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I know this sounds lame, but I just totaled my car and I have to buy a new one. I don’t even know the first thing about buying a used car off a lot. I don’t want a brand new one (99.9% of the time, brand new cars depreciate 20% the second they’re driven off the lot) so how would I go about doing so?

7 Comments »

1. 

   First, be prepared. Do as much research as you can. Read reviews, consumer reports, ask colleagues and friends, compare options, gather gas consumption data on the make and model you’re interested in. Try to determine maintenance costs and upkeep, etc. Your goal should be to narrow your search to one or two models. Why? Because if you just enter a dealership without knowing what you want, chances are more likely than not that you won’t be happy with your purchase. Later you may find out that it’s simply not exactly what you wanted or what you can afford. Someone I know bought a used BMW wagon for quite a reasonable price. When he went for servicing, they discovered that the rear shock absorber was leaking. The price for the part alone was close to $1000! Finally, he sold his BMW and bought a used Camry that proved less expensive to maintain.
   Another purpose to narrow your choice down to one or two different models is because when you test-drive a few different cars of the same model, it will be much easier for you to compare their condition and pick the best one. Recognizing a transmission problem during your test drive would be easier to do if you were to try a few vehicles of the same model instead of becoming confused by testing out different models.

   Second, without a doubt, you should check a car’s history records. This will help you to eliminate half of the vehicles from your list with potential problems. Vehicles that have been flooded or restored after serious accidents, those with rolled back odometers, heavily abused vehicles (e.g., ex-rentals), those with outstanding liens, etc., can be eliminated after simply checking the history record of the vehicle. In fact, it is not even a good idea to look into a car until you check its history.
   To learn further How To check a car’s history click on this link: How to check a car history by the VIN number.

   Third, Don’t buy based on what you’ve been told because it may not always be the truth. Check out the car yourself very carefully. Ask a knowledgeable person who knows about cars to help you.
   Check my Illustrated used car checklist to learn what to look for in a used car.
   As a final step, bring the car to the mechanic you trust for an inspection. A word of caution, NEVER give a deposit before the car is inspected.

   Fourth, Be extremely careful when doing the paperwork. For example, if you buy from a private owner, make sure there are no registered liens against the vehicle and that the person who signs the Bill of Sale is the actual owner of the car. Check with the Vehicle Registration Authorities to make sure the car has not been stolen.
   If buying from a dealer, read the warranty policy and all the papers including the fine print very carefully. If it’s a "Certified" used car, you’d be wise to check exactly what items were checked off and approved because sometimes the car might have a history of an accident in the past, come with a poorly maintained engine and still be Certifiable. Do not rely on a salesperson’s verbal promises. Whatever is promised, get it in details in writing. Find out if the remaining original warranty will be transferred into your name. Different manufacturers have different warranty policies. For questions about vehicle registration, change of ownership, legal aspects, etc., contact your local Vehicle Registration

   Comment by answer gal — October 10, 2009 @ 6:44 am

2. 

   go to car soup.
   http://www.carsoup.com/changelocation.asp

   Comment by John S — October 10, 2009 @ 6:44 am

3. 

   First choose the type of car you want (Small/med/large/4×4 etc…) the narrow down to the ‘better’ models. eg I want a small car, so i’d look at the common ones like ford fiesta, vauxhall corsa, peugeot 206. I would check out classifieds, and visit traders to look at cars and be prepared to stick to your budget. There are many magazines out there to help you. Don’t be shy to ask a question either. If they struggle with answers walk away. Look at Parkers price guide, or what car? magazine, top gear magazine, auto express etc. Ideas come from these about how to do so. Good luck!

   Comment by Anti 427 — October 10, 2009 @ 6:44 am

4. 

   Best bet is checking with Consumers Reports..They’re non-profit and don’t accept advertising, so there is no bias..just eggsellant clues as to most dependable all the way down to worst cars .in price ranges…And I think they do have an instruction booklet about intelligent car buying…Good Luck

   Comment by tent trailer jack — October 10, 2009 @ 6:44 am

5. 

   Without knowing more details about your particular situation, this is a hard question to answer. There are a lot of ways to buy a used car but if you need one right away and have good credit, your best bet is to go to one of the major car dealers. Even then you should do some research and look for a car you can really see yourself in, three years from now. Do not let yourself be talked into something you do not want or need no matter what. Be smart and if you can carpool and ride the bus to places you need to go, then do that and find the right DEAL for you. Also since it is used, make sure you go to a website that can give you the history of a car by VIN number so that you are not buying something that is not going to cost you a lot of maintenance down the road. I believe these websites offer the information for free or for a small fee. Be patient because this can be stressful, but you do not have to let it be. GOOD LUCK!!

   Comment by Rere — October 10, 2009 @ 6:44 am

6. 

   Where a low cut top and tell them what type of payments you can afford, price range, and that you are just shopping around to look for a deal, they will do what they have to so you will not leave their lot

   Comment by fanonebrowns — October 10, 2009 @ 6:44 am

7. 

   For some great used car buying tips check out http://www.all-about-car-selection.com/used-car-for-sale.html and http://www.all-about-car-selection.com/used-car-for-sale2.html

   Good Luck!

   Comment by pjhj2006 — October 10, 2009 @ 6:44 am

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