Buying a new SUV is a pretty big investment. Before heading to the dealership, a potential buyer needs to consider many factors, including cost, financing options, and insurance. Besides, comparing deals and evaluating what add-ons one can afford is crucial. All of these can make the buying process confusing and overwhelming. As a result, one may inadvertently make mistakes that cause regret later on. Fortunately, these mistakes can be easily avoided.

Looking at very few options
When deciding to buy an SUV, one needs to look at all the local dealerships that are selling that specific model. Not shopping around will only limit one’s options. It is not necessary to visit every single dealership. One can even check online to get competitive quotes. Often, salespersons are willing to give better deals when they know a potential buyer has been looking at several options.

Not doing any research
Showing up at the dealership to buy an SUV without doing any research is a serious but avoidable mistake. Along with checking for quotes, one must check which SUV models are available in the market now. Besides this, it is important to be aware of the various specifications, safety measures, and ratings that help to know whether an SUV will be the right choice. All of this information can be easily found online. Not doing this basic research means one will easily fall for marketing gimmicks and the sales pitch at the dealership. This can lead to buying the wrong SUV, which might not meet one’s requirements.

Not doing the test drive
The test drive is one of the most crucial steps of the SUV buying process. An SUV model might look good on the glossy brochure provided by the manufacturers. However, only through a test drive will one know if the car measures up to what is expected. A trial run will help determine whether the SUV is the right fit for one’s requirements. About 30 minutes of test drive is often enough to know if buying the specific SUV is the right decision . Otherwise, skipping the test drive is a mistake that will result in buyer’s remorse.

Focusing only on the monthly payment
Sometimes, one may focus too much on the monthly payments instead of the sale price of the SUV. This usually happens when one is on a tight budget and forgets to look at the long-term benefits. Buying a new SUV based only on the monthly payments means one will not consider negotiating the sale price. The monthly payments look like a small sum compared to the car’s actual price, but when paid in total, the monthly payments may be more. Instead, one needs to look at the total sale price and try to negotiate it to get the best deal.

Buying add-ons that are not needed
Many dealerships offer a wide range of add-on features to their SUV lineup. While some of these add-ons can boost the driving experience, most are a way to increase a dealership’s profit margin. These include rustproofing, fabric protection, paint protectant film, or VIN etching. Such add-ons are unnecessary and should be considered only if one has the budget.