New Car Checklist
Table of Contents
Shopping and Comparing
Gather general new vehicle buying information.
Decide the budget for your new car.
Learn about a vehicles' fuel efficiency.
Check to see what incentives and rebates are available on the car you want to buy.
If you are financing the car, use the payment calculators to determine the monthly payment for the car you want to buy.
Visit dealerships.
Test-drive all the cars you are considering buying.
Call the salesman to negotiate the best price of the car you want to buy.
Once you've reached a good price, get a worksheet showing all the prices, taxes and fees.
Bring your worksheet with you to the dealership so you can compare these numbers to the figures on the contract.
Test Drive
Prior to test drive, make a list of the trade-offs you may be willing to make.
Make an appointment with a salesman to make sure they have at least one car model that you want to test on the lot.
Make sure you have photocopies of your driver's license and proof of insurance.
Never surrender your driver's license - give a photocopy if you're asked.
Always try to test-drive a version that is as close to what you want as possible.
Ask the salesman to demonstrate the vehicle's features before the drive.
Check the size of the trunk.
Sit in every seating position.
Enter and exit the vehicle, ensuring that you can do so easily.
Test the car in the same environments in which you will drive it.
Concentrate on the smoothness of the ride.
From the driver's seat, check visibility.
Check if the steering is responsive.
Hit the brakes.
After the drive ask for the salesman's card -if you do decide to return and negotiate, it should be with him.
Buying a Car
Negotiate terms.
Be familiar with your rights and responsibilities when leaving a deposit and signing a bill of sale or offer to purchase.
Be familiar with all costs associated with the purchase.
Read and understand the contract completely before signing.
Inspect the car for dents, dings and scratches before taking final delivery.
Know the extra fees you don?t have to pay when buying a new car.
Download or Print this New Car Checklist
Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.
Presented by:
Taylor Peterson
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Who it's for
This New Car Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.
- Avoid forgetting - keep all your New Car essentials in one place (external memory)
- Save time - start from a proven New Car structure instead of a blank page
- Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
- Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
- Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time
How to use it
How to use this New Car Checklist
- Save New Car Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
- Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for New Car (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
- If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
- Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.