If you’ve ever been shopping for a used car, you know that it can be full of unnecessary difficulties. If unprepared, the process can be incredibly frustrating. Without doing enough research, you could get taken advantage of by untrustworthy sellers or end up with a car you regret buying. We at Tillema Auto know you have enough going on without the added stress this process brings. That’s why we’ve put together this list of tips for finding the perfect car. Keep reading below to discover what you need to do to find the ride that’s right for you.
Tips for Finding the Perfect Car
Don’t let the stress of shopping for a new car ruin the experience for you. Buying a car should be an exciting process that brings you joy, but oftentimes that’s not the case. But with these simple tips, the process can turn from stressful to successful. Here’s what you can do to get ready to buy a used car.
Determine a Firm Budget
Before you start looking at cars, you need to determine how much money you can spend, and how much you’re willing to spend. Obviously, you don’t want to break the bank shopping for a new car, but you also need to be realistic with your budget.
This number will differ for each person, depending on their income and expenses. That being said, people often recommend spending, at max, 10% of your take-home pay. This number can vary, but it’s a good idea to keep your car payment below 10% to make sure it doesn’t become a burden. This is especially true if the car will need work done.
Narrow Down Your List of Cars
The next step, now that you have a budget determined, is to narrow down the list of cars you’re interested in. This may seem like a simple step, but it’s actually more involved than you may think. Here are some tips on how to narrow down your list of vehicles.
- Read Forums – Reading forums to see what owners of that car have to say is a great way to get unbiased reviews of how well the car handles and holds up over time. See what pros and cons other owners notice in the vehicle you’re considering.
- Determine What Features You Need – When looking for a used car, there will be a few things that are must-haves for your vehicle. Determine how many seats you need, what you’re looking for gas efficiency-wise, as well as other similar features. If you need something with a large cargo space, keep that in mind while shopping. If you determine what qualities are must-haves for your vehicle, you’ll have a much easier time narrowing down your list.
Check the Vehicle History Report
Whenever possible, you should always take a look at the vehicle history report. If a car has a bad vehicle history report, you’ll probably want to avoid buying that vehicle. This report will give you the information you need to make an informed decision on whether or not you should buy that car. All you need to look it up is the vehicle’s identification number, or VIN, and you’ll know if the odometer has been rewound or if the vehicle has a salvage title. Luckily, most dealerships offer this for free for any vehicle in their inventory.
Schedule a Test Drive!
Now that you know what to look for before buying a car, the next step is to set up a test drive appointment. Taking a test drive is an excellent way to determine if the vehicle is right for you. Schedule a test drive appointment today to find the car that suits your needs!
