| Each year hundreds of thousands of used cars | | | | lending institutes offer better rates than others. |
| change hands. Some deals are great buys; others are | | | | There are many institutes that offer a hassle free |
| not so good. Follow these tips for buying a used car | | | | online service that?s as simple as filling out an online |
| to help you get the best value for your money. | | | | application. Once your financing is approved, they will |
| It is always better to find out what?s wrong with a | | | | send you the check to take to the dealer. |
| used car before you buy it rather than after you | | | | If you have the opportunity to purchase an |
| own it. Carfax vehicle history reports are a great | | | | extended warranty for your car, it can be a good |
| way to get this information. Carfax collects | | | | investment. An extended warranty can protect you |
| information from around 5,000 different sources. But, | | | | from breakdowns and save your pocketbook from |
| remember the report is only as good as the | | | | some serious strain. |
| information reported. If the car is in an accident but | | | | There are two types of coverage; bumper to |
| the accident is not reported, the information isn?t | | | | bumper and powertrain. Bumper to bumper covers |
| going to be in Carfax. That?s why you still should | | | | almost everything, while a powertrain warranty |
| have the vehicle inspected before purchasing it. | | | | covers major breakdowns like engine and |
| A mechanical inspection is the surest way to find | | | | transmission. The cost between the two types of |
| obvious problems with the vehicle. The mechanic will | | | | coverage can be significant, but depending on the |
| easily be able to tell if there are leaks, corrosion, | | | | age of the car and type of car bumper to bumper |
| frame damage, hidden damage, brake or suspension | | | | coverage can be worth the extra money. |
| problems, engine problems, and other obvious | | | | There are several good website resources for finding |
| mechanical issues. The mechanics report however, will | | | | out what a vehicle is worth. You can search by |
| not tell you anything about the history of the car | | | | category, make, model, and price. If you do an |
| such as whether it has been in an accident. | | | | Internet search for ?used vehicle prices,? you?ll find |
| Always take the car for a test drive. Make sure you | | | | several good resources. |
| don?t just drive it on city roads. Take it out on the | | | | If you can?t find the car you want locally, buying a |
| highway and get up to highway speeds to make sure | | | | car online is another option. Just do your research to |
| you like the ride, how quiet the car runs, steering, | | | | make sure the dealer is reputable. It?s always a good |
| and other elements like how good your visibility is and | | | | idea to only put a deposit down and then pay the |
| blind spots. Decide whether you are comfortable | | | | balance once you?ve inspected the car and it meets |
| driving the car. If you aren?t comfortable, then it?s | | | | your expectations. |
| not the car for you. | | | | These tips for buying a used car will keep you stress |
| You can save a great deal of money on your used | | | | free and help you make the best buy possible. |
| car by shopping around for good financing. Some | | | | |