While buying a new car might not be the best in terms of financial decisions (absorbing the first year of depreciation alone can be a killer), there are times when great deals can be had.
Now, when getting one, many would be basing their decisions mostly on price. One best way to get the best price is to let dealers slug it out. Shopping around (including the Internet) can yield some pretty good deals.
But is that all that you should be basing your decisions on? Here are a few intangibles that should influence you as well.
1. Dealer reputation – How high does the dealership rank among the automaker’s list? Not all dealerships rank the same even if they carry the same makes and models. Some shoddy dealerships might even be selling you an older stock, or a returned vehicle.
2. After sales – Some dealerships are just interested in the sale so the moment you drive off the lot, you’re on your own. How well does the dealership follow up on the sale? Are your after-sales inquiries met with the same enthusiasm as when you’re doing the sale?
3. Service – New cars demand that they be serviced at the dealership for warranty purposes. So how good is the dealership’s service department. There’s value in having it serviced at the same dealership from which you buy a new car since, as a customer, you can put more pressure on them to fix whatever issue you might later have with the car.
