Going car shopping is stressful for pretty much anyone, unless you're one of the lucky teenagers who get a brand new car for their 16th birthday. The majority of the population would describe buying a new car extremely stressful, dreadful and worrisome. They are worried and skeptical of the salesperson because they don't want to get ripped off. So we want to help make sure that you do the right planning ahead of the dealership visit and that you do the right things during the process:

• Know what you can afford. Don't go into the dealership ‘blind.' Make sure that you know what your financial and life situation is. The worst thing you can do is go in there without a budget, tell them that and then test drive a two-door sports car that is way above your means and the least accommodating to your lifestyle. In the months leading up to your visit assess your financial situation and create a limit that you won't go over. Narrow down which cars fit both your budget and your lifestyle and then continue to the next step.
• Narrow down your options. So once you figure out your financial situation, make a list of cars that are right for you. Think about your lifestyle, if you have a family, the best options may be a large sedan, crossover or SUV. If you're single, a sedan or coupe or fun SUV may be right for you, there pretty much aren't any limits on the size when it's just you, it just comes down to how much it will cost for purchasing and the future costs as well. Think about the vehicles' fuel economies; if you go back and forth to practices and games then you should look for a car that gets good gas mileage, same for if you go on road trips frequently.
• Second set of eyes. When you get to the point where you have chosen your vehicle and the negotiations begin, you should never go alone. Bring someone with you that has done it before and is financially sound. Ask them to help you read over all the fine print and to see if they have any questions that you may have not thought of for yourself. Be sure that you are completely positive that this is the car for you, don't let the sales team rush you and don't be afraid to leave and think about the decision for a night or two. It's a huge investment and should be completely thought out and not rushed.

By following these few steps you should have an easy car shopping process. Remember not to rush and take your time!

Customers in the Lexington, SC area should stop by Jim Hudson Ford for an easy car-buying process!