Car Shopping Guide in Corpus Christi, TX

Mike Shaw Toyota's Guide to Finding the Right Vehicle

Getting ready to buy a car in Corpus Christi, Texas? Purchasing a vehicle is a major investment, so it pays to plan ahead and decide exactly what you want and what price you're prepared to pay. Let's go over each step of the process to help you make the right decisions.

Identify Your Needs

The first step is determining what kind of vehicle you need. In addition to your basic transportation, is there anything else you'll need your vehicle for? If you frequently drive with family and friends onboard, you might require the additional space of a large SUV, but if you typically drive with a smaller crew, a smaller sedan or compact SUV might be the right fit. If you need a vehicle for work duties like towing or even going off-road, then a pickup truck could be the right choice for you. Car shoppers typically prioritize safety, reliability, and affordability as well. If efficiency is a key factor for you, consider an innovative hybrid model.

Set a Budget

When making a purchase as significant as your next car, setting a budget will help you shop within your means. The price and related expenses of your next vehicle will need to fit within your existing finances, and budgeting for your purchase will help you avoid taking on more costs than you can comfortably handle. Don't forget the conventional wisdom that automotive expenses should stay within 15 percent of your monthly income.

Consider Costs

When budgeting for your automotive expenses, remember that there's more to the cost than the price of the vehicle itself. You'll need to weigh each option's true cost of ownership to ensure you have the means to cover expenses from month to month. In addition to the price of the vehicle, consider the insurance rate, interest rate for the auto loan, maintenance expenses, and fuel costs.

Take a Test Drive

To make sure your top options are a good fit for your needs, it's smart to take each one for a test drive. Schedule a test drive appointment with the dealership to ensure the models you like are ready to go and feel free to ask the sales team any questions you might have about your options. While you're on the road, analyze your options with critical questions like these:

• Can you get used to the handling?
• Do you like how the steering and brakes respond?
• Can you see well out all sides of the vehicle?
• Will the ride be comfortable for you and your passengers?
• Are you satisfied with its acceleration and overall performance?

Auto Financing

To make purchasing a car easier, many shoppers choose to take out an auto loan from a trusted lender. Financing your purchase means you won't have to pay the full price with cash up front, but making a substantial down payment could lead to lower monthly payments or even a lower interest rate since there would be less to repay on the auto loan. To qualify for financing, you'll need to share key info like your income and credit score with a lender, who will then decide how much money they can let you borrow to complete your purchase. You'll then have a set amount of time (usually 36, 48, or 60 months) to repay the amount you borrowed plus interest.

Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for a financing plan with unique perks or provisions. If this is your first car purchase, you might qualify for a first-time car buyer's auto loan, which may offer fewer fees and a lower down payment than other loan types. If you're buying a car to replace an older model, you could use that existing vehicle's trade-in value toward your down payment. Use our Value Your Trade form to see how a trade-in could bolster your buying power.

How to Choose the Right Car

Once you've narrowed down your options to two or three models and you've taken each for a test drive, you should have all the insight you need to make your decision. If they all deliver on your top priorities and come with similar price tags, then it might come down to a matter of personal taste. If one model suits your sense of style better, or if it has extra features that appeal to you, then those could be the deciding factors. Look for the model that you believe you'll enjoy driving years down the road as much as you did during the test drive.

Find the Right Vehicle at Mike Shaw Toyota

When you're ready to start the engine to the vehicle that's right for you, come find it for a great deal here at Mike Shaw Toyota. We'll see you soon at our Toyota dealership located at 3232 IH-69 Access Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78380.