Choose a Car That Protects Your Wallet and Sparks Joy Every Day
There’s something special about stepping into a new car—there’s the scent of the factory, the crisp stitching, the quiet interior, the solidity of the doors closing. It’s so easy to fall in love with the vehicle. But beneath all that shiny excitement lies a much quieter and possibly far more important financial story. When you understand the financial story behind a vehicle, you’ll buy vehicles that meet your needs, you’ll feel smart making those purchases, and you’ll have a little less stress when you leave the dealer.
The Sticker Price Isn’t Necessarily The Actual Cost Of A Vehicle
Most people think about the sticker price on a vehicle as the number they should primarily focus on. However, the sticker price is just the beginning of the financial process involved in purchasing a vehicle.
When you’re considering the cost of a vehicle, there are many factors that go into the total cost of ownership that are rarely considered in the early stages of researching a vehicle, such as:
• Interest Rates
• Warranty Terms
• Fuel Economy
• Maintenance Schedules
• Resale Value
A vehicle is not merely a single purchase; It is a long-term partnership between you and your bank. Like any long-term partnership, the first meeting doesn’t tell the whole story.
Taking Your Test Drive Out of the Flash Zone
Test driving a vehicle is similar to going on a first date. You get butterflies. You notice every detail. You start thinking about your potential future together.
However, the best test drivers take their test drive very differently. The music is turned down. Road noise is listened to. After ten minutes of sitting in the seats, the driver assesses how comfortable the seats are (and not just the first few seconds of sitting).
The driver tries using the infotainment system at a standstill. The driver tests parking the vehicle in a tight space at the dealer. The driver checks if the visibility is safe, but not overly sporty.
Finding the Right Dealership Matters Too
Using the internet to find a local “KIA dealership near me“, or one that was reviewed positively, is a great way to start. However, don’t stop there. Look past the star rating. Watch how the sales team treats you before you know you’re interested in buying a vehicle.
What Is Probably The Least Asked Question
Do you want to like the vehicle or truly love the vehicle? Liking a vehicle is relatively easy. Loving a vehicle means the vehicle fits your lifestyle, as if it were custom-made for you. Loving a vehicle is when you sit inside the vehicle and feel calm. Loving a vehicle is when you trust the vehicle. Loving a vehicle is when you’re shocked at how inexpensive the vehicle is to own and maintain. Loving a vehicle is when you look back at the vehicle parked in a parking lot and you can’t help but slightly smile.
Buying a vehicle with your head and not with your heart doesn’t diminish the fun of buying a vehicle. Buying a vehicle with your head protects your financial journey and makes everything easier.
