Buying a car on a budget can be a challenge. You don't want to spend too much, but at the same time, you want to avoid spending so little that you end up with a poorly running vehicle. Fortunately, with patience and the right tactics, you can purchase a car that is well within your budget. The following tips can help.
Tip #1: Skip new cars
It's no secret that new cars cost more than used vehicles, but for many, there is still a stigma attached to used cars. If you are worried that you may be purchasing someone else's problems, then purchased used from a dealer that does a full mechanical inspection on every used vehicle and offers a warranty to back up the inspection. This practice is becoming more common amongst used car dealers. If you do find the car of your dreams at a dealer that doesn't offer inspections and warranties, then negotiate with them to have it included in the price of the car.
Tip #2: Ask about recent lease vehicles
Another way to save on a quality used car is to purchase one that is being traded in on a lease. Some people or companies lease vehicles, sometimes for as little as one year. One benefit of buying an old lease vehicle is that you will likely have access to the entire vehicle service and repair record. This is because most dealers require that lease vehicles have all services performed on time and at the dealership. Lease vehicles also generally were leased under mileage restrictions, which means you may find a good price on a low mileage, well cared for car.
Tip #3: Don't focus on payments
Unless you are paying cash for your vehicle, payments will come up at some point. Don't let this be during the negotiation phase. It's common practice to ask what type of monthly payment you can afford, as opposed to focusing on the total cost of the car. Instead, look up the average value of the car in a reference guide, like the Kelly Blue Book, and then look for similar vehicles in your local classifieds to get an idea of a fair price for the car. Use this as your bargaining price, not the payment amount. You can figure that part out once a price is settled upon and you get to the financing aspect.
For more help, contact a dealer with a large used car inventory in your area.
Click the link for tips on navigating used car inventory!
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28 May 2017
After driving an older car to work for several years, my husband was finally ready to buy another vehicle. He got tired of his car breaking down at his workplace, the grocery store, and the mall. Because gas mileage is important to him, my spouse shopped at local auto dealers for a small, four-door sedan. We were open to purchasing a new vehicle or a slightly used one. Whenever we saw a potential car at a dealership, we always studied its exterior and interior closely. My husband of course also requests to drive it down the road. On this blog, I hope you will discover tools for finding your dream car at an auto dealership. Enjoy!
