Buying a car can be a stressful process – whether you decide to purchase a new vehicle or a previously owned one.
In this new year, choosing to invest in a new-to-you car may be a better option because of your family’s budget. Thankfully, buying a used car does not mean buying a lesser car. Today’s reputable dealers do full-scale inspections and multi-point systems checks while offering extended warranties and maintenance packages as a quality assurance for their customers.
If you are in the market for a used car, check out these top tips.
- Shop around – online and in person. See what is available online in addition to browsing through your local newspaper, checking out the sales circular and visiting the neighborhood dealership. Websites like Autotrader, Carvana, CarMax and Autolist to name a few offer virtual vehicle tours, highlight maintenance reports and offer a thorough look at the vehicle’s history.
- Determine what kind of car is best for you and your family’s needs. Buying a car is a big decision, so think about what kind of vehicle is ideal for you now and approximately 3-5 years from now. Even if you don’t have kids, adequate space is often a major consideration for those who travel often or transport equipment or gear regularly.
- Check reliability and reputation. Choosing a car with a good reputation for reliability is ideal. Visit websites like J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book for an industrywide evaluation of various vehicles.
- Consider what is affordable based on your current budget. Getting a pay raise in six months should not be a factor when determining the ideal monthly payment for your car.
- Consider projected costs. There are a variety of projected costs after the initial purchase. Research the total cost of ownership for your top vehicle picks to assess long-term expenses like insurance, maintenances, repairs and depreciation.
- Check the vehicle’s car history report. Services like CarFax allow consumers to access and view the maintenance and accident history for cars purchased at a dealership or online. Do your homework and do not hesitate to ask for a report.
- Get an inspection. Dealers conduct their own inspections before they purchase previously owned cars, but you have the right to pay for a separate vehicle inspection if you choose to do so. Most dealerships offer purchase agreements that allow to cancel the sale if the car presents any major issues within a specific timeframe.
- Test drive the car. After you see the car online or on the dealer’s lot, take it for a test drive. Listen for any unusual noises, notice any unpleasant odors, touch the upholstery, open the compartments, look under the hood, review the system alerts on the dashboard, check the tire trim and be sure all the internal systems like heating and air or sounds systems look good.
