The purchase of a new car can be a nightmarish experience. However there are ways to simplify the process and make a used car worth the effort.
Whenever the issue of the purchase of a used car comes up, most people cringe at the thought of dealing with the ultimate con artist – the used car salesman. But the fact is that most of the demons reside in the consumer’s head. The purchase of a used car does not have to be as harrowing as it is made out to be. A few precautions taken and the experience can be a positive one and the consumer can rest assured that he has invested his money in the right place. By purchasing a used car there is an opportunity to save a lot of money. You could buy a loaded model with all the gadgets that you might not be able to afford had you bought a new car. A new car depreciates quickly in the first few years and after 3 years it has already depreciated by about 35 percent. Buying a used car is still a bit of a gamble - there is no guarantee that the car is accident-free, has real mileage, and was properly maintained. There may be some hidden problems like a worn out automatic transmission, or engine problems that are not very obvious.
The purchase of the car must not be an impulse buying decision that is taken in the presence of the salesman in his territory. You need to decide what kind of car that you want. Do you need simple transportation to drive to work and back? Do you need a pick-up truck? Is the fuel efficiency a factor? What is the road condition on the routes that you normally traverse? What kind of price range would you be comfortable with? Do as much research as you can. Go through reviews in auto journals, consumer reports, ask colleagues and friends, compare options, and gather data on the make and model you're interested in. Your goal should be to narrow your search to one or two models. Used cars are sold by new car dealers, used car dealers and private owners. Amongst these the owner of the car is the most reliable place to get a car. The private owner however is not in a position to offer a warranty. Once the intermediate player – the dealer comes in, things get slightly complicated. The price for a used vehicle is usually higher at a new car dealership. Another place that is being searched for used cars is the Internet. Every car has a history which can be checked using the VIN number. You will realize that most of the cars will eliminate themselves from the search process because they have been restored after serious accidents, the odometer has been rolled back, there are outstanding dues which are to be paid etc.
It is imperative that you test drive the car. There are a few things that must be checked. Do you feel any vibration through the steering wheel? When you take both hands off the wheel, does the car continue to move straight? Or does it pull to the left or the right? Does the car start easily? Does the engine idle smoothly? Check all of the lights; windshield wipers, radio, cassette/CD player, turn signals, etc. to make sure they all work properly. Is the tread on the front tires worn evenly? Once you are satisfied with all these aspects it is time to bring in the mechanic. Provide him with a list of things that you want checked. Also ask him to give you a cost estimate to repair or replace something that is not in sound working condition.
Once you find something that you like, you must begin to concentrate on the paperwork involved. If you are buying from a dealer, read the warranty policy and all the papers including the fine print very carefully. If it's a "Certified" used car, you'd be wise to check exactly what items were checked off. It would help to have everything put in writing. You will have to deal with issues such as the transfer of ownership, the bill of sales, the registration of a car from another state, the owner's and buyer's responsibilities etc. Get an insurance quote on the model.
When you are negotiating the price, be sure to calculate the total price, after taxes and all additional charges. The tendency is that the cheapest car is a very good bargain. But this is not often the case as some really decrepit models get palmed off. Usually the best deals are available on those cars that are 3-4 years old.
The purchase of the car must not be an impulse buying decision that is taken in the presence of the salesman in his territory. You need to decide what kind of car that you want. Do you need simple transportation to drive to work and back? Do you need a pick-up truck? Is the fuel efficiency a factor? What is the road condition on the routes that you normally traverse? What kind of price range would you be comfortable with? Do as much research as you can. Go through reviews in auto journals, consumer reports, ask colleagues and friends, compare options, and gather data on the make and model you're interested in. Your goal should be to narrow your search to one or two models. Used cars are sold by new car dealers, used car dealers and private owners. Amongst these the owner of the car is the most reliable place to get a car. The private owner however is not in a position to offer a warranty. Once the intermediate player – the dealer comes in, things get slightly complicated. The price for a used vehicle is usually higher at a new car dealership. Another place that is being searched for used cars is the Internet. Every car has a history which can be checked using the VIN number. You will realize that most of the cars will eliminate themselves from the search process because they have been restored after serious accidents, the odometer has been rolled back, there are outstanding dues which are to be paid etc.
It is imperative that you test drive the car. There are a few things that must be checked. Do you feel any vibration through the steering wheel? When you take both hands off the wheel, does the car continue to move straight? Or does it pull to the left or the right? Does the car start easily? Does the engine idle smoothly? Check all of the lights; windshield wipers, radio, cassette/CD player, turn signals, etc. to make sure they all work properly. Is the tread on the front tires worn evenly? Once you are satisfied with all these aspects it is time to bring in the mechanic. Provide him with a list of things that you want checked. Also ask him to give you a cost estimate to repair or replace something that is not in sound working condition.
Once you find something that you like, you must begin to concentrate on the paperwork involved. If you are buying from a dealer, read the warranty policy and all the papers including the fine print very carefully. If it's a "Certified" used car, you'd be wise to check exactly what items were checked off. It would help to have everything put in writing. You will have to deal with issues such as the transfer of ownership, the bill of sales, the registration of a car from another state, the owner's and buyer's responsibilities etc. Get an insurance quote on the model.
When you are negotiating the price, be sure to calculate the total price, after taxes and all additional charges. The tendency is that the cheapest car is a very good bargain. But this is not often the case as some really decrepit models get palmed off. Usually the best deals are available on those cars that are 3-4 years old.
By Anish Chandy
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