Most people are trying to save money when they buy a used car. Used cars are cheaper to buy, insure, register and pay tax on. A key reason for many people is the first year depreciation of a new car. A new car can depreciate as much as 30% in the first year.
Used cars are popular choices for parents buying a car for their kid. They want something safe and reliable but aren't as particular about how it looks so that dings and dents aren't that important. They mainly want to avoid buying a used car that will need major repairs.
A good place to start is to come up with a list of cars you are most interested in. Cars like the Toyota Camry which are considered very reliable and have a long history of lasting for years can be a good choice. This list will naturally depend on what type of car you need. If you live in a snow belt you may want to get a 4 wheel drive vehicle or at least a front wheel drive vehicle which handles well in the snow. You may need a pickup to haul things around. Once you know what type of vehicle you need make a list of the models you want to look for.
The internet has lots of resources you can use to build your list and to check on the fair market value and technical specifications of the cars you are interested in. Review the lists of the most reliable cars over time. Car and Driver has an annual list of the top five cars in each category. See which cars they have recommended in past years and review them. Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) and Edmunds.com provide information on the fair market value, technical specifications and reviews of used cars, trucks and SUV's.
Once you start looking at used cars make sure you find out if the car has ever been in an accident and it's great if the seller has repair records and the maintenance history. If you are buying from a used car dealer ask if there is a warranty.
Do a good inspection of the car, the exterior, interior and the engine. Is the engine clean? Are the fluid levels good? Do you see signs of any leaks underneath the vehicle? Make sure you test drive the car, the longer the better. Leave the radio off so you can hear any strange noises. Notice how the car takes bumps, how many rattles you hear and engine noises. Check underneath particularly the exhaust system.
When you find the used car you want and have agreed on a price with a used car dealer make sure you read the fine print of anything you sign. Once you sign it is a done deal. A lot of people dread dealing with used car dealers but if you do your homework, inspect and test drive the car you will avoid most of the pitfalls. Also, dealing with a reputable used car dealer you can trust can make the process enjoyable.
Greg Chapman of Greg Chapman Motors is a knowledgeable and leading provider of used cars, trucks, and SUV's. Since 1959, Chapman motors has supplied reliable used cars in Austin and the surrounding area and is known as one of the bad credit car dealers in Austin. For more information please visit http://www.gregchapmanmotors.com.
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