While plenty of people might be in the market for a new car, not everyone is able to shop for cars at a new car price. Cars are an expensive investment, and not everyone has the ability to finance a larger purchase like that responsibly. So what’s a commuter in need of a ride to do? Buying a used car is a great way to get a deal on a car that’s right for you. However, there are some aspects of used car shopping that make it decidedly different from looking for a new vehicle. Here’s how you can know that you’re getting an affordable car that’s still reliable and road-worthy.
Do Your Home work
Just like when you’re buying a new vehicle, it’s important to set a budget early based on the ideal model you have in mind. When you’re buying a used vehicle, you’ll want to go a step or two further than that, though. Used vehicles vary car by car when it comes to the condition they’re in. Vehicle buyers spend 59% of their time online researching, and for good reason; more information is available online now than ever before. This even can include the vehicle history of specific cars, and some even put videos of used cars for sale on Youtube. There are about 300 billion searches on YouTube monthly, so you never know; you could find your dream car online taking a test drive.
Learn To Drive Manual Transmission
Do you have your heart set on a specific make and model of car, but know you’ll never be able to afford it? Think again. See if you can find that same model with manual transmission, as opposed to automatic. Manual transmission vehicles are outnumbered by automatic transmission vehicles 10 to 1, and often they’re harder for people to sell. Not as many people know how to drive these cars, so there are fewer potential buyers to compete with, and this can drive the price down. Of course, only use this option if you’re comfortable driving (or learning to drive) with manual transmission; safety is still the most important when buying a car.
Get A Good Mechanic
The one thing many people think of when hearing the term “used car” is the number of repairs they’ll have to make. Not all used cars are going to need repairs when you buy them, but just in case, it’s good to have a trustworthy mechanic you can take your car to right away. The global automotive aftermarket industry is expected to reach $722.8 billion by 2020, with how many people need to make adjustments and changes to their car. While having a good mechanic can help you if you do find yourself stuck with a lemon, it’s best to avoid the issue altogether with a thorough vehicle history search.
Know When To Walk Away
Lastly, but most certainly not least, remember when you’re shopping that there are always other used cars available, and more people are looking to sell their used cars every day. If you’re not sure if the car you find is the right one for you, don’t worry – there will be other cars you can buy. It’s better to wait and make a purchase you’re confident in rather than rushing into a big spend that leaves you with dozens of repairs to make. Trust your instinct and know when it’s time to walk away from a purchase.
Buying a used car is similar in many ways to buying a new car, but the few differences in the process can be what makes or breaks your car purchase. No matter what car you end up buying, be careful and use these tips to get the best deal and car possible for your budget.