Replacing your old vehicle is an exciting process. You get to upgrade your vehicle and shop for a model that is sleek and stylish, whether you drive a car or you have a van license.
Even with the cost of living increasing and inflation rising, you shouldn’t feel guilty about spending money on a new car. If you’ve been driving the same car for decades, it might be time for an upgrade.
Newer cars are safer to drive, less likely to need significant repairs, and have better technology inside the vehicle. It’s often worth spending the money to drive a safer and more modern car.
As great as it is to treat yourself to a new vehicle, it does come with a significant cost. Most cars cost at least a few thousand dollars to buy out right and that’s not to mention all of the additional costs, like registration fees and car taxes.
Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to reduce your total costs and we’ve listed some of the best things below.
Find the Best Delivery Option
You have two main options when buying a new car. You can either pick it up from the dealership yourself or use a professional auto transport service. Each delivery option varies in cost.
If you live near the selling location, consider walking, cycling, or traveling via public transport to get there. This is much cheaper than getting somebody else to drive you there and paying for the petrol or ordering a taxi cab.
When the vehicle’s pick-up location is far away from your home, it’s often more practical to use a car shipping service. A professional auto shipping company can pick up the car and have it delivered to your home quickly and safely, and for an affordable price.
Compare Dealership Prices
Dealerships offer varied prices, even for the exact same vehicles. If you’re looking for a specific model and style of car, do some online research to compare the prices of multiple car dealerships.
Most car dealers are happy to lower their sales prices to match their competition, so don’t be afraid to haggle when you get to the dealership. You could save hundreds of dollars by simply asking.
Consider the Cost of Insurance
Car insurance is, undoubtedly, one of the largest costs of owning a car, aside from buying the car itself. By shopping around for different car insurance quotes, you can save yourself hundreds of dollars on your initial purchase.
Car insurance comparison websites make it easy to compare several quotes at once. Find a company that offers an affordable premium with great coverage.
Car dealers often have affiliations with auto insurance companies so they may be able to offer you a cheaper quote for your first year of insurance. Ask the dealer when you go and view the car, not when you’re ready to purchase the car.
You will need to organize your insurance before you buy it so you can drive the car as soon as you become the legal owner.