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Buying a new car is a big deal, but it doesn't have to be stressful. Competition is fierce in car sales, so rest assured a dealership will roll out the red carpet to earn your business — especially at Ken Garff.
In this market, shopping new often makes more sense than shopping used. But, if you've never purchased a new car, going to a dealership can seem like an intimidating experience. Not to fear, however. Working with a dealership is a fairly straightforward process if you know what the process is like.
Here's what to expect when you go to a dealership.
Explore car options
To make your dealer experience as efficient as possible, it's usually best to have done some research on potential vehicles beforehand. Resources like Car and Driver, Motor Trend and others help narrow down which car might be right for you.
When you arrive at a dealership, don't be surprised if a salesperson greets you after you exit your vehicle. They are there to help (and to make the sale), so don't be shy to ask questions about each vehicle you want to check out.
A car salesperson should know anything and everything about every model on the lot and will be able to point you in the right direction. While some salespeople of former years might have pressed the hard sale, most salesman these days, like those at Ken Garff, just want to help and give you a great, no-pressure buying experience.
A beginner's guide to car buying
Few other purchases are as expensive as buying a car. Choose well and you can have years of reliable transportation, safety and enjoyment. Choose poorly and your experience can be far less satisfying. As nerve-racking as buying a car can be, however, you can make the process easier and less stressful by shopping at a reputable dealership. To help, here is a beginner's guide to car-buying.Spend time with the car
Once you start zeroing in on a car, spend as much time as you need with it to make a confident decision. Sit in it, push the buttons, adjust the seating position and check out the backseat and cargo spaces. Take it for a test drive on city roads and the highway. Drive it with the salesperson and by yourself (or with friends and family). Then, take some time alone to evaluate how you feel about it.
Greg Rasa of Autoblog explains that the salesman should allow you to spend all the time you need with the vehicle so you can feel good and confident about the decision. Once you've made up your mind, the salesperson will take you inside to discuss the next steps.
Discuss financing, trade-ins and terms
This is another step that is made easier (and faster) by doing some homework beforehand. Knowing what you can afford is key for this phase of the purchase process.
After you've spent a decent amount of time with the vehicle, it's time to go inside. With the salesperson, you will then arrange financing, discuss the trade-in of your current vehicle, negotiate the sales price and more.
The dealership will have several financing options available for you that are usually very competitive. However, you are not required to use dealership financing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that your local bank and credit union can also finance your new vehicle purchase.
But, be aware that dealerships will likely have incentives tied to financing your vehicle through them, which could mean a better deal for you in the long run. If your local bank or credit union offers better terms, the dealership will likely be able to match their offer.
Once you've finalized a sales price and have established a rate, term and payment, you're ready to close.
Sign paperwork
Signing the final paperwork can sound intimidating, but it's not. At this point in the purchase process, the salesperson will hand you off to a finance manager who will have prepared sales contracts for you to sign. Most of the papers deal with the"numbers, e.g. price, payment, taxes, rate, term, etc., but there are also several legal documents you will sign about taxes, titling, registration, etc.
Writing for Nerd Wallet, Philip Reed mentions the finance manager will also discuss extended warranty and other protection and care packages that can be financed as part of your loan.
Take delivery of your new vehicle
While you are signing your paperwork, a delivery team will prep your vehicle for you to take it home. They will remove all factory plastic and wrapping from the interior and clean up the exterior. If you have specific preferences on cleaning or vehicle preparation, let your salesperson know and they will leave it for you to take home for its first wash, writes Matthew Fink of Hagerty.
Then, the salesperson will walk through the pre-delivery checklist with you. This includes one final walk-around inspection, explanations of any tricky technology, the highlighting of special features and more.
Then, the salesperson will hand you both keys and the vehicle is yours!
Plates and registration
Lastly, a few weeks after your purchase, the dealership will notify you that your plates and registration have arrived. You will have the option of going by the dealership to pick them up or having them mailed to you. Then, you're all set!
Looking for a new car? Look no further than the Ken Garff dealerships here in Utah. Find your local Ken Garff dealership on their website, kengarff.com.
