We all love getting a bargain. Whether it’s getting a cheap deal on your utilities, grabbing a discounted multipack of our favorite foods, or finding a ‘buy one get one free’ offer on some basic tees, it feels great to save money.
Buying a car can be a complex and time-consuming process. For this reason, it’s easy to jump straight into the first deal we see to get our new car as soon as possible. Yet many of us don’t even consider shopping around for the cheapest deals when it comes to our housing or cars. We often buy the first model that appears, and we don’t even think about haggling for a cheaper price at the car dealership. But, by failing to do these things, we’re missing out on some huge savings!
If you’re looking to buy a new car, but you’re also shopping on a limited budget, there are plenty of ways to ensure you don’t overspend. Here are some of the top tips to help you find the cheapest possible deal.
Find a Great Car Dealership
Finding the right place to purchase your car is one of the most important factors. You want to find a Business or seller that has a great reputation. One that is reliable and trustworthy, but offers affordable prices for their vehicles.
There are several options when it comes to choosing how to buy your car. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, but if you’re looking for the cheapest deal impossible, you’re best going to a car dealership.
A car dealership usually offers cheaper prices than private sellers. Most of them offer warranties to ensure you’re fully covered in the case of a breakdown. Because dealers have access to professional mechanics, they are able to identify and fix any problems with their cars prior to selling.
Dealerships also offer the option to pay on finance, which provides you with a more affordable way to buy your new vehicle. This is unlike private sellers who usually have a set price to pay upfront.
Negotiate with the Dealer
Whether you go to a Chevy dealership in Utah or a Ford dealership on the other side of the country, you can always haggle for a cheaper price. Although some car dealerships might insist on full payment for their vehicles, many of them are happy to take a small amount of money off the asking price to close the deal with their customers. If you don’t ask, you don’t get! Always try and negotiate with your car dealership prior to signing the dotted line just in case they’re happy to offer you a discount.
Avoid Buying a Brand-New Vehicle
Most people would to have a brand-new car with the latest technology and a super-fast and efficient engine. Unfortunately, brand new models are often much more expensive than second hand cars. If you don’t mind getting yourself a previously owned vehicle, you could save a lot of money doing so!
It’s important to learn about a used car’s history when you make an enquiry. Most private sellers or car dealerships will know where the car has come from and any important details that you should know about its previous owner. This will help you determine whether or not the asking price is fair.
Check the Insurance Bands
Different cars are categorized into distinct insurance bands according to a number of factors including their engine size, repair times, safety, fuel economy, additional features, and more. If you’ve got your eye on a particular car, check which insurance band it falls into before you make a final decision.
Shop Around for the Cheapest Insurance
Once you’ve chosen a car, you will need to arrange insurance before you can legally drive it. Don’t just sign up to the first insurance provider that pops up on your Google search. Instead, enter your details into an insurance price comparison website. This will allow you to compare quotes from multiple companies so you can find the cheapest deal. Shopping around for an affordable insurance provider can save you hundreds every year!
If you’re a younger driver looking to shave off as much as you can from your extortionate insurance policy, consider getting a black box fitted into your vehicle. This is a small device that monitors your speed and driving efficiency. After a year, your insurance can drastically decrease if your insurer can see that you’re a trustworthy driver based on the data gathered from your black box.
Pay On Finance
Finance provides a great way for you to get your dream car without having to save up for it. With finance, you usually pay a 10% deposit and then fixed monthly payments for 12-24 months. This makes the vehicle much more affordable. You will likely have to pass some credit checks to reassure the dealership that you’re going to be able to make the regular monthly payments.
Not all car models are available on finance, but if you head to a local car dealership, they will be able to advise you on which vehicles have options for finance.
Wait Until the Right Time
A great way to find the cheapest deal on a new car is to wait until the right time of year to buy. This isn’t something many people think to do, but it could save you a lot of money. Dealers have targets to hit (usually three-month or quarterly targets) and quotas to reach. This means they often have sales at certain points throughout the year to try and get rid of any leftover stock and meet their deadlines.
Consider the time of year too. If you’re looking for a convertible car, the best season to search is probably wintertime. Dealers will often have them on sale in the cold months when nobody else wants to buy them.