Scared to buy a new car (lone woman)

[user1471867483]

I don't have anyone with car knowledge to go with me to buy a car. My 17 yo Citroen C1 car is on its last legs and I have to keep paying out and paying out for many things that are going wrong with it and I need another! I know the car I'd like, but it's so daunting to buy one. I just don't think the sales guys take me serious when I go. I'm so shy and fear I'll end up a crumpled mess and burst into tears.

My budget is max £13k which I have saved for these past 17 years. Any advice please on make/model or any advice for that matter? 😣 I bought my current Citroen from my mechanic who has sadly retired and moved away.

I done all my research online (auto trader, review sites, forums etc) then using auto trader or dealers websites found a garage with the exact cars I wanted to test drive. Booked the test drive online and when I showed up I was firm with them that I was test driving it today and would need at least a day or two to compare it to others I was test driving. Warned them firmly but friendly that any hard sales talk and I would take my money else where. Also, know and stick to your budget.

Ended up trading in and buying my new car in under 72hrs, vast majority of conversation and dealings with them via email (my preference). Got a decent deal on the new car and a very good trade in value for mine (there was a pretty major issue with it that they knew about). All with pretty much no negotiation on my part.

Most dealers also have a few female sales reps too, if you think that would help maybe request/go to one of them?