Why buy Used?
Jan 21 '00 (Updated Feb 06 '00)
If you are like me and just about everyone else you want to save yourself some money, Right! We could be very frugal with our hard earned dollars and only buy the bare essentials. Human beings do not like to be frugal with their money as a rule. To top things all off the human animal loves transportation devices with the car being right at the top of the list.
So lets get with it and I will offer you, my opinion on what one should consider when buying a used car and even some of the perks of buying a used car over a new car.
I will admit right up front that disreputable people do exist, and we have all heard the old saying "When you buy a used car, your buying someone else's problems" sadly this can and does happen from time to time.
What many people do not realize that most people more often than not, sell their old car because they themselves, either do not need it anymore, they are tired of it, it may not suit their needs now as it did when they first bought the car, or they may simply what to upgrade to something newer etc.
When shopping for a used car, take your time. I know this is hard to do since it is used. Your selection of what is available is usually extremely limited, this is of course is assuming you have something particular in mind. Now if you are not concerned with anything specific, just simply that it runs good and has four wheels, well then all that is really needed is a little homework concerning its dollar value and proceed to shop for something that is in the best over all condition for the best price.
I will not go into specifics or get technical here lets face it, not everyone is a mechanic but most people do like to have a nice car, truck whatever. Most everything associated with buying a used car has to do with one main thing (Just try to use common sense). If a deal is too good to be true! it probably is! be very weary if you run into one of those deals.
Never be afraid to simply ask the seller why? they are selling the car. Try to get a feel for the seller and use your best judgement concerning their motives for selling. If you are not a mechanic and know nothing about what makes a car tick, and you find something you like and want, do not hesitate to take it to a mechanic or someone who is knowledgeable, but be sure it is someone of your choosing and has no association with the seller if at all possible. A none biased checkout of the car in question is again only common sense, it may cost you a few bucks for this service and many times will cost nothing because the person who checks out this car (if they are a mechanic) is more concerned about your possible future business.
Now getting back to (buying someone else's problems) lets face it, if you buy a new car it is no guarantee you will not have problems with it as well. The worse thing about having problems with a new car is that you are usually stuck for awhile at least in many cases contract wise, and here you are, having obligated yourself to a big purchase for something that is not doing what it should. This situation with having problems with a new car is not common but it does happen. This is why buying a used car is better in the long run, unless you just got to have the latest and greatest thing to run the roads, but even then this is a fleeting thing and is all that extra expense worth it to you, only you can answer that.
Here are some rules of thumb I have always used in regards to buying or looking for a used car, and these rules apply to whether you are looking for something specific or not.
(1) Check the classifieds, if you find a particular type of car that seems to be for sale in large quantities, then this might be a clue this type car has some common problems, especially if a lot of people are trying to get rid of them. I steer clear of these types of vehicles, granted it is no scientific conclusion, it is just a combination of common sense and gut feeling. It is the type of car you rarely ever see for sale in the classifieds I take more interest in.
(2) Always assume that sometime in the near future, that a used car will require some sort of repair, I personally use the amount of a $1000 and keep this figure in the back of my mind when I buy a used car. No matter how nice the car may seem or how good of condition it appears to be in, expect to have to shell out at least an additional thousand dollars within a year for this car. You may get lucky and never need a repair for this car as long as you own it, but at least if you do need some repairs you have yourself somewhat prepared for it at least mentally.
(3)Do your homework, this is just common sense and when you actually get out and start looking at some of the examples that are for sale, use restraint, try not to allow your heart to over rule your head. If by chance you find the car of your dreams and use too much restraint and lose out on what you might start thinking was the deal of a lifetime, then STOP do not torture yourself over a (what might have been) you are still not out any money! yet, just keep looking. This attitude may not work for you but it works for me and that is (What will be will be)
I must admit writing on this subject is a bit more involved than I first thought it would be. The number of variables concerning buying a used car is staggering and to try to cover them all could fill a book.
I myself have some experience in buying used cars and trucks. I have bought 16 used cars and trucks and one new truck in my life and I have never been sorry for the purchase of any of them. My most recent purchase was a used car not to mention the most expensive USED! car I have ever bought. I had the good fortune to already know and trust the seller,and their reasons for selling. The car was and is in absolutely beautiful shape. The car is a 1993 Honda delSol that had 110,000 miles on it, I realized up front with this many miles on it, mechanically speaking anything could possibly go out on me. I of course used my $1000 rule and bought the car anyway, besides I was able to purchase it for $2600 below average retail. Sure enough within 4 months I had to replace all the brake pads (no big deal) and at 8 months the clutch went out, strangely enough not due to normal wear, but a fluke! (worn retainer on a damper spring on the clutch plate itself) spring fell out and locked clutch plate and pressure plate together. Normally I would have repaired this, but with my schedule anymore between work and school I bit the bullet and had the local Honda dealer repair it to the tune of $560 ah but from day one I was prepared for this possibility. I have since then had no further problems with this car, I drive it 500 miles a week and have saved at least $200 in fuel cost alone over what I was driving before.
If your interested in a Honda delSol I have a review for that titled (Get one while you can) In this case of my delSol you might find yourself in a similar situation. When I realized I just had to have one but was sad at the fact Honda quit making them in 1997, No other new car on the market today even resembles a delSol. I feel very lucky in getting this one, even though it is not new I still get great comments about it, in fact I have received more praise and envy with my delSol than I ever did with the one truck I bought new and that makes me feel pretty good, in a sense the newness is not wearing off.
Well I hope I have not bored the reader of this page, and I hope that I have been able to impart at least some helpful information in regards to buying a used car.
If by chance your looking at a car right now or want more input on the subject, that is why I have an e-mail address. I will always offer an objective and honest opinion and or advice, have a great day! :^)
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ddillon
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Location: Goodspring, TN
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Honest to a fault and never says anything I do not mean.
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