Choosing to buy a pre-owned vehicle instead of a brand new one can be a wise decision. Many new cars suffer from a quick drop in value the moment they leave the lot. This is not the case with pre-owned vehicles, and an automobile that is only a year old can be as much as twenty-five percent cheaper than its new counterpart. In addition, the insurance often costs much less per month. The right tips for buying used cars can make all the difference in car shopping.
Research is the first step in shopping around for a pre-owned vehicle. Many shoppers know which vehicle they like, but they might not be very knowledgeable about it. Many web sites are out there offering a lot of information on all makes and models. For a fee, a few of them will conduct a vehicle background check on the automobile you are considering purchasing and will give you the detailed report. The report lists things such as accident history, when repairs were made on the automobile and the number of previous owners.
Ask if a warranty is available. This might not be feasible if you are buying from a private party, but many new vehicles have a three year, 36,000 mile warranty. If the used vehicle you are looking at has less than 36,000 miles on the odometer and is younger than three years old, it may still be covered by the factory warranty. If the vehicle turns out to have heavier mileage, ask whether it is a certified pre-owned vehicle. Certified vehicles have undergone an inspection process and are covered under a separate warranty.
Financing can be an issue for pre-owned vehicles just like new ones. Be sure any vehicle you like falls within your budget each month, including the down payment and monthly insurance fees. With the price of gas climbing each day, it may be prudent to take gas mileage into account when determining the overall cost of the vehicle.
Drive the vehicle as you normally would, following your regular patterns in city traffic and on the freeway. If possible, drive it up a hill to see if it has power for the climb. Finally, give the brakes a good test, because stopping properly is always the most important part of driving.
In the end, you have to negotiate a price. For a few people, this is even more fun than the test drive. However, some people do not enjoy haggling over automobile prices. It could be somewhat intimidating but it does not need to be adversarial. The seller wants you to buy the vehicle and you want the seller to sell the vehicle to you. Find a reasonable middle ground and should an agreement not be possible then be prepared to eventually walk away. The world is full of quality pre-owned vehicles, and with these tips for buying used cars, you will find your dream car.
Author Resource:
Get even more tips on how to buy used cars fast and easy! When you are looking for a wide variety of second hand cars to choose from, you can find them now.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")