Tip 1 ? Before you go ahead and buy a used car it is important that you do as much research into your chosen vehicle first. As well as looking through various internet used car listings then spend time reading through as many professional road test reviews that have been written. Also read as many reviews written and posted by people who currently own or have owned the model of car that you are interested in.
Tip 2 ? Next you need to determine just how much the car is going to cost once you get it. Along with comparing the mileage ratings for the car that you are interested in you need to take into consideration what it is going to cost to upkeep the vehicle as well. There are plenty of websites online including the likes of www.fueleconomy.gov which provides you with the EPA mileage figures for any vehicle that has been made from 1986 to 2008. Plus sites like this will also tell you what kinds of greenhouse gas emissions the vehicle produces each year as well.
Tip 3 ? The next thing you need to do is look at the cost of insuring the car you are interested in. Unfortunately the insurance premiums you pay on a vehicle are dependent upon a number of different factors. Along with the age of the driver and how much no claims bonus they hold the car's sticker price will affect how much you pay in insurance for it, plus what it is going to cost to get it repaired, how safe the vehicle is and finally is it a vehicle which is likely to be stolen. What's the point of purchasing a vehicle if only you cannot afford to get the insurance for it?
Tip 4 ? If you need to arrange financing in order to purchase a used car then it is best if you arrange this through your bank or credit union as the rates they charge are considerably lower. Plus this puts you in a position with the dealership or owner of the vehicle to be able to get a better deal on the vehicle that you are after. Also before you go and get your financing it is worth checking your credit rating first to ensure that you won't be hit by any unexpected problems that could affect what kind of financing deal you get. The three major credit reporting agencies are now by law required to provide you with a free copy of your credit report.
Tip 5 ? If at all possible before making that final decision you should actually take the car you are thinking of buying for a test drive. Don't just take it for a quick drive around the block but arrange to spend time on a wide variety of different roads and spend time looking at how well the car accelerates or not. Also as you drive it listening for any sounds or noises which are unusual or if it vibrates or there are strange odours emanating from it.
Tip 6 ? Go onto sites such as Experion.com, Carmax.com or Autobytel.com and arrange for a check to be carried out to see if there is anything untoward. These sites are able to tell you whether the vehicle has been involved in any accidents or if there are any payments outstanding.
Tip 7 ? It is important that before you purchase a vehicle you check through all the documentation that the seller provides. Inspect it carefully and look at the details on the vehicle and make sure that they check with the vehicle being sold. It is important that you look carefully at the vehicles identification number and check that what is on the official document shows in the vehicle as there will be plates on the cars chassis and on the engine and the numbers on these should match exactly to the vehicle being sold, if they don't then immediately walk away from the sale.
Tip 8 ? Arrange to get the vehicle checked over by a mechanic if you know one before you decide to make that purchase and hand over your hard earned cash. If you don't know a mechanic there are some companies such as the AA in the UK who offer a service where you can for a fee arrange for one of their inspectors to give a vehicle a check over before you make the decision to purchase it.
Tip 9 ? If you are purchasing a vehicle from a dealership then look to check what warranties are provided with the car and also what inspections have been carried out by them prior to them selling it. Although you may need to pay more it is worth taking up the offer of an extended warranty on the car being sold just in case.
Tip 10 ? If you intend to purchase from an online auction site it is a good idea to carry out some checks prior to making a bid. Along with doing the usual checks as mentioned in tips 6 and 7 you need to look closely at the seller as well, especially if they seem to be selling a lot of vehicles through these sites.
Above we have offered you the top ten tips for buying a used car today. If you keep these in mind then you are sure to get the vehicle of your dreams rather than a lemon which is going to end up costing you considerably more than you first imagined.
You have decided to buy a new car. The process of making this decision can be for many people quite a difficult task, fraught with argument and uncertainty. There are those who might feel jealousy at your proposed new ownership and will advise you against it. There are those who care about you and your finances, who will worry themselves and you about the whole deal.
Nevertheless, you have made your decision and you are looking forward, excitedly and with a modicum of trepidation, to going to the car dealer's and making your purchase. But hold on, this is where the tricky part starts, this is the point at which you could be enticed to pay a lot more for your car than necessary.
I am assuming that you have carried out all the necessary preparatory tasks that basic common sense requires. Let's look at a simple check list just to make sure:
Make and Model: are they suitable for your every day needs?
Running Costs: have you checked that that you are comfortably placed to afford to pay recurring costs such as insurance, licensing, maintenance, fuel and parking as well as the loan repayments?
Finance: Have you arranged a loan with your bank? This is normally cheaper than than most financing deals offered by the dealers, unless they offer a cash back deal with better terms than the bank. But even so, do your research very carefully and save yourself money.
Competition: Have you found at least three dealerships in your area that sell the type of car you want to buy? If not, do it without delay, because, if you can get the dealers to feel that they have competition their terms will become keener and keener.
Although I can name most of the components to be found under the car's hood and diagnose the fault pretty accurately when the thing grinds to a shuddering halt, I am by no means an auto mechanical expert. No, the wisdom I want to pass on to you, comes from buying many new and used cars and vans for my own use over the years. If I'd known then how to avoid being manipulated by over predatory salesmen, I would have a lot more money in my pocket now. So here's a fantastic new set of insider revelations you will find essential reading before going to the dealer and buying a new car.
Both Martin Davis & Max Westover are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Martin Davis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Property Guide and Recreation and Sports. Adflyer is a free classifieds and shopping website aimed at both the general public and business users to promote sales within the UK initially. Adflyer. Martin Davis's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Max Westover has sinced written about articles on various topics from Cars, Online Business. If you want detailed information on how to save the most when go to. Max Westover's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.