Smart Car-Buying Tips

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Smart Car-Buying Tips Buying a car, whether it’s your first or your 20th, new or used, can be an adventure. Being prepared
makes all the difference between a great ride and a rocky road. Wells Fargo would like to help
make your car-buying experience a positive one. So, here are a few tips. General Auto Purchasing Tips 1. Before you go, really think about what car you need.
Will the car you want now be the car you’ll still want in a
couple of years? 2. Before heading out to the dealerships, do your research.
Go online to sites like Kelly Bluebook (kbb.com) or NADA
(nada.com) to learn more about the car(s) you’re interested
in and what they cost. 3. Check the insurance rates for the car you’re interested in.
Figure it into your cost of ownership. 4. Fuel prices may keep going up. Compare the mileage ratings
for all vehicles you’re considering. If you bring a calculator
you can actually estimate your annual fuel costs/savings. 5. You may be able to get the best price on a car in the last
two weeks of December (showrooms are slow at the end of
the year) and July to October (dealers are making space for
next year’s models). 6. Go car shopping with an objective friend who can point
out any concerns to stop you from making a hasty decision. 7. Know your credit status BEFORE you negotiate an auto loan
so there are no surprises when financing your car. You’re entitled
to a free credit report once every 12 months from each of the
three credit bureaus. It's also important to know your FICO
score, which you can purchase through any of these bureaus: • Equifax – www.equifax.com
• Experian – www.experian.com
• TransUnion – www.transunion.com 8. Check into financing on your own, so you’ll know if a dealer
is offering you a good rate. You may be able to secure a more
competitive rate from Wells Fargo. 9. Before you accept a deal on financing, make sure you
know more than just the monthly payment. Confirm the
total cost of the loan by obtaining critical information like:
term of the loan, interest rate, any taxes or fees, manufacturer fees
(if applicable). 10. Should you get an extended warranty? If you plan to keep the vehicle longer it could be worth it. It might also increase
a vehicle’s resale value. When You’re At The Dealership 1. Don’t feel pressured to make a decision. Take your time
and evaluate your options. 2. Know that there is more to the cost of a car than just the
monthly payments. Determine the total purchase price of
the car and watch out for hidden fees which may increase your
payoff period. 3. Don’t leave your driver’s license or social security number
with a dealer. Dealers cannot run a credit check without
your permission or an application for credit. 4. Cars that need to be ordered should NOT cost more than
the cars on the lot. 5. Be cautious when presented with deals that sound too
good to be true. You might end up with a more expensive
model than what you originally bargained for. Used Auto Purchasing Tips 1. It’s good to check out used cars in the morning so you can
see how the car starts before it’s been warmed up 2. Try to arrive at a used car appointment 15 to 20 minutes
early to see if there’s any last minute “fixing” going on. 3. Take time to perform an inspection to your satisfaction.
Don’t be rushed. If you’re not sure, take it to a mechanic. 4. Practice inspecting your own car. Get familiar with the
process so you don’t miss anything. 5. When buying a used car it’s smart to purchase a CARFAX
Vehicle Report so you’ll know what you’re getting into.
You can order a report online at www.carfax.com. Make sure
to have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) handy. 6. Ask if there is an existing lien on the car or if it was leased. 7. Ask to see the current car registration to ensure proper
ownership and ensure registration is paid and up to date. 8. Go for a test drive! 9. Go online and check out www.wikihow.com/Check-out-a-
Used-Car-Before-Buying-It for more good advice. When you’re ready to go out and shop for a new or used car,
drop by Wells Fargo first. If you qualify, we can generally get you
a car loan in just 15 minutes, which can make your car-buying
experience less stressful. We want to help you get the car and
the financing you want. © 2008 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. All rights reserved.

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