2nd Hand Cars

If you are looking to purchase 2nd hand cars, then there are some things that you should keep in mind.  Today, we wanted to discuss some of the do’s and dont’s of buying a used vehicle.

First, let’s discuss some of the advantages of buying 2nd hand cars.  A 2nd hand car can obviously be purchased for thousands of dollars less than a new vehicle, but it can still provide great value.  In fact, you can often find used cars that are only a couple of years old, with very low mileage, that are still in perfect operating order.  And of course, you can do all of this at the fraction of the cost.

Everyone is familiar with the caveat that as soon as you drive a new vehicle off the lots the value depreciates significantly.  Why waste so much money?  Just buy one that has been driven off the lot already.

Now for some of the do’s and don’ts of buying a second hand vehicle.

One thing you should always be concerned with is the history of the car that you are about to buy.  If you car do a vehicle title search, CarFax is a great provider, then you can often save yourself a huge headache of ending up with a lemon car.  A “background check” on your potential car will show the true mileage, accidents that it has been in, or any other issues with the title that you should be aware of.  This is one of the best ways to protect yourself when purchasing a used car.

Secondly, always haggle the price down!  The sticker price should never be the selling price.  Be willing to offer less, and expect to get it!  One great way is to walk into the deal with a certified check from your bank with an amount that you are willing to pay.  Often times dealerships will accept significantly less than they are asking for when you have a check in hand.

Some of the don’t include: being talked into signing up for something that you dont want.  This includes both the vehicle itself (never buy a car that you don’t really want or need); as well as signing up for all the financial extras that will certainly be offered.

You definitely want to make sure that your vehicle is properly insured.  This may include GAP insurance as you drive off the lot.  However, there are often lots of little financial packages or “special” promotions that are thrown into your contract right at the last minute; so be sure to listen and READ EVERYTHING.

If you are able to follow some of these guidelines, you are sure to find yourself a great 2nd hand car at a great price!

Where do you turn to for advice on buying a second hand car? With the invention of the Internet came the option to research the type of car that may be right for you. By entering the year, make and model of the vehicle, a person can find out everything they need to know with the click of their mouse.

That car sitting on the dealer’s lot may be absolutely beautiful. The body is in perfect shape, the chrome is shining and the interior is immaculate, however, the car may also have a history which makes it undesirable. Checking the history of the vehicle may save a person heartache in the future. If the car is in an area which is prone to flooding or in a region known for hurricanes, there may be a chance it has been under water. The market is swamped by used vehicles after a flood then it is a buyers beware market.

Consider the mileage on the vehicle verses the age. If the second hand car isn’t that old but has a large odometer reading, it may not be worth the money you pay for it. Check out the engine for worn belts, hoses and ask about recent repairs. Most engines are clean on the lot. Look for oil around the head gaskets and peek under the car to check for leaks.

Test drive the vehicle. See how it handles and listen for noises that shouldn’t be there. Turn off the radio so you can actually hear the engine, brakes and for any rumbling that may be drowned out by the music. A common trick used at car dealers is to set the stereo to a station that reflects the demographics of the area in which it is located. People never think to turn off the stereo. This is a selling point for most vehicles.

After the test drive, restart the vehicle to make sure the check engine light doesn’t come on. Some vehicles have a reset mechanism which car dealers may use to reset the computer in a vehicle. This will turn off the check engine light until the car is driven again. Once the vehicle warms up the light will reappear. The computer can then be read by a machine to tell what is going on in the engine and reveal what repairs are needed.

Check to make sure the air conditioning works as well as the heater. If buying a used car in the summer, one may not think to check the heater but you will need to make sure the defrosters work and the fan operates correctly.

Most importantly buy with your head and not with your emotions. An automobile is the second largest investment a person will make following the purchase of a home. It has to last a long time to make the investment worth the price that is paid for it. Consider the maintenance cost and the durability of the vehicle. If you drive a lot of miles and haul equipment find a vehicle that will serve your needs. Factor in the cost of insurance also. A sporty vehicle may be awesome to look at but the insurance rates may be more than the budget may allow.

Research the car your interested in. Check for recalls and read reviews of other car owners. Listen to sound advice on buying a used car.