No More Buyers Remorse: Tips for Buying Your Next Used Car

Have you been searching high and low for used cars that don’t just fit your budget but also fit your style and have the features you want? Buying a car is a big decision and not something you want to do on the fly. Formulating a plan of action before making any big decisions is the best way to end up with the right car at the right price.

The First Step: Research and the Power of the Internet

With thousands of used cars out there to choose from, the research phase of your car search is one of the most important. Focus on paring down your options to a few serious contenders that you can really get to know inside and out. Find out the best model years for the cars you’re interested in and then decide what features are the most important.
Do you need seating, cargo space, power, and towing capabilities? Are you looking for an efficient sedan for your long commute to work, or do you have a family and need the extra space you get in an SUV? These are all things to consider as you narrow down your search.

Step Two: Shopping, Shopping, Shopping

Once you settled on a few used cars that you want to focus on finding, it’s time to shop. You can do this online or hit the pavement. Remember that even if you find something online, you still want to go check it out and take it for a test drive. Even a car that seems perfect on paper might not feel right behind the wheel. Drive it to see if it feels comfortable, and make sure you like how it handles.
The test drive is also the time to check for any mechanical issues that a used car might have. You can avoid most of these by working with a reputable dealer.

Step Three: The Dreaded Financing

So, you found the used car that you just have to have, and you’re ready to take the next step. It’s time to lock in financing. If you work with a good dealership, they will have access to several different financing options, which will help you stick to your budget.
If you have a bank you work with and want to get pre-approved for a loan, you can most likely get this step done even before you head to the dealership. Shopping around for the best financing rates and terms is in your best interest.

Step Four: Find Out Everything You Can About the Car

Before you commit to buying any used car, you want to find out its history. A reputable dealership will offer a Carfax history report at no cost to you, but if they don’t, it’s something you want to do on your own. All you need is the VIN and you can get a complete history, including all the maintenance, if it has been in any accidents, and how many owners it had and where it was driven.

These are all important things to know about used cars and should be considered before you buy.