3 Common Pitfalls to Avoid While Buying a Used Car
3 Common Pitfalls to Avoid While Buying a Used Car
Posted on April 8, 2020
Purchasing a vehicle is a major life decision that requires a considerable amount of thought before you finalize a purchase. You will need to determine how much you are willing to spend, and you will need to decide whether you need a sedan, an SUV/van or a truck. It is also essential to figure out how vital gas mileage is to you. Probably the most direct question you need to ask yourself is: do I want to purchase a new or used vehicle? If you decide to buy a used car, here are a few things to avoid doing.
Failing to Fully Understand Your Financing Situation
Say you’ve found a used car that you like, however, you can’t afford to pay for it up front. Financing is a popular option for buyers because they can put down however much money, they have available and pay the rest back via bi-weekly or monthly installments. Understand that although you may be able to reimburse the loan that the bank or dealership provides you, many of the loans come with interest rates that could end up costing you hundreds or thousands of extra dollars on top of the sticker price, especially if you make a smaller down payment. Understand the full cost of your vehicle including interest on your financing, insurance plans, etc.
Not Taking It for A Test Drive
Auto dealerships will not put a car on the lot that is not drive-worthy, detailed and E-tested. They will even use in-house resources to repair mechanical issues that could impact a driver’s ability to operate the vehicle. When you are purchasing a used car, it is imperative that you take it for a test drive before you purchase it. You may notice something wrong or off with the vehicle when you turn on the ignition, begin driving, or activate your brakes; mechanics may not always be able to diagnose a concern, which is why you should bring any concerns to their attention. Prevent yourself from feeling buyer’s remorse and test drive the used vehicle before you buy it.
Purchasing a Vehicle for Style, Not for Practicality
Looks are important when you’re planning on purchasing a vehicle; you want a car that you can be proud to be seen driving and that’s perfectly normal. However, we’ve seen too many buyers decide based on the look of a vehicle, that in practicality, didn’t make too much sense based on their living conditions. It is important to consider location, fuel economy, and size before you go ahead and make a final decision. If you live in a very busy city that tends to experience gridlock frequently, purchasing a large pickup truck may not be practical based on the size of the vehicle and the gasoline needed to operate the truck. Ensure that you inform the dealership about the features you would like to see on a prospective, and they will do all they can to find you a stylistic and practical match.