First-Time Car Buyer in Las Vegas: A Step-by-Step Guide
Buying your first car is exciting, and a little confusing. Here is the process in plain steps, with the Nevada details that trip people up, from a Las Vegas dealership that helps first-time buyers every week.
Step 1: Set a monthly budget, not just a price
Your real cost each month is the car payment plus insurance plus gas. Insurance for a first-time driver can be a big number, so get a quote on the kind of car you want before you fall in love with one. A common rule of thumb is to keep the car payment and insurance together well under a fifth of your take-home pay.
Step 2: Know what a car really costs to drive away
The price on the windshield is not the whole number. In Nevada you will also pay sales tax, registration and title. Dealers also charge fees; ours are listed on every car ($752.25 for documentation, title and smog). Always ask for the out-the-door price. Our guide to dealer fees in Nevada explains each piece.
Step 3: Sort out financing
No credit history is not the same as bad credit, but lenders still need something to go on. What usually helps:
- Proof of steady income (pay stubs, or bank statements if you are self-employed or drive rideshare)
- Time at your job and at your address
- A down payment. See how much down payment you need.
- Sometimes a co-signer
We work with several lenders that finance first-time buyers, subject to lender approval. You can apply online in a few minutes. Here is what to bring.
Step 4: Pick the right first car
Reliable, cheap to insure and cheap to fix beats flashy. Compact sedans and small SUVs are popular first cars for those reasons. Browse cars under $10,000 or used SUVs.
Step 5: Inspect and test drive
Drive it on surface streets and on the freeway. Test the A/C for the whole drive (this is Las Vegas). Ask for the vehicle history report. Our checklist for buying a car that can handle Las Vegas heat covers the rest.
Step 6: Insurance before you drive off
Nevada requires liability insurance before you drive, at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for injuries and $20,000 for property damage. Many buyers choose more than the minimum, and a lender will usually require full coverage on a financed car. Have your insurance company's number handy on the day you buy.
Step 7: Registration and smog
In Clark County most vehicles need an emissions (smog) test to register. When you buy from a dealer, ask what paperwork the dealer handles and what you need to do at the DMV. If you just moved to Nevada, you need to register your car here within 30 days of becoming a resident.
Come see us
Charlie Cheap Car has helped Las Vegas drivers buy their first car for 25 years. 5015 W Sahara Ave Ste 127, open seven days. Call (702) 471-1549 or browse inventory.