4 Things That Improve The Car Buying Experience

How to get the best out of your car buying experience

It can be a stressful process buying a car. It’s a big investment and there’s a lot to think about. So how do you have a satisfying car buying experience to make the process more pleasant and easier – dare we say even fun? We’ve put together a list of 4 things that improve the customer experience. Read before you go!

According to a study, less than one percent of people prefer the car-buying experience the way it is. Surely, there is something that can make it better. Perhaps a different approach.

4 tips for a satisfying car buying experience:

1. Communicate
2. Test drive
3. Do your research
4. Make a list!

1. Communicate

Your salesperson is here to help!

Car salespeople are knowledgeable about cars and they love sharing their expertise with customers – it’s what they do every day! Many have decades of knowledge about vehicles. They are a resource you can use to make more informed decisions. Take advantage of it! And you should feel free to ask questions and follow-up questions.

2. Test drive

The best way to find out if a vehicle is the right fit for you is to take it for a test drive.

You might have watched car ads that make the car or truck look like something you’d love to drive. Of course it does! That’s what car ads do! But until you’ve tried it out yourself, you really don’t know what it will feel like and how it will handle.

Drive places you normally go on your test drive(s) and decide if it feels right for you. Also drive places you don’t usually drive, but will at some point. For example, the freeway. You’ll want to have that experience before making your final decision.

Also, there are things you might not have thought about. Drive your vehicle and park it in your garage. It’s happened where people have purchased vehicles only to find they don’t fit! You might have had a satisfying car buying experience, but not be so satisfied when you get home. Don’t let that be you!

3. Do your research

You’ll have the most satisfying car buying experience if you feel confident in your knowledge and know what you want. Gain that knowledge from trusted 3^rd-party sources such as IIHS, NHTSA, and Edmunds. These sites are unbiased and their only motivation is to help consumers. They have no hidden agenda. They’ll tell you everything you need to know without any spin.

The more you know before you go car shopping, the better you’ll be able to make informed decisions and the better you’ll feel about those decisions. It’s a cliché, but knowledge is power!

IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a nonprofit research organization that rates vehicles in terms of how safe they are. They also list topics you can read through to glean more information on vehicles and safety.

NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Transportation, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates cars on safety as well. They also provide information on recalls and feature helpful articles about car safety.

Edmunds

Edmunds offers car reviews. See what others think about the car you’re thinking about purchasing!

4. Make a list!

And check it twice! Make a list of your needs versus your wants in a vehicle. And bring your list with you or save it in your phone to refer to.

Put together a list of must-have features and a list of features you would like to have before you visit the dealership. This can aid your salesperson in helping you choose the perfect model.

It can be stressful making a lot of decisions in one sitting. You’ll burn out and not be able to think clearly. It’s not a satisfying car buying experience if you feel stressed out and unsure of yourself. Make decisions ahead of time so you don’t have to think about it as much when you get to the dealership. It’s also hard for the staff to help you if you don’t know what you want. They’re experts on vehicles, but they’re not mind readers!

Needs versus wants to consider before you go:

• 360-degree surround-view camera system
• Air-conditioned seats
• Automatic emergency braking (AEB)
• Automatic high beams
• Back-up cameras
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Camera in the mirror
• Carbon fiber body
• Driver’s seat height-adjustable lumber support
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Easy speak features
• Entertainment systems
• Forward-collision warning (FCW)
• Gas mileage
• GPS system
• Head-up displays
• Heated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Keyless entry
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Size
• Spare tire
• Teen safety limits (limits speed and music level)
• WiFi hotspot

Contact us

At Thelen Auto, we always want you to have a satisfying car buying experience. Give us a call or stop on by to speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable staff members. We’re driven to help you!

Links:

https://www.digitaldealer.com/three-ways-can-improve-car-buying-experience/

https://www.quora.com/What-would-be-the-best-way-to-improve-the-new-car-buying-experience

https://www.coxautoinc.com/learning-center/car-buyer-of-the-future-study/

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/about-us

https://www.nhtsa.gov/

https://www.nhtsa.gov/about-nhtsa

https://www.edmunds.com/

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/10-car-features-we-wish-came-standard.htm

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/03/must-have-car-features-and-those-you-can-skip/index.htm

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