| Buying a used car seems to be a rapidly growing | | | | local mechanic look at to make sure that it is a sound |
| trend among American car buyers today. Many of | | | | vehicle. But not everything goes according to plan. |
| these people realize the value (not to mention the | | | | When my boyfriend purchased his car a few years |
| savings) that go along with such a purchase when | | | | ago, he had been in a rush because only days before, |
| compared to buying a car that is brand new. | | | | another driver had struck his vehicle and totaled the |
| As soon as you purchase a brand new car, the minute | | | | vehicle. Now, vehicle-less and tired of asking his friends |
| you drive it off of the parking lot as the new owner, its | | | | for a ride to work, he finally found some time to take |
| value depreciates significantly. For instance, when I first | | | | action. He visited a local 'Mom and Pop' dealership in |
| bought my Jeep Liberty brand new in the summer of | | | | which he found what he thought was the perfect |
| 2007, the moment I drove it off the lot, its value went | | | | vehicle for him. Without any further ado, he simply |
| down...a lot. I know this because out of curiosity, only a | | | | bought the car. Almost as soon as he was clear of |
| week after I had bought it, I took it to a local dealership | | | | the dealership, he recognized that there was a |
| to ask them how much it was worth. I also checked its | | | | problem with the car. He ignored it until he found |
| value by using the Kelley Blue book system. As a new | | | | himself (and his car) in the repair shop. Over $1,400 |
| car owner and first time car buyer, I was shocked and | | | | later, it turned out that he needed to have his catalytic |
| a little disappointed. I was only beginning to learn a very | | | | converter replaced. In retrospect, whenever I talk to |
| hard lesson about making wise, well thought out, well | | | | him about this experience, he says that if he had to do |
| informed decisions about purchasing a car. | | | | it all over again, he would have taken the car to a local |
| I used to think that buying a used car made a person | | | | mechanic to have it inspected prior to purchasing it. |
| look bad. After all, anyone of any sort of status or | | | | Another problem facing those who buy new versus |
| who has money doesn't buy used, right? Wrong. | | | | those who buy used is practicality. What can you |
| There are many people who find that they are happier | | | | really afford to buy? Not only this, but of what you can |
| and much better off when buying a used car versus a | | | | afford to buy within your budget, what are you going |
| new car. The key is to make sure that you do your | | | | to be using the car for? Having a sports car may not |
| research ahead of time. A used car can be a great | | | | make sense in your life right now whereas a |
| vehicle to have if you simply check the history on it, | | | | four-door-sedan may do the trick. Just make sure that |
| get a Car-fax, speak to the owner and have your | | | | you do your homework to figure it out! |