3 Things to Remember when Buying a New or Used Car

Every Garden State resident has different values when it comes to buying a new or used car. Some people would say that a vehicle's fuel efficiency is the car's most important feature; others would say that they're more concerned with the company that manufactured the vehicle. In any case, there's one factor that every car buyer can agree is important: the vehicle's cost.

Whether you love to penny-pinch or you have a lot of money to spend, the cost factor can make or break your car-buying decision. The easiest way to get a car you can afford is to make cost a factor from the very beginning of the buying process. Whether you're looking for New Jersey used car dealers or fresh-off-the-assembly-line cars, keep these things in mind to get an affordable car you'll be proud to own.

Keep the big picture in mind cost-wise

When you buy a car, the initial price you pay for it is only the beginning of the money you're going to spend. Do you know how much a tank of gas will cost for your new car? Some cars have poor gas mileage, or need a higher grade of gasoline, and will end up being more expensive to drive. Consider the maintenance tasks you'll have to perform, the car insurance you'll have to pay for, and a fund for any kind of breakdowns. Once you take all of that into account, you'll know how much your car will truly cost.

Know your loan amount before you head to the lots

If you're going to be taking out a loan to get your car, you should try to get financing before you shop. There's nothing worse than falling in love with a car and finding out that you can't afford it, and there's nothing worse for your wallet than trying to extend your line of credit so that you can get it. If you go to a bank and get an idea of what they're willing to loan you, you'll be able to start shopping within your budget immediately. 

Don't obsess over monthly payments

Some people are more than willing to buy a car they can't afford because of a low monthly payment, but that doesn't mean that you have a cheap car. Low monthly payments don't make the car cheaper – it just means that you're paying less out of pocket on a monthly basis. In some cases, your low monthly payment can add a lot of interest onto the cost of your car, and in the end that could make your car even more expensive.

Remember these tips when you come in and check out our impressive inventory at Autoland!