How to Buy a Car from a Dealership

Buying a new car can be stressful, but it doesn't have to be difficult. Preparation and knowledge are essential to buying a great car. And when you work with the right dealership, you can avoid logistic roadblocks and just focus on finding the right option for you.

If you've never purchased a car at the dealership before, it helps to have some knowledge of what to expect from the experience. Thanks to new technology and service options, buying a car is simpler than ever. You can even buy a car from a dealership entirely online and have it delivered to you.

However, buying a car is an important and often expensive decision. It's a good idea to be ready before you shop at a dealership to speed up the process. We'll explore the steps you should take if you want to begin car shopping.

Research

Preparation is one of the most important steps in car shopping. Before you head off to buy a car from a dealership, you should do plenty of research. It's okay not to be one hundred percent certain of the exact car you want, but you should have at least a few top options that you would like to test drive.

You should always check out the dealership's website for more information. It will show what they have in stock and other important information. Checking out online reviews about the dealership, plus the automaker and cars that you are interested in buying, is also a good way to ensure you end up with the best option.

Here are some resources that are great to check out to help you research your next new or used vehicle purchase:

• Honda's official website: Here, you can find more specifics about the model and trim of the vehicle that you want.
• Kelley's Blue Book: This is a great resource to help you find out about used vehicles, especially if you see something on Brickell Honda's lot.
• Brickell Honda's New and Used Car Buying Guides:  These are great resources to help you learn about the nuances of each Honda model and trim. 
• JD Power: This website will have reviews of different makes and models and is an industry standard. You will see that Honda rates favorably with JD Power.

Plan Out Your Finances

You should take a good look at your finances and the kind of car you can afford. Getting preapproved for a car loan might be a good option, as you'll be able to see more closely what your price range will be for a car. You'll want to compare the rate for this loan with the dealership's financing options later.

Test Drive

Once you've done some research and preparation, it's time to start shopping. Though buying a car completely online is an available option, working with a dealership in-person has a lot of benefits. One of the main advantages is that you will be able to test-drive your top options. If you've never driven these options before, you may find that you prefer one over the other.

Coming into the dealership will also give you a chance to talk with a knowledgeable salesperson. You may not have a lot of questions just from the online descriptions of the car. However, you may find talking with a car expert while you're test-driving a car to be helpful in your decision-making process, as they can provide you with more information and professional opinions.

Check out the Deal, Warranty Information, and Dealer Financing

Once you've narrowed down your decision to your top choice, then you'll want to go deeper into the final costs. You'll want to ask for the final sale price, as well as warranty information. Will the dealership offer an extended warranty? Does the sale include a prepaid maintenance plan? It's a good idea to paint a full picture of the final price and associated costs so you can make the best decision possible.

Once you have a quote for your potential car, you'll want to compare it to other options. You can check out other dealerships or the automaker's website to compare the competition. It's important to remember that even if a dealership's car is priced slightly higher than a competitor's option, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's not the best deal. You also need to consider the details of the loan, like the interest rate and term. Plus, some dealerships are easier to work with, making the experience stress-free and less time-consuming.

Finalize the Deal

When you're ready to complete the deal, you'll need to bring certain information to the dealership if you want to finalize the transaction right away. When you go to buy a car from a dealership, you should bring these items with you.

• Driver's license
• Proof of income
• Insurance (If this is your first car, you should be able to buy new insurance quickly.)
• Verification of employment
• Proof of residence

You can always call the dealership ahead of time and ask what materials you will need for their financing options. A lot of people choose to complete this paperwork in person at the dealership, as employees will be able to answer any questions you may have and guide you through the process. However, some people may prefer to have the paperwork delivered to them so that they can complete it at home.

No matter where you choose to complete the sale, it's important to read through the contract carefully. Since buying a car is an expensive long-term purchase, it's better to be thorough and slow when combing through the paperwork.

Delivery

When you buy a car from a dealership, you can either drive it off the lot or have it delivered to your home. Depending on your preferences, you may prefer one option over the other.

However, no matter what choice you go with, you should always do a quick inspection of the car. If it's been transported to your home, you'll want to ensure that there are no nicks or dings that may have occurred when it was being transported to you.

Buying a new car from a dealership is an exciting time, though it may feel daunting if you've never done it before. As long you research, prepare, and shop with a good dealership, you'll be able to find the perfect car in your price range quickly. If you're ready to begin the first step of car shopping, start your research with some of our new inventory.