Buy a New Car on AutoTrader.com
Buying a new car face-to-face with a sales person can be intimidating. Many people are beginning to take their business off the car lot and onto the Internet with websites like Autotrader.com, an extensive online listing of automotive classifieds where shoppers can find both new and old vehicles. Understand how to buy a new car on AutoTrader.com before starting your online car search so you can get the car deal that is right for you.
Contents
Steps
Find a new car based on your preferences.
- Type http://www.autotrader.com in the address bar at the top of your web browser.
- Register for a free account with an email address and a password of your choice so you can login to your new account.
- Click the "Buy a New Car" tab when the page loads.
- Click "Find Your New Car Now."
- Click "New Cars."
- Enter the zip or postal code and range within which you would like to locate your preferred automobile.
- Choose the body style you prefer.
- Choose the make, model, and year of the car you are interested in buying.
- Enter your minimum and maximum price ranges.
- Click the search button.
- Click "Dealer Info" upon finding the car that meets your specifications to get an address, phone number, and website through which to find out your financing options and make your purchase.
Compare Features and Prices of 2 or More Autotrader.com Cars
- Type http://www.autotrader.com in the address bar at the top of your web browser.
- Register for a free account using your email address. You'll then need to select a password of your choice so you can login to your account.
- Click the "Buy a New Car" tab when the page loads.
- Click "Compare New Cars Side by Side."
- Enter the zip code for the area in which you are shopping.
- Select a car model from the drop down window that appears.
- Compare costs, sale locations, interior and exterior features, performance, and safety information for each of the search results.
- Modify zip or postal code or search specifications as desired based on the number of vehicles found in your preferred location that meet your criteria.
- Click "Contact This Dealer" after finding your desired car to get an address, phone number, and website through which to find out your financing options and make a purchase.
Contact the Seller
- Do your research on the seller to make sure he is legitimate. Conduct an online search about a business such as checking the Better Business Bureau. Contact individual sellers to ask for more information about the vehicle and to ask for more detailed pictures as proof that the vehicle exists.
- Ask for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle. Then use it to get a car history report from companies like CarFax or AutoCheck. The information provided will help you be certain that the car is actually new and that it has never been involved in an accident.
- Make an appointment to see and test-drive the vehicle before making any payment.
- Pay any deposit or other payments online on a secured browser and with a credit card. That way you are protected from fraud should the seller or the vehicle not be what is claimed.
Tips
- You can further modify your search by clicking "Build and Price a New Car" to find options such as trim and color.
- Browse the latest car models at Autotrader.com before making your purchase by clicking "See New Releases and Upcoming Models."
- Search for special offers by clicking "Find New Car Specials Near You" and entering your search parameters on the page that loads.
- Make plans for financing your new car before you commit to buying it. Having cash from a loan or other financing options already set up could give you more bargaining power when making the deal.
Warnings
- Be aware of who you are purchasing a vehicle from, as Autotrader.com cars are advertised by individuals as well as dealerships.
- If purchasing a vehicle from a location that is not in your vicinity, be aware that it is your responsibility to plan for the pick up or delivery of your new vehicle.
