When it comes to replacing a vehicle, used cars can make excellent investments — especially when you consider the fact that the average price of a new vehicle in the U.S. is a staggering $35,309. By only focusing on pre owned vehicles, you can get a decent mode of transportation without breaking the bank on its purchase. However, there are several mistakes that car shoppers make when comparing used vehicles that seriously end up costing them in the long run; let’s take a look at three of the most common of these mistakes and how you can avoid them.
- Failing to line up financing ahead of time. Although many used car dealerships offer financing options, it can be a good idea to get your financial ducks in a row before you even head over. This allows you to see and understand the upper limit of your price range; when you know how much you want and are able to spend, you’ll be more likely to commit to an offer than you can afford.
- Shopping based on monthly payments alone. Many car shoppers only pay attention to the cost of their monthly payments and ignore the total price. This can get you into a serious pickle in the long run due to high interest rates; while a lower monthly payment is good for your monthly budget, a longer payment period means you’ll end up paying more money back overall. It is often a better idea to opt for higher monthly payments because you’ll be paying the principal back over a shorter period.
- Skipping the test drive. Around 20% of used car buyers don’t test drive the vehicle before making the purchase. This can significantly increase your chances of experiencing buyer’s remorse; if you get behind the wheel of your car and realize you don’t like the way it feels or handles before you buy it, you’ll be able to continue on your search stress-free.
If you’re looking to buy a used vehicle, don’t make the mistakes of your peers. As long as you take your time and know your limits when used car shopping, you won’t have to worry about any financial nightmares. When you finally drive off that lot, you can be sure that you’ve made the right decision.
Auto Sales and Service is happy to help you buy a used vehicle. Visit us online at https://www.autosalesandserviceinc.com/ today!
