Should I start shopping for a vehicle before I have the money?

: Should I start shopping for a vehicle before the money is saved?
I want to purchase a new car. I work 3 jobs, go to college full time among other things so I need something truly reliable.
I want to finance a vehicle and want to put down at least 30 percent. I calculated that I should have the money I need saved by June. But should I start shopping around now? Or just wait until I actually have the money in my pocket?

Answers and Views:

Answer by nicomodo
Start now. That way you’ll have a goal in mind.

Answer by coco
No you should wait tell your actual have the money but however you can like go around looking for the car you are thinking of buying but with having three jobs and going full time student you will have it in no time don’t rush because then u will regret it

Answer by totallyconfused27
You will want wait until you actually have the money. Cars come and go fast. If you find one you love and you don’t have the money, well then you wasted your time!

Answer by Rachel
Yes, you should start looking. My question is, you said that you want to put down 30 percent and calculated how much money you’ll need to save by June, but if you don’t know what car you’re getting, then how do you know how much money you’ll need to save?

My recommendation is to at least start looking at cars and pricing online, especially if you’re thinking of getting any add-ons or features. That way, you’ll also have a good idea when you go to the dealership of how much you should be paying for it and you won’t get ripped off!

Also, do you know your credit score? You should at least pull your credit report through Annual Credit Report so that you can spot any potential issues before you get to the dealership and they pull your credit. When you order your credit report, you can also order your score at that time for an additional fee. (Hopefully in the next few years, consumers will be able to get their credit report AND their FICO credit scores free annually. It really should be free!)

Answer by $1,539,684,631,121 Clinton Debt
Wait, you will be buying used. If you start shopping now, it will not be around in June.