Where to Shop for a Used Car, Truck, or SUV?

What’s the Best Way to Get a Great Deal on a Pre-Owned Car or Truck?

There are almost too many places to shop for car buyers of today. From social media to classifieds to dealer websites, we are flooded with options and a seemingly infinite supply of vehicles. So where can one go to get the best deal on a pre-owned car? Basically, it boils down to three choices: a small car lot, a private seller, or a dealership. Every choice has its pros and cons, but when you’re making such a large financial decision you want to give yourself the best chance of getting the absolute best deal possible.

Buying from an Independent Seller

If you’re seeking a specific car, especially an older vehicle, then a personal seller might be your only real option. You may get a great price, but you accept almost all of the risk in this situation. You would be accountable for all of the items found at the dealership:

Customer Reviews – There may be absolutely no background info. Should you trust the seller?
Vehicle History – If you want a history report, you will be paying for it.
Loans – Many private sellers want cash, but you can also try making payments through your own lender. Your options are smaller either way.
No Warranty – There is none, you buy as-is. There is no guarantee.
Maintenance Inspections – A 3rd party pre-purchase inspection is suggested before you buy, but you would be on the hook for the bill.
Current Condition of the Car – There might be underlying or unknown reasons why they’re selling the car.

Purchasing at a Second-Hand Vehicle Lot

A pre-owned car lot offers a few of the benefits of a big dealership, such as a large selection of cars and the ability to browse them online. You can still get a large choice of cars, trucks, or SUVs and the possibility of browsing them online at a pre-owned car lot, but they also do present more risks. While some might be entrenched in the local area, several others tend to come and go almost overnight. Here are a few of the other differences between a car lot and a dealer:

Vehicle Inspections – Inspections at car lots are usually not quite as thorough.
Repairs – To maximize profits and save money ‘quick fixes’ may be utilized.
Service Technicians – Used car lots usually only have limited mechanics on-site, possibly with limited experience.
Reputation – Some used car lots choose profits over customers.
Condition of the Car – Be on the lookout for high mileage vehicles with dubious backgrounds.
Used Car Financing – The rates are usually higher if they even offer financing.
Certified Pre-Owned – CPO cars are available only at approved dealers.

Buying at the Local Auto Dealership

While a lot of people would agree that it is the simplest way to buy a pre-owned car, many think they can score a better deal somewhere else. Absolutely nothing can beat the service we can provide you, even if you could possibly get a lower price elsewhere (likely with even more miles and with fewer guarantees on condition).

Advantages of buying here are:

Many Options for Financing – We offer multiple ways to get you financed.
Easy to Access Reviews – See what other buyers think.
Vehicle History Reports – See the history of your new-to-you car.
Pricing that is Straightforward – Our experienced appraisal consultants work diligently to set competitive prices.
CPO Vehicles – We have Certified Pre-Owned vehicles for your peace of mind.
Huge Selection of Used Cars – Most dealers do not have the same selection as us.
Delivery of Your Car – We can deliver. Just ask.
Online Buying – Buy online if you can’t make it to the dealer.
Convenient Open Hours – We’re open long hours so that we can be available when needed.

Used Car Shopping From the Local Dealership

Visit Sterling McCall Lexus Clear Lake for Used Cars

Sterling McCall Lexus Clear Lake welcomes you to view our excellent selection of used luxury cars and SUVs for sale in Houston, TX. Buy, sell, trade, or even get pre-approved for financing, online or in-person. We deliver quality, convenience, and competitive pricing that you can count on. Visit our Houston area used car lot today. We look forward to serving you.