Many of us may remember when buying a
used car ranked right up there with a trip to the dentist. But times have
changed and buying a used car need not be the horror it once was. Today's
consumer has so much information (at least, the information is available), as
to make the experience of buying a used car far less stressful. It's easy to
get screwed with a used car, but fear no more, Jalopnik readers are here to
help. It just takes a bit of homework and some patience to locate the right
model at a reasonable price. No good comes from rushing into things. Follow
these steps and you’re bound to end up with a good experience and an even
better vehicle ;
· 1. We
look carefully
Used cars are like snowflakes , no
two are exactly the same, so scrutinize each one carefully. Look for paint
overspray on door seals, mufflers and wheel-well liners — a sure sign of collision
repairs. You may find shattered glass fragments under the seats. A mildew smell
indicates a stubborn water leak. Fresh undercoating may be masking recent
structural repairs. Lit warning lamps may be a portent of expensive engine
repairs. Motor oil that resembles a frothy milkshake often means there’s a
blown head gasket or worse. The transmission fluid should be bright red or
reddish brown; any darker and there may be problems.
·
2. select
brand less popular
Everyone knows the leading brands
that command premium second-hand prices. But why surrender to these unkind
market forces? There are other, lesser-known competitors that for a variety of
reasons didn’t sell well — models that can give you similar quality and
features for less dough. Automakers such as Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Kia made
some very good models that were undersold and overlooked. Keep an open mind rather
than fixate on one model.
· 3.
Know
your budget
I'm talking financially and, in a way, logically. What I mean is "I
have $5000 to buy this compact sedan so I save money, drive my small family and
can park in the city much...ooo look a BMW!" isn't logical and beyond what
you need (no matter what your inner child says).
· 4 . Drive
a hard bargain
New-car dealers love used cars. Profit margins on popular new models are
razor-thin, while used vehicles remain a bonanza for dealers who can lowball
customers with trade-ins, recondition them, then “remarket” the vehicles for a
lot more. The average profit on a used car is $2,000 to $2,600, while a
high-volume new compact only earns $1,000 to $1,200 for the dealer. So don’t be
afraid to play hardball. And watch for extra fees sneaking into the sales
contract: administration fees are now part of the advertised price by law.
