How To Buy Used Cars: The Most Important Information on Buying a Used Car

In order to make the process of buying a used car a more enjoyable and pocket-friendly experience, it is important to be both organized and prepared. You must, therefore, gather as much information on buying a used car as possible. First, whether you are buying a new or used car, you must decide how much money you are willing to spend on that car - this will be your target used car negotiating price. From there, you then can research what makes and models you may be interested in. It is always beneficial to get a car insurance quote on the various car models that you are interested in as certain types of used cars may be less expensive for you to insure. Some great insurance sites online include ElectricInsurance.com and ComparisonMarket.com.

Securing Financing When Buying Used Cars

At this time in the used car buying process, it is also important to secure financing (if you are not paying cash) in order to make the used car negotiation process as painless as possible. Some good sites to check out include DriverLoans.com, MyAutoLoan.com and RoadLoans.com.

Get Information About Buying a Used Car Online

Next, whether you are going to buy a car or truck used or even if you are going to buy a classic car used, you will want to find out various pieces of information on buying a used car, such as the Retail and Trade In NADAGuides.com book price of the used cars you are interested in and the value of your trade in (if you have one) at this time. You can find this information at a local library or online at NADAGuides.com, Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com and Cars.com, but keep in mind that these used car price values do vary depending on the condition of the particular car itself. However, one can usually surmise that a reasonable used car price would be somewhere in between the Trade In and Retail Value of the vehicle. While you are at these used car information sources, it is also an excellent idea to familiarize yourself with the laws that govern buying used cars in your particular location so that you will not be in for any unpleasant surprises.

Buy a Used Car Online with Used Car Internet Listings

After these steps, you may want to search both the used car newspaper classifieds and online websites that feature used car internet listings for sale. Some good used car internet listing to check out include Autobytel.com, Autoweb.com, CarSmart.com, Cars.com, Autos.yahoo.com, InvoiceDealers.com, AutoBargains, CarAuctions.com, AuctionPass.com, CheapCarFinder.com, AmericanAutoBargains.com and eBay.com. (Be wary of any cars though that are selling "as is.") It is also a great idea to print out the listing information of the used car you settle on so that you can use this information as a bargaining tool with your seller when the need arises.

How To Buy Used Cars: How To Deal With The Seller

Next, call the seller and get all the information about the used car such as what the mileage on the vehicle is, why they are selling the car and whether or not the vehicle needs any car repairs. Also, ask the seller for the VIN # of the used car so that you can run a vehicle history report of the car at CARFAX.com. This report will inform you of any major accidents or car repairs that have been made to the vehicle. Please keep in mind though that it can take up to 30 days for a car history update to appear on the report.

Information to Gather From a Used Car Test Drive

If the vehicle history report proves to be an acceptable one, you, of course should take the vehicle out on the all important used car test drive, preferably with a friend who knows what to look for when buying a used car. If you are buying a used car at a dealer, you definitely should ask to drive the car on your own (a private seller will most likely not let you do this for obvious reasons). By driving the car on your own, you can test the steering, acceleration, braking, stereo, note the mileage, etc. without the salesperson watching your every move.

Use a Mechanic to Get Information on Buying a Used Car You Can't Get On Your Own

At this time, it is also a good time to take the used car to a mechanic so that they can inspect it to determine if buying the used car is in your best interests. Be certain to ask the seller plenty of questions about the vehicle, ensure that you inspect everything on the used car to make sure everything on the car is in working order and make certain to ask for the car's maintenance records.

How To Buy Used Cars: The Negotiation Process

If you are still interested in buying the used car after the test drive and inspection, make the seller or car dealer an offer that is possibly $500 over the estimated wholesale value of the vehicle and only go up in small amounts (around $100) in the negotiation process. Remember your used car negotiation price target and don't cave and go over it -- that is all you decided you can afford. It is also important that you have your printouts of your used car price research at this time as you can show the seller what the actual fair market values of similar cars are.

Some Last Bits of Information on Buying a Used Car

Also, do not pay cash for a used car as you will always want a record of the payment if something were to go wrong in the future. Additionally, if the seller agrees to make certain car repairs before you buy the used car, make certain that this information is in writing. Of course, before you drive away in your "new" used car, ensure that you do have all the required paperwork, keys, car records and any other items that the seller agreed to give to you with the car. Although it is smarter to have a 30-90 day used car warranty on the vehicle, if there is no type of used car warranty, investing in an extended car warranty is great idea. A great used car warranty site to check out is WarrantyDirect.com.

Enjoy Your New Used Car!

Thus, if you are prepared and pay attention to detail, buying a used car can be easier than you may believe it to be.