New Car Checklist

4.8/5 with 101 votes

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  • 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.

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Presented by:

Taylor Peterson

Taylor Peterson

Stats

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451

Uses

10

Tasks

34

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.

Rate this Checklist

5 stars
Scores 4.80 with 101 votes

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