Top 5 Easy Tips to Finding the Right Car for You

When it comes to purchasing a new vehicle, you have hundreds of options. This makes finding the right match more difficult. Sit back and follow these five tips to ensure that the car you're buying meets your requirements.

Assess your needs

To begin choosing a car, determine whether you actually require one. If that's the case, you can continue on to determine the type you require. You should make a list of your requirements on a piece of paper. If you stick to the list, your needs will lead you to the right car.

If you have a big family and require a safe infant car seat, the choice can be obvious. If you're single and enjoy going off-roading on the weekends, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is a must. People who want a vehicle for daily usage, on the other hand, should prioritize utility above flair. Put the most important usage at the top of your "needs" list, and treat the remainder as "wants."

Set your budget

Unless you're buying or leasing a car outright, you'll need to consider financing or leasing. How much money can you set aside each month for a car payment? Your monthly new-car payment should not exceed 15% of your monthly take-home salary, according to the standard rule. Despite the fact that a used car will be less expensive, the same criteria apply. You should also budget for an extra 7% of your monthly income to cover fuel and insurance charges.

Knowing your budget ahead of time will help you get a better deal on your new car or truck. Use a vehicle loan calculator to see what purchase price will result in a monthly payment that is within your budget. Avoid the temptation to extend your loan beyond 60 months (five years) merely to get a better car.

Use a car finder tool

After that, you'll want to look at the price of each vehicle you're considering, as well as its reliability and insurance costs. Many automobile websites, such as Autotrader or AutoNation Toyota, offer tools that let you narrow down your search by price, car category, and even options.

Even if you're certain you know exactly what you want, it's still a good idea to look at other options. Because the market is so saturated these days, it's easy to overlook a model that may be a better fit for your needs than your first choice. If you're having problems comparing cars, visit Edmunds Compare Cars, which displays features and specifications in an easy-to-read table for side-by-side comparison.

Set up a test drive

Once you've chosen a car that appears to be a good fit for you, call, text, or email the dealership's internet department to set up a test drive day and time. Internet sales people at dealerships are fantastic allies: They cater to well-informed buyers and are more transparent with their pricing.

You can assure that the car will be waiting for you when you arrive by scheduling a test drive with one of your local dealerships. Make a morning appointment with a dealership's internet department, especially on a weekday when the lot is vacant. Tell the online manager that you'd want to schedule a test drive but aren't ready to buy yet because you're still considering your alternatives. Drive your three target cars back-to-back so that you can recall all of your impressions.

Review your research and make a decision

Leave the dealership after your test drives. Return to the car finder and select a different option if you're still indecisive. However, if your decision is self-evident, you can proceed to the deal-making stage.

Your emotions and intuition will influence your decision whether you realize it or not. But don't allow your emotions to get the best of you. First, take care of the practical aspects, and then let the pleasure begin. Then you'll have a vehicle that you like driving and that meets your requirements.

Final thought

Now that you've done your research and chosen the appropriate car for you. Let's get to the showroom. Keep in mind that this is a big purchase so visit AutoNation Toyota if you're in the market for a new automobile. Don't forget to take advantage of our AutoNation Toyota coupon to save money.