One of the most popular new cars in stock near you, a red 2021 Chevy Trailblazer RS, is shown parked on a brick pathway.

Buying a New Car Without Emptying Your Wallet: Budget-Friendly Vehicles Right Outside of Our Front Doors

The thought of purchasing a new vehicle can make anyone’s wallet cringe. When we think “new,” we typically envision dollar signs and something way out of our budget – especially when it comes to car buying. Fortunately, there are options available today that won’t break the bank or make your wallet flinch. Now I know what you’re thinking – are there really affordable new cars in stock near me? You bet! Some of the most affordable new cars are just around the corner.

Affordable Car Shopping: Where to Begin

When the need or desire for a new car comes up, I have a list of criteria that I know I want to look for when beginning my car buying journey. It helps me weed through the vast number of options we as consumers have today – and purchasing local is certainly number one on my criteria list. Honestly, though, who wants to A) travel to purchase a car and B) not support their hometown, city, or state? Many of us try to buy most things – our food, clothing, and even gifts – from local businesses anyways, so why wouldn’t we want to purchase one of our most valuable assets locally as well?

The next thing I look for in a car is brand. I don’t know why, but we all have our preferences of brands – not just for cars but for EVERYTHING. Whether you prefer generic or store brands for food or clothing – or maybe name brands are more your style – it’s no different when buying a car. So, the make of a car should certainly be on your criteria list as well once you’ve chosen the local dealership that you want to purchase from.

What’s in a Name: A Variety of Brands at Your Doorstep Offering Affordable Car Buying Options

Jeep, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Toyota, Lexus, Buick… there are SO many brands to choose from on the market today. And then, under each make, it seems like there’s an endless number of models to weed through and research. Thankfully – even if you are a first-time car buyer – you probably have at least one car manufacturer that comes to mind. Whether it is the only make that you’ve ever driven, maybe it’s what your parents usually drive, or it could just be the maker of your dream car, at least one brand likely stands out from the rest for you.

Once you have a brand (or brands) in mind, you can use that to start your car-buying journey. We’re going to go over a few affordable new cars in stock near me with Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) starting under $25,000 made by Chevy and Buick, just to give you an idea of the affordable options out there, right now, waiting for you. Why those two? Well, Chevy has some of the most affordable models on the market, and Buick is a good example that even a more upscale car doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.

A silver 2021 Chevy Spark is shown parked in front of a shop.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet has been building cars since 1913, offering a variety of purchasing options no matter what your style, taste, or preference may be. With that much experience, we don’t only assume the brand can be relied on; we know it can be.

As for affordable options from Chevy – yeah, they have them. The 2021 Chevrolet Spark starts at an incredibly low MSRP of $13,400. This fun-sized, front-wheel-drive compact car can give you up to 38 MPG on the highway while transporting up to 4 passengers – or offering you up to 27.2 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seats folded down. Although you can’t expect this fashionable beauty – available in an array of vivid colors – to be quick off the line, it will definitely prove its worth on your highway drive with its small yet roomy design, quick maneuvering, and great fuel economy no matter what precious cargo you’re carrying.

For the crossover enthusiasts, you’ll love the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer. This spacious and eye-catching all-wheel-drive, compact SUV that seats up to 5 people and has a total of 54.4 cubic feet of cargo space is not only easy on the eyes – with its smoothly sculpted motif – but is also easy on the wallet. With an MSRP starting at just $19,000, you can’t complain! You can pack up the whole family or a group of friends for a trip in this all-weather friendly ride and continue saving money just on fuel alone with its excellent 31 MPG rating. That sure sounds like a deal to me!

Buick

Now, if you’re looking for a brand that is in it for the long haul, Buick is the manufacturer for you! Originally founded in 1899 as Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company, this maker is still creating the superior quality we’ve all grown accustomed to with their lineup of premium vehicles. However, today’s lineup may look a little different from what our parents or grandparents – or even great-grandparents – were used to since Buick no longer offer sedans. But now, they can now focus all of their expertise on luxury crossovers, hatchbacks, and wagon body styles.

In recent years, crossovers and SUVs have been taking over the North American automotive industry. With their versatility and cargo space, there’s no question of why they have become so popular among consumers. They’re desired by both commuters and small families all the same. Buick’s Encore GX is certainly one model we can awe over. This subcompact crossover can be purchased as a front-wheel-drive or an all-wheel drive vehicle, with an MSRP starting at just $24,200. Who would’ve thought that luxury could be so affordable?!

The lush design of the Encore GX – on the exterior as well as the interior – will certainly make you do a double-take. With a sleek exterior and a royal interior seating up to 5 people or offering up to 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space with folding second-row seats, what more can you ask for? Oh, wait! How about fuel economy? The Encore GX gets a combined fuel economy of up to 31 MPG. This crossover is packed with royalty, capacity, and great gas mileage -this model sounds like a dream on wheels.

A white 2021 Buick Encore GX ST is shown parked in a modern driveway.

End Game: Finalizing the Car Buying Experience

Who says buying a new car has to be financially stressful or painful on your budget? It shouldn’t be and doesn’t have to be. We all have a budget that we have to live by. We all have expenses; buying and owning a vehicle is one of them. Although buying a new car may be one of the more costly expenses we experience, just remember that there are affordable options for purchasing and owning a new vehicle. There are plenty of budget-friendly new cars in stock near me, so I can’t imagine there aren’t any right outside your door as well.

Chevrolet and Buick only touch the surface of the options available to you on your budget-buying journey. With a huge variety of makes and models to choose from today, anyone can find a new car to fit their lifestyle. Once you’ve figured out your list of requirements, selected your dealership, and nailed down the vehicle for you, you’ve reached the “end game.” Now is the time where you get to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Better yet, keep counting those pennies and start tallying the amount of money you’re saving with today’s eco-friendly vehicles versus those from our past and then plan that vacation getaway you’ve always wanted.