Buying a Used Car

Answer 1

As the country continues to climb ever so slowly out of the recent recession, people who need to purchase a new vehicle or need to purchase their first-ever vehicle are looking for cheap options as to not go over the budget they have allotted for themselves. One way to find a cheap car is to trade in your current car for credit and then put that money towards the purchase of cars used previously. There is nothing wrong with purchasing a used car if it runs well, does not have a ton of problems with it, and does not require you to put a lot of money into it.

There are a couple of different ways you can go about buying a used car and they include purchasing the used car from a dealership, from a family member or friend, and from a private party. There are so many excellent reasons for purchasing a used car and one of those reasons is to save money. You will save money not only on the car itself but also the insurance for the car. Car insurance for a used vehicle will cost markedly less than the insurance for a car just off the assembly line.

When purchasing a used car remember the following tips:

• Do not enter into negotiations with a salesperson who you do not feel comfortable doing business with at the time

• Your opening offer should be within the ballpark of the asking price but it should be low

• Always be patient. It could take an hour in a dealership to negotiate a deal while negotiating with a private party might take significantly less time

• If you get tired or hungry, you should leave the dealership. Never negotiate on an empty stomach or while tired. You are more prone to give in to the dealership’s demands

• Once a deal is agreed upon, make sure that the transaction is completely properly and that it includes everything the salesperson promised you with the vehicle.

If you have any doubts when it comes to purchasing cars used previously you can always check with a used car dealer, one whom you have worked with before, and who comes recommended by trusted friends and family members. Before purchasing a used car make sure you have a mechanic look it over to be sure it is not a lemon.

Answer 2

Do your homework when buying a used car! The history of any used car can easily be traced using the vehicle identification number or VIN. You will have to pay to have a report made, but it can be worth it in the long run. Companies like Carfax can give you a detailed report that will include safety ratings, warranty information and conusmer ratings and reviews for the particular make and mode you are interested in.

Answer 3

Buying a used car is not an easy thing to do; it is often hard to differentiate between junker that should be hauled away for scrap from a car that looks awful but runs perfectly. Here are some hints that can greatly simplify the process.

Always look a gift horse in the mouth

Never, ever, EVER just buy a car based on what the seller says about its condition. The most important attitude towards buying a used car is paranoia, even if the seller is someone you trust. When starting the car, notice if the key is hard to turn. If the engine takes too long to start; this is often a sign of an ignition problem. If the car uses a manual transmission, ensure that the gears are easy to shift. Test drive the car for half an hour. Note information that could indicate a fault in the engine, such as consistently high temperatures or knocking sounds. Drive the car uphill and downhill to see if it stalls. Some kludges run fine on level ground, but fail on slopes.

Outside the engine

Pump the brakes while cruising at a constant speed (make sure no one is close behind you!) to check for either mushiness or squealing. Mushiness is not necessarily a bad sign (maybe the car needs some brake fluid or air bled from the hoses), but squealing means the brake pads are worn and need replacing. While driving on a straight stretch of road (without any oncoming cars), let go of the wheel for several seconds; if the car drifts to one side or the other, that indicates the steering is out of alignment. Afterward, stop the car on a level surface and lay down next to it, then watch the bottom of the car for several minutes; if fluid leaks anywhere, that is another problem. Lastly, open up the hood and sniff the oil dipstick to see if it smells burned. If it does, that means the engine runs too hot. Oh, and offer to pay for gas even if you do not buy the car; it is only polite.

Ask about any problems the car might have before taking it for a test spin; that way you know how honest the seller is right from the start.

Note that none of these problems mean you should immediately reject buying the car, but if you must have the car, they are bargaining points for lowering the price and indicate what a mechanic needs to do to make the car safe and functional. The most important thing is to know what you are getting into, and these tests help you find that out.

Answer 4

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