What are the steps to buying a car?
Comparisons
5 MIN READ
Finding the best car for you
How to research cars
A car is more than just a car – especially when you’re buying a new one. It’s an investment. A statement. An extension of your home and personality. And with so many types of cars to choose from, it can be hard to weigh the pros and cons of every length, shape, trim and feature.
The INFINITI lineup is made up of premium sedans, crossovers and SUVs, all of which are designed to offer you a serene and empowered driving experience. If you’re still unsure of what type of vehicle you want, consider the categories below. If you prefer a more interactive option, you can compare cars side-by-side using Build & Price – our car comparison tool.
Sedans
One of the most established and recognizable vehicle types, sedans are a bit of a catch-all: they offer great performance and handling, as well as ample passenger space and an enclosed trunk. Often powered by a two-wheel drive (2WD) drivetrain, sedans are ideal for city and highway driving and good road conditions.
If you’re leaning toward a sedan, consider the INFINITI Q50. With a 3.0-litre twin turbocharged engine capable of up to 400 hp, standard Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, luxurious leather seating for up to five and a host of connectivity and driver assist features… well, you won’t need much else.
COUPES
If your goal is to go fast, coupes are hard to beat. Purpose-built to give you the best performance on the open road, they sacrifice a bit in terms of seating and cargo space – but the moment you press down on that accelerator, you’ll understand why. Despite their performance heritage, coupes do surprisingly well in terms of fuel efficiency, both in the city and on the highway.
In terms of coupes, the INFINITI Q60 is The One. Built to a higher standard than the average coupe, Q60 comes standard with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, available Direct Adaptive Steering®, and more premium safety and driver assist features than we can list here.
Crossovers
While crossovers are more or less a subset of the ‘small’ SUV market, there is one major difference: while SUVs are typically built body-on-frame, crossovers have a unibody construction. That means they get better fuel economy.
When it comes to crossovers, it’s hard to beat either the INFINITI QX50 or the QX55. Built to offer an abundance of luxury and convenience on top of safety and performance, both vehicles have everything a discerning driver could want and then some. Where they differ is in their styling: while QX50 is the very definition of a crossover, QX55 is a crossover coupe – meaning that it has a bit less cargo space, but a sleeker and more provocative look. It’s a tough choice, but fortunately, you can take them both for a test drive to see which one you prefer.
SUVs
SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) have reigned supreme over the last few decades, and for good reason: their hybrid bodies give them the best of two very different worlds. With the handling of a smaller coupe and the additional storage and performance of a truck (not to mention the extra seating capacity), SUVs offer a lot to everyone. And since the market is often subdivided into ‘small,’ ‘medium’ and ‘large’ SUVs, there are even more opportunities to narrow down your choice and find the right one for you.
If you’ve decided to get an SUV, give the INFINITI QX60 and the QX80 a look. QX60 is all-new, with trim options that include a 10.8” Head-Up Display, a Smart Rear View Mirror, and a 17-speaker Bose® Performance Series sound system. Meanwhile, QX80 offers three rows of seating for up to eight passengers, 400 hp and a full suite of features.
Planning your financing
How to budget for a car
Once you’ve settled on the type of vehicle you want, then you need to settle on a trim level. These ‘tiers’ increase in price, with the higher-end ones offering more premium features and flourishes. Deciding on a type and trim is important, because once you’ve done that, you really narrow down your overall budget.
If you need help determining a budget and are still exploring financing options, you might find our Payment Estimator and Trade-In Calculator useful. Once you’ve crunched the numbers, you can even get pre-approved by starting a credit application on our site.
Your payment options
How to pay for a car
Having a clear sense of your financial situation is important, because it will largely determine which car loan payment options you should pursue.
If you’re someone who likes to have a new car every few years, doesn’t put a lot of kilometers on your vehicles, and/or have the option of writing off your vehicle as a business expense, then leasing is a great option. Leases offer tremendous flexibility (as well as the option to buy the car at the end of the lease), though the monthly payments can end up being more than if you were to buy.
Buying is a good idea if you have a budget, a clear sense of how much you can afford, and want to be able to use the vehicle as you please. The important thing to keep in mind is that the ‘sticker price’ is not the only expense you’ll have to pay when you buy, as taxes, title and registration will also factor into how much you’ll need to pay.
Either way, your bank and local INFINITI retailer can help you decide which new car payment options are right for you.
Hands-on window shopping
What to look for when test driving a car
To get the most out of your test drive(s), be serious and be honest. Tell the salespeople you speak with at the dealerships you visit that you’re planning to buy, that you’re comparing your options, and that you’re trying to gather as much information as you can. Good salespeople will be more inclined to give you that extra bit of attention, as well as greater access to the vehicle.
If you’re wondering how long to test drive a car for, it really depends on which and how many aspects of the car matter to you beyond how it drives. For example, if safety and driver assist features matter to you, make sure you spend enough time behind the wheel to really put the relevant features through their paces. If you’re someone who often has a lot of passengers in your vehicle, spend some time in the back seats to see what their legroom is like, where the convenience features like cupholders and charging ports are located, and so on.
If you’re ready to test drive, start by searching the inventory of your local retailers to see what they have available. Once you’ve done that, find a retailer and schedule your test drive.
Researching car prices
How to get a quote
This stage is relatively straightforward. Once you’ve settled on a make and model, request a quote from the manufacturer’s website. While you’re at it, be sure to keep an eye on any special offers they may have, as these often change and are only available for a limited time.
Cutting costs by trading in
How to trade in an old car
When purchasing or leasing a new car, make sure you get the most out of your current one. Many manufacturers – INFINITI included – offer trade-in programs for existing vehicles. Our trade-in estimator can help to give you an idea of how much trade-in value you’re likely to get.
Finalizing the deal
How to close on a car
If you’re ready to buy, INFINITI offers a streamlined online shopping experience we call INFINITI Now. There, you’ll have access to all the information, tools and support you’ll need to complete your purchase.
Protecting your investment
How to get car insurance
Car insurance may be required by law, but it’s also a must-have in case anything ever happens to your vehicle. How much insurance you need and how much your premiums costs are another story, however, as these can differ depending on your province and provider. Similar to car shopping, it can be worth shopping around to compare car insurance quotes.
Our recommendation? Speak with your retailer when closing on your vehicle, as they can help you organize an insurance plan that works for you.
Put your name on it
How to register a car
What is vehicle registration? It’s the final step in the car ownership process, and involves getting a license and registration for you vehicle – think license plate, permit, sticker, and any other identifiers the province you’re registering in may require you to obtain.
To learn more about what vehicle registration in your province entails, visit the Canadian government’s provincial registry.