*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Both my Facebook and Instagram feeds are full of my fellow {younger} bloggers who are either currently pregnant or they have newborns, toddlers, or small children. I’m sure, as young parents, they were nervous about driving their precious cargo home for the first time.
Last week was Child Passenger Safety Week, but it’s important every day of the year, that you have your child safely and properly restrained at all times. As first time parents, you also need to make sure to select both a car seat and a car that meets your safety requirements. At Cars.com, “certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats.” {Read about how Cars.com conduct their car seat checks HERE.}
By using Cars.com, you can browse by Make or Model, just by clicking on the “Buy” button. If it’s car seat safety your looking for, then check out their 2017 Car Seat Check Honor Roll, featuring 2017 and 2018 models.
I have only bought one car {by myself} in my entire life. My husband used to sell cars and is a car trader by choice, so he does all of the negotiating when it comes to buying a new or used car. He was a great resource to me in putting together some tips when buying a new or used car.
- Decide if you want a new or a used vehicle.
- If you go with a new vehicle, check out the warranty and don’t be afraid to ask for extras {like floor mats, or free dealership swag like a hat or t-shirt}.
- For new cars, my husband recommends that you use sources, like Cars.com, to help determine average selling price for your area.
- Before going to the dealership, you want to write down all of the options that you just can’t live without. And don’t settle for less, because you will have buyer’s remorse.
- If color is the most important thing on your list, don’t let a salesman talk you out of your dream car just because they don’t have your color on the lot. There are other dealerships out there that will have your color. They made more than one of that color in that Make and Model.
- It’s better to work with your own bank or credit union before even going to the dealership. You will likely get more favorable terms; however, don’t discount special financing at certain dealerships. Sometimes it’s a bargain.
- If you’re trading in a car, be realistic about its condition. You will not get anything by a used car manager, and you’re only going to get wholesale. Use Kelly Bluebook or NADA to get an average wholesale value for your vehicle.
- When trading, only be concerned with the trade difference. Don’t worry about how the dealership manipulates pricing. Put simply: if their car is worth $30K and yours is worth $10K, then the trade difference would be $20K. Focus on the trade difference, not the pricing.
- If you go with a used vehicle, you’ll need to understand that it may have quite a few miles on it. Decide up front that you’re going to look a full-size car or a small SUV with less than XX number of miles. Then you can narrow it down to year, color, features, etc.
- Finally, my husband says that Car Fax is a joke and the information contained in the report is worthless. And don’t fall for the “extended warranty.” Just find a good mechanic and stick with them.
If you have purchased a new or used car and are unsure if your car seat is safely and properly installed, don’t hesitate to go to your local police department and have them conduct a safety check {but leave your child at home for that trip, just in case). Or see if someone at the dealership where you purchased your car can help you install your car seat properly.
Happy car shopping!
Yours Truly,
Vanessa