Used cars are far more affordable than their new counterparts, but take it from someone who has had used cars all my life, they have their quirks. Used cars of all types tend to have personalities of their very own which can range from peculiar ways of starting them to a need to buy a certain brand of tires that may or may not exist anymore, depending on how old your model is. Buying a used car through a dealer mitigates some of this worry, but certainly not all of it.
Just like buying a new car, buying a used one should take up as much of the buyer’s time in researching the makes and models one wants as well as the dealerships one has access to. Simple precautions such as researching the dealership’s background and the cars you may want will save you a lot of money and heartache in the future. Forewarned is forearmed and it’s important to know what to look for and what to look out for when buying a used car.
Research, research, research!
Start your search on-line, at libraries and through friends and families. You must carefully research the dealerships you are considering dealing with to make certain they are on the up and up. Dealerships are out first to make money, not to make you happy, no matter what the salesman says and this can sometimes mean some shady dealings. Check the background of the car you are interested in and get it checked by a certified mechanic to make certain you get no nasty surprises one or two months later and have to pay a heavy bill in repairs. There are companies, especially on line where you can order a car’s history before buying the car to make sure that you will not have anything to worry about when you buy it. Boston dealerships and sponsored sites on line are easy sources of research.
Dealerships
In Boston, there are many car dealerships and many of them offer used cars, either for sale or to trade for the car you decide to give up to make room for the new one. This is a decided perk of buying used cars; they are easy to find. Dealerships are far more trustworthy than buying privately because they do maintenance checks on their vehicles. This DOESN’T mean you should not do it as well, but it does give you some peace of mind. Boston has many car dealerships (200+) to compare prices, services and availability of models so you will have optimum choices. This also means that they tend to compete so you can get a great deal.
It is extremely simple to research these dealerships from home online and so you have little excuse to not know what you are getting into when you walk in the door. However, do not underestimate word of mouth-ask friends and family where they had bought their vehicle and inquire about the level of service they had received and the shape of their car or truck. As always, check the dealership’s certification, service capabilities, and do not be afraid to ask questions. That is what the sales representatives are there for. Take test drives of your favorite vehicles and do not buy one on a whim. Always remember that the sales reps are part of a business and they are there to sell cars so they will do whatever it takes to secure that sale.
Money
Negotiate for your used car, just like you would for a new one. Once again, the dealership is out to make a buck, so it is expected that you negotiate. However, keep in mind the old adage: You get what you pay for. Older cars tend to be cheaper than new ones, but they require more maintenance and it can be difficult to find parts. With used cars, remember that the price you pay at the dealership will not be the end of your costs, especially with older models.
Compare prices in different dealerships as well and learn about promotional events and sales. Used cars are far more likely to go on sale than new ones and if you hit the right time of the year, you can get a great deal on a nice car. The best time to go shopping is at the end of the year when the dealership is making room for the new models.
Above all, when buying a used car in Boston, exercise your common sense. If something feels wrong, do not do it. Ask all the questions you can think of (in fact, write any down as you are researching), remember to negotiate, and have fun. This should be an enjoyable experience and it will be if you use your good sense and put a little work into it.
