As enticing as a new car seems, sometimes it’s not within the budget when shopping for a car. With all sorts of reassurances with used cars out there, be it CARFAX history reports, thorough ratings via Kelley’s Blue Book, car financing specials and so forth, car buyers can feel better knowing a used car’s not just a good alternative, but sometimes better off in the long run should they stumble upon a vehicle with tremendous value. And it’s research that’s at the forefront of getting that great value over a preowned car that’s just above adequate. Knowing what to look for and from which area car dealer are just some of the factors that can help with securing a used car for the long term.
Car buyers shouldn’t have to feel timid about shopping around, which is why some of the following tips can help turn a novice buyer into a confident one.
Don’t Jump At The First Bite
Fishing analogy aside, car buyers shouldn’t approach buying a used car as if it’s a race. Simply stumbling into a dealership and picking off the first offer without either looking at other options and/or digging further beyond the sticker price can be hit-or-miss sometimes. It can be a hit if you’re shopping at a dealership with a reliable track record and good stock on the car lot, but it can also be a miss in the fact you haven’t done your due diligence with comparing rates, prices and other finer details such as car amenities.
Be Able To Gauge Reviews Both Online and Off
People are searching for cars online now more than ever, which is why wading through individual reviews and sniffing out the credibility of that person’s take on the dealership can be useful. Not only because many reviews, whether it’s for a car, restaurant or other establishment, may sometimes fall prey to overly negative or positive clips. Certain reviews where the entire message is in ALL CAPS and negative through and through or seems run-of-the-mill with praise phrases are some to be mindful of. Look at reviews where the buyer took the time to go over specifics, like talking about the exact model they got or mentioning specific salesmen/saleswomen, mechanics or any other staff member who helped out.
Or there’s the simple matter of asking around to your friends or family or someone who has dealt with a dealership in the past. Offline reviews are still valuable and really, how could you not trust the opinion of those closest to you? At the end of the day, whether it’s online, offline or a combination of the two, customer service and dealership reliability can be a good barometer with your used car research.
Be On The Lookout For Certain Deals
There’s a good chance that a used car special is currently running. It could be a seasonal promotion, or a unique special on trade-in values towards the purchase of a used car, cash back bonuses and other incentives like it. The point is, if you’ve done your research and tried in some fashion to center searching out the car of your dreams around an upcoming promotion, it can only benefit you financially. But in some cases, the urgency at which you need a car may overshadow this tip, in which case, you should invest heavily in the next piece of advice.
Leverage Authority Impressions In The Industry
Kelley’s Blue Book has been around for nearly 86 years and is one of many outlets helping consumers narrow down their used car. By providing quality scores, test drive impressions and so on, car buyers can have a little more knowledge and peace of mind when going about their search. Other outlets such as Edmunds, Consumer Reports and other more specific coverage outlets such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety can foster one’s research efforts.
Maybe Go With A Certified Option
Many times you’ll come across the tagline of “Certified Pre-Owned” (CPO) with one used car and wonder what makes it different over a standard used car. The differences are there, for sure, and for buyers who want as many assurances as possible with their used car option, a CPO vehicle can provide that. While benefits and terms can vary depending on the dealership and/or car manufacturer, a buyer can look forward to various perks such as a detailed inspection of key areas of the car, extended warranty options and other amenities.
And in most cases, a CPO vehicle is usually capped at a certain mileage, meaning you won’t find a CPO car with 90,000+ miles to its name, and if you do, I’d question the dealership you’re at.
Decide Your Budget Before The Negotiation
The last thing you want to do is cater to a used car that’s way over your budget. Your budget should include more than just car financing or what it’ll be worth after a trade-in or incentive via promotions. And with financing, if you need to stretch an APR special into another year or two for the possibility of lower payments, do so if it’ll afford you a little breathing room for all the costs associated afterwards. The costs of having to title your car, changes to your insurance policy and whether or not you’ll see an increase or decrease in property tax numbers on the car should all be considered towards your budget.
In conclusion, these are just some of the significant measures a novice used car buyer can take with them to the dealership. As long as you afford enough time to wade through a few hours of research (or consult with the car dealership themselves to understand more about a particular vehicle), set a reasonable budget and compare and contrast all the data out there, you’ll find that buying a used car (or any car for that matter) shouldn’t have to be met with timid thoughts. If anything, you’ll feel a bit more confident knowing you’ve covered as many bases as possible to settle on the absolute best option for you and the road ahead.
This is a guest post from Kyle O’Brien, a freelance writer and automotive enthusiast covering a wide range of topics on the industry, be it used car comparisons, maintenance reminders, car negotiation tactics and more, and consults for Jay Wolfe Auto Outlet, a BHPH car lot in KC with other specific locations in Blue Springs as well.
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