Tips when Shopping for a Used Car

Buying a used car can be a headache for most. The haggling, shopping around and fear of commitment can really weigh you down, but you can make it easier on yourself with these tips.

1) Be patient!

Car shopping, when done correctly, is usually not a fast procedure. Unless you already know exactly what you want, expect the process to take at least a month. Sure, you might find your dream car sooner, but in the used car world, with so many options, shopping around is likely to lead you to a better deal. Also, taking the time to visit various lots will usually turn up something with a better match of features, color, and other things you were hoping for. Don't "settle", there's no time limit on car purchasing. They are always getting cheaper!

2) Do your research first

If you know exactly what kind of used car you want, then look up how much you can expect to pay. Check to see how much those options you want will add to the price, and how the mileage can affect it as well. Shop around on different dealer websites to get a ballpark figure of their starting price. This is a nice, pressure-free way to get some more information before you head to the car lot. This will also save you from a lot of surprises, and keep you from paying too much once you find "the" used car you've been looking for.

3) Don't mention your trade-in

Used car dealers usually want to know about your trade-in right away. They tend to make a good chunk of change from your car once they seal the deal. They'll add your trade-in amount into the final dollar amount of the purchase price to divert your attention away from the individual figures. Deal with the price of the car first. When asked about your trade, tell them "We're not sure yet. We might keep it or sell it ourselves." Establish that from the beginning so they can't draw you back into that trap.

4) Ask lots of questions

Hey, you're about to drop a lot of money on a major purchase. You owe it to yourself to be as thorough as possible. Ask about every little thing that you want to know about. If you have concerns, voice them now. Most salespersons will answer you honestly, because it can and will come back to haunt them if they are exposed. I personally experienced this when we bought a used car for my wife. The manual transmission was having trouble shifting, and the salesperson said that it was fine, and we should bring it back if the check engine light came on. One week later the car stranded us 3 hours from home on Thanksgiving night. The maintenance crew was more than happy to fix the problem free of charge, and were visually upset when we mentioned that the sales crew turned us away. Get these problems ironed out, and if you don't think your salesperson is being straight with you, ask the mechanics! They know more about the cars than anybody there.

5) Be thorough when checking the car out

Does the steering pull one way or the other when driving? How loud is it on the highway? Do all the little things work? Check the radio, heat, air conditioning, overdrive, wipers, power seats, power windows, everything. These should all have been fixed already, but something may have slipped past the dealer's "100 point inspection" and it will cost YOU if the car is out of warranty. Check the tire tread and ask for new tires if it's unacceptable. Find a local mechanic that you trust and take the car there for them to check out for mechanical flaws. Many garages will do this for free; car shoppers love to give return business to them if they find a flaw!

6) Get it in writing

If anybody promises you anything, get it in writing! If you asked for the tires to be replaced, a new serpentine belt, or even a blown-out speaker to be replaced, make sure they confirm it with their signature. Most car lots will trust you on things like that, but there are bad apples out there and you don't want to get stuck with little repair costs of things that should have been fixed before you ever set foot in the car.

7) Don't haggle over monthly payment

Used car dealers want to sell you on a monthly payment because they can make it sound so much more reasonable than haggling on the price of the car itself. If you are financing your car through them, they can stretch your payments out to 6 years, find you a lower interest rate, or other subtle manipulations to lower your monthly payment, but if you're still paying too much for the car, it's going to catch up to you. All of those payment-reducing options can be done AFTER the purchase price of the car is haggled. Once you have a price confirmed (in writing!), you can now inform them of your financing situation. When asked "what payment are you looking for?", reply with "We're not sure, we just want to get the right vehicle".

8) Have your own financing ready

If at all possible, have your financing arranged before you set foot on the lot. There are many online services that will offer you a "blank check" auto loan where the total amount isn't determined until you pick out the car. This gives you the flexibility of a "cash buyer", meaning all you have to do is negotiate the best price for yourself. This is the single most empowering thing you can do for yourself! You will also know ahead of time exactly what your monthly payment will be based on how much your loan amount ends up.

Above all else, make sure that you are happy with your purchase. Don't be afraid to go home and sleep on it, or do a little more research. Most likely, that car is still going to be there tomorrow, despite claims that they may make. They are going to try hard to keep you on their lot, because a lot of people will impulsively pick a car out and buy it before they think it over. Don't be that person. Arm yourself with as much knowledge as you can, and don't give the dealer any more information than they need. You'll feel even better in that car, knowing you got yourself a great deal!