It’s no secret that buying a car can be a daunting task. Between researching different models, contacting dealerships, and scheduling test drives, it can be difficult to know where to start. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, the world has begun to transition to online shopping in just about every industry. Here are some of our tips to help you get started with online car shopping:
Compare Prices
One of the best ways to get a good deal on a car is to compare prices online. There are a number of websites that allow you to do this, such as Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book. These sites will give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for a new or used car, and even give you the ability to filter your search by different criteria like make, model, price, fuel efficiency (MPG), etc.
The best thing about shopping online is that you can make price comparisons very quickly as well. As you’re shopping, simply open up a few of these sites in different tabs and quickly search for the car that you are interested in purchasing.
Research Models
An important part of online car shopping is doing your research on different models. There are many websites out there that allow you to do just that. You can find reviews of different models and even watch videos that demonstrate how they handle on the road or what their interiors look like inside.
When deciding on the model, keep in mind the things that are important to you. For example, if you have a family of four, you might be interested in a sedan or SUV with plenty of space. But if you’re single and looking for something sporty, then maybe a coupe will suit your needs better. Similarly, if you are looking for something that is eco-friendly, a hybrid or electric vehicle might be the best option for you.
Contact a Few Dealerships
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, it’s time to start contacting dealerships about the car(s) you’re interested in buying. There are a few ways to do this. You can call them directly, or you can visit their website and fill out a contact form.
When contacting the dealership, be sure to ask questions about the car that is important to you. For example, how many miles are on the odometer? What kind of warranty does it come with? Are there any other extras such as a sunroof, GPS navigation system, or satellite radio?
At Gravity Autos Atlanta, our website allows you to easily contact us about any of the cars we have listed. Simply click on the “Contact Us” button at the bottom right corner and fill out your name, email address, phone number (optional), and a message with all of your questions or concerns. We will get back to you as soon as possible!
Schedule Test Drives
Once you’ve narrowed down your choices and contacted the dealerships about them, it’s time to schedule test drives. It is crucial that you test drive the car before you buy it, especially if it is used. This is an important part of buying a car because it allows you to get behind the wheel and see how it rides.
With COVID-19, dealerships are making sure that the safety of their customers is at top priority. At Gravity Autos Atlanta, we want to make sure our guests feel comfortable and safe during this time so we’ve implemented new protocols for test drives as well as other interactions with us when you’re in person or on the phone.
To schedule a test drive, simply contact the dealership and let them know what date and time work best for you. They will then put you in touch with one of our sales representatives who will help set up an appointment for you.
Know the History of the Car
When buying a used car, it is important to know the history of the vehicle. This can include things like how many owners it has had and what kind of accidents or damage it may have been in.
There are a few ways to get this information. One way is to contact the previous owner(s) and ask them about the car. Another way is to use a service like Carfax or Autocheck, which will provide you with a detailed report on the car’s history.
At Gravity Autos Atlanta, we always run a Carfax report on all of our used cars before they are put up for sale. This report includes information such as the number of owners and any accidents or damage that the car has been in.
Be Wary of Scams
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for a car online is to be aware of scams. There are some people who will try to take advantage of you by selling you a car that doesn’t exist or is not as described.
To avoid this, always deal with reputable dealerships like ours and never send money or sign any contracts before seeing the car in person. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
Get Preapproved
This is important regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. When you’re preapproved for a car loan, it shows the dealership that you are serious about buying a car and have taken the necessary steps to ensure that you can afford one.
This also helps speed up the process of buying a car because the dealer knows that they won’t have to wait for your loan to be approved. Plus, if there are any issues with your credit score or other financial information, they will let you know ahead of time so that way there are no surprises at the end.
Look for Incentives and Rebates
In many cases, new car dealerships will offer incentives on certain models throughout the year to encourage people to buy them. This can be anything from a cash rebate to low-interest rates on car loans.
To find out if the car you’re interested in has any incentives, contact the dealership and ask them. They will be able to tell you what is currently available and how to take advantage of it.
At Gravity Autos Atlanta, we want to make sure that your online car shopping experience is a positive one. We have a wide variety of cars to choose from and our sales representatives are more than happy to help you find the perfect one for you. Contact us today or check out our amazing online inventory!
