Shopping for a New Car in 2023? Here’s What to Look for!

Americans love new cars, which helps explain the annual sale of around 17 million new cars. Of course, as exciting as buying a new car is, it’s not something you should approach lightly.

A new car is a big investment. In fact, the average price for a new car recently reached approximately $50,000. While it’s not buying-a-house expensive, shopping for a new car means signing on for years of payments.

If you’re thinking about buying a car in 2023, keep reading for our car buying guide that will offer important new car buying tips.

Availability

For anyone running a car dealership, vehicle availability has proven an ongoing problem. While customers can order a vehicle from the factory, they must often wait for months before they can actually get the car.

As you begin your search for a new vehicle, even if it’s technically used, you’ll want to work through a trusted dealership. Visit their website and see what’s available on the lot right now.

Don’t overcommit mentally to a particular make or model because there’s a good chance that car or truck won’t be available when you want it.

Financing

Very few people walk onto a dealership lot ready to plunk down the full price of the car on the spot. The vast majority of buyers finance their vehicles.

That makes looking for good financing options one of the more important car shopping tips. Dealer financing often provides the best options for you, but different dealerships may offer different options so you just have to explore what option works best for you.

The most obvious thing you should look for is, of course, the interest rate on the loan. Even small differences there can mean paying a lot more or less in interest over the life of the loan.

Features

The 2023 car options lean pretty heavily into technology. You should look for a vehicle that has tech options that matter to you. For example, heated and cooled seats are deal breakers for a lot of buyers.

You can also find cars with wireless charging pads. While it’s not absolutely crucial in the how to choose a new car process, those pads are a really nice add-on for anyone with a phone that supports the technology.

Fuel Efficiency

The cost of gas at the pump remains fairly high across the nation. If you’re going to buy a new car, it makes sense to look for a car with good fuel economy. Getting a car with only so-so fuel economy is a bit like paying extra for no good reason.

Leveraging the Car Buying Guide

The car buying guide above provides some key car shopping tips that you should keep in mind while car shopping. Go into the process with an understanding that getting a specific make and model may prove impossible.

Look for good financing options that will save you some money over the life of the loan. In terms of the car itself, aim for one that provides quality-of-life-improving tech features and good fuel economy.

Red McCombs Drive Away Motors has a wide selection of vehicles for San Antonio residents. For more information about our inventory or purchase options, contact us today.