Shopping For a Good Used Vehicle

When you decide it's time to shop for a good used vehicle, doing some homework and planning your strategy can help save you time, money, and frustration!

Let's face it, buying a good used vehicle is no small task, and we all know how costly vehicles are these days!

Pick your vehicle:
It is imperative that you decide early-on what kind of used vehicle you want. Will you be looking for a pickup truck? Or, perhaps a minivan? Or, maybe a station wagon? Or, an SUV? Or, maybe you want something small, like a hatchback?

As you know, there are many varieties of vehicle available; and only you know what kind suits your needs and your fancy.

Alternative:
If you prefer, you can reserve your final decision until after you have had a chance to actually touch, feel, and experience a few vehicles first.

That's ok; but, ultimately, you will have to settle on one or two prime choices, to keep your overall search for a good used vehicle somewhat manageable.

Online homework:
Do some research online at any of the major automotive and related websites like Cars.com, AutoTrader, Edmunds, Consumer Reports, and others. Look at the various vehicle types, their safety ratings, fuel economy, available options, prices, and other important factors.

Make a list or spreadsheet:
To keep organized, it might help to create a quick list of what you find during your online research. You can list whatever factors are most important to you; prioritized according to your particular wishes.

For example, you might include: Date of Search, Vehicle Style, Vehicle Brand, Model, Year, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), Price, Options, Location, Dealership/Seller Information (might want to include such data as Better Business Bureau ratings, customer feedback, and the like), Website URL, and any other data you deem crucial to your overall decision to shop for a good used vehicle.

The Road Trip(s):
After you've done your homework and research, it is time to get out there and put yourself behind the wheel of some of the vehicles you have settled on from those research efforts.

Set aside a particular time-slot in your schedule, and make your rounds to the local used vehicle dealerships and/or private sellers (providing you've made prior arrangements with the sellers).

Your strategy for dealing with used vehicle dealerships should be simply this: "In all your conversations with sales people, let honesty and truth prevail, but let caution be the strength and support of it all!"

In other words, let them know you've already done your research; you've already settled on which (brand, model, style, final price, etc.) of good used vehicle you're aiming to buy; and you're not going to be taken advantage of (not that they would try, of course)!

Checking out good used vehicle dealerships:
While we'd like to think that reputable used vehicle dealerships of today are all models of integrity, honesty, and are only seeking to provide customers with nothing but the very best used vehicles, we must acknowledge that some are better than others.

Perhaps we should leave it at that; only you can determine which used vehicle dealerships in your area are known for these attributes; since it is 'word-of-mouth' within your community that means the most! What do other people say?

Checking out good used vehicles:
Once you have narrowed down your dealerships, visit those you trust, to see if they have anything within your good used vehicle shopping criteria.

Or, if you already found some vehicles on their website, ask if you can test-drive them, and look them over.

Note: Many dealerships these days ask if they can make a copy of your driver's license, and some ask that you sign a 'temporary auto-loan agreement', before they will let you test drive any of their vehicles on the public roads. Some dealerships also want to ride along with you; to help answer any questions you might have, and, maybe also to help you keep your driving in check! No dealership wants people hot-rodding about with any of their merchandise; and I guess we can't blame them!

During your vehicle checkout and test drive, listen, feel, and otherwise observe the following:

Check these before driving:
Does engine operate quietly and smoothly?
Is the A/C and/or heating system working properly?
Do windshield wipers work well (try squirting some washer fluid and wiping it away)?
Do power windows work properly (try all of them!)?
Do power door-locks work properly (try all of them!)?
Does the radio, cassette, or CD player work properly?
Do turn signals operate ok?
Are gauges operating as they should be?
Does the sun-roof work properly?
Of course, there are other things you will want to be aware of, depending on a variety of factors.

Check these while driving:
Are seat belts comfortable and secure?
Any unusual sounds, vibrations, rattles?
Are the controls convenient and comfortable?
Is overall visibility adequate?
Is seating and ride comfortable?
Is road-noise an issue?
Are brakes firm and responsive?
Is the transmission smooth?
Other - as deemed appropriate.

Back in the parking lot:
Check these after driving:
Once you have test driven your potential good used vehicle of choice, it is important that you do a final once-over outside the vehicle.

Note that I've put this as the last step in the process; since we all know that looks of a good used vehicle should not be the primary, driving force; after all, a vehicle's looks cannot get you from point "A" to point "B"!

However, we all know that looks are very important when it comes to vehicles. Most people do not like to drive around in ugly vehicles, although we do see some of those too. To each their own, of course!

Not that the final walk-around is all about looks. During the exterior inspection, you should observe and note the following:
Do all the doors, trunk, and hood open and close smoothly and properly?
Are the tires in good condition (look at tread depth, signs of age-cracking, etc.)?
Is the windshield pitted or cracked (you might have noticed some of this while driving the vehicle)?
Are the headlight covers (clear plastic) foggy or nice and clear?
Are all light lenses and covers intact (no cracks or holes)?
Do all lights work properly (you'll need to have someone step on the brakes, so you can check brake lights)?
Are there any dents, scrapes, or signs of prior repair to the body or finish?
Do doors, trunk and hood match surrounding body segments (in color and edge-alignment)?
Are the wheels and/or wheel-covers in good condition?

Again, there are many other factors to consider with regard to the exterior; use your own judgment, too.

Under the hood and trunk:
Be sure to look under the hood;
Is the engine compartment clean, overall?
Are there signs of oil or grease in places they should not be?
Are there any rusty or otherwise deteriorating metal parts visible?
Are there any age-cracked rubber or plastic parts visible?
Are fluid levels appropriate (check oil, transmission, power-steering, brakes, coolant, and windshield washer fluid levels)?
Do belts look overly worn?
Other - be alert to any unusual conditions.

In the trunk:
Is the trunk space clean and dry?
Is the spare tire accessible, and is it in good condition?
Are the jack, lug-wrench, and other tire-replacement necessities available and easy to access?
Is the trunk-liner in good condition (check also for signs of moisture)?
Other - be alert to any unusual conditions.

Final selection of your good used vehicle:
After you've test-driven and visually inspected your chosen good used vehicle, it's time to let the dealer know your thoughts. This is when the real negotiating begins, but I'll save that for another article I think.

Suffice it to say that, armed with the homework and research; along with the strategical approach to checking out used vehicles, you should be more than ready to "wheel-and-deal", as they say!
Very best of luck in your endeavors to shop for a good used vehicle!

Tips & Warnings

• Ask dealers for used vehicle history report.
• Be confident in your research and strategy.
• Be diligent in your test drive and vehicle inspection.
• Be sure you ask about warranties, lemon-laws, and the like.
• Practice good cautionary measures (as appropriate) when seeking a good used vehicle.
• Protect yourself - always ask for promises or other particulars to be "put in writing".
• Always ask dealerships about any "hidden costs" (conveyance fees, etc.)
• This article is just one opinion regarding some of the important things to consider when shopping for a good used vehicle. There are, of course, numerous other factors and items to consider when purchasing vehicles, and this article is not intended to cover all aspects of that endeavor.

Resources

• Check Vehicle History
• AutoTrader - Used Vehicle Inspection Guide