Everyone has that one dream car. Maybe it’s a Porsche, a Jaguar or a Mercedes Benz. Whatever it is, if you’re anything like me, it’s always seemed just out of reach. They’re always that little bit too pricey, especially when you start looking at brand new models. The good news is that there is an answer. Whatever your financial situation or lifestyle, there’s a solution to your dream car troubles.
The first step is to forget about buying brand new. Brand new Porsches really are the preserve of highly paid footballers and superstars. Don’t be disheartened though, a used Porsche can be just as special. Plus, everyone knows that the older models have so much more class than the new ones! Instead of a shiny, new model, set your sights on an older version. They’ll have history, style and – most importantly – a lower price tag.
If you’re prepared to put in some hard work, then a great bargain is up for grabs. It’s no mean feat, but we’ll help you find the best places to hunt down the bargains. Whether its online, through private sellers or at a dealer, a deal is just waiting to be struck.
When it comes to actually paying for the car, this needn’t be a heavy burden. The right finance options could open up all sorts of opportunities. Of course, you need to be careful what you get yourself into and stick to affordable payments. Look to the right place, however, and you can find reasonable options. Let’s take a look at how you can afford that dream car.
Join car communities
Before you even go near a dealer, it’s time to do some research. If you’ve got an obsession for a certain car, chances are there are plenty of others like you. You’ll find them in car communities both online and offline. Start by searching for internet forums and communities for your dream car.
Porsches, Jags and BMWs, in particular, have a strong community of enthusiasts. Hunt out these internet groups on social media and forums. Talk to the members and learn everything you can about the car you love. Find out which models are most affordable in the second hand market. Ask if anyone has any leads for purchasing a second hand car. Some members may even be selling one themselves. Arm yourself with knowledge of facts, figures and valuations so you’re well prepared to hit the dealers.
Research dealers and auctions online
Hunt down the common online dealerships and online car auctions. Spend a few months monitoring the prices of your chosen dream car. What’s the average sale price? How low have they gone for and why? The first trick to stealing a bargain is understanding the average sale price. With second hand cars, this can vary wildly; this is how you strike that bargain deal. Keep that lowest price in your head and be prepared to hold out for it.
Go to car auctions
For a petrol head, a car auction is an utterly fantastic day out. You’ll get a glimpse at rare, classic motors. You’ll feel the rush as you peruse the best cars up for sale. More importantly, these auctions will give you another good sense of valuation for your dream car. When it comes to putting your money where your mouth is, the auctions are a great place to start. Prices fluctuate heavily here. Learn to spot the bargain and when you do, jump at it!
Find a private seller
Private sellers are often the secret to a true bargain. By hunting down a private seller, you cut out the middle man and avoid admin charges and fees. Private sellers are usually looking for a quick sale and you can take advantage of this. Aim low and try to make the sale as simple as possible for the seller. To hunt down a private seller, search the newspaper ads, online registers and scour niche car communities.
Hit the dealership
Sometimes, you can’t go wrong with the most simple option. Dealerships handle used cars day-in, day-out. That means they can get their hands on cheap deals and keep costs down. They also have special expertise in each specific car make. Inchcape Toyota, for example, only deal with Toyotas. Therefore, they can streamline sales, service and maintenance and pass these savings on to you.
Finance options
Now that you’ve hunted down the bargain, you need to find the best way to pay for it. Of course, the best option is paying for as much of the car as possible up front. That way you’ll reduce monthly payments and limit the amount of interest. Naturally, with your dream car, we understand that isn’t always possible. Your dealer, or your bank will be able to help you out here, however. Finance options could be as simple as a loan that you would gradually pay back. This won’t always be possible and other options like ‘hire purchase’ or ‘personal contract plan’ come into play. In these instances, you won’t own the car until you pay off every last penny. Whichever finance option you use, ensure that you can afford the monthly payments.
Look at leasing instead
One final option when it comes to affording your dream car is leasing. Rather than buy the car outright, you make monthly payments as part of a long term hire. You sign a contract to keep the car for a period of 3-4 years and pay monthly. At the end of the period, you simply hand the car back. It can often be cheaper than the monthly payments involved in buying. This means you can afford a dream model.
Haggle
Finally, be prepared to negotiate and haggle for the best price! Whether it’s a dealer or a private seller, go in low and stick to your limit. So long as you display knowledge and confidence throughout the process, you can hope to knock them down. This can make all the difference when it comes to your dream car.
We hope this post has given you some inspiration to get out there and start looking for your new car. No matter what you’re looking for, there is a bargain to be struck. Happy hunting!
