Buying a Used Car From a Dealer Or Privately - Which Makes More Financial Sense?

Money is tight for many people today, and decidingpay for in cash. While a much older model car
whether or not to invest in a new used car requirespurchased from a private party may be "cheap," it
some serious consideration. Unless you are feelingmay come with quite a few hidden costs. Repairing
quite financially sound, the decision to buy a new carand maintaining an older used vehicle involves finding
comes only after your current vehicle becomes morereplacement parts. Older cars need more frequent
trouble than it is worth.repairs than new cars and are often less fuel
When choosing a used car, you'll have two options --efficient, meaning you'll spend more money on gas.
purchase from a dealership or from a private party.When older cars were designed and built, fuel
It's important to keep in mind that you may simplyefficiency and emissions were not considered. You
be ridding yourself of one problem car and replacingmay be able to get a "great deal" on a car from a
with a different set of problems.neighbor down the street, but that car may never
When purchasing a used car from a private party, itpass emissions tests without sinking a great deal of
is not likely to have a warranty and probably hasn'tmoney into repairs.
been inspected by a mechanic. The best way toShopping For A New Used Vehicle
avoid trading one problem car for another is to shopShopping car lots allows you to compare prices,
at car dealers that are reputable and that offer atoptions, and interest rates from a variety of auto
some type of warranty on their used car selection.dealers. Trade-in values offered on your current car
What Does It Cost To Own A Used vehicle?can vary from dealership to dealership. Searching
Financing a used car involves several specificonline is a great way to compare the products and
expenses and some variable costs. The fixed costsservices available from an auto dealer.
involved with owning a car include making paymentsLook for web sites that provide you with interactives
on the purchase price, the interest on the loan,that help you to select the best car for your needs
insurance, and regular maintenance. Your auto dealerand those which have their current inventory available
will provide you with a warranty that covers most ofonline for your browsing convenience.
the more expensive problems. Many used car dealersWhile there are some great used vehicle deals
offer useful extras such as free tune-ups and oilavailable from private parties, finding one can be a
changes.gamble. On the other hand, buying from a reputable
Most auto dealers that offer used vehicles only offerauto dealership can provide far more reliability and
newer model used vehicles that require you tolower maintenance and gasoline costs than an older
finance the purchase. On the other hand, buying ancar purchased from a private party.
older model used car is often inexpensive enough to