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DONE YOUR HOMEWORK?
Here is an article worth reading before stepping on to the next used car lot, click here.
HAVE YOUR TEXTBOOK?
Pick up a Consumer Guide or similar refernce for around $10 at most local book stores. Inside you'll find the suggested prices on late model
cars and trucks, as well as the reliabilty, and history of the vehicle.
Secondly, it allows you to compare the various
styles, read comments, and narrow down what kind of vehicle you want.
Thirdly, while you can do all of this on-line,
having all of the information in print to reference will save you time in the long run - the ol' adage, "pay me now or pay
me later" comes to mind.
Think about what you will be using vehicle for and ask yourself these questions:
What payment can I afford?
How long do I plan to keep it?
What gas mileage would I like to get?
What is the true value of owning the vehicle?
How many miles do I drive on average a year?
Will it be a commuter vehicle, pleasure, work, etc.?
What did I like/dislike about other vehicles I've owned or driven?
You might consider renting the vehicle you plan
to buy if it isn't that different than a new model and drive it for a day to get a true feel for it. Also, you may want to
look at Web sites or speak to people that own that type of vehicle and get some feedback on how they like/dislike their vehicle.
Other
great sites to do research are Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book, or ConsumerGuide. Also you can check out Consumer Reports, but you may have to pay for some of their services or information. Consumer Reports usually list the past 5 model years
of each model and rates several of the main features of the vehicle from poor to excellent.
INSPECTION CHECKLIST
To access a great check list when looking at a used vehicle, click here.
HAVE THE VIN CHECKED
Some used vehicles deals are too good to be true! Have the VIN (vehicle identification number) checked BEFORE you buy at
Carfax or Experian Automotive can show if a used car has been stolen, VIN ID#'s falsified, flooded, totaled in a bad car wreck, returned as a lemon or
recalled. Others offer the similar service and the price is usually between $20-$25 depending on whether you get a one time
report or use the service for 30-60 days. I would recommend getting the 30-60 day service so you can check multiple vehicles
if you are shopping around.
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