What You Should Know

• While there are several factors to consider when buying a car, researching your options is one of the most important steps
• If you research your options beforehand, the car-buying process can take as little as a few hours
• The process of buying a car from dealers is usually longer than buying from a private seller

If you are looking for a new car, you may be curious how long it takes to buy a car. The amount of time it will take to purchase a vehicle depends on several factors, including where you go to look at cars and whether you’re trading in a used vehicle.

Doing the proper research before buying a car is similar to the way you research in order to understand car insurance. You will want to look online to determine which cars you’re interested in, what works with your budget, and where you will need to test drive a potential purchase.

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How long does it take to buy a new car?

You might wonder, “How long does it take to buy a car?” You can expect to spend days or even weeks researching the type of car you want to buy. You can read reviews of the vehicle, see what will work with your price range, and find a dealership near you that will let you test drive the car.

If you find it difficult to research your next vehicle, you may need to enlist the help of an expert who can recommend a style or brand of a car based on your needs and lifestyle.

After you’ve figured out what you’re looking for, you will need to decide where you will go to purchase a vehicle. You can go to a brick-and-mortar dealership to test drive a car or use an online option that allows you to buy a car without ever leaving your home.

Depending on several factors, buying a new car from a dealership can take as little as two hours.

If you know what you want and how much you are willing to pay for it, you may find that the negotiation goes quickly, and you can get the car you want in no time.

However, negotiations can sometimes take several hours, if not days. During this time, it is important not to feel so rushed that you compromise and spend more than you should on the vehicle.

If you are not having any luck buying the car you want at a reasonable price, you should approach another dealership to see if the process is more straightforward. Though this will add to the time it takes to buy your new car, you will be happy in the long run that you stood your ground and didn’t overpay.

How long does it take to buy a car from an online dealership?

Purchasing a car from an online dealership can take between a couple of days to several weeks. However, if the vehicle is near where you live, you may find that you don’t have to wait long, and you can avoid the hassle of finding time to go to a dealership.

If you prefer to do your research and purchase a vehicle online, there are several companies to choose from.

Some of the most popular options for buying a car online include:

• Carvana
• CarMax
• DriveTime
• Vroom
• Cars.com
• Enterprise

In most cases, these online dealerships sell used vehicles to clients. If you know you’re looking for a new car, you may want to steer clear of these companies or speak to a company representative to go over your options.

Anyone interested in purchasing a car via an online dealership can browse vehicles and complete the purchase entirely from their computer, tablet, or smartphone. In addition, most online dealerships allow you to take a few days or even weeks to drive the car before deciding whether you’d like to keep it.

The major downside to purchasing a car from an online dealership is that the prices are relatively high compared to other sellers. Therefore, before you buy a car online, research and compare quotes from multiple retailers to ensure you aren’t overpaying.

Can I buy a used car quickly?

Some people will purchase a used car from an individual who has it posted online or listed for sale in a driveway or parking lot.

If you’ve found a used car for sale by an individual, you will have to figure out a time you can look at the vehicle that works for you both. After test-driving the car, take time to research how much the car is worth. Some people drive the vehicle to a mechanic and have it checked out.

Buying a used car from another person can take several days, and the process usually takes longer than simply purchasing a car from a dealership. But purchasing a car from an individual can save money and help you avoid the hassle of negotiating at a dealership.

Does trading in a car take a long time?

If you plan to trade in your old vehicle to purchase something different, you can expect the process to take longer than if you just walked into a dealership ready to buy a car.

You will find that any dealership willing to accept your trade-in will want to thoroughly inspect the vehicle before offering you a price. Once this happens, it’s safe to assume the dealership will provide you with a lower price for the car than you had in mind.

When you trade in a vehicle, be willing to spend time haggling over prices to land on something you find acceptable. This price will reduce the cost of the vehicle you plan to purchase. However, because of all the steps included in trading in a car, the process can sometimes take longer than buying a car.

How to Make Buying a Car Faster

If you want to purchase a car quickly, there are a few things you can do to save time:

• Decide on a price, and don’t negotiate past that. You will quickly learn whether a dealership is willing to work with you.
• Find financing before walking into the dealership.
• Decide on the add-ons you want to include in your vehicle while initially researching cars.
• Consider buying online to avoid much of the time associated with window shopping.

People who find dealerships intimidating but believe they need to go to one to get a good deal can bring a friend or advocate with them for support.

As you shop for a car, remember that it can take a while. But it’s essential to find what you want and not settle simply because you’re tired or overwhelmed.

If you find that you’re willing to compromise, it may be worth it to walk away from the dealership or individual selling the vehicle and try again in a day or two.

The Length of Time to Buy a Car: The Bottom Line

Purchasing a car can be quite a headache. If you know you want a new or used car, you should research before approaching a dealership. Going to a brick-and-mortar dealership can help you get your car more quickly, but negotiating with someone could be more stressful.

Buying a car from an online dealership can help make the process less intimidating but may cause you to pay more for the vehicle in the long run.

If you’re buying new, set up your financing before approaching a dealership. Regardless of how you plan to purchase your car, don’t allow a person or dealership to rush your decision. Instead, take your time and decide on your next car when you’re ready.

After you’ve purchased a car, it’s important to find auto insurance that covers your vehicle in virtually every scenario. If you’re financing a new car, it would be best to consider purchasing a full coverage policy with adequate protection. Learn how to find the cheapest car insurance with our guide.

If you're in the market for affordable auto insurance, give our free quote tool a try by entering your ZIP code below.

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