Tips for Getting A Good Deal On A Used Car

Buying pre-owned is an easy way to get the car you want at an affordable price. However, that doesn’t mean that every used car dealer is going to be giving you the best deal you can possibly get. Citi Auto Group knows that customers getting better deals works best in the long-term for both the dealer and the buyer. That’s why we’re going to take a look at how you make sure you’re always getting the right car for you, at the right price.

Do Your Research Ad Have Realistic Expectations

Some dealers and buyers might haggle over the price of a vehicle all day long. Sometimes, it’s worth looking at a different vehicle, or a different dealer. Sometimes, however, you might be expecting a price that’s unreasonably low. To get to a happy middle point, you have to do your research. Look at the inventory of the dealer in advance, and pick out a few cars you’re interested in. Find what you can reasonably expect them to cost in good condition based on how old they are. Don’t forget to look at the true cost of owning them. There are online reliability indexes and cost-to-own guides, such as Kelly Blue Book and Edmunds, that can help you see the ongoing costs of any car in terms of fuel prices, maintenance, repairs, and more.

Know Your Finance Options

Most car buyers don’t purchase a vehicle outright with cash. If you’re looking to finance your used car, it pays to know that there are a lot of different credit options out there. It’s worth being wary of dealers who don’t accept different credit options, as that can often limit you to those that work best for them, not best for you. At Citi Auto Group we will also offer you our own Buy Here Pay Here financing plan, and our online Loan Calculator can even give you the information you need up front to see if you’re able to get the financing plan that works for your budget.

Think Needs and Stick To Them

It’s easy to go with feelings when it comes to buying a car, like the aesthetics, the feel of the drive, the power under the hood. It gets people excited, but when they start acting on that excitement, they’re not always making the best decisions. Keep a level head, even when you’re behind the wheel of your dream car. Your dealer might very well see how much you enjoyed it and may try to convince you it’s the right vehicle for you, even if it isn’t. Take a step back, remind yourself of your budget, and what your real needs are, whether it’s efficiency, long-term cost, safety, features, size, or anything else. Come with a list of priorities and your dealer can use that to show you cars that better fit them.

Consider More Than Monthly Payments

The price of the car and how you finance it are the two areas of cost that you might find the most wiggle-room in. Every dealer and buyer is going to find room to negotiate. You don’t want to pay too much, but they don’t want to sell for too little, and that’s perfectly fine. However, remember to keep more than just the price of the car in mind. Think about the terms of the loan as well. Dealers will offer longer-term loans to make payments more affordable, and sometimes this is a valid option for a car that’s the right one for you. But you also need to consider whether you’re willing to be tied down to that car and that loan for that length of time.

Trade-In Your Old Auto

Using a trade-in to offset the price of a used car in good condition is a smart move in many cases, but it might be worth making it a separate matter. Some dealers offer great value on high-quality cars coming in to pay off the value of a new purchase. But it’s worth taking the time to look at your options. Research the value of the vehicle depending on mileage, condition, and features. Compare the prices offered by the dealer to selling it independently on the market.

Think Fees

There are some fees that you’re going to have to pay when you get a new car. However, nowadays, many dealers offer standard services on top of that. Some of these services are aimed at providing more value to the customer, but you might not believe that you have any need of them. If that’s the case, a dealer should be happy to take them off the table if they can’t convince you why they might be good for you. Then there are documentation fees by dealers who offer the services of registering your auto with the DMV. This can take some of the hassle off the buyer but if you’re willing to do it yourself, you might want to skip them.

Make Sure It’s the Car Right For You

It might feel right, it might be at the right price point, and it might have all the features you want. Regardless of how trustworthy a dealer is and how honest they are, there’s a chance both you and they have missed something. It is always worth asking to get a car checked by an ASE-certified technician or mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. Any little issues they find might end up costing you a lot in future repairs. If you do find something wrong with the car, you can get an estimate of the repair costs off the asking price, or the dealer might choose to get the car fixed on their dollar and make sure the vehicle is in perfect condition for you to buy.

At the end of the day, if you don’t think you’re getting a good deal, you should be willing to walk away. There are always other dealers providing good quality used cars. At Citi Auto Group, we prioritize fairness, service, and the happiness of the customer. Check out our Testimonial page and you will see what our customers say about us. Our goal is, and has always been, to make sure every customer gets the right car at the right price.