If you’re a first-time buyer, there’s no need to sweat the dealership. Gone are the days when shady salesmen try to lock you into a deal you’re not sure about! At Keystone Ford especially, you can count on a straightforward experience. We’re here to help you figure out exactly which new vehicle best suits both your budget and your daily drive.
Key Takeaways
- Before you visit the dealership, research the vehicles you like!
- Obtain pre-approval for financing. That way, you know how much you can spend and which cars you should test-drive at the dealership.
- To speed up the buying process, bring all the necessary documents with you to the dealership.
- Test-drive the vehicles you like to make sure they work for you!
- If — and only if — you find a car you love, all you have left to do is fill out the necessary paperwork!
Be Prepared
Before you start shopping for the perfect car, you want to get to know a few models through your research. Check out online reviews from both industry publications, like Edmunds or Car and Driver, and customers. Look for any red flags or common issues with a particular vehicle.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, check out the specific model year for each vehicle. That way, you’ll know what to expect in terms of price, available features, and powertrain options.
Pre-Approval for Financing
Call us at Keystone Ford for pre-approval on financing. To pre-qualify for a loan, your income, amount financed, and credit score will all be considered. Pre-approval is convenient, because you’ll know how much you can spend before you test-drive any models. You can absolutely check out your finance options after you’ve found the perfect vehicle, but pre-financing removes a lot of the unknowns.
What to Bring
You can save time by bringing everything you need to complete the financing process along with you to the dealership. Although it’s a good idea to call the dealership and make sure you have everything you need, common documents include:
- Driver’s license
- Proof of income (such as a recent pay stub)
- Proof of residency (such as a recent utility bill)
- Proof of insurance
- Title and registration for trade-in (if applicable)
- Account number for your trade-in’s outstanding loan (if applicable)
Arrive at the Dealership
Now that you know what you want, how much you can spend, and you’re armed with all the documents you need to finance your new car, it’s time to head to the dealership. Once there, this is your time to test-drive your options and make sure you feel comfortable behind the wheel. If you have any lingering questions, now is the time to ask!
During Your Test-Drive
The test-drive is an essential part of the dealership experience. Before and after the drive, check out the livability of the car. Does it offer enough interior space? Are the controls easy to reach? Will you be able to figure out the infotainment system? How’s the visibility on all sides of the vehicle?
When you hit the road, try to drive the car as long as possible. You’ll need enough time to figure out if this is the right vehicle for your daily drive! As you’re cruising, ask yourself if it’s fast enough to keep up with traffic. How do the brakes perform? Does the steering have a good feel? Is the ride comfortable enough (or sporty enough) to suit your tastes? How quiet is the cabin? Do the driver safety aids work well?
Sign on the Dotted Line (or Don’t)
If you happen to find the right car at your local dealership, it’s time to negotiate a price that works for you. From there, you begin the finance process and sign an agreement with the dealership. Easy, peasy!
On the other hand, if you don’t find the perfect car for your needs, it’s perfectly fine to keep looking! We want you to be completely happy with your purchase. No pressure here!