Nobody wants to waste time buying a used car. Maybe you need to upgrade fast since your family is growing or perhaps your job requires a specific type of vehicle. If you need to buy a used car quickly, certain steps – like vehicle inspections – can help facilitate the process.
Establish Your Spending Limit
This is sometimes the most difficult, but also most important step. Decide exactly how much you are willing to spend and stick to this number strictly. This saves you time when looking for a vehicle since you can weed out many models right off the bat. It will also save you time when you enter into price negotiations.
Use Online Resources
There are many online resources that can help you find the used car that fits your situation. For example, Kelley Blue Book has a great resource called Show Me Cars That Meet My Needs. This handy online tool asks you for data such as:
- Price range
- Body style
- Fuel type (gas, diesel, electric or hybrid)
- Transmission (automatic vs. manual)
- Doors (2 or 4)
- Drive (2WD, 4WD or AWD)
- Engine size
- Color
Based on your selections, the site provides you with a list of actual cars for sale. You can even input – in miles from your location – how wide of an area you want your search to include.
Pre-purchase vehicle inspections give you an expert evaluation – before you buy – of any car in the county. Order a used vehicle inspection from CARCHEX today.
If You Have A Trade-In – Establish The Price
If you have a trade-in vehicle, set the price you want just like you did for your buy price. Don’t let your buy and sell numbers affect each other. Remember, these are two separate transactions. If you mix these two, you might end up leaving a significant amount of money on the negotiating table.
Avoid Time Wasting Haggling
When you go to buy, express your terms clearly. It doesn’t hurt to offer a bit lower than the asking price, but if the negotiations go above your pre-set limits, hold your ground. If the seller refuses to budge on a price that is over your limit, move on to the next opportunity.
Get A Vehicle Inspection
Before you buy, it’s a good idea to get the vehicle inspected. Online photos are not always accurate, and your own assessment might be incomplete. Qualified vehicle inspectors can provide you a detailed evaluation of any car. If the vehicle is far from your location, an inspection saves you time since it can usually be completed within days of your initial request.
Conclusion
Buying fast doesn’t mean buying dumb. Do your homework first, then go into the deal with the confidence that you know what you want. A pre-purchase vehicle inspection helps increase your confidence level when it comes to buying.
A qualified pre-purchased used car inspection sends a report in your Email within a week. Order a vehicle inspection from CARCHEX now.
