How to find and buy a reliable, safe and cheap used car
If you're in the market for a used car, finding one that's dependable, safe and reasonably priced can be a dicey proposition, if you don't know how to assess the vehicle. Surely you know someone who's gone to the used car lot and ended up with a genuine lemon. Here are some helpful tips to guide you through the process of finding a cheap used car that's a really good deal.
There are lots of situations that call for a cheap used car purchase. Maybe you've got one good car, but Mom just needs some dependable wheels to run errands on a once-in-a-while basis. Your kid has reached driving age. You need a vehicle to make runs to the dump. In each of these situations, looks are not the primary concern. You simply need a dependable, but cheap used car to fulfill your objective.
Before you start shopping, establish what you want out of the car. For example, good mileage may be a priority, while a perfect body may not be so important. Do you need 4-wheel drive? A station wagon? Figure out how much you want to spend.
If you want to go the used car lot route, call around before you run all over town and see which lots offer a warranty and if so, how long the warranty runs. Most cheap used cars won't come with much of a warranty.
Searching the classifieds is really your best bet. Your ideal find is a one owner car, well maintained, with low miles. It's really not that difficult to find this kind of a deal, as long as you've got the time and patience to wait for one to show up in the ads. If you search the ads on a daily basis, chances are good you'll find a good prospect within a couple of weeks. Remember that others use this strategy and a good, cheap used car will be snapped up quickly, so stay on top of your search.
Don't count on the tires being good. When someone's planning to sell a car, they're unlikely to invest in new tires. There should be some life left in the tires, but if they need to be replaced quite soon, you can use this as a negotiating point and work this into your budget.
Faded paint and a few little dings shouldn't put you off a deal. Minor tears in the upholstery can easily be fixed with inexpensive seat covers. So don't be looking for the perfectly kept car. However, if you find such damage, it doesn't hurt to let the owner see that you noticed; it may make the seller more willing to accept your offer. Your objective is to get a dependable and cheap used car, although you could get lucky and find a deal from a persnickety owner who took really good care of this baby.
Ask the seller why they are selling the car. The answer can be revealing.
Whatever you do, make sure the owner is willing to let your mechanic look the car over and then follow through. If the mechanic gives you a thumbs up, go for it!
Some red flag items to watch out for: new paint (why?), steam cleaned engines (leaking oil or other such engine fluids) and evidence of an obvious accident (bent frame).
Follow this plan and you'll soon find the cheap used car of your dreams.
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