Buying a Used Car? How to Save Money

The art of buying a used car has become a skill that some truly specialise in. It’s a management of money, as well as a skill of negotiation.  There are several things to consider when battling and negotiating with the second hand car dealers:

1. Choose a reputable model- When choosing a used car, pick something that has a good reputation. If you know it has a reputation to last a long time and is reliable, then usually a general consensus isn’t far wrong. A name such as Honda and Toyota are known for having vehicles that last with very strong engines.

2. Check the car out- Look into a car’s report and have the information of the car as a reference point for potential problems. It will tell you whether it has experienced any bad accidents and potential damages that might not be directly visible. A car’s report will tell you the number of accidents and the kinds of damage the car has experienced. It’s a very crucial piece of information.

3. Have the car inspected by a mechanic- For beginners, if the dealer selling the car, or the individual won’t allow this, or isn’t comfortable with you getting a pre-purchase inspection, then that is a sign in itself to look elsewhere for your vehicle. A qualified mechanic will be able to look at the car and see things that you may not see . A mechanic will see it from the view of a professional and be able to point out potential hazards and listen for various noises that signify the car has a problem.

4. Pay attention to the year- This doesn’t mean to avoid older model vehicles. What this means is that certain vehicles have better components on particular years. A prime example is a Honda Civic 1999  – their engine was supposed to be one of their most solid models, whereas the 2000 year engine model has reputable problems with leaks and damages. Sometimes looking into a vehicle and its most successful years and why it was successful will not only lead you to a better price on a vehicle, but overall a better car.

5. Negotiate- A used car is exactly that, a used car. It has room for negotiation as does any vehicle you buy. An asking price is a seller’s ‘hope’ to get, not really what they ‘expect’ to get. If you throw out a drastically low number you will most likely get back the number the dealer truly expects to get as a return negotiation. From there it is open season and a battle of wits and skill on your ends to see what kind of price you can achieve. Sometimes a few minutes of conversation can save you thousands of dollars.

When going to buy a used car you have several avenues you can go down to try and get the most for your money. The options are often endless, and you can negotiate your way into a car that would normally cost much more money for much less expense. Buying a used car in the long run is a very cost-effective way of getting reliable transportation.

Author Bio: Bradley Taylor is an automotive blogger, journalist and enthusiast. Connect with Bradley on Google Plus.