Tips On Buying Your First Used Car
Like many teens, you can't wait to buy a car. You've scrimped and saved, worked after school and on weekends, maybe even had a deal with your parents about your grades and a car. Now, finally, you have the money to buy your first car. You've got the money; how do you buy the car? Here are a few tips to help you with this process.
Use Common Sense
Yes, having the latest stereo system or navigator might be cool, but can you really afford it? A quality used car may not have all the bells and whistles you want, but your first car really doesn't need those. Keep in mind that you'll be the one paying to maintain your car, keep insurance, and fill-up your gas. Get the car you can afford, not the one you think you want.
Do Your Research
Try to go to the car lot with an idea of what you want. A quality used car can be an excellent vehicle, but you don't want to pay more than you need to for your first car. Do some research about the cars your interested in. How much are they listed for at online car sites? Does the car have good gas mileage? This kind of research will help you determine the right car for your needs.
Keep Your End of the Deal
If you're lucky, your parents may have decided to help you with buying your new car. Perhaps they will pay for your insurance or will pay half of the money down for the car. Whatever kind of deal you make with your parents, make sure to honor it. For example, if you need to keep a certain grade point average in order for your parents to pay for your insurance, then keep your end of the bargain. This will make life a bit easier for you while you're still in high school.
Don't Aim for Perfection
No one expects you to buy a used car that has the bumper held on with duct tape. But don't go so far the other direction that you either end up owing more than you can afford on your car or with a car that has such high insurance rates you can never hope to keep it. Instead, look for a car that might have a few dings or another obvious sign of wear. This doesn't mean that it's a bad car – instead, this means it's the perfect first car and will most likely be at a lower price.
Do a Check
Never buy a used car just because someone says it's a good car. You never know what you'll really be getting if you do that. Instead, ask for a record of the vehicle's history. This will tell you if the car has ever been in a wreck or flood, letting you know what kinds of troubles you might get into in the future with it and keeping you from being taken advantage of.
Talk to experts like Miracle Mile Motors for more information.