In the market for a new car, but feel overwhelmed or unsure of how to decide? Use this car buying checklist and vehicle comparison scorecard to easily make a decision on the best car for you!
Buying a new car can be extremely overwhelming. Visiting a dealership is intimidating and going online, you can't ever secure a fantastic deal.
I struggled the last time I bought a car. I figure many of you are right there with me. Am I right?!
There's 83748 different options to choose in a car and all of them sound wonderful! However, the biggest thing I found is that every car had something different to offer. For example, my wish list had a pearl white color for the car exterior, but many car manufacturers only offered plain white. Not a non-negotiable, but something I wanted ideally.
I was keeping all the different choices in my head. Not a good way to make a decision on such a large purchase.
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Therefore, I created this Car Buying Checklist and Comparison Table to get organized and put together a strategy to make the best decision for the best value.
The comparison table helped me to place a value on each of the ideal options I had. I then added up the totals for each option on each car I was considering. This will help you determine the best car for you, based on your needs and wants!
I'll explain in full detail how to use the checklist and table below!
Print out each page and then I'll take you through how to fill it out!
Car Buying Checklist
This is the first page and it's called the “Car Buying Checklist”. This is where you will enter your IDEAL wishlist.
Have fun with this page! There are so many options and extra add-ons that go into making a new car decision.
This car buying checklist has many of the key decisions you'll need to make when buying a car.
For example, I really wanted a backup camera, but often when test driving a car, you don't use the reverse feature or you forget to check that there's a backup camera. It does not come standard on every vehicle.
Therefore, this checklist will keep you in line with your goals so that you ask the dealership the right questions and get the right car. I mean, how terrible would it be to spend thousands of dollars on a new car to find out it didn't have the back up camera that you dearly wanted!
On the checklist, you will enter a value on the lines and then circle the ideal option where applicable.
For example, on the sunroof option, you'll circle “Yes”, “No”, or “Panoramic”.
Have a fun time filling out your ideal car wish list!
Car Checklist
The Car Checklist is on page 2. You will print this page out for each car you are considering. Directions below.
1.) Fill in the make (manufacturer) of the car at the top of the page in the box. The manufacturer is Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, etc.
2.) Enter your car budget in the top left.
3.) Next, fill in all of the features that this particular car offers, based on the items in your ideal checklist from page 1. Only enter the fields you actually want. You are building out your ideal vehicle that will meet all of your wish list items.
4.) At the top, enter the MSRP car price for this vehicle with all of the features you selected. You can find this price by going to the dealership and telling the dealer what you want (or give them the ideal checklist from page 1). You can also find the price by custom building your car online at the manufacturer's website.
When you're finished, you should have a Car Checklist for each car you're considering.
Car Comparison Table
Now, the fun begins! We're going to start figuring out the best car for you, based on the value!
In the Car Comparison Table, take each Car Checklist you made. Now, follow these steps:
1.) Take your Car Checklists you made for each car and number them 1 through 4. If you have less, just number what you have. If you have more, you'll want to print the car comparison table again to fill out the additional columns with your additional cars.
2.) Next, list your numbers at the top in the blank pink boxes (or write the names of the cars).
3.) Now, under the ideal wish list, enter your ideal wants/needs.
4.) Under each car column, either put a check mark showing that the vehicle meets that wish list item or put in the value. Up to you! The key here is to easily see which cars are hitting the most checkmarks.
In the next file, I'll show you how to place values on these items to find the car that's best suited for you!
Car Comparison Totals Table
This table will help you decide the best car for you! Directions below.
On this checklist, you will take your Ideal Checklist from Step 1 and the Car Comparison Table from Step 3 with the checkmarks.
1.) For each ideal wish list item, you will score a numerical value under every car listed at the top.
Scorecard:
A score of 1- The car does not meet the wish list criteria.
A score of 2- The car sort of meets it or isn't a non-negotiable/doesn't matter as much.
A score of 3- The car meets the criteria.
For example, if your car budget is $15,000 and one of your cars is $17,000, maybe it would score a 2 on price (MSRP) since it's close to your budget. If it was $20,000, it would probably score a 1 since it's far away from your budget.
Example 2- If a back up camera is a non negotiable, then any car that doesn't offer that feature should get a 1 in the box.
2.) Make sure every box has a score in it.
3.) When you're finished with scoring, add up the totals from each column and put them at the bottom.
4.) Finally, the car with the highest total will be the best car for you at the best value!
You did it! Hopefully your option looks much more clear to you!
Free Car Buying Checklist Download
I hope this free download helped you make your car buying decision a bit easier!
If you used the checklist and comparison table, let me know in the comments below! In addition, I'd love to see the car you chose! Feel free to tag @financialcookbook on Instagram! I can't wait to see your new car!
Congratulations again!
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Thank you!!!! ????????
You’re so welcome! Thank you so much for you kind words! I so very much appreciate the feedback!! It keeps me going! =)
Love these because they’re practical and pretty! Would love to turn one into an overall wishlist to refer to. For example, a list of popular features you can get in cars these days (maybe with $ to indicate how expensive they tend to be) and then be able to check off – Must Have, Ideal, Don’t Care. If you make one of those, let me know!
Oooo i love that idea! I’ll add it to the list!