7 Smart Car-buying Tips for Women

7 Smart Car-buying Tips for Women : Visiting a car dealership for the first time can be intimidating, especially for women—and for good reason. Studies conducted by researchers at Yale in 2015 show that women are given significantly higher list prices than men. Furthermore, most women feel like they’re being forced into buying products they don’t particularly want or need. Preparing yourself for your first visit to a car dealership can help ensure smooth and stress-free interactions.

Below are seven smart car-buying tips for women you can use to find the right car. Whether you’re shopping for something pre-loved or brand-new, these tips should help make your car-buying process go as smoothly as possible.

Tip 1: Research Your Options

Cars come in various makes and models—and are designed by different manufacturers. This can make it difficult for someone to settle on a single option. Unfortunately, being undecided about what you’re buying is what gets you tricked into buying models you don’t want or even need. The only way you can avoid getting tricked by sneaky dealers is to inform yourself.

Research what brand and model you want to buy. Find out their features and functionalities. If possible, you should also create a list of alternatives if the car isn’t available anymore. You should always be prepared for whatever might happen during your visit.

Tip 2: Set a Budget

The last thing you want to do is burn through your life’s savings just to buy a car. Set a budget for your car purchase and stick to it. If you’re taking out a car loan, one of the best car payment tips is to consider every angle of your car costs, such as the taxes, interest, and processing fees. Don’t be too focused on the monthly payments because that’s only a portion of what you really need to pay for a car.

Tip 3: Determine Feature Needs and Wants

Car prices are influenced by the car’s features and functionalities. The more features the car has, the higher its purchase price will be. If you only plan to use your car as a means of transportation for when you go to work and home, you probably don’t need as many features. Audit your feature requirements and determine which ones are needs and which are simply wants. This can save you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars in the end.

Tip 4: Whittle Down Options

It’s great to have a long list of options and alternatives. Yet, at some point, it can get confusing and overwhelming. Now that you have a list of must-have features, you can whittle your list down to the top three options that have them. This will make it easier for you to compare quotes from your dealership.

Tip 5: Take Advantage of the Internet

You can find just about any type of information on the internet nowadays. Just type a keyword into Google or Bing and you’re bound to come across a detailed article or two highlighting everything you need to know. Take advantage of free information and learn as much as you can about the car you want to buy.

Scroll through customer forums and see what others think about the model you’re eyeing. Reach out to dealerships outside your hometown—because sometimes, the best prices can’t be found in shops near you. Expand your network to find the options that best fit your preferences and needs.

Tip 6: Negotiate, Negotiate, Negotiate!

Negotiating prices can feel intimidating—which is why so many women shy away from it. However, you can’t get the dealer to agree to the price you want if you’re not willing to fight for it. Discuss your terms with the dealership and see what they have to say about it. The best dealers will meet you halfway or even give you a better offer.

Tip 7: Be Confident

A little confidence goes a long way when you’re shopping for a car. People who don’t feel confident about their choices tend to regret what they come home with at the end of the day. So, have a little faith in your car-buying and decision-making skills. After all, you’ve done the research and have come prepared. There shouldn’t be any reason for anything to go wrong.

Conclusion

Shopping for a car as a woman can truly be an intimidating and frustrating thing. Even if you’re confident and informed about your choices, some salespeople will still treat you with condescension and disrespect. If that happens to you, there’s absolutely no reason for you to continue transacting with the dealership. Go to a different dealer that will treat you respectfully and kindly.