Steps to Take When Buying a Used Auto

by ROB TENDICK

You are considering buying a new used auto. You might think you just go to the car lot and pick one out, etc. Unfortunately if you want to get the best deal possible and a great new used auto, it doesn't work this way. Sure, you can go ahead and do it that way, just be prepared for disappointments.

The first step to buying a used auto is to know what you can afford. You might like that luxury vehicle but you may not be able to afford it. Before going on impulse and possibly putting yourself in potential debt, figure out your budget.

You can do this easily with just a piece of paper. Write down each bill you have and how much you pay and your income total a month. This will help you determine how much you have left after you pay bills, etc, to be able to afford a monthly payment. Now you also need to factor in insurance costs. You will have to make a monthly insurance payment and need to know what you can afford for that as well.

Once you know your budget you can decide what type of vehicle is within that range. You want to be reasonable and stick with your planned budget. Nicer vehicles can be tempting but not if you can't really afford them. The last thing you want to do is put yourself in a bind later down the road because you can't make your payments.

You can search online at your local used auto dealerships to see what vehicles they have. This is a great option if you can't get out and visit the lots right away. Even if you find something online that you like, you will still want to visit the dealership.

Some sites may have vehicles listed that are not still available. Call the dealership to see if they still have the vehicle you are interested in. Use a piece of paper and a pen to write down the potential vehicles you have found so you can figure out payments, etc. later on.

Once you have your list you can now figure out how much your payments will be. You can find a tool online that will calculate this total for you. Are you able to make a down payment? This can significantly lower your monthly auto payment.

Now that you know what you can afford and what you like, go visit the dealerships. Ask to test drive each vehicle you like and try not to automatically settle for the first one you like. It might seem great but one of the other ones you like might be even better.

Inspect the car fully when you are there. Check out the body condition; are there scratches or dents? Is any of the paint discolored? If so it could be the result of an accident or similar body work. Ask for the vehicle's history report. This way you can know all about the car and how many people have owned it, etc. Have a professional check out the engine before you purchase the car if possible.

Once you know which car you want check on insurance payments. If you are not worried about the cost of insurance all that is left is to make the deal. Read over the entire paperwork accompanied with the car and make sure you understand ALL terms before signing anything.

Shane Rethwisch is a retired mechanic and keeps many old beauties running smoothly. For Cameron Park car repair he recommends their local shop for Cameron Park smog, brakes, or new car standard mileage checkpoint work.