Smart Tips For Making A Great Used Car Purchase
Whether you are making a first car purchase or need to add an additional car to the family fleet, opting to purchase a used car, instead of a new one, can have many advantages. In addition to saving on the initial purchase price, used cars usually result in lower bills for insurance and taxes, and may also be less expensive to maintain and repair.
However, the process of selecting a reliable used car and negotiating a great deal can be daunting, especially to those with limited car purchasing experience. Those who are ready to begin the process of buying a used car can use the following information to help them enjoy the best possible experience.
Do your research on makes and models before shopping
Before visiting a car lot where you will likely get distracted by all the shiny vehicles, it is wise to spend some time researching various car makes and models online. A good place to begin is to search for automotive websites that regularly publish safety ratings for most vehicle models, such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In addition to safety ratings on new vehicles, sites like this also publish historical safety data going back a decade or more.
Narrow the field by actual need
Once you have a good idea of which makes and models have good safety ratings, you will need to consider how you will be using the vehicle. For example, will you be:
- Hauling people, cargo, or both?
- Regularly requiring extra seating for multiple passengers?
- Using one or more car seats?
- Traveling on paved or unpaved roads?
- Needing special features to make the vehicle suitable?
By considering how you will actually be using the vehicle, it will be easier to direct your search to models that will best fulfill your needs.
Set a budget and arrange any necessary financing
The next thing to do is to decide on an affordable amount for the purchase and obtain an auto loan if needed. While a cash purchase should always be the goal, a vehicle loan with affordable terms can be helpful as long as the total costs of vehicle ownership are considered.
To ensure that the cost of owning the car will continue to be affordable, make sure that you budget enough for the payment, insurance premiums, annual taxes and licensing, sales taxes (if applicable), gas, tires, maintenance, and repairs.
Choose to purchase from a reputable dealer
Perhaps the most important tip for buying a great used car is to make sure that you purchase from a reputable used car dealer. To do this, look for used car dealers who have well-established businesses with consistently good reviews from previous buyers.
Start your search today by reaching out to a local used car dealer.
