images/image_news_01.jpgBill McMurray shares his expertise to help you save more, and get more, when you shop for a used car!

Used car or new? What car is right for me? Where to look for used cars, what to look for when buying a used car? There are numerous questions that come to mind when contemplating your next used vehicle purchase. In the articles on our website, I will try to answer to some of these questions and hopefully, simplify the used car buying process for you. There are many essential facts you should consider before buying your next used car, used truck or used suv, so you will not have regrets with your decision after wards.   

Taking the risk out of buying a used car

Be prepared. Do as much research as you can. Read reviews, consumer reports, ask friends and colleagues, compare options, gather fuel consumption data, on the make and model you're interested in. Examine reliability ratings. Try to determine maintenance costs, upkeep and insurance rates, etc. Your goal should be to narrow your search to one or two models. Why? Because if you just enter a dealership without knowing what you want, chances are more likely than not, that you won't be entirely happy with your purchase. Later you may discover that it's simply not exactly what you wanted or what you can afford.  It important to find a sales person that will help determine your needs & answer your inquiries, rather than to sway your decision. You should be able to trust in their knowledge, however & depend on their expertise to help you in your buying decision.  Click the link to check out our article on Used car Sales Person: what to expect

 Car value and price

Don't look for cheapest car. When it comes to used cars, the "best deal" doesn't necessarily mean the cheapest one. Your goal is to look for a car in good condition for reasonable price. If you are choosing between a relatively cheap car that might need some repair, have been poorly maintained, or been in an accident, etc. and a more expensive one that is in excellent condition, I'd without a doubt choose the more expensive one. You will simply save on repairs and will have less troubles driving it down the road. Don't think they are selling it cheap because they don't know the price or they simply want to clear their inventory. If it's selling for cheap, it could be an indication there is something wrong with it. Not in all cases, but definitely most. Remember, proper price for a certain used vehicle is not the one indicated in the black book - this only gives you an average price value. The actual vehicle value, truly depends on a car condition & market demand. Two cars may just look the same. One may have been maintained so poorly, the mechanics may not last long after you buy it. Previous owner of another vehicle may have been diligent with regular maintenance, was using only synthetic oil, has done the rustproof and so on. Without a doubt, I'd rather pay $2000 more for this second car just to have peace of mind driving it.   Take a look at our Used car checklist  as a quick and easy reference guide when shopping for your next used vehicle.