Don't Drive Yourself Nuts Finding a New Car

Posted on March 31st, 2025

Summer will be here before you know it, and you’ve probably already started thinking about all the fun activities you have planned, like road trips with your family or friends. You might even be realizing that you could benefit from getting a new car to be ready for those trips, or that it’s just the time for a change. 

It’s not unusual if even the thought of looking for a new car starts to stress you out, because dealerships can sometimes overcomplicate the process. At NuMark, we don’t think that getting a car should be a stressful experience. That’s why we wanted to give you some tips to keep in mind while you’re shopping for that new vehicle that can help ease that financial burden: 

Build a Budget

The first thing to do when planning to buy a new vehicle is to plan out a budget. Be sure that you’re considering all costs. There’s more to purchasing a car financially than just what the listed price is, like the regular maintenance work, gas, insurance fees, and the other aspects that come with ownership. Once you’ve accounted for all those expenses, you can have a clearer idea of how much financial responsibility you can take on, and help you determine a monthly payment that’s realistic for you. 

In addition to planning your budget, another thing to consider doing before you start shopping is to get preapproved for a loan. While it might be tempting to go through with a dealership loan, they may have higher interest rates than your chosen financial institution. Getting pre-approval can help you avoid the chance of being upsold by the dealership because you already know your budget, and you can feel more in control.

Research & Compare

You can’t go shopping for a car before first figuring out what kind of car you want. Do you want an SUV for taking your children to after-school activities, or a small sedan for your commute to work? Are you trying to get a brand-new car off the lot, or are you content with purchasing a pre-driven vehicle? Before shopping, narrow down your choices to maybe 2 or 3 vehicles that have the features you’re looking for, so you can have a more focused experience. If you don’t have an idea of which car you want, you could increase the chance of being upsold for a more expensive make or model that doesn’t fit into your budget.  

When comparing different cars, be sure you’re checking out the features that you prioritize and look at a few different dealerships to compare their prices (this will also help you later in the process). While it might seem tempting to get the newest, nicest model of a vehicle, it’s sometimes more logical (and budget-friendly) to get a pre-driven vehicle to save some money on monthly payments. The same goes for optional additional features. That sunroof or heated seats might sound nice, they might not be necessary at this time and could be a “dream” feature that you save up for when it’s time to purchase a new car again. 

Necessary Negotiations

Although it’s not entirely unusual that the salesperson you work with at the dealership might be hoping that you have little to no knowledge of the process, they also are expecting there to be some negotiating during the experience as well. While you might be someone who’s uncomfortable with pushing back or confrontation, negotiating is an important part of buying a vehicle that can help prevent you from paying for more than what the vehicle is actually worth. 

Negotiations are why researching and comparing prices between dealerships ahead of time is so important. If the salesperson is trying to give you a higher monthly payment estimate, you have prices from competitors already on hand to bring attention to, meaning they’d be more likely to lower the price to make the sale. It’s important while negotiating that you are being polite and firm with your stance, and also to remember that you have the power to walk away. As the consumer, you have the power to decide that you’re not getting the deal you want or deserve, and to walk away. There are a lot more cars out there, including more of the same make and model that you want. 

Before You Go

Purchasing a new car is a big decision, and it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the process. With all the hoops that dealerships might make you jump through to get the best rate, you could find yourself accepting a rate that you normally wouldn’t just because you were worn down by the salespeople. Buying a car shouldn’t be so difficult, which is why NuMark is currently offering auto loans with rates as low as 6.49% APR* for 72 months. 

Our NuMark experts are always happy to take the time and sit with you to discuss your financial goals, and make sure that you’re getting the best deals for you with large purchases like vehicles. Don’t be afraid to stop by your nearest branch, or call 815-729-3211, to learn more and start getting to your fantastic future faster! 

*APR=Annual Percentage Rate. The monthly payment for $25,000 auto loan at 6.49% APR for 72 months is $445.46 fully protected. Other rates and terms available. Rate effective as of 3/17/2025. Actual rate based on credit worthiness and age of vehicle. Some restrictions apply. Must apply between 3/17/2025 and 4/30/2025 and book directly with NuMark Credit Union by 5/17/2025. All loans subject to credit approval. Current NuMark loans are not eligible for a refinance. Rates subject to change without notice. Visit numarkcu.org for all the details.