How Do I Find the New Car That's Best for Me?

You may be one of those fortunate people who know with certainty which make and model of new car you want, cost is no object, and other factors do not come into play. You can just go buy the car of your choice. However, for most of us that's not the case. You need to give the matter of choosing the right new car some serious thought, and do some research to confirm your choice.

Once you have an idea of what you want, it's a good idea to call Lendward at 800.391.9310. Not only can we help you arrive at the best payment terms, we can refer you to a dealer near you who can give you plenty of cars to choose from.

The first thing you need to do is set your budget. How firm is it? Can you afford to go over it a little bit if you find that special car? Will you be paying cash or making payments? How much of a down payment can you make, and how big of a car payment can you afford each month? Leasing might be an option, but you will not own the car when the lease expires and you are limited to driving a certain number of miles. It's less expensive in the long run to buy.

Then decide how practical you need to be. Do you want instant gratification with a sports car, or just a good solid, comfortable car that will serve your needs well into the future? What features do you need?

Chances are you will need to consider additional factors such as how many passengers you will need to carry, whether you drive in tough weather (which could make all-wheel drive very desirable), gas mileage, whether or not you will be commuting, and how much parking space you typically have.

If you are serious about sticking to a budget, you need to assess your long-term costs, which means the total cost of owning your vehicle. In addition to purchase price and payments, you should factor all the expenses that can really mount up, like warranty coverage, gas mileage, maintenance and insurance costs. Also, will this car depreciate more rapidly than a similar make and model?

Narrow down your choices, but keep your options open. If you have a certain make and model firmly in mind, make sure you investigate other vehicles in its class and compare. It would be a shame to overlook a similar vehicle that might be an even better one for you.

So now that you have an idea of what type of vehicle you want, and at least a ballpark idea of how much it is going to cost and what your payments might be, it's time to visit a dealer or start shopping online. Lendward is ready to help connect you with a local dealer who can deliver the vehicle you have in mind.

We've saved the most important step for last ‒ it's time to test drive a few vehicles. The first test drive you take may be so convincing that you want that car. But if it isn't love at first drive, make sure you test drive at least three or four vehicles before you buy one.