Used Car Buying Tips

After buying a house probably buying a car is one of the major financial decisions everyone makes. We start thinking about driving and buyin a car in teenage years so probably we have a bit more experience than buying a home but still it is not always an easy task. You still end up with lemons or cars that keep breaking down and cause a lot of headaches and cost.

It is important to be thorough when you're making your decison to buy a car. Make sure to inspect a car thoroughly, keep in mind it is not only used cars that could go bad, some new cars don't end up being what their meant and cause a lot of issues. Alway check with friends and family as well consumer opinions to see if make and model you are considering is even a good choice.

Once you decide which make and model of car you want to buy then it is time to find not only the right price and color but that the car is in a sound condition. Having a good mechanic or a friend as a mechanic is a great asset. It is important to have a car inspected at least to make sure everything is in proper condition. Of course there is no guarantee that even inspected cars will be very reliable but you will have a better chance.

• Have your own mechanic inspect the car
• Test drive the car in different road conditions, hills and highways.
• If you are an auto club member you can ask for inspection services.
• Use trusted car databases or services such as CarFax to get automobile history.
• Ask the owner for maintenance records if any.
• Evaluate the frequency of maintenance as well repairs.
• Find any accident history and evaluate extraordinary repairs.
• If there were more than one owner speak to previous owners.

The Federal Trade Commission requires dealers to post a Buyers Guide in every used car they offer for sale. Private sellers don't have to use the Buyers Guide. The Guide tells you: whether the vehicle is sold "as is" or with a warranty; percentage of the repair costs a dealer will pay under the warranty; that spoken promises are difficult to enforce; to get all promises in writing.

Your Guide To Buying A Used Car

• As great as it would be to drive off the lot behind the wheel of a shiny new car, it’s not everyone that has the funds to do so. There are plenty of folks that are placed in the position of having to settle for a used car, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up on quality to do so. There are plenty of great used cars available out there, but if you don’t know what to look for, you could end up being stuck with a lemon. Read on to get a few simple tips that will help you pick a used car that is perfect for you at a price you can afford.
  

  The first big tip that you simply should not ignore is that you should never head to the used car lot without having some idea of the car you want. This is where the internet will become your biggest ally, as there is a ton of information on there that will save you from getting ripped off when you buy a used car. This all begins with you doing a little research to see which type of car best suits your needs. It may be that you need something with more interior space, or perhaps a model that is good with gas. Narrow it down to a few choices and then start doing some side by side comparisons.
  

  Simply picking the model that you want isn’t enough. You also have to look at the features available on different model years. The difference between a 2nd and 3rd generation of the same vehicle can be huge, with one having more of the features you need than the other. Once you have done all of that, it’s time to start thinking about how much you can afford. It may well be that you have to sacrifice a few premium features in order to get the exact car that you want. As disappointing as that may be, it’s much more important that you stay within the realm of what you can reasonably afford to pay.
  

  
  
  
  

  We would recommend securing the financing before you get to the lot, as this will prevent you from getting sucked in by a car that falls on the wrong side of your budget. It is the job of the salesperson at the lot to try and really upsell the car you want, but don’t allow then to get the upper hand. Ask as many questions as you wish and compare their answers with what you already know about the car. The final step is to take a test drive before you consider buying. A car that looks great may reveal some flaws once the engine starts and you get it out on the road. As is the case with anything, the more knowledge you bring to the table, the better chance you have of seeing a great end result.