If you are thinking about buying a new car, you may want to think again. While a new automobile may be a good decision for one who has plenty of money to spend, it is not very practical for the majority of people who are living on a limited or fixed budget. A used car can be great for just about anyone including new drivers, college student, people with bad credit, or folks who are looking to save a little bit of cash. Lets face it, a used car is not for everyone and there is nothing like the smell of a brand new car. However; in the end, your new car will soon be used and you will have a monthly car payment obligation for several more years to come.
The solution to this dilemma is to purchase a used vehicle. Throughout the years, I have owned numerous used cars and each one has lasted several years. The process of buying a used car is to first do your homework. There are a lot of car buyers out there that simply do not perform their research before jumping into a car deal. There are several factors that you will want to consider while shopping around for a used car. For example, you may be interested in the reliability rating, safety rating, features, rate of depreciation, among several other factors. Here is a great article on Craigslist Cars that helps to explain all of the factors that you should consider. With a few minutes of research on the Internet, you can easily find anything out about the Vehicle that you are interested in. Select a handful of cars to compare and make a decision on which make and model to go with. Remember that the year of the vehicle is not nearly as important as the mileage and condition. Also, ensure that you are choosing a vehicle that fits within your budget.
Search on Craigslist and find the city in which you live. If your city is not listed then choose one that is somewhere nearby. It may even be a good idea to choose multiple cities nearby in order to increase the likelihood that you will successfully find the car that you are searching for. Use the keyword search tool and browse through all of the listing. Before you even consider a vehicle, it is a good idea to check the KBB to see what the car you are interested in is worth. This book will only show an approximate value so keep this in mind.
Contact the seller by emailing them or calling. Have a list of questions ready to ask them and always ask if the car has a flood or salvage title. This is important information to know. Set up an appointment to view each car and take careful notes while inspecting. It would be a good idea to have any vehicle that you are interested in inspected by a professional. Ensure that all systems are functioning properly. Don’t forget commonly overlooked systems such as the air condition or heat.
Once you have found your dream car, let the negotiation process begin. Remember to start your offer low and work your way up. After agreeing upon a price, sign the title over and drive off in your new car.
Buying your next dream car on Craigslist is a bit more involved that purchasing a new car but the payoff can be very rewarding.
