“Many of the complaints we get about cars could have been avoided with a good long test-drive,” says Jack Gillis, director of public affairs at Consumer Federation of America and author of The Car Book.
Buyers need to think about how they are going to use the car on a daily basis: driving on the highway, transporting kids and pets and parking under various conditions, for example. The test-drive also is the time to check out visibility when backing up, how a car seat would fit into the back, if that third row is really so easy to get in and out of. Make a checklist of your “must-have” features and refer to it during the drive. Our article “How to Test-Drive a Car” has some useful tips.
7. Skipping the call to your insurance agent
You need to look at the big picture when you’re buying a new car, especially when it comes to insurance. Will you be paying more or less with this new vehicle? Do you need gap insurance? These are questions that should be addressed with your insurance company, says John Ulin, a second-generation insurance agent at Allstate in Levittown, New York. “Many people let the dealership handle everything, but agents often think about issues buyers forget about, such as asking for a AutoCheck [vehicle history report] if buying a used car. The dealer will pay for it, but you have to request it.”
8. Buying from a salesperson you don’t trust
Too many of us buy cars from salespeople we don’t particularly like or trust. Even worse, says Reed, many people buy from salespeople because they feel sorry for them. Remember, this is a business deal, and the result is for you to get the right car at the right price. If a salesperson makes you feel uneasy for any reason (she’s too pushy; he doesn’t seem to know much about the cars), walk away.
Ideally, the salesperson can demonstrate the features of the car and help match a customer to the right car. So look for a salesperson who listens well and answers your questions directly. Then, as you move from the test-drive to the deal-making phase, you will have established a rapport that should make the rest of the process easier.
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