impacts your credit score.  Talk to your insurance company, make sure all the paperwork for cancelling is properly filled out and that you have your new policy ready to start as soon as the old one ends.

Lastly, paying your auto insurance premium in full can help to save money in the long run.  Like with down payments on cars, the more you can pay up front, the better it will be for you in the future.  By doing this, you can avoid the potential to miss or be late with a payment, but you can also not worry about additional expenses that come with breaking up payments over a series of months and years.  Just be sure you can afford it.  If you can, it is certainly worth budgeting for.
If you need help with purchasing a new or used vehicle, be sure to contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. If you need further assistance in finding financing for a new vehicle on bad credit, contact our financing department.  We love to say yes, you’re approved!   Be sure to like Bayside on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.

Getting an Auto Loan After Bankruptcy

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Bankruptcy is a terrible thing to have to go through and one of the biggest challenges once everything is done is figuring out what to do next.  If you’ve declared bankruptcy and still in a need of a car, an important fact is that despite what just happened, you can still buy a car.  The added burden you’re taking on is more of a mental stigma, something that will make you believe that you should take the first deal that jumps out at you, that since you’ve got this black mark on your credit report that you are untouchable by dealerships and loans.  This is not the right mindset.

Know that you’re not alone in bankruptcy.  According the American Bankruptcy Institute, since the start of the recession at the end of 2007, more than 7 million people, both single individuals and couples, have filed for bankruptcy.  You’re not going to be the first person with a bankruptcy mark looking for an auto loan to get a car.

When you apply for an auto loan, the lenders will be looking at your track record as much as your bankruptcy.  They’ll see how your payment history was on things such as previous car payments and mortgage payments.  They’ll check to see if you’ve gotten back on track after missing payments.  This can lead to different reactions from different lenders, but as long as you’re willing to persevere, you should be able to find an auto loan for the vehicle you need.

Dealing with a bankruptcy is difficult, but getting a car is still possible.  If you need help navigating the process, be sure to contact us at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. If you need further assistance in finding financing for a new vehicle on bad credit, contact our financing department.  We love to say yes, you’re approved!   Be sure to like Bayside on Facebook, following on Twitter, or subscribing on YouTube.