10 Steps in Buying a Used Car!

NY Used Car Dealer | St James Preowned Cars

Shopping for a used car can be a long and arduous process. Overwhelmed shoppers determined to find the perfect vehicle oftentimes end up making avoidable and costly mistakes. When searching for that sweet little speedster, it pays to take the time to do things right. We’ve got 10 steps to make the process of buying your next used car just a little bit easier.

A good guideline is to keep your monthly car payment around 20 percent of your monthly take-home paycheck. There are a wide variety of online payment calculators that can help you work out the numbers.

Know which brands and models fit within your price range. Consider which features are most important to you and which you can live without. Narrow things down by making a target list of three or four compatible cars.

In this age of information, the biggest mistake a used car buyer can make is to purchase a vehicle without doing some homework first. Take the time to research and learn as much as possible about prices and reviews. ConsumerReports.com, Kelley Blue Book, TrueCar.com, AutoTrader.com, NADA Guides, and JDPower.com are a few good places to start. Knowledge is power; make sure you are armed to the teeth before stepping foot on a car lot.

Locate used cars for sale in your area that meet your criteria and needs. AutoTrader.com, eBayMotors.com, CarGurus.com, and Craigslist are all good places to search. You’ll also want to take a look at local used car superstores and independent used car lots.

When you buy a preowned car, you absolutely must know its history and how well it was maintained. Simply kicking the tires doesn’t tell you much. Insist upon a vehicle history report from a trusted and reputable source like CarFax or AutoCheck. These records will tell you whether the car was previously in an accident or rebuilt, and will also give you inspection and registration information.

Once you find a car you’re interested in, first give the seller a call. Calling first allows you to ask initial questions and get key information without the pressure of a face-to-face confrontation. If you’re still interested after talking to the seller, make an appointment to see the car.

Test-driving a used car you’re interested in is a critical step. Make sure you simulate usual driving patterns when testing the car, including hard braking and accelerating to speeds of 65 mph.

Of course it’s nice if a dealer or seller has provided a thorough inspection, but don’t just take their word for it. It’s important to take the vehicle to an independent and unbiased mechanic. Any seller who is reluctant to let you perform your own inspection should be setting off some serious warning bells in your mind. A pre-purchase inspection that checks all major systems can be obtained for under $150. You should also examine details on the car’s exterior such as fluid leaks, new or different paint, irregular gaps between body panels, and wearing or worn-out tires.

Surprise: you hold more cards in car-buying negotiation than you might think. If you’re not comfortable with the price, use your research of the market to negotiate. Whether you’re negotiating with a NY Used Car Dealer or a private seller, take your time and don’t let emotions get the best of you. Remember, there are a whole lot of used cars out there. Don’t be afraid to walk away if the deal just isn’t right.

Take the time to shop around and know what financing deals are available before concluding the deal. Understand what interest rates you qualify for and exactly what you can afford. If you’re not prepared before you sit down to close the deal, there’s always the possibility you’ll be taken advantage of. Make sure you review the dealership sales contract thoroughly, and ask questions about anything you may be unsure of. Don’t end up with a lemon! Save yourself a lot of hassle with these used car buying tips. For even more advice on buying a used car, come in and see us at Certified Headquarters today!