When you get stressed about buying a car, especially a used car, it’s usually because of what you don’t know. You might be wondering how much the car is actually worth, where has it been, and what sort of condition is it in. You also might be asking yourself whether or not you can afford it.
Reducing stress when car shopping, then, means one thing: knowing more. If you go into your used car shopping experience with the proper knowledge, you’ll find that you have a less stressful experience and can be more confident that you’re making a smart purchase. Here’s what you should know before you go shopping for your next car.
Your Budget
When it comes to buying a used car, few things are as important as your budget. Your budget is going to determine what sorts of cars you’ll look at, and how much of your wishlist you can get. However, setting a budget for a used car can be a chore in and of itself.
Your budget is your decision, of course, but experts recommend that you pay close attention to how much of your take-home income will be accounted for by a potential car loan payment and insurance. Follow basic rules of thumb about how much car debt to take out so that you don’t end up with something that is beyond your means.
Once you’ve established a budget, you need to make sure to stick to it. If you must revise it for whatever reason, do so careful and start the process all over again. Don’t revise it on the fly in order to get a car you’ve suddenly fallen for. Your budget is important, so you need to be smart about setting it and serious about sticking to it.
Your Priorities
Knowing how much you want to spend is great, but that does you a lot less good than you’d think if you have not yet decided what you want to spend it on. The same budget can take two different car buyers in very different directions. Do you want a classic car at a great price, or are you looking for a tough and reliable daily driver from a recent model year? Sit down and write everything you can think of about your dream car. Then, rank the specific things you mention from most important to least important.
You should see a picture begin to emerge. You’ll know whether you want a sedan or a pickup, you’ll know how modern of a car you want, and you’ll know what sort of safety features you won’t compromise on. And with everything laid out in order, you’ll be able to make informed decisions about what you might sacrifice in order to stay under budget or grab a particularly enticing deal.
The Advantages of Buying a Car Online
Back in the dark ages, buying a used car meant heading to a used car dealership and interacting with a salesperson. Used car dealers of this sort did not have the best reputation in our culture, and it’s not hard to see why—with so little information available, such dealers could easily swindle people, and they often did!
Now, things have changed. When shopping for used cars, we have more information than ever before. We are aware of things like price averages, depreciation rates, and more. We can even learn about specific individual vehicles, thanks to vehicle history reports. And if you know about buying a car online, you can take advantage of all of this information and shop a larger pool of vehicles for your properly priced dream car. Check out online car auctions and buy-it-now options using websites such as Auto Auction Mall to expand your search beyond the local dealerships. Equipped with these helpful tips, you’re sure to come out with a win.