Buying a new car is a relatively straight forward process. You know the car is brand new, so it should be perfect. The auto maker stands behind its product with a warranty. Once you’ve decided on a model, it’s the same no matter which dealership you get it from. The only difference is negotiating the best price you can.
Buying a used car, on the other hand, can be a bit daunting. There may be problems that you don’t know about. It will take more work on your part, but the cost savings are definitely worth it.
Before You Go See the Car
Find out the age, mileage and price. Do a little research. Is the price in keeping with its age and mileage? Is it compatible with your needs? For example, if you need a reliable car and you don’t want to deal with repairs, you might choose to spend a little more on a car with lower mileage. If you are comfortable doing repairs yourself, or you have a trusted mechanic, you might be able to save some money by getting an older car with more miles. Whatever your needs, don’t get excited and buy a car that doesn’t satisfy them.
Ask the seller why they are selling the car. You never know. They might just blurt out that it’s always in the shop and they need something more reliable!
Check out the reviews and reliability ratings for that model. Consumer Reports is a good place to start. You’ll probably be able to find consumer reviews online too. If this model isn’t reliable enough for your needs, or if it’s priced too high for its reliability, look elsewhere.
Take a Look
These things don’t directly affect the reliability of the car, but they can be indications of how well the car has been taken care of. Are the tire properly inflated? Is the wear pattern normal? Look for rust, dents, dings and dirt. Open the and close the doors. There shouldn’t be any noise. They should open fully, and when they close the space between the door and the rest of the body should be even. The color of the paint should be even over the whole car. Uneven paint or body parts out of alignment are clues that the car may have been in an accident.
The Test Drive
Keep your ears open for any unusual sounds. How does it feel? Are there any alignment issues? Do the brakes feel right? Do the electrical systems work correctly? You know how a car should drive. Anything that seems off to you warrants further investigation.
Carfax
Get a Carfax report. For $30, you can get the history of the car. Find out if there are any title issues or accidents. See how many owners it’s had and whether the odometer reading is correct. $30 is a small price to pay to avoid potentially expensive problems later.
Take it to your Mechanic
Unless you are a mechanic, you should take it to a professional. They can look for signs of impending disaster. I know you’re excited about getting a car, but take the extra time to save yourself a big headache. If he does find minor problems, it might help you negotiate a better price.
The Seller
Keep your ears open to anything the seller has to say. Once you get people talking, they often spill information that they didn’t intend to. Also, if a seller doesn’t want to wait for you to get a Carfax report or take the car to your mechanic, run for the hills. Something is wrong.
I’m not saying that a car should be perfect. You’re not buying a brand new car, after all. The condition of the outside of the car should be in keeping with its age and mileage – and therefore price.
Author Resource:
Written by Coleen Bennett: http://hubpages.com/hub/Best-Way-to-Buy-a-Car http://www.cerritosinfiniti.com/j/i/28039/CertifiedPre-OwnedInfinitiProgram.html http://www.riversideinfiniti.com/j/i/28402/Pre-OwnedInventory.html
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