A Guide to Finding Cheap used Cars for Sale
Used cars can be expensive. But, you can find cheap used cars if you know where to look. The following guide will help you find an inexpensive used car.
Before you start looking for cars, always have something in mind. But, don't expect to find the exact car you seem to be looking for. This will help you avoid disappointment and will open up the wide array of used cars that are available to you.
Online
The advent of the internet and the emergence of websites filled with local ads will help you find your cheap used car faster. Whenever you are shopping online, you always have to know how to protect yourself. In particular, when you shop for big ticket items like cars, you have to acknowledge your end of the bargain. For example, because you are the buyer, you have to know what kind of questions you need to ask. Do not approach a sale as if you need the car, because then the deal or the bargain will tend to favor the seller. You want it to favor you.
You have to choose between buying a car from a dealership or buying from a private seller. Usually, buying from a private seller is preferable because you don't have to make monthly payments if you pay cash upfront. And, paying in cash will usually get you some sort of discount, if you ask for it. Don't just settle for the first price that is asked. If you want to spend the least amount of money, you need to bargain.
Visit your local craigslist.org or look for your local newspapers' websites. Buying locally is the best thing you can do when it comes to buying cars, whether used or not. You won't have to drive very far to physically see what you need or want to see.
Newspapers, used car ads in magazines
If you check your local newspapers, you will most likely find something that you like. Similarly, if you check your grocery stores or supermarkets you might find a whole magazine or catalog entirely dedicate to used car ads. These ads are great because they are usually very comprehensive and they are compilations of local ads. If you don't have access to a computer or the internet, you won't be out of luck.
Dealerships
Dealerships will sometimes have great bargains on used cars, but the prices that you find will generally not be cheaper than what you can find elsewhere. Most of the time, haggling with a car salesman is almost impossible. If you can avoid dealerships, you should.
As with any big-ticket item that you buy, make sure that you like what you buy and you get all the equipment checked out. Have a mechanic check the car that you want to buy before you actually buy it. This way, you are a protected and a wise consumer.
