Your Ultimate Guide to a Successful Car Dealership Experience

When it’s time for a new car or a pre-owned model, your best bet is a visit to your local car dealership. If you’re like most people, though, this might sound overwhelming. How can you be sure you are choosing the right vehicle from all the options? Should you choose a new car or a used one? Are you getting a good price or overpaying? How can you be sure that the vehicle you’re interested in is in good condition? What are your financing options? Can you return to the dealership for repairs and maintenance?

At Benson’s Ingram Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we do more than sell cars. We strive to make sure every single one of our customers drives off the lot satisfied. We have a great track record too: at our car dealership San Antonio residents have been finding satisfaction for decades.

That’s why we’ve written this guide to help ensure you find the exact car you want, at a great price.

1. You Don’t Have to Know What Car You Want … But Have an Idea

A car dealership isn’t like a clothing store, where you can browse for fun without a clear idea of what you need. Most dealerships have so many options available that they can positively paralyze you with choices unless you already have some idea of what you need.

In other words, while you might not know the make, model, and year of the vehicle you’re looking for, you should at least do some research as to the type of vehicle you’re in the market for. Are you looking for a family car that can hold several passengers and get great city mileage? Or are you more interested in a powerful pickup truck for working and adventuring?

By having a clear idea in mind of what you’re looking for in a vehicle, you are less likely to waste time looking at cars that don’t fit your needs.

2. Set a Budget

Even if you’re completely uncertain about what car you want, you most likely know exactly how much you are prepared to spend. Most budgets tend to reduce the number of options you’ll have available, which can help make your final decision easier.

The key to successfully creating a budget is to consider it against your monthly income. You should aim to spend no more than 10 to 15 percent of your take-home pay on your transportation expenses, which means not only your car payment but your fuel and maintenance costs as well. Before you head to your local dealership, take some time to determine which vehicle you can afford.

Note that you may not have to give up your dream car just because the latest model is out of your price range. At our car dealership in San Antonio, residents can also opt for certified pre-owned vehicles that are just as dependable and reliable as new ones, without breaking the bank.

3. Consider Your Financing Options

Once you have a budget in mind, you can talk to your dealer about financing. Most people that buy vehicles, even pre-owned ones, don’t simply pay cash up front. Instead, they finance their purchases so that they can spread the cost out over time. This allows them to opt for a car that they may not otherwise be able to buy.

At Benson’s Ingram Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we offer several financing options, including an auto loan program powered by Capital One. You can easily check your eligibility for a loan without impacting your credit score, so you’ll have a good idea of what you can afford.

There are other options, also, to help you pay for your new or pre-owned vehicle. For example, at our dealership, you may be able to trade in your previous car. You will receive a certain amount of credit for the trade-in, which is taken off the final price tag of your new vehicle.

4. Try Before You Buy

Another perk of purchasing your car at a local dealership is the option to schedule a test drive. There are several reasons why you should always try before you buy. First, of course, is that it will help you to make a decision if you’re torn between several options. Even if a car sounds perfect for you on paper, you should always spend some time behind the wheel before you decide to purchase. This way, you can get a feel for the car, determining whether it’s one you will enjoy driving. If it turns out that the vehicle you were eyeing isn’t the right one after all, you can always take a different vehicle for a test drive.

Remember that a test drive is about more than just getting behind the controls of a vehicle. You should inspect the car, inside and outside. Do you like the color scheme? How are the passenger seats? Is there enough legroom? Would your friends and family comfortably enjoy sitting there? What about the entertainment system? Does it suit your lifestyle? Try to have a checklist in mind of all your preferences before you begin your test drive.

5. Think About Features

Making a decision about a vehicle is about more than just the big picture. While the most important element of the decision is choosing the right car for your budget and lifestyle, you will also want to consider if there are any optional features that will factor into your decision.

One of the key benefits of purchasing from a dealership is that you can opt for models that have certain upgrades beyond the factory standards. If these upgrades are within your budget, they can render your driving experience that much more enjoyable.When you’re ready, head over to Benson’s Ingram Park Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for a test drive. Our knowledgeable and helpful team is waiting to help you drive home the perfect vehicle from our San Antonio car dealership!