Tips for Buying the Perfect Used Car That Fits Your Needs & Budget

While so many cars are available in the market based on different designs, cargo space, functionality, and amenities, can make it difficult for an individual to find the perfect one.

Additionally, the availability of modern technology like an advanced online marketplace allows you to get an idea about more makes and models but the final decision can still be tough with a such wide variety of choices. After all, buying a car is a major decision. One can’t afford to pick the wrong car and then regret it for many years.

But the question is how do you find the perfect used car that fits your needs and budget? So here are the step-by-step tips that will help you pick out the perfect car for your need and according to your budget.

1.    Prioritize your need

The first step in buying a car is to prioritize your needs. You should decide what you want from your car before going to the dealership. This will help you avoid buying something that does not meet your needs.

Here is a list of a few questions that you should ask yourself:

➔   How many passengers do you need to carry?

➔   What kind of driving speed do you like?

➔   What are the adverse weather conditions around you?

➔   Is fuel economy a big thing for you?

➔   Do you need an all-wheel drive car or a 4-wheel drive?

➔   Do you need to do hauling in your car space?

➔   Are you looking for advanced safety features in your car?

➔   Do you have enough parking space inside your premises if you want to buy a large vehicle?

Once you properly analyze these questions a rough image will be created in your mind. While answering these questions, be honest with yourself. It will help you get a general idea of what you want.

2.    Budgeting

While budgeting funds for your car, you will have two things in mind. Either you can give the whole payment in one go or not. If the answer is no, you need to think about financing your car or leasing it. At this point, you need to seriously think about how much you can seriously afford to make car payments every month.

In the case of financing,

The general rule of thumb is that your monthly payments for financing should not exceed more than 15% of your take-home payments.

In the case of leasing,

The general rule of thumb is that your monthly payments for financing should not exceed more than 10% of your take-home payments.

Additionally, you will also need to count your fuel and insurance costs according to car usage. Having a clear picture of your budget will also help in negotiating further.

3.    After prioritizing your needs and budgeting next step is research.

It can be possible that after considering the above two factors, you might have arrived at a final decision but the marketplace is constantly changing and new cars are always adding to the market. Even it can be possible that you haven’t heard the name of a car that will be a perfect fit for you. So it’s better to do thorough research about more cars. You can get in contact with the best-used car dealer in Surrey, BC.

Once you shortlisted the cars, it’s necessary to go for detailed specifications, prices, and features of the car.

4.    Test drive your preferred vehicle

The next thing is to choose the right dealership. Text or call them to schedule a day and time for a test drive.

By scheduling a test drive appointment with your local dealership you are ensured that your car will be waiting for you when you arrive. Try to book appointments for your selected cars one by one it will make comparing the cars easier.

What should I look for during a test drive?

The true test of a car takes place when you are in the driver’s seat. You need to test drive the car in a way you are going to use it in your everyday life. Try to check the speed of vehicles in both traffic and highway regions.

Also, make sure to sit in the back seat while test-driving the car. Also, if you are planning to install children’s car seats bring them along with you so that they can be easy to install.

While you are evaluating your car focus on the:

– How responsive is the vehicle?

– How much power does it have?

– What are the features of the vehicle?

– Does it have a safety feature like ABS or stability control?

– What are its fuel efficiency rates and its range on a full tank of gas?

Here are a few additional factors that you need to consider before purchasing

> Go through the car history

The car history report will reveal its incident history number of accidents it has suffered when it was last serviced.

> Visually inspect the car

It is better to visually inspect the car on dry sunny days to see any imperfections in the car. Properly inspect, if there is a sign of any collision repair, rusting, and fluid leaks. If the car parts smell mildew it can be possible that there is some leakage.

Mechanical inspection

When buying a car, it’s important to have a mechanical inspection done. This will help you to avoid purchasing a car that has serious problems.
A mechanical inspection is not just about checking for rust or dents in the exterior of the car. It also includes checking for hidden damage in the interior and under the hood.

After going through the whole process you might have taken your decision. Either you want to make a purchase or want to make a few steps back and drive more cars. It can be possible that you haven’t found your perfect fit yet. This doesn’t mean that you need to buy the car from the list you have currently selected.

Though it may seem like a tedious process but the whole process will be worthwhile later on.