Having lots of choice is a good thing, and we're always happy to help you pick the perfect car when you visit us. In 21 years of serving our community we've seen many people come to us who bought a car elsewhere, that didn't suit their needs. For most of us our car is our second most major purchase after our house, so it's essential to get it right. Here are some top tips on how to be a canny buyer.
Tell you what I want, what I really really want
Nothing is worse than getting stuck with a car that doesn't suit your needs, so make a list of what you want and what you need from your next car and see where they match up. If you need to fit a buggy in the boot, bring the buggy along and see if it fits! Or take the car home and see if it fits in the garage. However, don't just take the "needs" into account, for you and your car to be happy together you need to love it. Even if it's down to the colour or the seat fabric, pick something you love, because car shopping should be fun too.
Do Your Homework
Take it from me, there is no benefit in pitching up at a dealership and buying the first car you see. Consider trim levels, standard equipment, what options are fitted, colour, mileage, and its price compared to other similar cars. Is it worth spending the extra money on a model with Sat Nav if you won't use it? Or equally, if you really need something specific, why buy something without it?
Try, try and try again
Always have a test drive, ideally several if you can. Handling, performance and ease of parking can make the driving experience of each model very different. Imagine choosing what you feel is the perfect car, then discover too late that the seats are uncomfortable, it's too slow or you just can't get on with it. Decent dealers will bend over backwards to sort out test drives, to help you ensure you're buying the right car. If they don't, ask yourself why. Speaking for ourselves, we've usually got several versions of each model to compare, and you can drive whatever you like as many times as you like! Make sure you bring your driving licence so your licence can be verified.
Stick to your budget
Have a budget in mind, and see what you can get for your money. It's worth being prepared to stretch a little for the car that ticks all the boxes, if you can afford to. Look at all your options including cash, personal loan and it might be worth considering which finance options are available and leave your cash in your bank account for something else. Ask for advice if you aren't sure, because it can be difficult to get out of the wrong finance agreement.
Decide What Kind of Buyer You Are
Are you a no-nonsense buyer who has done all the research, knows exactly what you want and how to pay for it, without the frills and frippery? Or do you need a bit more advice from someone who knows what they're talking about, and appreciates good customer service? Deciding what you want from the experience could affect which dealer you choose to do business with. A good question to ask a dealer is this- look the salesman in the eye and ask, "if I brought this car, got home, and 3 days later realised I made a terrible mistake, what would you do to help me?" You can learn a lot by how this question is answered.
At Thame Cars, we want your experience to be simple, convenient, safe and happy. With all this in mind, pop in and see us at Thame Cars if we can be of any assistance. We promise good customer service, without the hard sell.
