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2.
Check
out the book value of used cars
If you know what kind of used
car you want, make sure that you check out what the book value of the
car is. There is no reason to pay thousands more than the book price
for a used car simply because you are unaware of the real value. Used
car dealerships are there to make money, which is perfectly all right,
but there is no reason why you should pay more than is necessary,
either. Before you actually visit any of the used car lots, however,
you should probably do a search on the internet to help narrow your
search down. While you can find a used car literally anywhere in the
world on the web, it is probably advisable to find one close enough so
that you can actually inspect the car for yourself.
You should know what your
credit rating is before you go to a dealership. If you credit rating is
good, you will be able to negotiate a better loan deal. It is advisable
to have your loan set up with a bank or finance company before you
enter a used car dealership. Many of these dealerships will help you to
find a loan, but often at a higher interest rate. While you should
visit several used car dealerships before committing yourself to any
one vehicle, you should not allow each one to run a credit check on
you. As it turns out, every time a credit check is done, your credit
rating goes down.
3. Have it inspected by mechanic
Regardless of what the
dealership says about the condition of the used car, it is in your own
best interest to have it checked by an independent mechanic. If there
is anything seriously wrong with the car, if it has previously been in
an accident, for instance, it is better to know this ahead of time. You
should also take the car on a fairly long test drive before buying it,
even if they are certified
used cars bought at the local dealership. In order to see how
the engine is functioning, it needs to warm up; a spin around the block
will tell you nothing. Make sure you test the brakes, too, to make sure
they respond as they should.
Used
car dealerships will often try to add various fees onto the price of
the car. Most of these are unnecessary and will only cost you more. One
thing to watch out for is 'dealer prep fees'. These can run into
hundreds, possibly thousands of dollars. Make sure you negotiate these
before finalizing the deal.
4. Check before you sign
And, be sure you
understand exactly what you are signing before you put your name on
that dotted line. People often neglect to read the contract thoroughly
before signing, and can find unpleasant surprises tucked somewhere in
the fine print. Do not depend on any verbal promises about a warranty
or certification - if you do not see it in print, it probably will not
exist.
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USED
CAR DEALERSHIPS