How to Find the Right Vehicle For You in Kansas City, MO

Car Shopper’s Guide to Finding the Right Vehicle in Kansas City, MO

Are you preparing to purchase a car in Kansas City, Missouri? Shopping for a new car can be fun and exciting if you plan ahead, so take these steps to determine what you need from your next car, how much you should budget for it, and how to make the right choice.

Identify Your Needs

It all starts with determining what you need your vehicle for. While getting from point A to point B is the most obvious need, there might be other goals that require certain features or capabilities. If you regularly tow trailers or haul large items, you might need a pickup truck to get the job done. If you have a growing family or routinely travel with large groups, then a large SUV with two or three rows of spacious seating could be the right choice. If practicality is your deciding factor, consider a sedan or subcompact SUV with great gas mileage. There are a few essentials to look for as well. Car shoppers often prioritize safety, reliability, and fuel efficiency, and it pays to focus your search on vehicles that perform well in all these categories.

Set a Budget

Setting a budget for your vehicle can help you shop within your means and narrow down your options. Conventional wisdom suggests that you should keep your monthly transportation expenses within 15 percent of your monthly income. Making sure the costs associated with your next vehicle are manageable will help you avoid unexpected strain down the road.

Consider Costs

The true cost of ownership (TCO) of a vehicle includes more than just the sticker price. To see if a vehicle will work with your budget, you’ll need to consider the additional costs like the auto loan’s interest rate, insurance, fuel, and maintenance. Even if a vehicle comes with a low price, it might end up costing more than you expect in the long term if its other expenses aren’t low as well. To see what insurance rates could be, request a quote from your preferred insurance provider.

Take a Test Drive

Whether you’re shopping for fresh shoes, new eyewear, or even a home, it’s smart to check out the item up-close before you make your purchase. The advice to “try before you buy” is especially true when you’re shopping for a new car, so taking a test drive is an essential step in making the right decision. Schedule your test drive in advance to ensure that the model you want to try will be ready when you arrive.

While on your test drive, take note of your experience and ask yourself if you would enjoy driving like this every day. See if the handling, acceleration, brakes, and comfort are all suitable for you, and check to make sure that you have good visibility from the driver’s seat. You can also ask about the driver assistance features available for that model. While you’re behind the wheel, see if all the controls on the dashboard are in easy reach as well.

Auto Financing

For many drivers, buying a car is a major purchase, and it’s often easier to finance the purchase rather than pay cash in full. When you finance your purchase, your lender will consider your credit score and other factors to determine how much money they can lend you. You can then borrow that money to complete your purchase, then pay it back over a set period. Auto loan terms are usually set for 36, 48, or 60 months, allowing you time to pay back the amount borrowed as well as any interest that the lender charged for the loan.

Lenders offer various kinds of auto loans to meet specific needs, and if you’re buying your first vehicle, you might be able to take advantage of a first-time buyer’s loan. This loan type offers unique perks like waived application fees. You might also be able to trade-in your old vehicle to help pay down the cost of your purchase, so feel free to try out our Value Your Trade feature to see what your old vehicle could be worth in today’s market. When you’re ready to start the financing process, you can pre-qualify online with our secure application.

How to Choose the Right Car

Once you’ve test driven the vehicles on your shortlist, it’s time to make your decision, but you don’t have to decide as soon as you shut the engine off back on the lot. You’ll likely spend years with the car you choose, so it’s important to take the time you need to make the right choice. It’s fine if you choose to sleep on it, do more research, or talk it over with the team. To narrow down your options, consider if there’s one that suits your sense of style more than the others. Is there one model that has more of the features you know you’ll enjoy just as much years down the road?

Find Your Vehicle at Reiselman Nissan

When you’re ready to see what we can do for you, come visit us at Reiselman Nissan. Our Nissan dealership in Kansas City is sure to have what you need, and you can count on our team members to work with your needs and interests to help you find the right model for your situation. We look forward to seeing you on the lot soon at 9600 NW Prairie View Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64153.