Tips for Buying Your Next Used Car

Buying a new car can quickly get expensive but necessary when you need a ride. However, you can save some money with your new purchase by buying a used car instead of a new one. So, before you visit Coulter INFINITI to make your next used vehicle purchase, check out these tips first.

Know Your Budget

If you need a loan for your car, that means you are going to have a car payment. You want to ensure that your car payment is not going to be more than 10% of your take-home pay. In addition to that, you want to ensure that you can afford the car payment. You want to keep in mind that a used car may need more attention than a new one. Therefore, you want to ensure you have room in your budget for those needs, in addition to your monthly car payment.

Create a List of Vehicles

Some cars are known to last forever and are made to be great used cars. However, these cars may cost more money than others. To find the best price, you want to look at multiple brands. You should consider at least three vehicles that are within your budget and meet all your needs. The best options are under five years and certified pre-owned. Certified pre-owned cars tend to have extended warranties.

Compare Prices

Since your budget is essential to the cost of the vehicle you can afford, that means the price of the car is critical. You can find used cars in various places, including car dealerships, independent car dealers, and private party used car retailers. You will find the best vehicles at private party retailers.

Vehicle History Reports

Once you have narrowed your search down to a few cars, you should pull a history report. Otherwise, you have to rely on the seller to tell you the history of the vehicle in which you are interested. It would be best if you did this early in the process so you can quickly remove a car with a bad history report from your list. Sources such as Carfax and AutoCheck are ideal for obtaining vehicle history reports. These reports can show information about the car, such as whether the vehicle has been considered a total loss or if the odometer has been rolled back. The vehicle identification number (VIN) is needed to be able to obtain the reports.

Test Drive

The best way to know if a specific car is for you is to take it for a test drive. You can assess the condition of the car when you take it for a test drive. When you drive the vehicle, there are aspects on which you want to focus. First, you want to pay attention to things like can you get in and out of the car without hitting your head. Second, you want to make sure you have enough legroom and headroom in the vehicle. Third, you should pay attention to the comfort of the seats and if they can be adjusted to fit you. Fourth, you can pay attention to the brakes, tires, lights, and air conditioning. Finally, you want to make sure you have complete visibility in all the mirrors.

Car Inspection

If you have gotten through all of these steps and you like the car, consider an inspection. You can take it to a mechanic that you trust before you buy it. You will have to pay for the inspection, but it may be worth it to find your next car. Most dealerships allow you to take the vehicle for an outside inspection. If it is a certified pre-owned car, it has already been inspected with a warranty. You really do not need to take a certified vehicle to an inspection.

Negotiation

You want to ensure you negotiate a good deal. Any negotiation does not have to be a complicated process. It would be best if you came to the discussion already knowing how much you are willing to spend on your car. It would be best if you started lower than the maximum amount you are ready to pay. On the other hand, you do not want to go too low. You want to start around the average price for this vehicle.