Instant Garage Upgrade: A New Car

Brought to you by KUNI BMW

We could give you suggestions for upgrading the look of your garage until we are blue in the face, but the fact is your garage only looks as good as what goes in it. Nothing creates a garage makeover quite like a brand new car. If you think you might be ready for a new car you have options: leasing or buying. Here we’ll help you navigate both processes.

Enjoy Buying a New Car
Buying a new car can be a lot of fun, but with the average price of a new car over $28,000, it’s also an important decision. There’s no need to go into the process scared or leap into it willy-nilly with little to no preparation. Get the most out of buying a new car by following these few suggestions:

Know how much you want it spend and stick to it
Do the research to know how much you can afford and what cars are in your price range. Let’s face it, cars are shiny and pretty; walking into a showroom can have your pulse racing and your excitement getting away with you. Stick to your financial plan. Also, obtaining your credit report in advance will help you negotiate price and monthly payments.

Shop for Safety
There are simple ways to find out if the car you want is safe. One of those is to check out the potential car’s crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. There are safety considerations; however, you can make for yourself. For instance, heavier vehicles are proven to offer more protection than lighter vehicles. Also assess what kind of safety technology your car-to-be offers, like anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring systems and four-wheel-drive.

Dealer Time
On the day you go to the dealership, take this checklist to help guide you through the process.

Have the Time to Shop for a New Car – allot at least 2-3 hours per dealer so you have enough time to shop, browse, negotiate and buy.

Take the Time to Ask Questions – ask questions about safety, maintenance costs, and fuel economy. In other words, just be a curious car buyer.

Make Sure the Car Dealer Demonstrates EVERTHING on the Car.

Test Drive the Car -- This seems simple, but people actually do skip this step!

You and the Salesperson Are a Team -- The old image of the slick car salesman just out to make a buck is long gone. These days, salespeople want to help you make the right deal and are invested in your ongoing satisfaction; their business is based upon reputation and word-of-mouth more than ever. Therefore, there is no need to be intimidated. Just keep your head about you and make the choice that feels right for you.

Remember, when it comes to buying a new car it’s your money, so your satisfaction and safety are key. As long as you arm yourself with this little bit of information, you should be able to drive away happy.

Leasing: A Cheaper Upgrade
If you are looking for the new car experience but don’t want to spend new car cash, leasing may be a strong option for you. Generally, the advantages of leasing are that you can a) drive a better car for less money, b) you can drive a new car every few years and c) there are no trade-in hassles at the end of the lease.

When deciding whether to lease, consider these helpful tips

How leasing works
Leasing a car is like renting a car — but for a longer time period. Unlike buying, you never actually own the car and you have to give it back at the end of the lease. Leasing allows a person to drive a brand-new car and make lower monthly payments, thus making the new cars accessible to more people. Finally, leasing can offer tax breaks for certain occupations.

How long should your lease be?
It is possible to lease cars for two, three, four or five years. However, the three-year lease is the best choice for most people. The majority of carmakers offer three-year bumper-to-bumper warranties. If your lease is for three years you will always be under warranty without paying extra for an extended service contract. Remember, one of the reasons for leasing is to drive a new, or nearly new, vehicle on a constant basis. It's better to shop aggressively for a competitive lease deal and keep the length of the contract to three years.

Take the test drive
When you arrive on the lot you will want to take a careful look at the car you are planning to lease. You should also drive the car one more time. If everything checks out, it's time to deal.

Successfully managing your leased vehicle
As you drive your leased vehicle, you need to remember that the car will have to be returned in good condition. Have all the scheduled maintenance performed at an authorized dealer and keep your eye on the odometer to avoid exceeding the mileage limit.

Now, it's time to go out and put your knowledge into action. Whether you’ve chosen to buy or lease, just remember the time you take to research your decision will pay dividends over the years. You'll not only be driving a car that suits your needs, but you'll be saving money in the process. That's a big payoff for a little bit of work.