What to Know About Car Shopping the Weekend Before Christmas
CARS.COM — The final weekends of 2017 are here, and if you’re sweating the scramble to decide on whether to buy a new car, the answer is yes: Automakers are having a hard time offloading model-year ’17 vehicles, and that means there are incentives aplenty if you’re willing to look. But buying a car can be difficult, and you shouldn’t rush through the process uninformed — that’s why we’ve put together the links below to help get you started.
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: Chevrolet Colorado
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SUVs: Infiniti QX80, Chevrolet Trax, BMW X3, Jeep Wrangler, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, Land Rover Range Rover Velar, Subaru Crosstrek, Kia Sorento, Subaru Outback, Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, Ford Expedition
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Sedans: Hyundai Accent, Mazda6, Mercedes-Benz S-Class
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Fuel sippers: Cadillac CT6 Plug-In Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid
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Coupes: BMW 440i
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Sports cars: Porsche 911 Carrera T, Chevrolet Corvette
Which cars have the best deals right now? Check out our top deals for December. As always, your discounts may vary, so check with your dealer for specifics.
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.
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