How to Buy a Used Car: Used Car Buying Tips
You want to buy a car but the cost of a new car is stopping you because the minute you drive off the lot your going to lose money.
Here’s a few tips and ideas.
If your the type of person to buy a car every 3 years and want the manufacturers warranty then you probably should lease for 3 years.
If you want to save alot of money then you should buy a used car preferably certified from a reputable car dealer to get the extended service contract up to 100,000 miles.
You can buy a used car direct from for sale by owners but you need to be careful.
Try to get a used car coming off a 3 year lease with under 45,000 miles that may have been a corporate vehicle that was maintained according to the service manual.
If you buy from a private owner then you will need to get your financing at your bank or credit union.
If you buy from a reputable car dealer then they can get you financed but make sure you do your homework on that used car at KBB.com
Look at all the KBB used car values as a guide not the gospel, like trade value is what the dealer probably paid and your likely going to pay retail value so do your homework.
I recommend that you talk to your banker and get preapproved with a solid interest rate and then you know what they will lend you on a car before you even go to a car dealer to avoid their yo yo scams on financing.
How to Buy a Used Car: Used Car Buying Tips
- Try to get as low as miles as possible, allow 15,000 miles per year in the equation
- Check the tire tread because you may need a set of tires and even wear.
- Look at the overall condition of the exterior paint, scratches, chips, repair damage
- Check every jamb on the car by opening hood, trunk and every door for tape marks and paint overspray to indicate prior repairs.
- Check the interior and see overall condition and if they were a smoker. Smoke will not leave that car.
- Test drive the vehicle with the radio off and listen for noises, squeaks and if the car pulls left or right.
- Check the VIN in the windsheild and compare to VIN in all door jambs to match
- If you really like the car then say I will buy the car but you want to take the car to your mechanic and pay to have a diagonositic test. You can get this done at a car dealer for about $100. This will be the best money spent.
One time I bought a used Honda Accord for my daughter while I was working at the car dealer for like $4,000 with about 100,000 miles.
I did not pay the mechanic to look at the car. In my mind I said it’s a Honda it will go 200,000 to 300,000 miles easy.
Well my daughter was driving her used Honda and started to go slower and took the car to a Honda dealer who said one of the cylinders was bad on the 4 cynlinder and would cost $1500.
Later after we replaced the cylinder she was on her way to college and about 2 hours away the car broke down again and was the same problem. Honda fixed the cylinder again for free but it was a hassle to be without a car during this time period not to mention the mental aggravation so we sold the car.
Had I paid the mechanic $100 before I bought the car I would have avoided this $1,500 repair bill and would not have bought the car.
So you learn lessons in life the hard way.
Robert Reuter “Black Belt Bob”
http://www.AskCarExpert.com
Short URL: http://www.askcarexpert.com/?p=336
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