In the market for a new car? Don’t shop until you know these must-know tips.

2025-11-18T06:03:30-05:00

Knowing what resources to look for and what to ask during the car-shopping
process can help you get into the right car at a price point you can afford. Don’t drive off
the new or used car lot until you take these tips into consideration.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 18 at 2025 12:35 PM

2025-11-18T12:35:33-05:00

Thanks!

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2025 10:14 AM

2025-11-25T10:14:21-05:00

If you're a young soldier buying 1st car, don't tell them you're a service member until after theyve told you the price.

Go in knowing what you want.

Don't take crap from the dealer.

Stay to your budget.

Response by 1SG John Millan made Nov 25 at 2025 11:28 AM

2025-11-25T11:28:49-05:00

Auto purchase can be one of the worst mistakes a new young troops can make with interest rates, fuel, insurance,,etc. A good team leader or mature battle buddy will give sensible advice to fellow troops. Most troops have no clue how credit score works

Response by SSG Douglas Lasley made Nov 26 at 2025 12:47 PM

2025-11-26T12:47:59-05:00

I really screwed up as a young private. I purchased a Gremlin, by the time I was done it cost me double what it was worth. Ft. Sill Commander put the dealership off limits because of cheating soldiers.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Dec 1 at 2025 11:38 PM

2025-12-01T23:38:37-05:00

Also walk in with a pre-approved car loan. A dealership worth doing business with won't have any issues with you doing that. It shows them how much money you're good for paying back, and can give the honest dealers a better idea of what kind of budget you're working with. Yes, honest dealers do exist. They're not exactly the norm, but they are out there. The same kind of dealers also know that customer loyalty is worth far more than a fat commission check. I had a decent enough experience with buying the car that I just paid off that sometime later I took a coworker to the same dealership, and to the same dealer. At the end of the day she had a car to call her own, and not for a bad pricetag nor horrendous APR.

Apparently it pays to refer customers through that dealership at the time, but that was an afterthought for me. He was a good dealer worth working with, and that mattered far more to me than the hundred bucks or so I got for referring another customer to the dealership.