A Complete Car Buying Guide for Texans

Cars hold such an important place in our lives that no one can ever imagine life without it. It makes our journey beautiful and significantly comfortable. A car is a requirement in a large state like Texas. Also, it has the largest highway systems in the nation which makes car purchase quite obvious.

Buying a car is an important purchase of your life. You need to be very cautious in order to buy a perfect car. This article is your ultimate guide in buying your dream car. Tips and words of caution mentioned here will not let you end up in a sorry state.

Your Needs Are Your Priority

You must not buy a car just because your friends are buying it. You must have a solid reason to do so; otherwise it’s just waste of your precious time and money. If you are a student and need a car to reach college, a simple car with minimum maintenance will serve you. If you have a family, then a wagon with safety equipments is your requirement. If you have an agricultural business, you need a car that can easily transport the produce. So, before deciding on the car, understand your needs.

Money Rules the World

Once you decide on the kind of car, the next is to decide your budget. Your financial ability will decide whether you go for a new car or pre-owned. You will have to decide on getting an auto loan as well. You have many options to get a car loan and internet is the modern choice. There are many online auto lending companies that offer large variety of auto financing options.

Just Because A Chicken Has Wings Doesn’t Mean It Can Fly

Looks can be deceptive and so, a thorough scrutiny is required while selecting a car. Research is very important here. While deciding on a car, read reviews and expert comments. Texas Auto Guide can provide you local news. Cruisin’ Times Magazine will help you with the reviews.

When you are buying a car from a dealer, you must ensure that the car model hasn’t been recalled. Also, compare other car models to be sure of getting the best deal. When you get a used car, ask your trusted mechanic to inspect it. Check the car’s Vehicle History Report for any problem. Get the odometer disclosure statement and don’t forget to test drive.

Making Your Dream Car Your Own

When you buy a car from a local Texan dealer, he will do all the work of getting it titled and registered with the State DMV. The dealer must title the car in your name within 20 working days. The number of days will increase to 45 if he is offering you car loan.

But when you are completing the process of title and registration, you must fill the Application for Texas Certificate of Title (Form 130-U). It will have the seller’s name, his signature and the purchase price on it. Odometer Disclosure is mandatory in most cases. Also, ask him for vehicle registration receipt and release of lien.

Ask the seller to come with you to the county tax office so that he can solve the tax office representative’s doubts, if any. When you are buying a car from a private party, you will have to pay the motor vehicle sales tax (6.25%) on the purchase price or the standard presumptive value, whichever is higher. Other than that, the general title transfer charges and registration fees apply.

Remember to take the proof of liability car insurance to the county tax office because they won’t process your application without it. And, they will only let you apply for title (not registration).

To register your car, you must pay the registration fees. As of September 1, 2011, Texas will charge $50.7 5 for cars and light pick-ups that weigh 6000 pounds or less. If your car weighs between 6001 and 10,000 pounds, then you must pay $54. You will also have to pay a local county fee that ranges from $5 to $11.50.

Don’t forget to undergo annual emissions testing if you live in an emission county.

You get new license plates for a new car. For a used one, you need to transfer it.

If you want to transfer plates from your old car to the new one, your county tax assessor - collector office will help you with it and also issue a new registration sticker without any transfer fee. Here, you can think of buying specialized or vanity plates by paying extra.

Once you are done with all the legalities, you will be provided with the registration receipt. The receipt will have a sticker which should be place on the windshield along with your inspection sticker.

So, that’s how you make that dream car your own. Buying a car can be a great experience when you know that you are buying a flawless car. Don’t forget these useful tips for buying a car in Texas and soon you will be driving your perfect car on the streets of the Lone Star State.

Getting a perfect car loan makes your car buying even more perfect. If you are searching for affordable car loans in Texas, Rapidcarloans.net is your answer. We have wide network of lenders in the Lone Star State who offer loans to all types of credit borrowers - good or bad. Apply on our website and get the most competitive Texas auto financing.