When you are in the market for a new or new-to-you vehicle, it can be a daunting task. Most of us do not keep up with car models in our busy lives when we have a vehicle we are pleased with. Fortunately, today there are more tools online to help you do plenty of research before you ever set foot in a dealership to test drive vehicles.
Determine Your Needs
The first step to getting the vehicle that you will be pleased with for years to come is to figure out what type of vehicle is best for your needs. Of course, this is different if you are single versus if you are a part of a family. Some very basic questions include:
- How many passengers do you need to seat?
- How much cargo space is required?
- Do you need regular access to a truck bed or the storage capacity of a van?
- Will this vehicle be a daily driver, and/or will it have another role?
- Do you need fuel efficiency, or is power more important?
- Are you only interested in a new vehicle, or is a used one acceptable?
Once you have narrowed down your needs, it is easier to proceed. That will better allow you to determine the type of vehicle you are looking for.
Check Reviews of Vehicles
It is important to first consult online vehicle reviews before you rush out to dealerships for test drives. The best car review websites will have reviews for all model years of a vehicle you are likely to encounter, at least back as far as several years. This will allow you to search for used cars as well as new models. A good automotive review company provides reviews of each model each year, including information such as:
- Performance Characteristics (engine sizes, horsepower, towing capacity, etc.)
- Exterior Features
- Interior Features
- Technology
- Storage Area
- Fuel Efficiency
- Trim Models
Within the review, you will also get a comparison of the target vehicle with competitors’ models. This is a great starting point because it allows you to do a deeper dive into reviews of other models as well as into the automobile manufacturer’s website for even more specific details on the vehicles of interest.
Use a Car Comparison Tool
At this point, you likely have narrowed things down to three or four vehicles that really catch your eye. It is really daunting, though, to scroll through the pages of each model on the manufacturers’ websites. The automobile review website should provide you with a car comparison tool. This will allow you to place a number of vehicles alongside each other online, allowing you to compare features to your heart’s content.
Conduct Test Drives
When you have narrowed down your vehicle choices to just a handful, you can go into the dealership to do a test drive. This is the final phase of the research. If something sets you off driving the vehicle, you want to know before you sign on the dotted line. It is best if the vehicle will be a used model, to see if the year or years in question are available at your local dealerships. You can find this online at the dealership’s website under “Used Inventory,” but some of the online automobile review agencies will provide you with information on in-stock used inventory for your local dealership on their websites. One other tip is to qualify for financing before you do a test drive.
Today’s online tools make it easier for car buyers to save the costly error of getting roped into a vehicle at a dealership that is not for you and your needs. Today, the time you spend shopping online and looking into vehicle reviews will literally save you thousands at the dealership.
Published by: Martin De Juan
