Determine where to buy

So you have an idea of what you are looking for, but now you need to know where to look. There are probably several lots within your local area you could check out, also maybe the classifieds section of the paper or Internet. There are several factors you should consider when making the decision where to purchase. If you are making a decision based primarily on cost, you will likely do best with purchasing from a private seller.

Private sellers will often list their vehicles below list prices you would find on a lot. Downside is, you don't get the piece of mind that comes with buying from a reputable dealership that offers a warranty. If you think you want to go through a private seller to purchase your new vehicle, I'd strongly suggest having your mechanic give it a thorough examination. If the seller has an issue with this, that's usually a good indicator there may be something wrong. While your mechanic has the vehicle on the lift, have them check for signs of body damage, like over spray from paint, or remnants of masking tape. Be sure to test drive the vehicle for a good thirty minutes on both highway and back roads. Keep an eye on the gauges as you go to make sure there is no evidence of a hidden problem.

Dealerships can help you with arranging financing, and in most cases, they have already detailed the vehicle and ran it through their shop to check and see if it needed any repairs. However, I'd still recommend taking the same steps you would if it were a private sale to ensure you are getting a good quality car. It is definitely possible that the mechanic who looked over your perspective purchase may have missed something, and it's best to clear up any issues before you sign paperwork. To get the best price here, you may have to work a little harder, but we'll cover negotiating with another entry.