Guide to Buying a Used Car
If it's time to get a different vehicle and budget's a major consideration you are probably in the market for a used car. There are so many different used cars for sale it can be tricky to know which one is right for you. It's a good plan to investigate the available options, appraise how well these meet your needs and only then make a purchase.
A used car is a significant investment, so before you buy you should work out exactly what kind of car you'd like and what kind of driving you do. A good place to start is with the following major features:
Type of car - Almost all types of cars are available used, including sports and hatchbacks, family or compact sedan, utilities, SUVs and 4WDs.
Mechanical condition - A major factor influencing safety and reliability. Assess this during a test drive and look at mileage and service history.
Cosmetic condition - Paint quality, signs of rust, tire wear; the interior condition and cleanliness in also a factor. Don't forget to check that the air-con and stereo work and whether the seat belts show any wear.
Cost - Specify a budget; know the current market price for models of interest.
Now you have some idea of what cars to look for you can consider how well those cars meet your needs or measure up against each other. You can go to the car dealerships you would go to when looking for new car, as they generally also have a used car division. There are many car lots that are completely dedicated to used cars as well. The other common way to purchase a used car is by a private sale, from the previous owner. You can also consider auctions and online sales. By repeating this process for other requirements, you can arrive at a short list of suitable vehicles.
When it comes time to purchase you could go with private sellers, who may be more negotiable. On the other hand, the experienced salespeople at a dealership can be helpful if you have conflicting needs, such as space for the kids and their friends or a small sedan for commuting. There are other significant things to consider such as guarantees, servicing and particularly if buying privately or online, the possibility of a deception.
A used car is a significant investment, so before you buy you should work out exactly what kind of car you'd like and what kind of driving you do. A good place to start is with the following major features:
Type of car - Almost all types of cars are available used, including sports and hatchbacks, family or compact sedan, utilities, SUVs and 4WDs.
Mechanical condition - A major factor influencing safety and reliability. Assess this during a test drive and look at mileage and service history.
Cosmetic condition - Paint quality, signs of rust, tire wear; the interior condition and cleanliness in also a factor. Don't forget to check that the air-con and stereo work and whether the seat belts show any wear.
Cost - Specify a budget; know the current market price for models of interest.
Now you have some idea of what cars to look for you can consider how well those cars meet your needs or measure up against each other. You can go to the car dealerships you would go to when looking for new car, as they generally also have a used car division. There are many car lots that are completely dedicated to used cars as well. The other common way to purchase a used car is by a private sale, from the previous owner. You can also consider auctions and online sales. By repeating this process for other requirements, you can arrive at a short list of suitable vehicles.
When it comes time to purchase you could go with private sellers, who may be more negotiable. On the other hand, the experienced salespeople at a dealership can be helpful if you have conflicting needs, such as space for the kids and their friends or a small sedan for commuting. There are other significant things to consider such as guarantees, servicing and particularly if buying privately or online, the possibility of a deception.
posted by david at 4:25 AM
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