Buying A Used Car? - Save Yourself The Aggravation & Do It
Right!
Buying a used car can be stressful. With so many options
available, how do you know which car offers the best deal for
your money?
Buying a used car is a bit more complicated than buying a new
model. For one, not all used cars have been equally maintained
by their previous owners. In reality, two cars that look exactly
alike can have drastically different prices based on how well
they've been maintained. Hence, it is important for you to
consider different factors that might affect the performance and
condition of the used car you're interested in.
Here are some tips that will help you decide which used car is
best for your budget:
Safety Features
Safety features should not be overlooked when choosing a used
car. Anti-lock brakes and airbags should be in working order.
Just because a car is used, doesn't mean you have to sacrifice
on all the options you would have if you were buying new.
Mileage
The car's mileage will give you an indication of how much the
car was driven. The average driver will typically put 12,000 to
15,000 miles per year on a car. If the mileage of the car far
exceeds these averages with respect to its age, then it might be
time to start looking at other used cars.
Condition
Before even test driving a car, you should take the time to
thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior condition of the
car. Just because a car is used doesn't mean you have to settle
for excessive wear and tear. There are plenty of used cars
available that don't have excessive rust, dents, rips, odors,
etc.
The interior and exterior of a car can also give you an
indication of how well the mechanics of a car have been
maintained. If the previous owner didn't care to properly
maintain the interior and exterior, it's probably unlikely they
kept up with regular mechanical maintenance as well.
Test Drive
The most important aspect of buying a used car is the test
drive. You should pay careful attention to how well the car
handles the road, and any unusual sounds you may hear. If you
don't feel comfortable during the test drive, then it may be
time to move on with your car search.
Car History
If at all possible, try to get as much information on the
service history of the car. This will probably give you the most
solid information regarding the true condition of the car. You
can get a clear idea of any mechanical problems the car may have
had, any accidents it may have been in, and how well the
previous owners kept up with regular maintenance.
Taking the time to thoroughly inspect and research a used car
will save you a lot of time, aggravation, and money later down
the road.