09-04-2016 18:18:23
When the hunt to purchase a "new to me" car comes, some get excited, and others dread it. Time constraints, budget and spending time shopping online and kicking tires at car dealers can be a major time waster. Not the mention the "what can I do to make you buy today" sales tactics that most salespeople deploy on shoppers. Lets focus on a few key points that you wont get from most.
Forums Are Your Friend.
You find the type of car you want, check the forums next. Most large car forums have specific make and model categories, and many have special pages with typical problems that can be found on what you are considering buying. This information could steer you in the right direction to know what is the best model, year, and trim package to get. You might also come up with a good list of used cars to look at in the forum classifieds.
Don't Be Hasty
Time isn't always on your side, but don't let this pressure you into making a bad buying choice. Most car shoppers aren't looking for super rare one of a kind rides, and the used car market is large. The need for transportation can be meet by ride share services like Lyft and Uber, or you can rent a cheap car until you find the right used one to buy. $500 in rental car charges is cheaper then a $2000 engine or transmission repair on that disaster you bought because you "needed a car right now!"
Search Outside Your Town
If you're searching online websites like Autotrader.com or CarGurus.com , increase the search area to 500 miles or more. This is when the power of Car Saints can help you really save. The car you want in your local market might be in high demand, but in the next city or state over, stock might be stacking up and highly discounted. Find one you like, then place an order with Car Saints to have the used car inspected. If it passes inspection, seal the deal and fly out and pick the car up, great excuse for a road trip!
Buy an older car
Ok, this might sound strange, but think about it. Heated seats and power everything on a older car, or roll up windows and plastic seating surfaces on a newer stripped down base model. Either model might fit fit your budget, but your money can go a lot further on a model year or two older. If you can opt for a well maintained, yet older, loaded up cream puff, it can be a much better buy then the more recent model.
Good luck on the search, and give Car Saints a call when you think you've found "The Car" .
A few forums for popular cars :
BMW
VW / Audi
Volvo
Ford
Mazda
Nissan
Subaru
General Motors
Toyota
Honda