Car shopping? Keep these 5 tips in mind before you buy

It's safe to say that 2020 hasn't been a usual year. Still, some seasonal traditions persist. Year-in, year-out, autumn is when the leaves turn, when the days get cooler, and when the best deals are available for anyone who might be looking for a new (or new-to-you) car.

Why? As new 2021 models begin making their (sometimes delayed) debuts on showroom floors, dealers are clearing out the current-year models lingering on their lots. And while inventory for some 2020s may be low owing to plant shutdowns earlier this year, you still can find incentives and sweet 0% financing if you're flexible enough to consider models that weren't as heavily impacted.

These questions can help you make sure you're getting both a good deal and the right car:

1. Have I researched features important to me and identified several top contenders? Have I read reviews and reliability ratings for each model?
2. Do I know how I'll be using the car once the pandemic is over? Will my commute return to its former self? Do I still need the same carpool and cargo capacity or, for example, could it be time for a smaller, more ecofriendly electric car?
3. Have I crunched the numbers for my income going forward? (Even a killer deal could turn out to be well, a killer, if payments exceed 10 to 15% of your monthly income.) If the model I want is scarce, am I ready to jump on a good deal when I find it?
4. Does the 2020 model I'm considering have the important safety features I need, or has the car been significantly redesigned and improved for 2021?
5. Will I trade it in within three years? (If so, a 2021 will hold its value better.)

Check out our blog for "Seven things you never thought about when buying a car (but wish you had)" No. 2 will help keep peace in the family!