How to Buy a New Car

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Whether you need a car for your Sunnyvale commute or you have a growing family, shopping for a new vehicle is an exciting and stressful experience. To help you have a mostly stress-free car buying experience, Del Grande Dealer Group has created this guide on how to buy a car so you’re more familiar with the car buying process and more confident when you visit a dealership. Learn more about when it’s time to buy a new car and how to buy a new car below, then contact our team to test drive your favorite model from our inventory.

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When to Buy a New Car

Buying a new car is a big financial decision, so it’s important to know whether or not it’s time to buy a new vehicle. Including lifestyle changes, there are some other factors that may influence whether or not you should buy a new car. Read them below:

  1. You constantly find yourself paying for expensive repairs, impacting both your wallet and your time. At some point, you’ll be paying more for repairs in a year than you would for a new car.
  2. You’ve felt unsafe driving your car. Need we say more? The last thing you want is to get in an accident, so if you’ve ever questioned your car’s safety, it’s time to say farewell.
  3. Perhaps you were a bachelor/bachelorette when you first bought your car, but now you find yourself married with a baby on the way! You may want to consider upgrading to a small SUV (link to popular model) with advanced safety features (link to safety features relevant to dealer).
  4. Is your car failing emissions tests? Getting it up to snuff can be costly, and opting for a newer model may save you money in the long run.

Affording a New Car

If you’ve decided that it’s time to buy a new vehicle for your San Francisco family, then the next step is to learn how to buy a new car. The first step in this process is to find out how much you can afford to pay each month for a new vehicle. To do that, you need to set a budget. According to U.S. News, your car payment should not put your monthly debts–including credit cards, student loans, rent, etc.–over a third of your monthly income. When it’s time to purchase a car, you should keep in mind that  these additional costs will be added to the final price:

  • New Car Sales Tax: This tax is non-negotiable and is typically added to your car loan amount.
  • Interest Rate: Your car’s interest rate will also impact your monthly payments. If your rate is lower, then your monthly payment will be lower. However, it’s important to note that you only receive a lower interest rate if you qualify, and not all drivers qualify based on their credit score.
  • Trade-in Value: If you currently own a car, you can trade it in for the new one you want. While most dealers will purchase the car from you and apply that amount to your new car, if you still owe money on your current vehicle, the dealership will tack that remaining cost onto the new vehicle price. Our online value your trade tool can give you an instant appraisal of your current vehicle.

How to Find Your Ideal New Car

Now that you have a better idea of your budget for a new vehicle, it’s time to find the right car for your daily drives in San Jose. Follow the steps below to find the right new car for your lifestyle:

  1. Narrow your search. Consider your driving habits, cargo space requirements, and desired technology and safety features, then start searching for models that meet your needs.
  2. Pick your top three models, then research your top choices’ safety ratings, reliability, lifespan, etc. If you have the time, take a test drive in each model to learn how they handle on Sunnyvale streets.
  3. When you’ve decided on a final choice, do a local search to see your dealership options and request price quotes, and be sure to research what other shoppers have paid.
  4. Take into consideration any big upcoming sale weekends or holidays that might come with really good deals, like Black Friday or Presidents Day.

Once you’ve completed the steps above, visit our San Jose dealership to take a test drive and lease or loan your next vehicle.

Buy a New Car at Del Grande Dealer Group

If you need help finding the right vehicle for your daily drives, contact our finance team! We have a variety of tools to help you plan your budget and get a car that will meet your needs. We even have a variety of car buying tips to help you better familiarize yourself with the car buying process. Visit Del Grande Dealer Group today to get behind the wheel of a new vehicle!

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