With too many buyers looking for few cars, being a knowledgeable consumer is more important than ever. That means knowing where the country is, where to shop, what questions to ask car sellers, and how to pitch potential new cars so they can be inspected. While cars have evolved, most of the important things to watch out for haven’t changed in years, but unusual trends in used car values are a very recent phenomenon.
Prices for used cars of all types are higher than two years ago, but if you do your homework, you can still find great deals and be ready to buy when a solid buying opportunity presents itself. I’m here. Follow these steps to get the best deals:
- Think about what you want to buy and be realistic about how much you want to spend. Note that used car prices have generally increased by about 10% but can be higher depending on the model. The $25,000 Jeep you want to buy is now worth over $27,500.
- Choose a brand you trust. With just a few keystrokes, you can determine if the vehicle you’re looking for is reliable. When looking at luxury cars, keep in mind that service and maintenance costs are much higher than those of popular brands. This Lexus is built using Toyota parts, but it costs more to service a Lexus than a Toyota. In general, the better features a car has, the more expensive it will be to fix when it breaks.
Ask the Right Questions
When the time comes to shop and drive, you’ll want to know all about the car you’re looking at. You should ask the following questions:
- Do you have service/maintenance records for the car?
- How many owners has it had?
- Does the vehicle have a clean title (beware of salvage – includes flood cars and rebuilt titles)? Paying for a service that checks title status and may have listings for service records, like CarFax, is a wise expenditure.
- Where was the vehicle driven, or where did it come from? This is a very important question to ask as vehicles from saltwater climate areas like Florida and winter climates where heavy salting of the roads can be prone to moderate to severe rusting.
- Does the vehicle come with a warranty? How much of that warranty is left? If you’re at a dealer, can you purchase an extended warranty?
- Is there a customer satisfaction return window? How long?
- How many keys come with the vehicle? Remember, during the microchip shortage, additional keys may be hard to come by, even for used cars.
- Are the owner’s manuals in the car? Check and make sure for yourself. Owner’s manuals are the “Bible” for your car and provide all the information you need to operate your vehicle properly and when to service it. If you buy from a dealer and the car you want to buy doesn’t have manuals, make a new, free set of manuals part of the deal.
- Are the spare tire and jacking tools present and in good shape?
- Does the vehicle have floor mats? Floor mats in used vehicles are often stored in the trunk/hatch area to keep them clean for the new buyer.
Become A Vehicle Inspector
With your questions answered, let’s look closer at the product.
- Check for rust. Rust is not as common as 30 years ago but it still occurs. Get on your knees and look at your lower body with a flashlight. Examine the lower door and fender areas for blisters of paint that indicate rust. Lift the trunk/hatch area and passenger compartment mats and inspect for rust or water damage.
- Look at the bottom and the oily part. Use your eyes and flashlight to look for leaks under your car that indicate the need for an expensive engine, transmission, or differential service. Check the bottom of the vehicle and the floor under the vehicle for signs of leaks.
- Take a quiet drive. During the test drive, turn off the stereo and listen to the vehicle’s audio. Experience speed in the city and on the highway, not just corners. Drive on purposely rough roads and listen for squeaks and rattles. Use your nose to pick out engine and transmission failures, bad odors that indicate exhaust leaks, and even moldy odors that indicate water in your car or leaking windshield, sunroof, or trunk seals.
- Drive straight. Make sure your potential purchase is in a straight line. Take someone with you during the test drive, or ask the dealer or car owner to pull you straight away. If the vehicle is going straight but appears to be starting at an angle, this “crabbing” phenomenon may indicate severe body or suspension damage. Check all tires for uneven wear and low profile.
Kwikkar Lewisville, Passion For Excellence, contact us now:+1 (972) 318-0234