Before setting out to look for a used car, think about what your needs are as well as how much money you are willing to spend now to purchase it as well as the probable extra maintenance and upkeep that a used car requires. Is this a second car for the family? Perhaps you have a new teenager driver who needs a set of wheels. In addition, factor in the money you will likely spend to have your own mechanic inspect the car for you as well as any carfax reports to research the history of car repairs on the vehicle.

One of the most common mistakes that used car buyers make is that they hold this ideal of the perfect car in their head.  When they find that “perfect car” for sale, they will jump at the chance to buy it only to be disappointed later because certain problems were not disclosed to them.  The smart thing for used car buyers to do is to get their prospective used car inspected by their own mechanic BEFORE buying it or signing a contract to purchase.  If you wait to get the car inspected afterwards, you are liable for anything that is wrong with it.

As mentioned before, a carfax report is important to have BEFORE purchasing the used car you have your eye on.  It might be a smart move to invest in a short carfax membership when shopping for a used vehicle so that you can pull a report on multiple cars as you find them rather than paying for a “per report” fee.  It is an investment that would pay for itself with a reliable used car.

Once you have identified a few used cars in your shopping expedition, head to your library or nearest internet connection to research the probable resale value of the car as well as how much a used car would go for in your region.  From there, you will have an idea of the car’s value and can determine what your probably monthly payment could be.  Whatever you do, do not announce to a used car dealership what you can afford per month.  They will likely steer you to cars that you are not interested in and would negate your negotiating power.

You will find quite a few used cars being sold by private parties either in the newspaper or even parked in someone’s driveway.  Now, you will likely get a much better deal dealing with an individual, but keep in mind that you would not get the benefits of a possible extended warranty that a used car dealership could provide you.  It all boils down to what you are comfortable with.

The bottom line when shopping for a used car is that if something is priced too good to be true, then it probably is.  There are also always new scams going around so be sure to pull that carfax report and carefully inspect the paperwork before signing it.  Sometimes, unscrupulous dealers or individuals will change the terms on the paperwork without telling you.  Then you would not find out until something happens to the car. 

 

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Choosing the car that you want is half the battle!  There are so many makes and models to choose from that the decision could be a bit tough.  You will want to create a list of desired characteristics you want your car to have. Then decide how the car will be utilized in your household.  Is it for commuting to and from work?  Will it be the family car transporting kids and other family members? Talk with friends and family about their recent car purchases. Are they happy with them? Are there any pitfalls to be aware of?

A few other resources to research about different cars are the Internet and your local library.  The Internet is a treasure trove of information.  You can visit each car manufacturer’s web sites or visit sites that offer consumer reviews of the latest cars.  Your library will have the latest issues of car and consumer review magazines too.  Be sure to pinpoint several makes and models that you would be happy with.

Next on your quest for a new car is deciding what kind of car payment would best fit within your budget. In order to do that, you will need to determine what the sticker prices are for the cars you are interested in as well as what the dealer invoice is. The sticker price is often inflated so that dealerships can reap huge profits. By determining what the dealer pays, you will have some negotiating room later. 

Decide on how you plan to finance your car.  Will you get a loan through your own bank or use the dealership’s finance company?  Keep in mind that on some occasions, the dealership’s finance company can offer you a lower rate than your bank.  However, go ahead and work with your bank to get a reasonable interest rate and have that option in place, just in case.

Ok – now you know how much you can afford and a general idea of the kind of car you want.  Now it is time to visit a few dealerships and test drive!  Be sure to visit more than one dealership. This is said for several reasons.  First, each dealership will offer you different types of options for your car purchase so you want to be able to pick which offer sounds the best.  Plus you can even counteroffer mentioning that another dealership if presenting you a better deal, kind of working the situation to the best advantage for you. Also be sure to look through your newspapers every week because car dealerships will often post their best sales there. 

Negotiating the price is probably the trickiest part of the whole new car transaction.  There are a lot of questions to ask! First of all, ask about the options for your car.  See if you can’t get some thrown in for free. Second, what about trading in your old car? Is that something you want to do and if so, you will want to maximize the trade-in value.  By researching ahead of time with Kelly Blue Book, you can have a general idea of what you could get for your old car.

Once you and the dealer have negotiated a price all that is left is signing the papers. Check and make sure that the paperwork reflects everything that you negotiated with the dealer. Sometimes there are surprises like extra fees.  And one final thought before you drive off the car lot with your new vehicle: inspect it for dings, dents, scratches and any other defects.  Because once you drive it off the lot, they are no longer held liable.  You want to take possession of the car that you agreed upon. 

 

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What could be better than a website allowing the consumer to easily research their new car in the privacy of their own home, without the haggling of dealers?  This is a much faster and convenient way to shop for a new car.   For many when it comes time for a new car, the idea of spending a weekend pounding the pavement lot to lot sounds miserable.  With simple clicks and research, you can shop for cars online more effectively than the car lots.  Comparison shopping becomes a breeze.  For the consumer who is intimated by the sales person, this has become the only way to shop.

Leaving the car lot behind will not short-change you.  The advanced technology of the dealer websites provides interactive tools that allow the consumer to customize their own car.  You can see the changes you make to your car with interactive customization tools. Choose your own color; match it with your favorite interior and features.

When you have found and customized the car you want remember, just because you found it at one particular site does not mean you need to purchase it there.  Be a savvy consumer.  The search engines make it easy to find the best deal on the web.  Be sure to use common sense about Internet sales and do your research on the vehicle.  The car should also be certified, meaning the dealer has performed numerous inspections on the vehicle.   You cannot buy a car direct from the factory, and dealers are part of any Internet purchase, even if you’re going through a broker.  Car companies do this in part due to the rise in ecommerce and the car dealer’s reaction to it.  Dealers who feared being marginalized by the Internet pressured car companies and state legislatures to strengthen franchise laws, even outlaw direct-buy websites. 

There are two ways you can buy a car online.  The first kind of online car sales site is a free referral service with a network of thousands of dealers offering discounted Internet volume car prices.  These websites provide new car prices and used car prices. Invoice Dealers and Yahoo Autos are both websites that offer free price quote services from dealers of all makes and models.  Ebay and Auto Trader also provide high rated and websites.

While shopping for cars online you will come across many online credit offers.  It is wise to get yourself pre-approved for your auto loan before starting your online shopping process.  (The last thing you want to do is repeatedly apply for new loans as you search for a car.  These multiple credit report inquires will reflect negatively on your credit report.) This way you will know exactly how much you are approved for. This will enable you to make a better online deal.  If you have the funds available and you are ready to pay the instant they make the right offer, this is an added incentive for them to make a sale.  It is important that you understand the terms of transaction and read all documents and contracts carefully.

The seller will set up an opportunity for you to meet with a dealer and test drive the vehicle.  Most of your decision-making should have been done in your research.  The test drive is to seal the deal and confirm your research findings are true.  If you have done your research correctly and the car is not what it was supposed to be you will know.  No one wants to drive around for years in something they know was a “bad deal.  This will help seal the deal. You can buy a car online the smart way and feel confident about your investment.

 

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