The COVID-19 pandemic has proven that buying online can be a safe and convenient option in light of the widespread shelter-in-place order. Now, many people are exploring the possibility of buying their next car online, too.
Of course, you may have qualms about this mode of car purchase. To help ease your worries, here are some useful tips:
Decide on the best car
Whether you’re buying online or in person, this step remains crucial: decide first what car you should get and make sure it fits your lifestyle. Do you like offroading? Perhaps an SUV or truck is the car you need. Are you the designated driver in the household? You’ll probably want a family car with great safety features. You should also define your budget for the car purchase: in general, financial experts suggest spending no less than 10%-15% of your annual income on a car.
Compare and contrast
Once you have an idea of the kind of car you need, it’s time to look for a Volkswagen that ticks your boxes. A trusted Volkswagen dealership in Albuquerque, NM will typically showcase its lineup of new and used cars on its website. Here you can compare and contrast each car’s feature and price. If there’s a particular car (or two) that piques your interest, go online and learn more about it by reading writeups and reviews.
Order a test drive
You’ve probably ordered takeout at some point during the quarantine period, but did you know you could order a car test drive, too? There should be a button on the website that allows you to schedule a test drive. Simply chat with a customer representative, give them your preferred time and date, and either visit the car lot or have the vehicle delivered to your home.
Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate!
You probably think you can’t negotiate with a dealer when buying a car online. After all, you don’t negotiate with merchants when you purchase from online stores, right? But you can always tell your sales representative your offer and see if they can meet it. If not, see what other freebies or inclusions they can provide. If there’s a golden rule in negotiating, it’s that it never hurts to ask.
Don’t forget about trade-in value
A car is one of the most expensive things you will buy, so it’s worth looking for ways to bring down the cost. One way of doing so is trading in your car to offset the cost of buying a new one. Again, you can check your dealership’s website if they have a trade-in estimator. Typically, you will chat with a customer representative who will ask your car’s year, make, and model to gauge what it’s remaining value is. If the vehicle you’re trading in is also a Volkwagen, you can expect a fair estimate.
Times have changed and so will the way people buy cars. But by keeping these tips in mind, you can get ahead of the curve in this so-called new normal.
Ready to make a purchase? Visit Fiesta Volkswagen, a trusted Volkswagen dealer in Albuquerque, NM. Ask about our 2021 line of vehicles!
