1. Determine what the trade-in value of your current vehicle is

Trading in your car will help you lower the cost of purchasing your new vehicle. Look at sites such as Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds to find the current trade-in value of your vehicle. Doing this can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on your vehicle and vehicle condition. You will get the most money back by selling your car privately and not doing it through a car dealer. Keep in mind these trade-in values fluctuate daily, however you can gather enough research to make a good estimate on your car.

2. Start finding vehicles you’re interested in within your budget

Once you determine how much you are willing to spend on a car, your best bet will to be to make sure you have enough cash to pay for the car upfront. There are other finance options available to you if you cannot afford to pay upfront. You'll need to go to to a credit union or bank to obtain a loan at a monthly payment that is affordable to you. Begin researching vehicles within your budget.

3. Decide what your preferred features are in your new vehicle

Finding your new car means you need to consider what features you want available to you. You’ll definitely want comfortable seats and automatic emergency braking. You may also want features such as forward collusion warning or a back-up camera. The number of car features available currently is a bit overwhelming. Try to find out what your must-haves are. This can greatly helpful you find the most suitable vehicle for you.

4. Definitely take your potential car for a test drive

Some car buyers want to overlook this step. But test driving your potential new vehicle is extremely important and cannot be neglected. You need to determine your final list of cars that you’re interested in and test drive them all the day you go to the dealer. You need to take note of your comfort level once you get in, while you’re driving and you need to notice how the car drives and if you like how it handles. This is a big purchase, so you really need to experience what it is going to be like owning this car.

5. Take a look at the warranties

Will you need an extended warranty? Sometimes, an extended warranty can really be worth it. Most dealers offer a limited warranty that lasts about 2 -3 months. However, you likely won’t face any issues. An extended warranty acts as a sort of insurance on your car and you don’t need to have it for as long as you own the car. It may be wise to have an extended warranty for a year, just to give you peace of mind. This will likely provide you with a good time range should any problems with the vehicle arise.

Looking for a new car? Plan a visit to Sierra Toyota, located in Sierra Vista, AZ!

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