Buying a new car should be one of the greatest experiences you have but it is all too often a hassle or chore that people just don't want to have to deal with. The process of picking out that new car, truck, or SUV doesn't have to be hard and if you go into it prepared and well informed you can make it easier and less stressful for yourself.
Know What You Want
When you walk onto the dealership's lot and start looking at all the new cars, you will have a lot of choices to make but if you know what you are looking for, it can be much easier. A little research prior to going to the dealership can help you make a decision about the kind of car and even the make and model you want to buy. You can get most of the information you need online and if you want to look closer at a few different models, a little after-hours browsing on the lot is a great way to get a closer look at the options.
Avoiding High-Pressure Sales
It is not uncommon to walk on the dealer's lot and be greeted by a salesperson right away. They are going to quickly start to ask questions and try to assess what it is you would like, how serious you are about buying, and if they can put you in something, even if it is not the car you want. You can put a stop to the high-pressure sales pitch by telling them up front that you know what you want and are there to see what they have in stock for that model and what the prices are like. If you are set on that car, tell them right away that you are not buying something else so they understand you are not going to accept a lower priced, lower optioned car, just to buy something. Remember, you will likely own this car for 5 to 7 years if you keep it the full term of the loan.
Financing and Leasing
Before you head over to the dealer, you may want to look at the leasing options that the manufacturer offers on their cares. The information is readily available online and if you are the kind of person that likes to trade a car every few years, leasing will allow you to do that without worrying about where you are at in your loan. The term for a lease is often set at 2 to 3 years so when you are ready, you take the car into the dealer and select another one without having to tack on a portion of your loan if the dealer does not want to give you much for the trade in. With leasing there is no trade-in, the car you turn in has come to the end of the lease and is being turned in as agreed in the lease. There can be penalties for going over the mileage allowance or for damage to the car but if you take care of it, these should be very minimal.
Keep these tips in mind when looking at a car like a Lexus for lease.