|
|
Buying Car Online:
The Basics
by Jessica Cuccioli |
Apparently, there are no limits to what we can buy online nowadays.
From toilet brushes to Porsche 911s, the world is at our fingertips.
Which to me translates into be careful!
Before buying car online: Think.
It's obvious that there are many things to consider before buying
car online. I'll break down the basics and give you beginners
some simple information.
Whether you wish to buy a car from an online dealership, online
classifieds, or auction sites like eBay, have in mind what kind
of car you want, and how much you are willing to spend. Being
an avid shopper myself, I know how tempting it can be to overspend,
especially online. If you're serious about buying cars online,
pick a price - with a little room for leeway - and stick to it.
The process of buying car online
First search. Then research. Then compare. When searching for a car, there's a few ways you can find the
right one faster. You can search by:
- Manufacturer
- Vehicle type
- Vehicle segment
- Vehicle price
- Monthly payment
- Location
Most dealership sites give you search and advanced search options,
so you choose by whichever is important to you. Retiring or going
through a mid-life crisis? Jump right to vehicle type. Had a traumatizing
experience on the subway but still need to get to work somehow?
Go straight to monthly payments. Whatever works for you.
When you find your dream car, research it. I can not stress this
enough. Some of the sites you search on will have "Vehicle
History Report." . If you want to buy a used car online, this is
a good site to look at first: Online
Fraud Awareness - Tips & Guide to Buying a Used Car Online.
Also look at the car's specifications and features.
After you've poured over the history report, and
if you're happy and you know it, then you can compare your car
with other cars. Comparison shopping is always a smart move. And
I recommend not only shopping around in one place but many. I
wish I would have done that with my first car. Hey, you live,
you learn, right?
The fun part of buying car online: paying
for it!
Lease vs. Loan
Hm. Which one. One is not better than the other in this case,
but it's all based on personal opinion and choice. For example,
some pros of a loan are: the car, in essence, belongs to you.
You can customize it as you please and drive all day and all night
for however long you want, to your heart's content. Some pros
of a lease are: you can usually get more expensive vehicles at
lower monthly payments, you don't have to sell the car when your
lease is up, but you can trade it in every three years or less.
For more info on online financing, see Auto
Loans Online Frequently Asked Questions.
And, of course, don't forget to take advantage of
the car buying tools if the online dealership/seller's website
offers it. They're usually lists with sections like: car reviews,
top cars, "finance calculator," and incentives and rebates.
Just remember: informed decisions are best. So do
your homework, shop around, ask questions, and learn as much as
you can.
Return to PulseMedia Cars and Car Parts
|
Jessica Cuccioli is a Southwest Florida journalism student. She was raised a Messianic Jew, and studied at a Christian Bible college for a year. Ms. Cuccioli has also been published in the Charlotte Sun. Best of all, she was engaged to be married in Fall 2004. |
|