Cars have been the best invention ever! They have brought a greater change in our life than any of us could ever imagine. Our lives are altered and our social existence has undergone a great change because of the four-wheels. And, well what has been at the centre of everything? Detroit. It is the city in which the dream of automobiles was conceived.
Since the establishment of Ford Motor Company by Henry Ford, Detroit has never paused. The Hockey town has steadily grown from a sleepy residence to the hub of sleek cars. Detroiters are known all over the world for their love of car. Their passion for cars can be seen by the huge turnout in the ongoing 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
When automobiles are your passion, you want nothing but the best. This article is an attempt to help you get that best car. It will give you a detailed explanation of making the perfect car purchase.
New or old-car buying can spell trouble if done haphazardly. So, let’s set the ball rolling and begin our journey of buying a splendid automobile.
How Will You Bring It Home?
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. You have to pay for each and everything. And, cars are no different.
Buying a car is not like ordering Jet’s Pizza. You need to think a lot more and prepare a budget. You must understand that a car requires huge commitment on your part. Several expenses will have to be borne. Not only the cost of car, but there are other expenses like registration and title fees, State taxes, insurance, fuel, maintenance, etc.
Make sure you don’t have any major expenses coming up? If so, you will have to save on it and making a decent down payment will become difficult. So, take a wise decision.
Old or New Is like Smokes and Mirrors
The question of choosing an old classic or a sparkling new beauty can be clearly declared as the dilemma of the millennium. If you have simply loved the new 2013 Acura RDX or the Ford Fusion at the Auto Show, you can think of buying a new car. A new car means high investment in the beginning. But, it will definitely have lesser maintenance cost in future.
If you are someone who believes that cars tell a story, pre-owned cars is your option. The Motor City provides you several alternatives when it comes to used cars. Detroiters simply love cars and experiment buying several different makes and models. This means people sell their cars every year. With the beginning of the Auto Show, there are higher chances of trade-ins so that people can buy cars that were on display. This makes the best time to buy a used car as there will be high supply of used cars and on the other side, less people will be asking for it. This puts you in the commanding position. You can negotiate more fiercely.
Detroit is blessed with four distinct seasons. You need a car that can combat the cold and stormy winters and the occasional summer down pour. So, choose a car that is well suited for all seasons.
The Detroit household’s median income for 2005-2009 was $29,447 (U.S. Census Bureau). This means monthly income comes to something around $2400. If you consider all expenses of rent and utility, there will still be $200- $ 400 which can be spent on monthly payments. So, you must set your eyes on a car that is well within this range.
New or old - it all depends on your choice. The clearer you are; the easier it will be to narrow down your choices.
How To Cherry Pick Your Car?
While selecting a car, you must do a thorough research. Ask your friends. Also, read expert comments and reviews about a particular model. Websites like the autofocusdetroit.com, detroitnews.com and freep.com can help you with new developments in the automobile industry.
Hedge your bets by selecting few cars. If you choose just one car and it doesn’t have a good history, you will have to make a fresh start.
If any of the chosen cars is a pre-owned, make sure that you get its VIN. Check its history. If it’s been salvaged, it’s better to stay away from it. Also, ask your trusted mechanic to check it.
Last But Not the Least
Once you are sure about your car, all you need to do is get it registered at the Detroit SOS Branch Office. The city follows laws of the State of Michigan. Here’s a list of offices located around the Rock City.
1. SOS Branch Office
550 Washington Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
2. SUPER!Center Branch Office
3046 W. Grand Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48202
3. SOS Branch Office
8717 Joseph Campau Street
Hamtramck, MI 48212
4. SOS Branch Office
7760 W. Vernor Highway
Detroit, MI 48209
5. SOS Branch Office
14301 Woodward Ave.
Highland Park, MI 48203
Most branches are open on weekdays from 9 to 5. On Wednesdays, the office is open from 11 to 7. This is only true for those located outside the city buildings. You must remember that the SUPER! Center and PLUS offices are open for more hours.
You will have to get the vehicle’s title within 15 days of the purchase. Late registration fees are $15. Title transfer fee is $15 and you will also have to pay 6% use tax.
Applying for the title requires you to have the proof of vehicle ownership and valid identification. The Michigan Law and Federal Law require the disclosure of actual odometer reading while transferring or assigning car title. You can avoid it if your vehicle is not self- propelled, is older than10 years, or weighs more than 16,000 pounds.
If you want to buy a new license plate, a valid Michigan no fault insurance certificate is required. It will be fun to choose your plate from several designs. If you have 1984 model or a newer vehicle, license plate fees will be calculated as a percentage of the MSRP. If it’s older than that, the fee is calculated by taking into account the weight of vehicle.
You also have the option of transferring your old license plate. You will need your current valid registration and title of the new car to which you want to transfer the plate. This will cost you $8.
You will go to the SOS office without a car to your name, but will leave with your dream car. So, this is how the car buying process can be done.
Don’t wait anymore to drive your dream car. Allow yourself the privilege of a car and revel yourself in the glory of a city that breathes and thrives on cars.
Best of Luck!!!
Paint the town red in your very own car with Rapidcarloans.net. We offer the most reasonable auto loans in Detroit. New or old, bad or no credit - our wide network of skilled lenders and dealers allows us to serve one and all. Apply now on our website and say yes to the best car loans in town.
Recent Articles:
|