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Used Car Buying Guide No comments yet

Young woman sitting on the roof of a car

You want a new ride, but you don’t want to pay that new car price. There are plenty of advantages to buying used versus new, starting with price. Buying a used vehicle can be an exciting and overwhelming experience all wrapped up into one. Large purchases can give consumers anxiety with all of the factors involved in a sale. As a consumer, take advantage of the internet and other tools that are readily available these days to assist with finding what you want at a fair price. Below we weigh the pros and cons of buying a vehicle from a used auto dealer and offer some tips on how to go through the process like a pro.

Pros

  • Lower cost
  • Save money on car insurance, registration, and taxes
  • Less severe depreciation value

Cons

  • Style and color limitations
  • Most lenders charge a higher interest rate when financing a used vehicle
  • Risk of a lemon

Get a Budget in a Place

Before you can buy a used vehicle, you need to create a realistic budget. Decide on how much you are able to spend, and also decipher how you are going to pay for it. Are you looking for high-quality make and model used cars with low down payments and financing? Drive Now can help you with both! Don’t forget to set money aside for registration too.

Be (a little) Practical

Once you establish your budget, now the fun can begin. It’s time to choose the right vehicle for you. Contemplate how you will use your vehicle. Do you have a large family that you will be transporting around from school to soccer practice? Will this vehicle be used mainly for highway driving or backroads? Are you going to be using your vehicle for work? What features are you looking for? Make sure you research the reliability of each brand/model you are considering. Take the time to find exactly what you want to avoid more car shopping shortly down the road.

Shop with a Quality Dealer

There are so many used car dealers, it may seem overwhelming to choose the right place. Make sure you are using a reputable dealer, such as Drive Now.

Test Drive

You’ve established a budget, researched vehicles, pricing, and dealers, and nailed down your choice of vehicle. Now it’s time for a test drive. Even though a vehicle looks good, you will not know if it’s the right personal choice for you until you drive it. Feel free to take it on the highway and backroads, and really develop a feel for the vehicle before you make your final decision.

Close the Deal

The last step is the most rewarding: taking your new used vehicle home! You should feel confident with all the research you put into this process. Take some time to enjoy your new vehicle.