What should I bring to a dealership when I'm ready to buy?
This is my first time buying a car on my own. Beyond my driver's license and method of payment, what should I actually bring with me? I've seen lists online that include everything from a calculator to a snack. What's realistic?
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asked 17 July 2024, 12:50 am by Olivia W.
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Essential: driver's license, proof of insurance (or your agent's contact info), pre-approval letter if you have one, title to trade-in (if owned outright), payoff info if trade-in is financed, checkbook or down payment method, and your phone fully charged. Helpful: printout of competing offers (so you can reference them without handing over your phone), notebook and pen for calculations, and water/snack (seriously - the process can drag and you make worse decisions when hungry or tired). Leave: your emotional attachment to any one car.
Bring a friend who isn't buying the car. Their only job is to say 'let's think about it' when you're about to make an impulsive decision. They have no emotional investment and can spot pressure tactics you might miss.