Shopping for a Used Car?
Thank you for reading my Used Car Buying Guide. Before you begin, let me explain why I’ve written this guide. As a pastor, I have been working with people for more than a decade. While I focus most of my attention ministering to people’s spiritual and emotional needs, I have come to realize that there are some practical needs that almost everyone has in common. One of those needs is transportation. I regularly meet people whose greatest obstacle to a better way of life is obtaining reliable, affordable transportation. I can empathize with that need because I’ve been there too!
Another reason I decided to write this guide is because I’m a bit of a used car junkie. In the past 18 years of my life I have owned and/or traded 17 vehicles! While most people would consider this excessive, I have enjoyed almost every vehicle and experience. Two of these vehicles were actually given to me, two others were real lemons, and most of them come with a story as unique as the vehicles themselves. From all of these experiences, I decided to share what I’ve learned to help people like me avoid some of the mistakes I’ve made and benefit from the knowledge I’ve gained along the way. -Nathan
Part One: The Search
Follow these steps to find the right vehicle for you:
1. Determine your “top dollar” price. 
Consider the cost before choosing the car. This simple principle will keep you from having buyers remorse and buying a car you can’t really afford. Let your budget influence your decision more than someone on the sales floor who doesn’t necessarily have your best interest at heart. Some things to include in your calculations are:
- whether or not you’re paying cash or using credit (if credit, try to get pre-approved for a loan first so you have a predetermined limit that works with your budget)
- the additional hidden costs of tax and tag and dealer fees (this varies on the cost of the vehicle and whether or not you purchase from a dealer or a private seller)
- any repairs or improvements you would need to make (used cars usually need a few things like tires or general maintenance upon purchase)
- overall cost of ownership (which factors in things like gas mileage, average maintenance costs, and the resale or trade-in value of the vehicle)
(online search tip: If you want to keep within budget and not be enticed to spend more than you can afford, simply enter your top dollar in the “Max Price” field of the classified or car buying search engine).
2. Determine which vehicle is best for you.
Vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. Your personal needs and wants are as unique as the myriad of options on the market. Take an inventory of which type of vehicle suits you best. Ask yourself these questions:
- What is the purpose of my next car? (Example: daily commuter or family hauler)
- What type of vehicle best meets my needs? (Examples: Truck, Van, SUV, Sedan, etc.)
- Do I need an AWD or 4WD vehicle?
- How important is the gas mileage?
- Which options are a must have on my next vehicle?
- Am I looking for form or function, or both?
Once you’ve determined the type of vehicle you’re looking for, get familiar with all of your options. Do lots of research on each make (Ford, Toyota, etc) and model (Fusion, Rav4, etc…) and specify which year or years you’re interested in since the same type vehicle can be redesigned from one year to another. Sometimes, one year will be a lemon and another one won’t. Also consider the number of miles on the vehicle. Some vehicles are just getting started at 150,000 miles, others are on their last leg!
(online search tip: Do a Google search using the make, model, and year of the vehicle (e.g. 2005 Subaru Legacy reviews) to bring up consumer reviews and used car pricing of the vehicle you’re searching for. Some great online review sources include nadaguides.com, edmunds.com, and kbb.com (Kelly Blue Book). You can uncover common problems and even the cost of repairs by simply reading the reviews they’ve gotten. You can also find recalls that may have been issued. Also, look for the “TMV”, or true market value, to find out what people are actually paying vs. their retail price. Other great websites that function like search engines for used cars offered at dealerships and/or private parties are cars.com, autotrader.com, and truecar.com).
3. Get behind the wheel.
Now that you have an idea of which makes and models fit your specific criteria, it’s time to get to know each one. Once you’ve chosen your top three models, go out and drive several different vehicles among the choices you’ve made. Don’t think of it as a “test drive,” which will come later, but rather a time to explore your options. You may notice a significant difference between different cars of the same model, especially among pre-owned vehicles. This may be due to how they were maintained by their previous owner, or other unknown factors. Whatever the reason, you’ll get a better sense of how the vehicle should run and operate once you’ve driven a few of the same make and model. This also gives you a chance to become familiar with different options and keeps you from making an emotional, in-the-moment, decision.
4. Determine which one is the right one.
Eventually one make and model will stand out as your favorite. Now is the time to start asking the dealer or private seller some important questions. Sometimes I’ll ask them on the phone before I ever see the vehicle. Here are a few suggestions:
- Can you tell me about the history of the car? (If buying from a dealer, ask for a “Carfax” or“Autocheck” report.)
- How many previous owners has the vehicle had? (Are you the only/original owner?)
- Has this car ever been wrecked or damaged? (Has it been in a flood? Is there hail damage?)
- Does it have a clear title (vs. salvage or rebuilt)?
- Does it have any mechanical issues?
- Does it leak/use any fluids (oil/coolant)?
- What is the condition of the tires?
- Does everything on the car function properly?
- Is the interior clean? Are there signs of smoking or water damage?
- Is there any rust on the body/frame?
- Has the timing belt/water pump been changed (if applicable and due).
- Do you have any receipts or records of maintenance work?
- Are you negotiable on the price?
- (List any other questions that are relevant to you such as: trim package? Extra features? Gas mileage?)
(Be assertive and don’t act embarrassed. If they want to sale the car and they are legit, they shouldn’t have any problems answering your questions. If any of their answers seem vague, or they act like you are a bother and don’t want to give you the time of day, move on to the next car!)
Now Stop!
Congratulations! You’ve made it through step one but there are still several steps before you’re ready to purchase. In the next segment I’ll discuss “How to perform a proper test drive” followed by segment three on “How to negotiate and close the deal.”
If you are a person of faith, now’s the time to stop and pray! Ask God to lead you to make the right decision. Wait to hear from Him and listen for any direction He is giving. He knows what you need and has the best thing for you in mind! If you don’t have a peace or don’t get clear direction keep waiting and keep looking. New options become available every day!