First Time Car Buyer Tips

Perhaps one of the most important purchases you’ll make in your life is your first car. Going through this process can be quite intimidating, so Honda of Chantilly is here to provide a few tips to put your mind at ease. Our goal is to help you get the keys with minimal hassle by assisting you with budgeting, financing, and choosing an ideal plan. Feel free to contact us at 571-512-3153 with any inquiries in the meantime!

Budgeting

Before you start exploring our selection and end up getting your heart set on a vehicle that you can’t quite afford, take the time to figure out your monthly budget. Under the Finance dropdown above, you’ll find a link to our Payment Calculator, which assists you in determining what your overall purchasing power and suitable monthly installment could be. Another vital resource at your disposal is the 30-Second Approval tool. To learn if you’re a good candidate for a car loan, just complete the three simple steps! Newcomers to the world of financing will certainly benefit from this, as you likely don’t know much about your creditworthiness quite yet.

Special Programs

You’re likely not even aware that you might qualify for additional savings by shopping with Honda of Chantilly. If you graduated within the past two years, or will be receiving your diploma in the next six months, then you could take advantage of the Honda College Graduate Program. Recent grads make up a significant portion of first-time buyers, but often don’t have the savings to provide a reasonable down payment. Therefore, by participating in this program, you could save up to $500! You just need a clean credit history and income verification from your prospective employer to qualify, so be sure to ask our team for additional details.

Buy vs Lease

Although you might be tempted to purchase your first car outright, you should still give some thought to opting for a lease. Instead of having to pay off a model’s full value, in addition to covering student loans and other bills, you could gain temporary possession of a brand-new set of wheels for a smaller rate and shorter contract length. Such a plan could be the right move for you, since you’ll be able to drive a new car immediately with the ability to finance a purchase down the road once you’re a bit more established. Or, you might just find that you love the benefits of leasing and choose to lease another model!

We hope that these first time car buyer tips have helped you feel more confident going into your first trip to Honda of Chantilly. Our expert Finance Department is here to assist with each and every step along the way, so you don’t have to stress!