Shopping for a Car This Cinco de Mayo? We Can Help
If your idea of a Cinco de Mayo fiesta is less Mexican victories over the French and more Ford, you’re in the right place. May has historically been the start of the summer ramp-up for car sales, and that means shopping for one this weekend will get you ahead of the curve. But buying a new car, or even just a new car to you, may seem daunting; that’s why we’ve assembled the links below to help jump-start your slide into a new ride.
Related: What’s the Best New-Car Warranty for 2018?
What car should I buy? That depends on a lot of factors, but our reviews can help. Check out our recent additions:
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Pickup trucks: Nissan Frontier
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Sedans: Toyota Avalon, Volkswagen Jetta, Hyundai Accent, Volkswagen Passat, BMW M5
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Hatchbacks: Toyota Corolla Hatchback, Mitsubishi Mirage GT
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Fuel sippers: Nissan Leaf
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Wagons: Volkswagen Golf SportWagen
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Performance cars: Chevrolet Camaro Turbo 1LE
Should I buy new or used? Read up on the pros and cons of each. If you go used, review our used-car buyers’ checklist and consider whether you want a certified pre-owned car.
How much can I afford? Read our primer. Then use our Price Comparison Tool while you shop to find what’s right for you.
Should I finance, lease or pay cash? That depends, but this might help you decide.
How do I get the best lease rate? Bone up on common lease terminology, plus our tips.
How do I get the best financing rate? Our game plan lays out some advice. While you’re at it, here’s what you need to know about auto loans and what you’ll need to get one.
Anything I shouldn’t do when I’m at the dealer? Yep. Avoid these pitfalls.
Should I get an extended warranty? That depends. Here’s what you need to know.
How do I sell or trade in my old car? Learn how to prep your car before you sell it to a dealer, how to trade it in and how to deal with taxes and other considerations. If you still owe money on your old car, read this. Finally, if you want to sell it private party, here’s how to create the picture-perfect ad and how to seal the deal.
Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.
I joined the automotive industry in 2016 as a lifelong car enthusiast and have achieved the rare feat of applying my journalism and media arts degrees as a writer, fact-checker, proofreader and editor my entire professional career, which has somehow been more than a decade solely at Cars.com and currently as Chief Copy Editor. I live by an in-house version of the AP stylebook and know where the semicolons can go, which you can occasionally find updated proof of in the stories
below.
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