Top Tips When Buying Your First Caravan
The doors to travel are being opened once more and with summer almost here the need to get out and explore has never seemed more tantalizing. If you have been reading about the enormous queues at airports as summer approaches it is natural to think about other methods of travel. If you enjoy the thrill of the open road, you may have already considered the idea of purchasing your first caravan. If you are unsure on how to go about this, then pay attention to the following top tips which will help ensure that you buy with confidence.
Decide on your budget
It can be easy to walk into your local caravan dealership and be impressed with some flagship models only to find that their cost would be completely out of your price range. It should be self-evident that a well-equipped caravan can cost significantly more than some high-end cars, but thankfully the wide range of sizes and features should ensure that there is a caravan for every budget. There is also a growing second-hand market where you can find cherished examples at a fraction of the newly registered counterparts. Consider also in your budget that you have the option of seeking vehicle finance from companies such as Auto Finance Online who offer competitive rates of credit with repayments that can be spread over a number of years. Before you walk into a caravan dealership ensure that you have a maximum price that you can comfortably reach and stick to it.
Do not be afraid to haggle
Whilst some buyers are a little nervous about haggling with a caravan dealer, this simply should not be the case. In the current economic climate, buying a motor vehicle is a high value transaction that is currently a buyer’s market. Making a counteroffer is well worth doing for all buyers. Dealers are under pressure to sell their stock and you simply have nothing to lose by asking the question. It makes excellent sense to research the market value of caravans that you are interested in so that you are well equipped with this knowledge on the forecourt. Bear in mind that a 10% reduction from well informed haggling on a $20,000 caravan will save you $2,000 which is a significant saving in itself and will likely fuel your new vehicle on many long road trips.
Private or trade?
When it comes to buying a used caravan, you will have the prospect of buying from a trade dealership with used vehicles or a private trader. There are numerous pros and cons with each type of seller. For example, a trade seller will be able to confirm that there is no outstanding finance on the vehicle and that it has not been previously stolen. There may also be some form of guarantee or warranty included in purchase which should be testament to the reliability of the vehicle. However, dealerships are likely to offer vehicles for sale at higher prices to re-coup employee costs and overheads with the business. A private seller may be a more cost-effective option, but it makes sense to take a caravan expert with you who has a sound knowledge or mechanics or even hire the services of a third-party organization to thoroughly inspect the vehicle.