First Time Car Buyer Tips

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First time car buyers is a scary thing.  Do you know what you’re supposed to do?  Most people do not, being a first time car buyer means that everything you’re seeing and doing is a learning experience.  It’s one of the reasons why few new buyers don’t have a form of back up from someone who has gone through the process.  Here is some tips on what you can do to have a better first-time buying experience for a car.

  • Set a Budget:

Know what you can afford.  Have your finances all put together and know what you will be able to pay every month on a car without having to worry should something happen.  It’s best to plan for the worst in this regard.

  • Buy or Lease:

Both buying a car and leasing a car comes with pros and cons.  Leasing means that you don’t have to put as much money up front and can pay lower amounts each month, but when that lease is done, it’s time to shop again.  Buying means that the car is yours, but it requires much more money up front and possibly higher payments.  Decide which one is right for your finances.

  • Test Drive:

No matter how sure of a car you are, you can’t be exactly sure until you step behind the wheel of it.  Let yourself drive the car to know if this is truly something that you want.  Come in with an open mind and be prepared to maybe change your mind should the car not hold up the way you envisioned it.

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.

Improve Your Credit By Purchasing a Car

Looking to get a vehicle for yourself but are also suffering from having bad credit at the same time?  What you might not know is that having credit issues and purchasing that very car can actually go a long way in helping you improve your score.

Auto Credit Express breaks down the how this can help.  Lenders are looking to get people through the dealership doors even if they have low FICO scores.  Just because your credit is bad now doesn’t mean that it was in the past.  If they can see that changes in your score occurred due to major life events, such as losing your job or experiencing a medical problem, then the odds are more in your favor of getting a good loan.

Before you do head into the dealership, however, there are things to keep in mind.  First, that loan you’re getting after a dip in the FICO score will be at a higher rate than many consumers are used to.  You’ll also want to make sure to make each payment on time, as well as other bills you have, so that you can qualify for a better rate the next time around.  If you miss a payment on time, then it will take your credit score even lower down.

The point of purchasing a car in this case is to improve your credit while getting the vehicle you need.  The best tips to do this are to make sure that you look for an inexpensive car, small or midsized.  See if you can choose a loan term of 48 months or less.  Make sure you check on the history of the vehicle.  By following these steps, you place your self in a position to save money by trading out in 18 to 30 months for a better deal.  Also, knowing that history makes sure you avoid thousands of dollars in repair bills.

Come on in to Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge and start the process of improving your credit while driving away in that car you need.  We love to say yes at the dealership.  Be sure to like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for more tips and deals.

Tips to Improve Your Car Buying Experience

Have you been holding out on getting that car you’ve been needing? A large number of drivers have been afraid of going into the dealership due to the recession. They’ve been trying to drive every single mile out of their current vehicle wanting to avoid purchasing a new vehicle because of money and poor credit. For many of those people, that wait can’t go any longer. There’s just no more life left in the old ride. It might be time, but that doesn’t mean you have to be afraid of what your credit score may lead to. We have some helpful tips to help you get the best deal possible.

Have a poor credit score? Time to give it a boost. The higher your score, the lower the interest you can expect. That means you need to take the time to review your score. Make sure that having an inquiry on your report won’t bring it down even more. It may take you sometime to get the undesirable material taken from your report, but it’s well worth the time. Having your score show improvement can make a great difference in what your rate is.

Another method that leads to a much better rate is to increase your down payment. Having more money right up front shows that you’re less of a liability. In case you’re wondering, the industry standard for a down payment is 20 percent of the purchase price. An example is if you’re purchasing a vehicle for $25,000, then the down payment will be $5,000. The more you’re willing to put down at the time of purchase will be beneficial when you need leverage to negotiate for a lower car loan rate.

What about if you’ve done all the homework prior to going in and just can’t find the finances for a new car? You may want to look into leasing a vehicle. Leasing means that you’re not buying the car. That means your rates are more likely going to be lower than if you bought. Another plus of going the route of leasing is that contracts usually only last for 2 to 3 years. When the term is finished, you can go into the dealership and lease a newer vehicle.

Any and all of these tips can lead to a much better buying experience. Make sure that you contact us here at Bayside Chrysler Jeep Dodge. You can view our new and pre-owned inventory online. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for more tips and deals.