What Should I Do Before I Buy A New Car?

What Should I Do Before I Buy A New Car in Greenville, SC

The process of buying a new car is full of excitement, but it can be overwhelming as well. Before you decide on your next vehicle upgrade, we recommend asking yourself the questions below so that you’re fully sure that you’re making the right choice. A new car is a big investment, and here at Steve White Volkswagen, we want you to find a car that ends up paying for itself in the long term when it comes to reliability, longevity and safety. That’s what you can expect from a new Volkswagen, and when you’re ready to choose your next vehicle from our wide selection, our finance team will be there to help you set up payments that fit your budget (and ensure you’re taking advantage of all the savings available to you). If you have any more questions, we’d be more than happy to answer them in person or over the phone! For now, take a look at the following do’s and don’ts of buying a new car.

1. Do Know Your Needs

Before you dive into our online inventory or visit our dealership to browse the vehicles on our lot, it’s a good idea to be fully aware of what you need from a new car. Your lifestyle, commute and hobbies will impact this decision in a major way. For example, if you have a long daily drive to and from work, you might want a car with great gas mileage. If you love camping, you may be in the market for an SUV that can handle adventures off the beaten path. Think through how you’ll use your new vehicle and choose a body style that fits the bill, then make sure you keep your must-have features in mind as you start your search.

2. Do Research

Now that you know what type of car you need, start your research into what make and model will suit you best. If you aren’t settled on buying a new Volkswagen, browse different brands on a variety of manufacturers’ websites (and remember to only focus on models with the body style you’ve chosen). Refer to your list of must-have features to find vehicles that check all your boxes (for example, heated seats, all-wheel drive or a premium sound system). You can use our comparison pages to see similarities and differences between two cars, and don’t forget to research safety ratings for each of the cars you’re considering as well.

3. Do Know How Much You Can Afford

Budgeting isn’t the most fun part of the car-buying process, but it is vital to knowing how much you can afford. Once you have a budget in mind, you’ll find the financing process less intimidating — and our financial experts will be able to more accurately offer you payment options that fit your lifestyle. Over the years, our team has helped many customers finance new Volkswagen vehicles, and they’ve found that it’s ideal for customers to place 20 percent down. If you can, limit your loan term to no more than 60 months and set your monthly payments to less than 10 percent of your monthly income. These numbers may vary depending on your credit score and history. Don’t forget to factor in the costs of annual maintenance and insurance as well.

4. Don't Trade A Car That Has Negative Equity

Now that we’ve listed three things you should do, here are some you should avoid. While we are always happy to accept trade-ins, we don’t recommend trading in your current vehicle if it’s worth less than the amount owed on it. In other words, if your loan balance is higher than your vehicle’s value, you have negative equity. If you trade in a car with negative equity, the debt from your current vehicle will follow you into your next loan, and you’ll end up paying off two cars at the same time. To avoid this headache, we recommend valuing your current car online before you decide to trade in, and only sell your vehicle when your loan is paid off in full.

5. Don't Rush Your Test Drive

Finally, the most fun part of buying a car: test-driving new vehicles here at Steve White Volkswagen! We know you’re itching to drive off our lot in a new Volkswagen of your very own, but don’t rush your test drives. Slow down and enjoy the process, imagining each car as part of your daily routine. Test all the features, from the radio to the liftgate, and make sure you feel comfortable in the driver’s seat. Take your list of must-have features and ensure everything you want is present in the vehicle you’re considering. Our team will be there to help you and answer any questions you may have, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need assistance!

Interested in purchasing or leasing a new Volkswagen? Come visit us at Steve White Volkswagen at 100 Duvall Drive, Greenville, SC 29607. We look forward to serving our customers from Greenville, SC and throughout Asheville, NC, Columbia, Spartanburg and Anderson, SC and the Upstate.