Purchasing Used Cheap Cars and Trucks for Sale: A Guide to Vehicle Shopping Like a Pro
Whether or not you are new to vehicle purchasing, you need to realize that buying a used car or truck is a whole different ball game. With a used car, you need to be prepared to do some homework. You also need to make sure you find a reputable seller or dealership that will provide you with honesty and accuracy regarding the vehicle’s history. Luckily, Liberty Cars and Trucks has some helpful information and tips that can have you shopping for cheap used cars and trucks for sale like a pro.
Identify Your Budget Range
Used cars and trucks are often priced cheaply, which makes them easier to afford. Depending on the purchase price of the vehicle, you might be able to get away with buying it outright rather than making payments. You will need to figure out your budget so that you can determine if you can afford to purchase a vehicle outright or if you will need to make monthly payments.
Go over your monthly expenses and commitments. If you would prefer to buy a car outright, determine if there is anything you can cut out of your monthly expenses. For instance, you may have to cut back on some of your monthly entertainment costs to save enough to purchase a vehicle. Once you have your budget figured out, make sure and stick to it so that you do not overspend on a total purchase price or monthly payment.
It might also be a good idea to go around and visit car lots so that you can get a sense of how much cheap used cars and trucks for sale actually cost. Checking out the price of used vehicles will allow you to budget accordingly based on the price range of the vehicles. Getting your budget in order is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure that you are able to afford to purchase a car or truck.
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Research Different Vehicles
Believe it or not, many people fail to research vehicles properly before heading to the lot to purchase one. A buyer typically arrives, browses through the inventory of available cars and makes the mistake of buying one without any rhyme or reason. Your best bet is to determine if you need a car, truck, or minivan. You should also research the gas mileage of particular vehicles. If you travel long distances often, you will want a car that gets relatively good gas mileage.
Another recommendation is that you look into various safety standards and features for used, older vehicles. You can narrow your list down based on the type of vehicle you are looking for and the features that you want. You may not find that exact vehicle at the car lot, but it will help the dealer in assisting you with finding a vehicle that you want that contains similar features and safety ratings.
Do Not Jump on the First Vehicle You See
Buying a used car or truck requires an amount of finesse and patience. Just because you’ve spotted the perfect vehicle does not mean that you should jump on it straight away. Set aside some time so you can research the history of the car. Looking into a car’s history allows you to find out if the vehicle has a salvage title, which essentially means the car has been totaled at some point according to an insurance company.
You can review the history of a vehicle by using the VIN and entering it into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Using the site to check a car’s VIN is free and relatively easy to use. Also, doing research on the history of the vehicle protects you from purchasing a car that might not necessarily be up to par for you.
Schedule a Test Drive
Now that you have finally narrowed down your list of cars to a select few contact the auto dealer to discuss the option of test driving them. When you purchase used cars and trucks, you need to take into consideration that there may be at least some minor mechanical issues. Test driving a vehicle allows you to determine if the car is at least a reliable driver for you.
When you test run the vehicle, you can listen to how it sounds, determine how comfortable it feels, and perhaps even somewhat diagnose any issues that might be wrong with the car. Many people have liked the look and sound of a vehicle but later found that they did not quite find it to their liking overall. Test driving a car allows you to determine if you feel relaxed enough behind the wheel, which is crucial for any driver. It is especially important when purchasing affordable vehicles for sale.
The last thing you want is to buy a car hastily only to discover later that it was not as reliable or even as comfortable as you had imagined it to be. Although many cheap used cars and even trucks are relatively reliable, you have to remember that the vehicles are older, meaning they have more wear and tear on them. Therefore, test driving protects you against making the wrong choice when browsing for a car to purchase.
Have Someone Inspect the Vehicle
Unless you are a mechanic, or you know your fair share about used cars and trucks, you will want to have your vehicle of choice inspected before buying it. A reputable mechanic can determine if there is anything wrong with the vehicle and the nature of the issue. The mechanic can also inform you roughly how much it would be to fix the car so you can determine if it is worth the purchase price.
If you feel that the cost to repair the car’s issues is too much compared to the price of the vehicle, you have two options. You can choose to keep shopping around, or you can work some negotiation magic. It is not unheard of for customers to negotiate with car dealers to get a better deal on a vehicle. You are also more likely to negotiate when it comes to used cars that are for sale. When it comes to new cars, it is nearly impossible to negotiate the sale price.
In many situations, a reputable dealer would be willing to work out some form of negotiation with you regarding the selling price of the vehicle. Whether you go to a traditional dealership or even a buy here pay here car lot, you will usually find that negotiating is an essential aspect of shopping cheap used cars and trucks for sale. Either way, you will not know what kind of negotiation magic you need to work until you have a mechanic identify what, if anything, is wrong with the vehicle.
Once you have all of the details worked out, you will be ready to close the deal on your choice of car or truck. Not only will you have managed to obtain a vehicle that you wanted and needed, but you’ll have also done it like a seasoned pro. Contact Liberty Cars and Trucks to get started on finding a vehicle that is right for you.
Speak with our Finance Department to determine how much money you need to have if you have to purchase the vehicle outright. If payments on the car are possible, make sure you negotiate a decent down payment that best suits your budget. When buying a car that is used, keep in mind that the acquisition price of the car is generally a lot lower than that of a new car, meaning your monthly payment may be substantially lower, too. In fact, Edmunds estimates that the monthly payment for a new car is typically around $400 whereas a 3-year-old mid-size car may only cost you $300 a month.
Sources “Comparing Car Costs: Buy New, Buy Used or Lease?” Phillip Reed, Edmunds.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/compare-the-costs-buying-vs-leasing-vs-buying-a-used-car.html