Buying a used car may seem a real challenge. How to choose the right model, where to find it at the best price, and what to consider in communication with sellers? We suggest our used car buying guide to help you sort things out and get prepared for such a serious purchase. But if you are already ready for action, and the only issue is money, use this car loan calculator to evaluate your perspectives.
Contents
Step 1. Choose the Model
The vehicle must meet your needs in terms of comfort, economy, safety, functionality and practicality. Therefore, you should always start buying a used car by choosing a model.
Here are the three main criteria to be taken as a guideline:
Price Range.
The price range affects not only the cost of the car but also the operating costs. Often the more expensive the car, the more money you will need for its maintenance and repair. Anyway, the used car market can offer models for any budget. The choice is determined only by your financial capacity.
Body Type.
This criterion determines the capacity, dynamics, and maneuverability. The ideal choice for the city is a hatchback or a sedan. A wagon and a liftback are perfect if you need regular transportation of oversized cargo. Crossovers and SUVs are a good option for a large family or outdoor enthusiasts. Also, such cars can easily cope with the transportation of goods.
Number of Seats.
If you need a car exclusively for personal use, for example, for commuting and shopping, you can choose a two-seater coupe or a compact hatchback. The most common option is models with a 5-seater cabin configuration. There is also a wide range of minivans and SUVs on the market equipped with three or more rows of seats (up to 8 seats).
Having decided on these parameters, you can easily calculate the make and model of a car that best suits your budget and lifestyle. You can proceed to the next stage.
Step 2. Select Suitable Characteristics
All models have several trims and modifications. This provides a variety of technical characteristics and allows you to accurately select a used car for specific purposes and requirements. In the process of choosing a used car, you need to decide on the following parameters:
Engine Power.
The engine volume determines the acceleration dynamics and carrying capacity of the car. It also affects the amount of transport tax and fuel consumption. The higher the engine power, the higher the costs. So, it is always a compromise between the car performance and the cost of its operation.
Transmission Type.
The classic manual transmission provides more control over revs, speed modes, and fuel consumption. Automatic transmission is an excellent choice for the city – your driving in traffic jams will be more comfortable and economical. Also, in the used car market, you can find cars with variators and robotic transmissions, which combine the advantages of mechanical and automatic transmissions.
Type of Drive.
The best option for most car enthusiasts is front-wheel-drive models. They combine good driving performance and low cost of ownership. Rear-wheel-drive cars, often represented by sports models, are suitable for those who like high speeds and aggressive driving. AWD vehicles are the best choice for off-road areas.
Security Level.
It differs depending on the age, equipment and class of the car. In old and budget vehicles, security systems leave much to be desired. Modern cars are more technological. They are equipped with systems of directional stability, emergency braking, protection against locking brakes and slipping, assistants uphill or downhill, as well as an extended set of airbags.
Additional Options.
This parameter is determined by the car equipment and affects the level of everyday comfort. The trim of the selected model can include air conditioning, multimedia system, cruise control, power mirrors, warm options, smart keys, Bluetooth interface, parking sensors, rearview camera, and much more.
Step 3. Examine the Model Thoroughly
Choosing the model you like is half the battle. Now you need to investigate its features, find out its pain points and get an idea of further steps. To do this, you should look for reviews from real owners in specialized forums. When studying information, it is important not to lose objectivity. If a person writes that the car constantly breaks down, this does not mean that the car is bad. Maybe, in this particular case, breakdowns occur due to the high age of the vehicle or poor-quality service. But if several owners indicate that after 100,000 miles of running the gearbox or steering control breaks down, it is worth taking the information into account and paying close attention to the weaknesses during the preliminary diagnostics.
If possible, be sure to take a test drive on the selected model. The concepts of ergonomics, comfort, handling and other parameters are different for each driver. And every owner will prove that his car is the best. A test drive will help you understand if a particular model is right for you. You can radically change the decision about the chosen car and start looking for another option.
Step 4. Search for the Vehicle
After choosing a used car and making sure that the decision is correct, you can proceed to offers on the market.
To search for a used car, you can use:
Online platforms.
Large portals post ads from individuals who have decided to sell their cars. But there are also offers from dealers. The most popular sites are carmax.com, cars.com, etc. All ads contain a photo, a description of the car and a price. Special filters will make it easier to find a car by model and characteristics.
Car Dealerships.
You can also come to an authorized dealer to buy a used car. Dealerships buy used vehicles under the trade-in program (buying a new car, offsetting the cost of the old one and paying extra). Cars undergo comprehensive diagnostics, pre-sale preparation following the manufacturer standards and legal expertise. The official dealer is a legal entity, so all the transactions are protected by consumer law, which guarantees the safety of the purchase. You may find all the cars available for sale and information about them on the official website of the car dealership.
Step 5. Communicate with the Seller
A conversation with a seller is the next step in the car buying process. It can be a private seller, an authorized car dealership, or a dealership specializing in used car sales. They all play the role of an intermediary.
In addition to technical characteristics, you should clarify:
- age and mileage;
- participation in accidents;
- number of owners;
- the presence of encumbrances;
- maintenance history.
If you communicate with a private seller, be careful. Many owners try to hide the involvement of the car in an accident, the presence of serious breakdowns or the real mileage.
However, there is a possibility of getting reliable information about the vehicle. For example, at our website, you can order a free CARFAX vehicle inspection.
If the information received did not influence the decision to buy a used car, you need to agree with the owner about a preliminary inspection of the car.
Step 6. Look at Technical Condition
When you buy a car at a reliable dealership, like Indy Auto Man in Indianapolis, you can be sure that every car has passed a thorough pre-sale inspection. However, if you buy a used car from a private owner, you should conduct a comprehensive assessment of its technical condition. Undetected or deliberately hidden damage can be costly for the future owner. To avoid serious repairs, carry out diagnostics at a service station or with the assistance of a field expert.
Checking the technical condition of a used car should include:
Visual Inspection.
It starts with a body condition assessment. Check the geometry, the paintwork integrity, the presence of dents and rust. Trunk lids and hood lids, as well as doors, must be in good working order. Optics, glasses and mirrors – intact and transparent.
Next, inspect the interior: the condition of the pedals and the gearshift lever (indicate the intensity of use or age), the presence of airbags and traces of fluid leakage. Then it is worth moving to the hood. The engine should be inspected for damage and evaluated when running. The ignition should work quickly. A visual inspection of the gearbox and chassis elements, including tires, is also mandatory.
Instrumental Diagnostics.
The car technical condition assessment will be inaccurate without the use of special equipment. Connecting a portable scanner to the onboard computer will allow you to find out the mileage and check the performance of various systems: transmission, engine, safety elements and others. With the video stethoscope, you can look inside the motor and assess the degree of its wear. The multimeter will help check the health of the generator, battery and numerous sensors. Using a thickness gauge will allow you to detect repainted or repaired body parts.
Test Drive.
A test drive will help you identify fluid leaks and many hidden faults. For example, knocks on the steering rack, vibration in the suspension, sticking of the gearshift lever, deviation from the trajectory, rolls in corners and much more. For a test drive, it is better to choose an area with uneven terrain. During the test drive, you need to check the car in different modes: acceleration from a standstill and in motion, U-turns, crossing over obstacles, braking. This way, you will get a chance to identify problems in various systems and assess the controllability and dynamics.
General Car Buying Tips
- Inspect the car only when it is clean. Even slight dust can hide minor paint defects behind it. As a result, you may get 5+ elements to be painted. And this is a serious issue for subsequent resale. When you come to a dealership, the cars are always clean and ready for the measurements of the paint coating. A manager will be ready to show you which of the elements has been restored.
- Don’t forget about legal due diligence. Used cars may have problems with documents and various encumbrances. Using a license plate or VIN, check the history of fines and accidents, data on owners, insurance and mileage. Pay particular attention to the issues of finding a car in a pledge, a loan, under arrest, wanted or stolen. You may carry out the due diligence independently using open databases or order a full check from an independent expert. Legal issues are something you are protected from when you buy a car at the dealership. The specialists value their reputation and advise you on the correctness of registration and help with documents and tax formalities.
- Don’t risk your life with cash transactions. Ensure payment using a bank cell and checking the authenticity of the banknotes. At the dealership, all transactions are made under the sales contract with the bank account.
A used car from a private seller is always a pig in a poke. Choosing a vehicle at the used car dealership, you get a wide range of makes and models at the same place, independent diagnostics, check of the paint layer thickness, and the possibility of a detailed inspection of all chassis on the lift in your presence or under control of your qualified representative.
Come to Indy Auto Man, and get a 30-day price match and a 7-day exchange guarantee on the car you buy.