Five tips to help you buy the right used cars
Buying a used car has lots of benefits! Used cars are great purchases because you remove the added value from depreciation right away. A new car depreciates in value so quickly that in some instances, there is no point in wasting your money on a new vehicle. Pre-owned cars for the same model will be considerably less, which is a major advantage when purchasing, but at the same time, used cars can be bothersome, and in some circumstances, even unsafe. The truth is that when buying a used car, you can be buying someone else's troubles. Let's look at five tips to help you buy the right used cars.
TIP 1 - Try to find used cars with some manufacturer's warranty remaining.
If you can afford a newer year used car, and if you are concerned with the fact that the warranty is typically expired on used vehicles, then one thing you should do is try to find newer models in the used cars. For example, a three year old vehicle might still have two years left on the warranty. This helps because if something serious happens, you may still be covered.
TIP 2 - Buying a car on the internet and/or sight unseen is a huge mistake.
We are not saying that buying from people on the internet is wrong. On the contrary, many people advertise their used cars through various reputable sites. What we are cautioning against, whether on the internet, or at a car lot, is to stay away from vehicles that you have not seen. Two reasons for this are important.
1. If the seller wants you to transfer money via Western Union or directly to his/her bank account, it is more than likely a scam. Legitimate sellers, even ones who are not running professional car dealerships usually ask for payments by other methods.
2. By not seeing the car, you have no clue what you are getting. Yes, you might also buy a lemon if you see it, but you have more of a chance to uncover problems if the vehicle is right there for you to see and touch.
TIP 3 - Take the car to a mechanic or garage of your choice.
Safety certifications and other tests can be manipulated and bought. This means that even if your car has the necessary documentation, it does not mean that you are free of problems. If the brakes are close to needed repairs, for example, the seller is not going to disclose that information. Invest the few dollars for your own inspection, so that you know what you are buying mechanically. This way, you can decide whether the price is right or not, and whether you have anything to worry about in the near future.
TIP 4 - Use consumer reports to determine whether you should avoid certain models.
Before you even go out shopping for a used car, consult one of the many consumer reports or car review sites to weed out poorer performing models. Whether you buy a used car or a new car, there is no point in purchasing a vehicle that is known to have problems before you even start out.
TIP 5 - Choose a price range and stick to it.
Before you go shopping for a used car, determine your top budget number. In other words, the number that you absolutely CANNOT exceed. Remember, that your total costs involve not only the price of the car, but also, taxes, transfers, licenses, inspection, and insurance. Do not be talked into fancier models when you can ill-afford them. Contrarily, be suspicious of prices that are much too low and do not make sense.