Things To Keep In Mind When Buying A Used Car
Buying A Used Car In The American Northwest
If you’re buying used cars in Wyoming or other prairie states in the region, you want to keep a few things in mind. Firstly, it’s worth noting that the automotive industry is a bit different in America’s northwest. Taxation tends to be less here, and so does the cost of living. This means you can get some excellent deals on cars very cost-effectively.
Where To Look
You’ll want to look at differing local periodicals. Many sellers in the northwest don’t use the internet as extensively as those who reside along the coasts. Accordingly, they’ll often list vehicles in localized periodicals like Anybody’s Autos, and at better prices than you can find online. That being said, you may very well still find some excellent listings across the web. And you can also find some good deals at local dealerships.
If you do go the dealership route, there may be financing options available, but keep in mind used vehicles aren’t as expensive as new ones, so if you finance one, you’ll probably have a much higher interest rate—sometimes two or three times what you could have achieved through buying a vehicle new.
Used Car Purchase Considerations
It’s better to buy a used car outright. You want to look at a few different factors to determine if you’re getting a “deal” or not:
How old is the car?
Has it been sitting long?
What is its make and model?
How many miles are on it?
How well has it been maintained?
What is the seller asking for it?
Why are they selling?
What Do You Notice During A Test Drive?
What Is The Blue Book Value On The Vehicle?
A Closer Look At Used Car Buying Strategy
An old car could have more problems if it’s got low mileage, because when vehicles sit for a long time, entropy degrades their structural stability. This will differ based on the make, model, and climate. Cars in the rust belt will degrade faster than those parked in prairie states like Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, or the Dakotas.
A well-maintained vehicle will appear that way, but be sure to check out everything. Pop the trunk, check the windows, play with the lights, pop the hood, look at the tires, crawl under the vehicle and check out the undercarriage, and when you do a test drive, put the vehicle carefully through its paces to determine its operational ability.
If everything looks good, ask the seller why they’re selling. If they’re giving you a price too far below Blue Book value, they could be “taking you for a ride”. Essentially, for a vehicle between an ‘05 and ‘19 year, in decent repair, with near 50,000 miles on it, you should expect a range between $5k and $15k used, with a sweet spot in terms of value right around $7,500.
Find Solid Resources To Inform Your Purchase
Be sure to get the title signed over to you, if you find a car you like, before you end the interaction with the seller. If you’re at a dealership this will be less an issue than if you’re purchasing from a private seller. To learn more about buying used cars, and the varying intrigues which accompany such purchases, check out our blog at Anybody’s Autos.