Having a car is now a necessity unless you live in a big city such as New York. It is not considered a luxury item anymore. People who have the money, splurge on expensive cars but, otherwise, prefer investing in a basic car. It gives them the freedom to move around and comes in handy in case of an emergency. However, while buying a new vehicle you need to keep a few things in mind.

Understanding the basic of car dealer operations and knowing what to look for when shopping for a vehicle will help you avoid the traps that most fall into. When you are getting started, you need to narrow down your choices to suit your budget.

• Price
  Check the actual price of the new car. The final amount to be paid for the vehicle quickly balloons with extra costs such as taxes, freight, and administration fees. There are other payments such as warranties and pre-paid maintenance along with ADM (Additional Dealer Markup), which basically means that the dealer can mark up the price of a car and charge more than the actual advertised price. Thus, it is important to educate yourself about these factors and costs before buying a new vehicle.
• Resale value
  Most people change their cars a few times in their entire life. So while buying a new vehicle, it is advisable to think of its resale value. This way you will get a good amount when you want to sell it. Some brands are more popular than others and enjoy a good reputation, so it is best to get your vehicle from these brands. Vehicles that tend to break down fast or have costly repairs usually lose their value the quickest.
• Safety rating
  Look at the safety rating of the brand and the model before buying a new vehicle. Some vehicles have a better safety rating than others by authorized organizations. Thoroughly research this factor before deciding on the vehicle. Consumer reports are one of the most reputed organizations in this regard.
• Warranty
  Warranties are a vanishing perk that automotive manufacturers and car dealers give their customers. Initially, there were good deals such as five-year or 60,000 miles warranty, but today most dealers have a one year, no-cost maintenance deal. This means that if anything happens to the car in the first year, the dealer will repair it for free, but after that, it is the owner’s responsibility. Check out this feature while buying a new vehicle.
• Basic features in a car
  Some of the basic features to look for in a car include:

Mileage: The car should give good mileage.

Safety: The model should have all the safety features such as airbags, ABS (Anti-lock brake system), and more.

Car weight: The weight of the car can affect the proper balance of the car, especially on the highways at high speed.

AC and music system: A good AC system is a must, especially in warm states such as Texas, Arizona, California, etc. If you enjoy music, ensure that the car has a powerful music system too.