Car Shopper’s Guide to Finding the Right Vehicle in North Hollywood, CA

Car Shopping Guide at Honda North Hollywood

Do you want to buy a car in North Hollywood, California? Shopping for a new vehicle can be exciting and fun when you have a plan, and taking the right steps can help you make each decision with peace of mind. Let’s go over the car-shopping journey from start to finish to set you up for success.

Identify What You Need

The first decision you need to make is choosing what kind of vehicle you need. In addition to the essentials of safety, affordability, and reliability, are there any other qualities that matter to you? Are there any capabilities or characteristics that would make a vehicle better suited to your needs? If you travel with friends and family, then a large SUV or minivan will keep everyone comfortable and safe. If passenger space isn’t a top priority, then consider an efficient compact SUV, a well-rounded sedan, or cargo-friendly hatchback. For towing duties, a pickup truck delivers the performance you need, and if great gas mileage is essential for your next model, don’t forget to explore your hybrid options.

Set a Budget

When you have a budget for your new vehicle, you can avoid overspending on the lot and down the road. Buying a car is a big investment, and it’s important to analyze your funds plan ahead so that you don’t put too much strain on your bank account. Sticking to a budget can also help you trim down the list of contenders and come closer to choosing the right option. To set your budget, remember the conventional car-buying guidance that transportation expenses should be no more than 15 percent of your monthly income.

Consider the True Cost to Own

While shopping with your budget in mind, don’t forget that automotive expenses involve more than the price tag. A vehicle’s true cost to own includes several other factors, so for each option, be sure to factor in the financing interest rate, fuel costs, registration and fees, maintenance, and car insurance.

Take a Test Drive

When you’ve come down to your top two or three options, it’s time to see exactly how they drive. Plan to test drive each of these options and compare how well they suit your needs, and remember to schedule your test drives in advance to ensure that the dealer will have them ready for you. During each test run, ask yourself these questions:

• Is the interior quality and ride comfortable?
• Do you have clear visibility all around the vehicle?
• Do the acceleration, handling, and performance make you feel confident?
• Do the steering and brakes respond well?

Auto Financing

If you don’t want to pay out of pocket for the full price of your new car, you can finance it with an auto loan from a trusted lender. The lender will analyze the income and credit info submitted in your finance application to determine how much money they can let you borrow, and then you’ll use those funds to purchase the vehicle you want. After that, you’ll have to repay the auto loan plus interest over an agreed-upon period of time, usually 36, 48, or 60 months.

There are certain kinds of auto loan that could be useful in different situations, so be sure to ask about what financing plans are available to you. You can also use the trade-in value of your old vehicle toward the down payment of the one you want, so use our Value Your Trade feature for a quick and free online trade-in appraisal.

How to Choose the Right Car

After you’re back from your test drives, you should have the insight you need to pick your next vehicle. If they all perform well and offer the essentials on your checklist, then you may have to look at the fine details to choose the one you want most. Look for anything that gives one model the advantage, whether it’s certain features, appealing looks, excellent efficiency, or even extra cargo space. The vehicle you pick will be an investment that lasts for years, so imagine which vehicle will make you happy to drive it every day for years to come.

Find the Right Vehicle at Honda of North Hollywood

You’re sure to find the vehicle you’ve been waiting for here at Honda of North Hollywood, so come explore all the options in our new Honda selection. We hope to see you soon at 5841 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood, California 91601.