3 Tips for First Time Car Buyers in Fort Wayne, IN

Here at Bart’s Car Store we want to help you navigate through the car-buying process and see how enjoyable it can be. If this is your first time getting a vehicle, keep reading for a few of our top tips! We look forward to talking with you soon! 

Plan Your Budget

One of the first things you’ll want to do when it comes to preparing for your purchase is to establish a budget. Not only is this a practical necessity, but it will also help save time by streamlining your shopping process. Knowing a general price range that you can afford, also known as your purchasing power, let’s you quickly narrow down vehicle options here on our site or in person. Start by taking your monthly income and deducting all of your current expenses, such as rent, utilities, food, and credit card bills. The amount leftover is a good estimate for your monthly car payment, although you’ll likely want to stay lower just to plan for unexpected purchases. 

Know Your Credit Score

Another key element in getting your first vehicle is your credit score. For many first-time car buyers, a challenge occurs because they often don’t have a credit history at all. If that’s you, not to worry! We have special finance options that help you get approved for an affordable loan regardless of your lack of credit score. For those who have had some financial difficulty and are worried about it keeping them from getting a vehicle, we have you covered as well. You can get pre-approved right away without adding any personal information with our quick form! Thanks to our online Payment Calculator you can also avoid complicated math and quickly see your estimated buying power or monthly breakdown based on sticker price. 

Find the Right Type of Vehicle

Our final piece of advice is to be realistic about your vehicle needs. If you are a college student or recent graduate, a compact sedan may be the ideal choice since it gets you where you need to go as efficiently as possible. If you frequently need to transport gear for work, consider a compact crossover or a hatchback with a folding rear seat. Once you have a vehicle segment in mind, you can start to create a list with amenities you’d like to have, such as a center stack touchscreen or remote start and the fun really begins! Our selection of quality pre-owned vehicles can be viewed online at any time, so get ready to be impressed. 

If you have any questions about our top three tips for first time car buyers in Fort Wayne, IN, give us a call! Bart’s Car Store has three convenient Indiana locations to serve you and affordable finance options.