How to Buy a Car With Marisol Your Car Girl

Buying a car doesn't have to begin with walking into a dealership and hoping someone helps you.

You can start from home.

You can research vehicles, prepare your trade-in, learn what documents you may need, understand the test-drive process and schedule time directly with the person you want to work with.

I'm Marisol Your Car Girl, a sales representative at Findlay Nissan Henderson.

Whether you're in Las Vegas, Henderson, somewhere else in Nevada or even another state, my goal is to give you a direct point of contact throughout your vehicle search.

Se habla español.

Ready to begin?

Start with Shop Vehicles or Schedule an Appointment With Marisol.

Step 1: Tell Marisol What You're Looking For

You don't need to know the exact vehicle before contacting me.

Start with what you do know.

Tell me about your:

Approximate budget
Preferred vehicle type
Passenger needs
Cargo needs
Daily commute
Must-have features
Preferred colors
New or pre-owned preference
Trade-in, if applicable
Timeline for purchasing

If you already know the make, model or specific vehicle you're interested in, even better.

Use Contact Marisol to get started.

Step 2: Shop Vehicles Online

You don't have to wait until you're standing on the dealership lot to start comparing vehicles.

Visit Shop Vehicles.

Look at the options that interest you and think about which features matter most.

If you're deciding between new and pre-owned, read New vs. Used Car: What Should I Consider?.

The goal isn't to find the flashiest vehicle.

It's to find one that makes sense for your life.

Step 3: Set a Realistic Budget

Before choosing a vehicle, think about what comfortably fits your finances.

Remember that vehicle ownership can involve more than the monthly payment.

Depending on your situation, expenses can include:

Insurance
Fuel
Registration
Maintenance
Tires
Parking
Repairs

If you're financing, look at the complete transaction rather than only asking, “What's my monthly payment?”

Financing terms are determined by the lender and depend on the application and transaction.

Step 4: Think About Your Down Payment

There isn't one perfect down payment for every buyer.

The amount you choose can affect how much needs to be financed, while a lender may also establish requirements for a particular transaction.

Read How Much Money Should I Put Down on a Car? before deciding.

Step 5: Have a Vehicle to Trade?

Your current vehicle may be part of your next purchase.

Start at Trade-In.

Before your appointment, read What Should I Bring When Trading In My Car?.

Gather available keys and relevant vehicle, ownership and loan information before coming in.

Step 6: What If You Still Owe Money on Your Trade-In?

You may still be able to discuss trading a vehicle with an existing loan.

The current loan payoff needs to be compared with the vehicle's trade-in value.

That helps determine whether the vehicle has positive or negative equity.

Read the complete guide: How Does Trading In a Car With a Loan Work?.

Step 7: Prepare Your Documents

What you'll need depends on what you're doing at the dealership.

If you're preparing to purchase, start with What Documents Do I Need to Buy a Car in Nevada?.

Before leaving home, also read What Do I Need to Bring to a Dealership?.

Depending on your transaction, applicable information may include identification, insurance, financing information, payment information and trade-in documentation.

Step 8: First-Time Buyer? Start Here

Buying your first vehicle can feel like a lot simply because everything is new.

You don't need to pretend you've done it before.

Read my First-Time Car Buyer Checklist.

It walks through budgeting, insurance, documents, choosing a vehicle, financing considerations and preparing for your dealership visit.

Step 9: Buying With an ITIN?

Some buyers use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number rather than a Social Security number.

Some lenders may consider applicants using an ITIN, although requirements vary by lender and transaction.

Financing approval is never determined by Marisol and isn't guaranteed.

Read Can I Buy a Car With an ITIN in Las Vegas?.

And remember: se habla español.

Step 10: Schedule Your Appointment

Once you've narrowed your search—or even if you simply want help narrowing it—schedule time with me.

Use Schedule an Appointment.

If you're interested in a particular vehicle, include that information when possible.

That gives us a much better starting point when you arrive.

Step 11: Test Drive the Vehicle

Photos and specifications are helpful.

Driving the vehicle is different.

During your test drive, pay attention to:

Driver comfort
Visibility
Steering
Braking
Acceleration
Ride quality
Cabin noise
Technology
Air conditioning
Passenger room
Cargo room
Parking and maneuverability

Before your appointment, read What Happens During a Test Drive?.

Step 12: Don't Be Afraid to Compare

The first vehicle you test doesn't have to be the vehicle you purchase.

Sometimes comparing two vehicles makes the answer much clearer.

You might discover that you prefer:

A different size
More cargo space
Another trim
Different technology
A pre-owned option
A new option
Another feature combination

The point of shopping is to find the vehicle that fits—not to force yourself to like the first one.

Step 13: Ask Questions

This is your purchase.

Ask questions.

If you don't understand a feature, ask.

If you don't understand a number, ask.

If you're comparing vehicles, ask about the differences.

If you're financing and don't understand the terms presented, ask for clarification before signing.

You don't get extra points for pretending something makes sense when it doesn't.

Step 14: Review the Numbers

If you decide to move forward, look beyond the monthly payment.

Depending on your transaction, review information such as:

Vehicle price
Trade-in
Down payment
Amount financed
Interest rate
Financing term
Monthly payment
Applicable taxes and fees
Other transaction terms

If financing is involved, lender approval and terms depend on the lender's evaluation.

Step 15: Review Before You Sign

Take the time to understand the documents presented to you.

Read what you're signing.

Ask questions about anything you don't understand.

A car is a major purchase. It's completely reasonable to want to understand the transaction.

What If I Live Outside Nevada?

You can still begin your vehicle search with Marisol.

Start at Out-of-State Buyers.

Then read Can I Buy a Car in Nevada If I Live in Another State?.

Out-of-state purchases can involve different tax, title, registration, insurance, financing and transportation considerations, so discuss the specific transaction before making travel plans.