Buying a Car – The Benefits and Tips on Purchasing a Used Car
Buying a car can be scary; there are so many points to think about. New or used? Car, truck or SUV? Price range and financing options?
Many people are adamant about only buying new cars. With a new car you know exactly where it came from and most new cars come with a warranty that will last you a few years. However, buying a used car has its perks too. A used car does not mean the car was made in the 70’s and is covered in rust. A lot of used cars are only a year old and therefore up to 30 percent of the new sticker price. Some used vehicles are still so new that they are still covered by the original factory warranty. Most new and used car dealers today offer an extended warranty on certain used autos. They sell certified used cars, not the 1970’s rusted junk. A certified used car has passed the car dealerships inspection on everything imaginable and that’s why they are able to offer a warranty service to you. You may pay a little higher of a premium on this, but for a sound peace of mind it’s something to think about. Every car has a VIN number, a vehicle identification number, and a simple Carfax or Autotrace can trace the history. Most car dealership will offer this service to you for free, you just have to ask.
As for financing options on automobiles, nowadays new and used car dealers have this option available for you. They will seek out the best solution based upon your credit criteria. What usually works best is a decent down payment and a 5 year financing agreement. How much you put down is up to you and what you are comfortable with paying. Talk with the financing department and figure out your available options. Remember, they want to sell you a vehicle as bad as you want to buy one. It’s a win-win situation to sit down and discuss options.
Some cars tend to hold up better than others. For this reason certain cars sell better used than others. Honda Civics and Accords, Toyota Camrys and Corollas, Nissan Altimas and the Ford F-Series and some of the most sought after used cars. They are built with a strong company background and have held up in the test of time. This does not mean you should only purchase one of these used vehicles. Do your own research and see what works best for you.