Educating Yourself Before Buying a Car

Buying a vehicle makes most people understandably nervous. In fact, surveys have found that it’s one of people’s least favorite things to do. Many drivers feel they are always on the losing end of the deal, and that they will always know less than the seller.

Though we really work hard at Cox Chevy to provide honest, friendly, and straightforward service, we can’t say the same for all other sellers out there. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to make yourself fully prepared when you walk into a vehicle showroom and talk with a sales person.

How to Become Knowledgeable About a Car

Being knowledgeable about a vehicle, whether if it’s new or used, is not only a good way to avoid being taken advantage of, but will also make you feel more comfortable with the process. You might even enjoy it, too. Take a look at these tips:

• Do some simple online research: manufacturers have extensive information on their websites about different available trims, warranty information, and retail prices. Chevy has an excellent website that allows you to check out new Chevy models, as well as compare them to different competitors.
• Check the value of used vehicles: resources like Kelley’s Blue Book allow you to check out the current market value of used models. This is a good way to see if someone is trying to rip you off, or if you’re getting a good deal. It doesn’t hurt to bring this information with you to the dealership.  
• Read vehicle history reports: you have the power to see into the past! Vehicle history report services like AutoCheck or Carfax let you get a good look at a vehicle’s past. Like market value information, this can help you to see if you’re being treated fairly, as well as give you leverage with unscrupulous salespeople. Cox provides free AutoCheck reports for our used models whenever possible. There, you can see information like past service, how many miles it’s been driven over different periods of time, and if the vehicle has been in any accidents.
• Shop around: it doesn’t hurt to shop around either and see what’s available. Play the market. It’s easier than ever now thanks to online inventories. If you haven’t checked out either of Cox’s used or new inventories, we encourage you to do so. If you would like to learn more about any of the vehicles we offer, don’t hesitate to give us a call!