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Need help picking out a new car, here are 7 tips to guide you through the process.

#1 Determine what kind of car you actually NEED.
Examine your needs rather than your wants and this will quickly narrow the field of choices. Ask yourself – What type of driving do I do the most? How many passengers do I typically have? What is my commute to work? How important is good gas mileage? What about snow and ice? What safety features do I want?

#2 What can you afford?
A realistic monthly payment that fits your budget is absolutely crucial. A good rule of thumb recommended is to keep your car payments at 20 percent or lower than your take-home pay. This advice pertains to either buying or leasing.

#3 Buy or lease? Which is best for you?
Basically, leasing requires little or even no money on the front end. BUT when the lease is up, you have no car. On the other hand, buying is initially more expensive and the payments are usually higher BUT when all is said and done, you own a car. Both have other advantages or disadvantages. Buying means you have more flexibility and don’t need to keep your eye on the odometer. Leasing means you can drive a new car every few years and maybe even a pricier car than you could afford to buy.

#4 Did you give consideration to ALL the vehicles in the style you’re considering?
It can be tricky to keep up with all the choices so do your research. The auto industry has made some major changes recently in their models. There are many websites that will provide you with comparisons. (Cars.com/comparisons, kbb.com, autos.msn.com/research are just a few)

#5 Are you aware of all the expenses associated with the vehicle of your choice?
While one car may cheaper to actually purchase, it may prove to be more expensive to actually own. Maintenance and depreciation are the 2 main factors to consider. Fuel costs and insurance also come into play. Do the math BEFORE you finalize your decision.

#6 Know how to test drive a car.
Try to replicate the same driving conditions that you experience on a regular basis. Stop and go? Freeway? Corners, bumps, hills? Don’t forget to sit in the backseat. Get in and out of the car a few times. Back up. Parallel park. And don’t drive with the stereo on initially. You can evaluate that later.

#7 Stay flexible and save money.
So you’ve decided on the make and model. Keep in mind that if you can be a little flexible about options, trim packages and even color, you have additional bargaining power. If you’re totally inflexible, you have less leverage. BUT if the vehicle of your dreams is sitting in the lot right in front of you, you don’t necessarily have to volunteer this information!

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