Buying a vehicle these days is a lot different than it once was. When you walk onto a car lot (assuming you visit a dealership at all) the salesperson will assume you already did online research.

Online Research Helps Car Buyers

In fact, some dealers don’t list prices on vehicles anymore. Instead, they refer customers to their websites. This surprises customers accustomed to the way “old school” car buying used to go.

Research matters

The Internet can tell you almost everything you must know before you make your purchase.

• What kind of car should I buy? Check out CarMax and use its Vehicle Recommendation Tool, which helps you learn what kind of vehicle is right for you.

• Where should I buy? A website like Cars.com will help you start the process by letting you know what’s for sale and where.

• How much should I pay? Use TrueCar to learn what other people paid for the same year, make and model of vehicle so you assure you get the best deal.

Know you budget

A car shouldn’t be an impulse purchase. Figure out how much you can spend. Secure financing beforehand if you don’t pay cash. If you have financing in place at a low interest rate, that’s one less negotiation to face when you buy the vehicle.

Avoid scams

The rule is simple for cars and most other products: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. A Craigslist ad that offers a pristine vehicle for far less than it’s worth should raise a red flag. As should a private seller who aggressively wants to come over to your house.

Have the vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic before you buy, and stay safe in all transactions if you buy from a private seller.

Great Plains Auto Body Collision Repair Omaha & Council Bluffs | Omaha auto repair shop

At Great Plains Auto Body, we’re committed to giving you an unmatched level of service. As a company that’s been family owned and operated for more than 25 years, we’re dedicated to treating our customers as we would treat members of our own family. We’ll keep you informed throughout the entire repair process and make sure you’re satisfied when the job is complete. From estimating and detailing to collision repair and paint services, our ASE-certified mechanics and technicians make sure the job is done right and on time.