ALT-1 Finding Good Dealerships for used Cars
When shopping for a car, most of us know that buying used vehicles often makes more financial sense than buying brand new ones. Late-model, low-mileage used cars can cost thousands of dollars less than their new counterparts. This is because the first owner has depreciated it for you. Sales of pre-owned cars far outnumber those of factory-fresh, zero-mile examples.Since this is the case, it stands to reason that there are thousands of dealerships out there that would love to earn your business. But how can we know which ones are reputable and which ones to steer clear from?
The first step is to ask others where they bought their cars. Questions should include the following: Was the salesperson courteous? Did you pay a fair price? If you traded in an old car, were you shown a fair and reasonable allowance? How does the service department treat you? Do they stand behind their product? A word of caution here: The subject of this topic is USED cars, so if you bought a used Ford at a Chevrolet dealership, it should be obvious that your car is not their specialty. They sell new Chevys, not Fords, so you cannot expect such a dealership to take care of your maintenance; or for that matter, your repair needs once the used-car warranty is up. In the event you buy a used car of a different make than what the dealership sells as new, you will have to go to either a service department of a dealer that specializes in your brand or an independent mechanic. Think of it this way: If you bought a Hoover vacuum cleaner that needs a new belt, you wouldn't go to a Kirby dealer to have this done, would you?
However, at the time of the sale, it is indeed up to the seller to recondition the vehicle; regardless of make, and correct any and all mechanical issues. This holds true even if they have to farm it out to a different shop. So; in other words, if a friend, neighbor, or other acquaintance informs you that the oil pan fell off the used car he or she just bought a week ago, it would be in your best interest to avoid shopping at that particular dealership! Regardless of the make of a used car, there should be at least a 30-day warranty unless it is clearly stated to be sold "as is."
Sellers of used cars come in three basic types; the "curbstoner," who sells a few cars each year from his/her property, the independent used car dealers, and the name-brand dealerships. Private-party, independent sellers are excluded, because they are not licensed "dealers."
Stay away from the "curbstoners" unless you personally know the individual or he/she has been recommended by a friend and has a solid reputation. As for the independent dealers, these make up the majority of those in the business of selling used vehicles. You can find good cars from such places, but it is a figurative roll of the dice, because these types of places almost always acquire their inventory from auctions. Moreover, these cars are usually the junk that name-brand dealerships don't want on their lots, and the reasons are many: they often have extremely high mileage, have been wrecked and rebuilt, or the major components are on borrowed time. You'll generally find lower prices on these cars, and with good reason. When it comes to used cars, you truly do get what you pay for. Beware of independent dealers who offer terms such as, "Buy here, Pay here," or "We finance; Bad credit OK." Translation? You could very well get stuck with an unreliable piece of junk that you'll be paying 20% interest on five years after it is squashed on the scrap heap.
Therefore, the best places to find quality used cars are at the big brand-name dealerships. They are either fresh trades or lease returns that have been thoroughly reconditioned and are deemed acceptable to be presented on their lots. Some examples are even certified following a rigorous and detailed inspection. The asking prices will generally be higher, but again; you get what you pay for. If you happen to have good negotiating skills, you can easily get such a dealership to accept a lower amount than the asking price, anyway.
There are of course exceptions to these general descriptions, but they are rare. This guideline is intended for you, the buyer, to familiarize yourself with the different types of used car dealers that are out there. Ultimately, the decision on where to purchase that used vehicle rests with you. Just remember: If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
