How to Buy a New Car in Lynnwood

If you’re looking for the perfect new car for your Everett commute, we understand that it’s probably exciting and nerve-wracking. Whether you’ve had negative experiences with dealerships, or you simply don’t know where to begin, securing the keys to a new set of wheels can seem daunting. Fortunately, the sales experts here at Mercedes-Benz of Lynnwood have created this guide to make car buying less stressful. Read on to learn all about how to buy a new car and how to know when to buy a new car in Lynnwood.

How to Know When to Buy a New Car

It’s a major financial decision to purchase a new car, so the best place to start in the car buying process is knowing if the timing is right. Here are some ways you can know when to buy a new car:

1. Your Spending Lots on Repairs: Have you found yourself constantly making trips to your Edmonds-area repair shop? At some point, facilitating upkeep on a failing vehicle will result in you spending more money on repairs than you would for a new car.
2. You Feel Unsafe Driving Your Car: If you ever second guess whether or not you should be driving your vehicle because of its condition, this is a major sign that it’s time to upgrade to something new. The last thing you want to do is endanger yourself or other drivers.
3. You’ve Had a Big Lifestyle Change: Perhaps you were single when you first bought your car, and now you’re married with a growing family. You may want to consider upgrading to an SUV like the Mercedes-Benz GLA or the Mercedes-Benz GLE.
4. Your Vehicle is Failing Emissions Tests: Getting your car up to the proper standards can be quite expensive, so opting for a newer model may be the most cost-effective option in the long run.

How to Find the Right Car

Once you’ve decided that it’s time to buy a new car, where do you begin? First, you’ll want to figure out a budget and stick to it. Feel free to reach out to finance center experts who will be more than happy to help you find a budget and payment plan that works for your income. From there, follow these steps to find the right car:

1. Narrow Your Search: Think about your driving habits, how much space you need, and the kind of technology and safety features you want. Then, begin searching for models that check off that list.
2. Select Your Top Three Models: Pick your top three choices then research their safety ratings, reliability, lifespan, etc. If you have time, we also recommend taking each model for a test drive to learn how they handle on Bothell streets. Ultimately, you want to make sure that you get a vehicle that you’ll be happy with! 
3. Shop Around at Different Dealerships: Find available dealerships in your area and request price quotes. You’ll also want to research what other shoppers have paid for that particular model.
4. Be on the Lookout for Sales: Take into consideration any big upcoming sales weekends or holidays that come with good deals like Black Friday or Presidents Day.

Once you’ve followed all of these steps, it’s time to visit your dealership to secure the keys!

How Can I Make Sure That I Can Afford a New Car?

You’ve narrowed down your choices to the vehicle that you want, now it’s time to take a closer look at your budget. How much can you afford to spend on a car? While the possibility of getting a brand new car is exciting, you also don’t want this purchase to negatively affect your financial situation.

According to U.S. News, your car payment should not put your monthly debts — including credit cards, student loans, rent, etc. — over a third of your monthly income. You should also keep in mind that these additional costs will be added to the price of your new car:

• New Car Sales Tax: This tax is non-negotiable and is typically added to your car loan amount.
• Interest Rate: Your interest rate will also affect your monthly payments. A lower rate means a lower monthly payment. Although it’s important to note that drivers will only secure a low interest rate if they have a great credit score. 
• Trade-in Value: You can trade in your current vehicle for a new one. While most dealerships will purchase the car from you and allocate those funds towards the amount of the new vehicle, if you still owe money on your current vehicle, the dealership will add that remaining cost onto the new vehicle price. Use our online value your trade tool to get an estimate of how much more your car is worth.

Shop for Your New Car at Mercedes-Benz of Lynnwood!

Here at Mercedes-Benz of Lynnwood, we carry a larger selection of new and pre-owned vehicles so you find the right model for your lifestyle and your budget. Contact us today if you have any questions about a model in our inventory or if you’d like to arrange a test drive. We look forward to working with you!