Car-buying guide for LGBT couples

Buying a car can be one of the most stressful times for people. You have to decide which vehicle is right for your needs and hope that the salespeople at the auto center don’t try to take you for all you’re worth. Of course, being part of the LGBT community also adds other elements to the buying process. You want to make sure that your brand is representative of your values and suits your driving requirements. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re buying a car as an LGBT individual.

Get rid of any preconceived notions about which auto brands are good and which are bad

The first tip that most people should follow is that they need to get over the idea of which auto brands are good and bad. There are two levels to this concept, too. First off, many car companies have begun to shrink their offerings to focus on the vehicles that they make best. So, you’re more likely to find a car from this point forward that is an exemplar rather than a poor attempt to mimic another company. Secondly, many companies have been given a bad rap over some of their missteps in the past regarding their stances on the LGBT community. New times and new people are bringing change to the world of automotive, and it’s a good idea to reflect on those changes before writing off a specific brand. It’s time to do new research and find out which car brands are best.

Forget most of the advice you’ve been given

Buying a vehicle is very different now than it was even ten years ago. All of that old advice can go right out the window. The chances are good that you’re not going to need as much guidance or information about a vehicle that you would have needed from a dealer. Now, information is readily available about vehicle models and specs online. You can log into any number of sites to get details about your vehicle long before you ever step foot on the lot. With other forms of data like vehicle histories, reviews, and valuation pages, you should know what a fair price is for a car. That way, you don’t get tossed into an unfortunate situation about a dealer. The new advice is going to be simpler: do your research and double-check it. Of course, some advice is very good like looking under the hood, doing a test drive, and not being afraid to say no.

Try to forget previous experiences with particular makes and models

As previously mentioned, certain car brands are beginning to trim their overall list of offerings in favor of providing their customers with the best experience possible. That’s why it’s important to forget any bad experiences that you’ve had with certain makes and models of cars. A Ford Escape from 2015 might have been the most comfortable vehicle ever, but that doesn’t mean the 2020 version is going to be the same. That’s why it is a good idea to do your research and then hit the lots to make sure the car is right for you, even if you’ve had a good or bad experience before. It’s time to unlearn what you thought you knew so that you can open yourself up to better driving outcomes.

Gay-Friendly Automakers

Research among LGBT consumers shows that the majority of us want to spend money with companies that have progressive policies towards their LGBT employees. gaystryst.com has done the footwork and offers the list of gay-friendly manufacturers that sell vehicles. The list of carmakers that have tried to reach out to the LGBT community is encouraging. Here are some of the names that you’ll want to keep in mind when you’re buying your next car.

  • Lexus
  • Lincoln
  • Nissan
  • Volkswagen
  • Mitsubishi
  • Smart

Keep in mind that these are not the only companies with progressive policies, and the full list is longer. These companies have either supported the causes of the LGBT community, spoken out for their benefits, or welcomed them in another way. One can only hope that the list continues to expand so that LGBT people don’t have to consider car brand ethics when buying.

Buying a car is both a challenging and exciting task. For members of the LGBT community, it can be even more difficult because most people would rather buy a vehicle from an ethical company than one against gay rights. By looking at the list we’ve provided, you can see that many companies are open about their support for the causes. Take this information and the new advice provided for buying a car, and you’re bound to have a great, successful car-shopping experience. It is completely possible to balance your needs with your morals!