Here is some tips for buying used car:-
- Before you start shopping first, make up your mind what type of body you are, after.
- Be clear that about your expectations. Let the dealership know exactly what you are willing to pay and how much time you have to finalize the deal. Even bring in other offers and let them know “the lowest price wins.” Know what you are willing to trade your current car for, also. Backup what you say with actions. Do remember, in the dance of negotiating, the other person needs to make money, too.
- In choosing which shop you would buy a used car, consider the years of service of the dealer in the business, the size and continuity of his establishment.
- Research. Know what type of car you want to buy – make, model, features. Narrow it down to 2 or 3 models. This will save you time running between dealerships. Know what dealerships you want to do business with.
- In shopping, keep in mind that it is your money that is being spent. Visit several exchange or used car sales centers until you have located three or four cars that you could be seriously interested in buying. On your initial visits, tell the salesmen that you intend to buy in the next few days but for the moment, you are shopping and expect to visit other lots.
- Describe what you want and include the’ price range. Emphasi2e that car condition is more important than price.
- Take it for a test drive. Once the car selection is narrowed down have your partner, husband or friend drive with you in the car – they may notice things that you may have missed. He or she can try the passenger seats, see if the door opens wide enough, determine if there is adequate foot and backseat space. If you drive the car during the day, come back later and take it for another test drive at night. Make sure that the headlights, interior lights and fog plans all work for you. Your road-test minded friend will be able to give you his or her opinion as well.
- The preliminary shopping establishes these elements; you will know the price range; you will have been shown the cream of the stock in your price range; and you will retain the initiative. Your statement that you are shopping alerts salesmen to a sharply competitive situation.
- Keep your mind on the cash difference between your trade-in and the car you might buy. If the offer made on your own car seems very generous, then there .probably is inflation in the price of the car to be purchased, or shortcomings in its condition, or inflation in the financing charges.
- Dealers just cannot price their used-car on a take-it or-leave-it basis. Buyers won’t let them. The average buyer has an affection for a car that has served him for two or three years, and he is determined to get all he possibly can for it.
- Your own or your mechanic’s inspection should riot’ overlook the tires – one of the most obvious indicators of wear and tear. Insist on replacement, if the tires are too slick, or have cracked or cut sidewalk.
- In any case, don’t rely on the speedmaster reading to tell you how far the car has traveled. Some dealers roll them back; some don’t. Instead, let the general mechanical condition of the car be your guide.
- Use care in financing a car. Before, you sign an order,. make certain that you know not only the monthly payments, but what the total cost is. The charge for borrowing money are part of the price of the car. A credit union is a good place to finance your car; so is the bank on a direct loan; so are the finance companies owned by car manufacturers.
- One good guideline: buy a car whose price, including sales tax and motor-vehicle office or department fees, is low enough to permit you to pay at least 50 per cent as down payment. Buying used cars on five or ten per cent down can set you up for very high finance charges.