Next to buying a home, buying a vehicle is the biggest purchase most of us will make. It’s no wonder then that the car buying process can raise so many questions. Just like with house hunting, a little preparation can help you make the best choice for your wallet and your daily commute. Check out these car buying tips from GECU’s Stacey.

Car Buying Tips From a Professional Automotive Buyer and Seller

I asked Stacey, Dealer Service Coordinator at GECU, for some car buying tips. As a consumer, Stacey has bought cars, as a professional she has sold cars and now works to help finance cars for GECU members. It’s safe to say that if someone knows all the ins and outs of the entire process, it’s Stacey.

“We’re really fortunate to live in a time when there is so much information available to a car buyer,” says Stacey. “Researching the vehicle, the lender and the dealership are all important when you’re starting out. You can get a good idea of what a car is worth and what a good asking price is. Professional reviews, consumer reports and even user-generated reviews on the internet can all empower a buyer to make the best choice for them.”

Understanding what your needs and wants for a vehicle are will also help you to navigate the car buying process. Whether it’s a new or pre-owned vehicle, making sure it has the features that best fit into your life is important. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to focus on a vehicle that doesn’t just fit your budget but blends seamlessly into your lifestyle.

“Ultimately, mastering the car buying process comes down to confidence, and confidence comes from preparation.”
– Stacey 

GECU is unique in that members can get pre-approved for an auto loan, giving them an extra measure of preparation when it comes time to buy a new car. The key is knowing what to look for in a car. Having a good idea of how much vehicle you can afford and what your monthly payments will look like is a big confidence booster. Stepping on a car lot knowing what a fair asking price is, what you can afford and what kind of vehicle is going to work best for you can make the car buying process fun and easy.

For more car buying tips, including a step-by- step checklist, payment calculators and loan rates, visit our car financing page.