Finding a used car from a dealership you can trust is hard. That is why it is very important to do your research. The most important thing you can do when investing in something so pricey as used cars is to arm yourself well with knowledge. Taking the time to get this knowledge before window shopping is a must. Though we take steps to only list reputable sellers, thorough knowledge of your options can still save you money in the end.
First, establish a realistic price range, if you will not be paying for the vehicle in cash, then use a calculator based off your credit score and monthly income. If you have the time there are calculators that go much more detailed than this and they can be worth the time investment. Without completing this step carefully it can be easy to over commit yourself in payments.
With your price range firmly in mind it is time to start researching carefully the used cars themselves. Certified pre-owned versus used cars that have not been certified, warranties, desired features, desired make or models, vehicle value, and the list goes on. Some of the resources we recommend for delving deeply into facts on used cars are:
Explore these sites carefully, all of them contain a lot of valuable information and can also be found in our “Sites of Interest” bar for the used car category. Knowing the suggested price range for the models you are interested in can help you dearly when going to the dealership. Another thing to remember is that now it is easier than ever to view cars online. In most cases you can even call the dealership and pictures will be taken and emailed to you on request if a view you wanted was lacking. This can save you valuable time in driving around from dealership to dealership to look at potential pre-owned vehicles. Gone are the days of window shopping the car lots being restricted to business hours, if a car peaks your interest, don’t be afraid to see if it has a video available, or ask your first round of questions in an email.
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