How to Shop for a Used Vehicle
Shopping for a used car can go both ways: it can be an amazing treasure hunt or an expensive learning process. There are good incentives to buy used instead of new, as you’ll save money on car insurance, registration, and taxes. With the internet as a convenient shopping tool, you have every chance to find a good deal on a car that meets your needs and fits your budget. Landers Toyota in Little Rock would like to share some pointers on how to shop for a used vehicle to save you time, money, and heartache.
See Our Used and Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
SET A BUDGET: When setting a budget, you must be realistic about it. The two ways to buy a car are to pay cash or take out a loan. If you’re paying cash, you don’t need to budget since you’ll have no monthly notes. But remember to set aside money for registration and insurance, and inevitable future maintenance and even repairs. Most buyers take out a car loan. A pre-approved car loan simplifies the buying process and gives you a stronger position to negotiate with the car dealership.
TIME TO CHOOSE: When choosing what you need, consider what you want versus what you actually need. Do you need an SUV that’s big enough to fit the family, or will it be helpful to find a fuel-efficient sedan for your long work commute? Take the time to think about how you plan to use this vehicle. Whatever model and trim you favor, be sure to research that model’s options. Older model vehicles might not have a touchscreen or even Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Being able to stay connected is now mandatory for most car owners. If safety is a major factor in your decision, check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for crash-test studies.
LOCATING THE GOOD ONES: Nowadays you don’t have to actually drive down to the car dealership and walk around in the grueling heat to look at vehicles on the lot. Peruse dealership websites to see if they have what you’re looking for. From the luxury of your home, you can browse for and research the perfect used vehicle at your leisure. Once you find the right used vehicle, you’re almost ready for a test drive.
PRICE RESEARCH: Just one more thing to research before going for a test drive – price research. Look up that car model in a pricing guide such as Kelley Blue Book. With this helpful site, you can learn the market value of the car by assessing its condition based on the vehicle’s age, mileage, and options. Once you know the market value, you’ll be able to negotiate effectively.
CAR HISTORY: The next step is to run a vehicle history report on the used vehicle you’re looking to purchase so you can be aware of service records, accidents, etc. Using the vehicle identification number (VIN), you can get a detailed report of the car’s history from Carfax or AutoCheck. At Landers Toyota, and every dealership in the Landers Auto Group, you’ll find a free Carfax report for each used vehicle on our site.
TEST DRIVE: Now you’re ready to go to the dealership for a test drive! Select a familiar route that has a little bit of everything, from hills and curves to the rough pavement and a stretch of highway. Drive the car with the radio off and pay attention to any blind spots, the acceleration and braking, check if the gauges are working properly, and listen for any unusual noises or vibrations that could indicate worn suspension parts or tires. If everything is working properly and you like driving the car, you’re good to go! If you have time, feel free to take it to a mechanic for an outside inspection.
NEGOTIATIONS: Since you’ve done your research and have a good idea of what the vehicle you want is worth, compare the seller’s asking price to the average market price you determined based on the pricing guides. Remember to budget for state sales tax which is a percentage of the cost of the car.
We hope this helped alleviate some of the stress of purchasing a vehicle. When you’re ready to buy, let us know at Landers Toyota in Little Rock. Browse our available selection of new Toyotas and reliable used vehicles. We’re ready to assist you when you’re in need of a quality vehicle.
0 comment(s) so far on How to Shop for a Used Vehicle