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Help with your Car search

There's one thing women don't have a lot of and that's time. Women are busy working, caring for families, starting businesses, and climbing the corporate ladder and often have very little time for self. Time management is a critical skill set that has to be utilized on a regular basis. Car buying can be a time consuming undertaking and depending on your current situation may be time you really don't have. That said, the last thing you want to do is rush and buy a car, yet there are some things you can do that can cut down on the time it takes to find and buy a car. Here's my list of 5 simple things you can do to cut your car shopping experience in half.

  1. Make Some Decisions - Will you be trading your car in? Are you leasing or buying? Are you buying used or new? If you're buying used, consider your year and mileage requirements.

  2. Know What You're Looking For - There are tons of manufacturers and thousands of cars to choose from so if you're in the undecided category, finding a car is going to be extremely difficult. Think about the major things you want and need in a car and then think about your budget. From this list, narrow your focus down to two or three models.

  3. Do Research Before Going to the Dealership - If you plan on buying a car in the next six months to a year, leisurely visiting dealerships is not a bad idea to see what's available, how you like the staff, etc. But if you're on a mission, have a deadline, and need to find something quickly, you want to make sure you've narrowed your car search and done all your research before you into the dealership. If you do these things before hand you're much less likely to be easily swayed by pretty showrooms, charismatic sales staff, new models and the like.

  4. Shop Online - If you have a good hour, say during your lunch break, go online and so some shopping. If you have a half a day, get in your car and go to a few dealerships. Most dealerships these days have a full inventory online, complete with photos, specs, and even vehicle history reports.

  5. Call Before You Head to the Dealership - If you see a car you like online, make sure you send an email or call the dealership before heading out to look at the car. This ensures the car is still in stock and available for sale. There's nothing more frustrating than getting to the dealership and not finding the car you had your eye on.