Valu Ford and Chrysler

Dec 21, 2019

Buying a car is a major investment and a very important decision. The car-buying process can
be difficult, confusing, and frustrating to navigate. Many drivers end up making simple,
preventable mistakes throughout the car-buying process. Unfortunately, these mistakes—while
very easy to make—can have real, significant consequences that end up costing drivers a lot of
money and reducing their overall satisfaction with the car they buy.

If you’re in the market for a new or used car in the city of Morris, Minnesota or its surrounding
areas read through the following tips for buying a car to help guide your journey toward scoring the car of your dreams.

Buy from a Dealership

One of the top tips for buying a car in the Morris area is to buy a car from an official dealership.
This tip remains valid whether you’re buying a new or a used car. The idea that official
dealerships only carry an inventory of new cars is a misconception. Most car dealerships carry
both new and used vehicles on their lot.

Valu Ford vehicle lineup

Valu Ford vehicle lineup

There are many official car dealerships located within the city of Morris, Minnesota and its
surrounding areas within the greater Stevens County as a whole. Most car dealerships are
associated with just one or—at most—a few cars makes, which means that all of the technicians
and salespeople at these official dealerships have undergone specialized training that is specific
to the brand of the car you want to buy. Also, official car dealerships are held responsible for
upholding the positive reputation of the car brand they represent, so they tend to offer
top-quality customer service and guarantee the quality of all of the cars they sell.

Don’t Settle on Financing

Very few car buyers have the money to pay the full asking price of a new car upfront. If you
don’t pay for your new—or new-to-you—car in full upfront, that means you will have to work out
a way to finance the cost of the car you buy over time.

One of the biggest regrets many drivers have after they buy a car is settling for a financing plan
that is less than ideal. High-interest rates on auto loans and high monthly payments can take a
major chunk out of your budget over time. That’s why it’s important to do your own research and
never settle when it comes to financing your new car.

Before you head to a dealership in your area, check with your bank or credit union about private
auto loans to see if they offer better financing options or lower interest rates than your local
dealership. Also, if you aren’t happy with the financing options that your car dealership offers, try
to negotiate a better deal. Car dealerships are incentivized to offer flexible financing options to
their customers, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to work out a deal that better fits
your budget as long as you’re willing to ask.

Buy Pre-Owned

Buying a used car in excellent condition can save you a ton of money on the price of your car. If
you choose to buy used rather than new, you could even end up with a car model that would
never have been able to fit into your budget if you opted to buy a brand-new model. In many
cases, choosing to buy a new-to-you car over a brand-new car is the smartest option.
If you’re buying your next car from an official dealership, check to see if that dealership offers
certified pre-owned vehicles. Many official dealerships that are associated with major automaker
brands offer a selection of special, certified pre-owned vehicles. Certified pre-owned vehicles
must meet special requirements, such as being fewer than a certain number of years old and
having driven fewer than a certain number of miles. All certified pre-owned vehicles must also
pass a set of rigorous inspections before they are put up for sale. As an added bonus, most
dealerships offer special warranties with their certified pre-owned vehicles.