How to Get a Used Car, Truck, or SUV

What is the Best Method to Purchase a Used Car, Truck, or SUV?

To get the biggest value when you buy a car you may want to consider buying a used car. The other owners have already had to deal with the depreciation, letting you pay much less than when the vehicle was new. Purchasing a used vehicle generally gets you a nicer trim level of the vehicle you desire. However, there may be some skepticism when it comes to purchasing a used vehicle. Pre-owned vehicles might have repairs forthcoming, maintenance intervals may be near, and it may not have any factory warranty left. Also, loan interest rates generally are lower on new cars. In this way, it’s critical to have a plan to understand what you require, what you can afford, and to find a trustworthy dealership to make your next purchase from.

Decide What You Can Afford To Spend

In most cases, what we want takes a back seat to what we can afford. To ensure you can get the most car that your budget allows, decide what you can afford before you search for cars. You need a down payment, how much money are you ready to part with? Use an auto loan calculator and run some calculations to find your perfect payment. Better yet, get pre-approved for a loan BEFORE you come test drive the car of your dreams. You’ll already know the payment cost and it should save you time in the end.

Do Your Research

Decide the car you need, so that you can narrow down your search. If you have a large family you may want a minivan or SUV, if you are single, maybe you go for the convertible. Figuring out what you want is only the first step, now you have to find it for sale, in the color you like, without too many miles, and in good shape. It’s not quite as easy as buying new, but with our large selection of used vehicles we’ll have what you want.

Locate a Reputable Dealer

If you find a great quote it does NOT mean it is the right deal. Independent dealers might not have the equipment to adequately service all cars. Buy from a dealer that has been in business for a while and won’t disappear when there are issues. Read recent reviews to learn how disputes are taken care of and if other shoppers had positive experiences at the dealer. Purchasing from a reliable dealer lets you shop for your next vehicle with confidence.

What’s the Value of Your Vehicle?

Do not forget about trading-in your ride. Your old car may be worth some cash and might even have enough value to provide you a sizable down payment on your next car. A trade-in AND a down payment combined will let you get a better deal. We’ll take nearly any car on trade, even if you owe more than it’s worth. Call one of our staff to schedule a personalized assessment of your car.