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Top New Car Search Sites

CompanyDescriptionUser's RatingsOverall ScoreWebsite
Edmunds.com Reviews

Edmunds.com Reviews

Edmunds.com is an online source of automotive information that is based in California. The website was established in 1995, and primarily makes money through the use of paid advertisements. The website itself offers ...

2 CarsDirect Reviews

CarsDirect Reviews

CarsDirect was founded in 1998 as a research service for American car shoppers. The website provides information about vehicles, vehicle insurance, and local dealerships. CarsDirect was the first website to ever sell ...

3 Cars.com Reviews

Cars.com Reviews

Cars.com comes in just behind AutoTrader.com as one of the largest auto classified listing websites. It was founded in 1998, and while the headquarters are in Chicago, the website features listings from all over the ...

4 TRUECar Reviews

TRUECar Reviews

TRUECar is a website founded in 2005 that provides car shoppers with information on both new and used vehicles that are for sale. They get information on car pricing based on what dealerships are currently selling ...

5 CarPriceSecrets.com Reviews

CarPriceSecrets.com Reviews

Founded on the idea that car dealerships always have a “secret” bottom dollar price that consumers rarely see, CarPriceSecrets.com is a website that allows shoppers to browse through cars, submit information to be ...

New Car Buyers Guide

Buying a brand new car is something that takes careful consideration. Most new cars can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and you want to be sure that you are making your dollars stretch as far as they can with something you’re likely to use every day. Here are some things to keep in mind when you shop for a brand new vehicle.

1. Choose a vehicle that fits your lifestyle.

It can be tempting to look for the newest features, the most modern styles, and the nicest upgrades. But what if these things don’t fit your lifestyle? For example, in 2016, small, quiet cars are on the rise as the year’s trendiest new car buy. These vehicles are eco-friendlier, more affordable, and have tons of integration features with smart phones and apps.

But what if your family spends their weekends camping and exploring rural areas with unpaved roads? A small car without much towing capacity won’t be a great fit for you. Even if you don’t intend to use this vehicle for your weekend drive, it’s still a good idea to choose something that will fit your lifestyle – just in case you need to downsize, or your second vehicle breaks down in the future.

So be sure you choose a type of vehicle that is the right size, has the right towing capacity, and offers the right features for your lifestyle. Be sure to look into how the vehicle performs in the types of weather you frequently see around your home, and what sorts of safety features it offers as well.

2. Consider all your financing options first.

Car loans are something that most Americans deal with at least once in their lifetimes. With small cars starting around $20,000, and large family vehicles and luxury cars jumping up past $50,000 very quickly, it’s easy to see why. Before you get pressured into a high-interest financing option with a dealership, though, it may be a good idea to consider some other financing options, such as:

• A bank loan. If you have great credit and a good relationship with your bank, you may be able to get a very low interest rate on a vehicle loan.

• A direct loan from a finance company. Just like a bank, you can get a loan from a finance company, who might offer you better terms than the dealership.

• Dealership Financing comes in many stripes, so be sure you carefully consider the terms, interest rates, payment schedule, fees, and fine print before you sign.

Be sure that you choose a car you can afford. Fees and interest rates are not included in the listing price of a car, so you need to give yourself plenty of wiggle room.

3. Test Drive the Car

With a used vehicle, you will probably be itching to test drive the car, to ensure that there is nothing wrong with it from previous use. But did you know that you should also test drive new cars? Manufacturing errors do happen, but more importantly: you need to get a feel for how a car “fits” you, and your driving style.

You may find that a car doesn’t allow enough leg room for you to sit comfortably as you drive. Or you may find that a vehicle has a peculiar control set up for wipers and blinkers that you just can’t stand. By test driving the car, you prevent yourself from a costly mistake.

Those three steps are really the most important parts of buying a new car. You may also need to consider trading in old vehicles, and negotiating prices for better deals. In any situation, always be willing to walk away if the deal isn’t right. No dealer is ever offering you a deal that will never be available again, and you will feel happier in the long run if you take your time before you buy.


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