| Â | | | | credit rating. A poor credit rating and you |
| | | | may well find that you cannot get the sum of |
| Along with buying a house another major | | | | money you want in order to purchase the car |
| investment that many people face today is | | | | of your dreams. |
| purchasing a vehicle. Certainly with the cost | | | | |
| of fuel on the increase buying a car that | | | | Â |
| provides everything that one needs but is | | | | |
| also economical is crucial today. In this | | | | Tip 6 - Take The Car for a Test Drive - |
| article we offer the top ten tips on car | | | | Although you may think you don't need to, it |
| finance so that you get the best deal | | | | is sensible to take the car you are |
| possible when purchasing a new or used | | | | considering purchasing whether brand new or |
| vehicle. | | | | used for at least a 20 minute test drive. |
| | | | This way you can not only be sure that you |
| Â | | | | will feel comfortable when driving it but |
| | | | will also be able to handle it as well. Plus |
| Tip 1 - Set a Budget - Once you have decided | | | | it gives you a chance to see if there are any |
| just how much you are willing to spend on | | | | problems (especially with used cars) that may |
| your dream vehicle then you need to make sure | | | | well end up costing you more to get repaired |
| that you stick with it. It is important when | | | | in the future. |
| setting your budget you make a list of the | | | | |
| features that you want your car to have. Do | | | | Â |
| you want one with a large boot? Do you want | | | | |
| one that provides ample room for all the | | | | However, before you take it for a test drive |
| family to be seated in it comfortably and | | | | then get the bonnet up and check the engine |
| safely? Are you after a diesel, petrol or a | | | | when cold. It is also crucial that you test |
| hybrid car? | | | | drive the car from cold as this will help you |
| | | | to clearly identify any future mechanical |
| Â | | | | issues. Plus after testing it and you have |
| | | | returned to the starting point make sure that |
| Tip 2 - Do Some Research - The internet is | | | | you test that all components within the car |
| the best place to look for information on the | | | | such as electric windows, heated seats, radio |
| kinds of cars you are considering buying | | | | etc. are working. |
| including what sort of price you can expect | | | | |
| to pay for them. This information can also be | | | | Â |
| found in magazines but by going online you | | | | |
| can do it for free and it can all be done in | | | | Tip 7 - Buying a Car Online - If you intend |
| the comfort of your own home. As you do carry | | | | to purchase a car through an online auction |
| out your research look for information | | | | site then make sure that you ask the seller |
| relating to any manufacturers recalls on a | | | | for as much information on the vehicle as you |
| vehicle. Plus check out when certain tasks | | | | possibly. If they state they have a complete |
| need to be carried out such as the changing | | | | service history then ask them to provide you |
| of the cam belt as this can prove to be a | | | | with proof of such. Most will be able to |
| very expensive repair. | | | | e-mail or fax the information that you want |
| | | | to you. Also carry out some research into the |
| Â | | | | seller also. Look closely at the feedback |
| | | | they have received previously. |
| Tip 3 - Speak to Friends - If your friends or | | | | |
| someone else you know has the car that you | | | | Â |
| are considering buying then ask them for | | | | |
| their opinion on it. Ask them not just how | | | | Tip 8 - Warranties - If you are purchasing a |
| well it does in relation to fuel consumption | | | | new or used vehicle from a dealer then see |
| but how reliable the car is also. | | | | what warranties it comes with. It is crucial |
| | | | that you actually look at the documentation |
| Â | | | | relating to the warranty so you know exactly |
| | | | what and what isn't covered under it. |
| Tip 4 - Compare The Prices - Along with | | | | |
| looking through local newspapers search | | | | Â |
| online so that you can compare the prices of | | | | |
| the cars you are interested in. If you are | | | | If you are buying a used car and the dealer |
| going to be purchasing a used car then avoid | | | | offers just a basic warranty package for the |
| those which have high mileage on the clock as | | | | vehicle, see if for paying a little more that |
| they tend to need a lot more time being spent | | | | they can upgrade it to something a little |
| on maintaining them. Plus if the vehicle is | | | | more substantial. Although you may have to |
| no longer in production then it may well | | | | pay an extra few dollars for such it may well |
| prove difficult to get replacement parts for | | | | save you money in the future. |
| it. Another way of comparing prices if you | | | | |
| have time is to spend time going around a few | | | | Â |
| local car dealers close to where you live. | | | | |
| | | | Tip 9 - Getting Everything Documented - It is |
| Â | | | | crucial when buying any car that you get |
| | | | everything put in writing in relation to the |
| Tip 5 - Getting Your Car Finance Arranged - | | | | warranty agreement and any work that needs to |
| It is important that you spend time checking | | | | be carried out prior to you getting the keys. |
| out several different sources for obtaining | | | | Otherwise if you don't you won't have any |
| the finance you need to purchase your car. If | | | | recourse should you find that what was meant |
| you are purchasing a brand new vehicle it is | | | | to be done hasn't been. |
| not always ideal to go with the financing | | | | |
| that the dealer can offer, sometimes through | | | | Â |
| arranging your own you can actually haggle | | | | |
| with them to get the price you actually pay | | | | Tip 10 - Getting The Keys - The majority of |
| for the vehicle brought down. | | | | modern cars today will come with central |
| | | | locking that is operated by an electronic |
| Â | | | | remote control or key. When you finally do |
| | | | take possession of your vehicle then make |
| Although you may look at several different | | | | sure that you get both sets of keys for it. |
| places to obtain your financing for the car | | | | Remember to keep the second set safe and |
| from it is important that you don't apply to | | | | secure at home. |
| them all as this will end up damaging your | | | | |