How to Buy a New Car in Cary, NC

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or you’re ready for a trade upgrade, purchasing a new vehicle can be a stressful experience for many Raleigh and Charlotte commuters. If you’ve had difficult experiences at dealerships in the past or you’re totally new to car-buying and aren’t sure how to get started, a visit to Hendrick Buick GMC Cary in Cary, NC will change the way you view the car-buying experience. We have a dedicated team of experts here to help you through every step of the process, including finding the perfect vehicle for your lifestyle and budget.

Get started by exploring our tips for how to buy a new car, below!

Knowing When to Buy a New Car

Part of learning how to buy a new car is determining when to buy a new car. After all, a new vehicle is one of the larger purchases you’ll make in life! Here are some signs that you’re ready to move forward:

1. Your current vehicle seems to always be in the service lane. Eventually, the repairs and maintenance will add up to a point where it just makes more sense to put your money toward a new car rather than spending it on keeping an old car going.
2. You’re not as confident in your vehicle as you once were. You definitely don’t want to feel unsafe on the road or end up with a dead battery time and time again.
3. Your current vehicle just isn’t working for your lifestyle anymore. Maybe you’re in need of more space or you have a longer commute and want something with a better fuel economy.
4. Your car has been failing emissions tests. It’s not always cheap to get the necessary services to make it pass the test, so you might be better off getting a newer vehicle.

How to Narrow Down the Right Vehicle

Once you’re feeling confident about when to buy a new car, how do you find the right model for your driving needs and budget? Focus on your budget first and foremost. Determine how much you can afford to pay for a vehicle, whether in full or in monthly loan installments. When you create a budget, be sure to also factor in maintenance costs, insurance, registration, and fuel costs. Also, you should be sure that your car payments will not affect your ability to pay off other loans or bills.

Once you have a budget, you can move on to the research process:

1. Think: what do you really need a vehicle to do for you? Are you a Charlotte-based commuter or do you just make quick trips around the Cary area every day? Do you need a lot of cargo space? Do you desire advanced safety features? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start searching for vehicles that fit the bill.
2. If you’ve found a lot of models you like, narrow it down to your top three. From there, compare the safety ratings, predicted reliability, typical lifespan, reported maintenance costs, etc. of each vehicle. If possible, it’s also good to visit the dealership(s) to test drive each model. Often, the way you feel behind the wheel can sway your decision.
3. Once you’ve determined the one vehicle you want to pursue, it’s time to check out local inventories. Compare their prices and utilize online resources like Edmunds or Truecar.com to see what others in your area have paid for the same car.
4. If you can, it’s always a good idea to hold off until a big weekend or holiday sale to make your purchase for the best price possible. You can also check out your chosen dealership’s website to look for special offers!

Find Your Dream Vehicle at Hendrick Buick GMC Cary!

Now that you know how to buy a new car, are you thinking of moving forward with a new Buick or GMC vehicle at Hendrick Buick GMC Cary? If you’re working with a tighter budget, we also offer a selection of high-quality used and CPO vehicles! Contact us to set up a test drive or apply for financing if you would like to get pre-approved from home. When you’re ready to find your dream new ride, we’re here to help make it happen!