How To Take The Pain Out Of Shopping For A New Car |
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Winston Takeda
1 September 2012
If you've got a car that's got some miles on it, then you aren't alone. Plenty of people get new cars every single day. When you do, you've got some serious decisions to make. For most of us, this is a tough time, because it means trading in a car that's paid for in exchange for one that's going to have a steep monthly bill. Of course, if you're rolling in cash and are always wondering how to spend it, this isn't a problem. For the rest of us, this is a serious concern that requires some serious thought.
When the economy is booming and people are gainfully employed, most people just trade in their cars every four or five years. Once the old car is paid off, people figure it's time for a new one. After all, getting a new car, with that new car smell is something everybody likes. Driving around town in the latest model and showing off to all your friends can make you feel pretty good.
Naturally, times are tough. That means people are being a lot more careful when shopping around. People are paying a lot more attention to how long a car can last. Cars that are known to last pretty much forever, like Toyotas, Hondas and Volvos are becoming more popular. Cars that don't have such a good track record are being avoided.
Another thing people are doing is buying used cars. It's no secret that they're a lot cheaper. When push comes to shove, the car payment is not nearly as important as your insurance bills, rent, and food. So if you really need a new car, then getting a used one might be a good option.
How do you shop for a used one? You'll need to do a bit more legwork that you'd do when shopping for a new one. You'll have to check a lot of online ads, and do a lot of hustling on the phone. Also, you're going to need to know a bit about cars. Talk to your local mechanic, and they'll be happy to give you a list of things to check for.
One thing is to know the value of certain years and models. The free market is incredibly efficient when determining the value of any product, and used cars is no different. If any particular model is more expensive than most, it's usually for a reason. Since most people buy used cars so they can last, this is the prime reason.
When you take your time, there's no reason why buying a used car shouldn't satisfy all your needs. Just realize that it's going to take a little bit longer, and you'll be in good shape.