Shopping for a new car is a bit like shopping for a new home though at a much lower price tag. Still, it’s easy to get caught up in the bells and whistles while ignoring the important details. Of course you are going to ask about color choices, if it comes with seat warmers and if it has a GPS. But will you ask about what’s going on under the hood?
Luckily, Jeremy Wolfson, the owner of Benchmark Auto Service in Minnesota, does think about these kinds of things. Here, he shares his own suggestions for what you should ask the car dealer about in between checking out the sunroof and the CD changer.
Safety First
Really, what’s more important than your safety? Certainly not the size of your car’s rims. Many websites gather safety factors for you and make your job a lot easier, says Wolfson. When you have an idea of the model and make of a few cars that you are most interested in, it’s time to start your homework. Check out the reviews these cars have received from various websites regarding how it held up in crashes, if there have been any recent recalls, and what others have to say about its performance on the road.
Insurance agencies, he adds, have gathered a lot of useful information based on data from accident reports. From these online searches, Wolfson explains, you can find solid statistics for how the car you’re interested in ranks against others safetywise.
Reliability
Once you’ve determined that the car you’ve had your eye on has an impressive safety rating, then you also want to confirm that the car will last. After all, you don’t want to make this investment only to have to replace the car in a few years or invest thousands of dollars in the car to keep it running. Most car company websites include information such as how many miles per gallon the car gets, the recommended type of tires and gas you should use, and available manufacturer warranties.
Still, if you want a professional opinion, just ask your mechanic. Since he has seen hundreds of cars come in and out of his shop, he knows what’s reliable and what cars tend to disappoint. And, don’t forget to take into consideration personal reviews, too. The car salesman probably won’t to tell you the whole story behind a car. But an online reviewer won’t hold anything back.
