The 3 Essential Steps to Buying a Car in Ontario

At Somerville Auto in North York, ON we understand how stressful buying a car can be, which is why we're committed to providing a car buying experience that is hassle-free and provides you with just the information you need when purchasing a vehicle in the greater Toronto area. 

For those of you that are new to the whole car buying experience, the following is a general checklist of things to consider before you start the buying process on your next vehicle:

1. Determine your car budget

To help determine your auto financing requirements, the general rule of thumb is to plan on spending about 10% to 15% of your total monthly budget towards ALL automotive expenses, which include stuff like car insurance, the cost of gas, maintenance, etc. If you're considering buying a new car over a used one, you should be aware of the fact that your car insurance will be more expensive, and dont forget about all the other fees that come with registering your vehicle and/or transferring ownership. 

2. Know what you want

Once your car budget has been determined, think about your wants and needs for your next car by compiling a list of personal requirements or deal-breakers BEFORE you do your search. For example, are you someone that values high-tech features such as Bluetooth, or do you need a lot of trunk space to support your outdoor lifestyle and therefore should consider a truck or SUV? These will serve as determining factors to consider when you do your search and will help to narrow the selection down. 

3. Do your car research

Now that you have a better idea of a car you want that's within budget and have narrowed things down to a few potentials, it's time to do a little research. For example, you may want to find out if the particular model you are looking at has been recalled, review safety test results on autoTRADER.ca or compare prices to get a general idea of how much the car is worth in today's market. Speaking to a representative at your nearest certified dealership is your best resource at this point, as they will be able to quickly answer any questions you should have about vehicle history, reliability, depreciation, warranty, etc.

For Ontarians it is highly advised to buy your next vehicle from an OMVIC Registered Dealer such as Somerville Auto, who can also provide the Carproof and be of assistance when it comes to determining your best options for financing the car. Not only do we offer a great selection of new and used vehicles, we also offer flexible financing & leasing options and truly want to make your first or next car purchasing experience a pleasurable one.