Can you tell me??

Question

In 3 to 5 paragraphs the best way to buy a car. I never did it before and am looking for some valuable infromation.

Answer 1

The first thing you must decide before you begin your automobile research is whether you want a new car or a used car. Of course, there are benefits and drawbacks on both sides. If you decide to buy a used car, there are several things you need to keep in mind.

First of all, there are more than 2 million car accidents annually and chances are if you are in the market for a used car, you will come in contact with at least one automobile that was in an accident. The most important thing about buying a used car is that you know everything about the history of the car, including:
Odometer Fraud
The odometer lets you know how many miles the car has driven. A used car's mileage affects its selling price. For instance, the more miles the car has logged the lower the cost of the car. Because high mileage can decrease the selling price, some unscrupulous people practice odometer fraud. Although it is a crime to try to "roll back" or change the odometer reading, that doesn't stop people from doing it.

* the number of previous owners
* if the car was ever involved in an accident
* any previous mechanical problems
* the maintenance history of the car

One of the largest benefits of buying a used car is that you can often get a great deal and in many cases, the car you buy may even be relatively new. Successful used car buyers often are just as happy with their used car as new car buyers are with a new vehicle. But remember, the most common car-buying horror stories do involve the purchase of used cars. When you have a good idea of what kind of car best fits your needs and budget, you can begin your research on used cars.

There are several places to locate and buy a used car:

* a used car dealership
* a superstore dealership that specializes in used cars -- like CarMax or Hertz
* many new car dealerships also sell used cars
* used car Web sites like ConsumerGuide.com
* online and print classifieds


Photo courtesy Edmunds.com
Taken by Scott Jacobs
You will find an assortment of makes and models on a used car lot.

Keep in mind that classified listings are used by both dealers and individuals to sell used cars. Some dealers even post their used cars on used car Web sites. Person-to-person transactions through people you know, or via online and print classifieds can be a good option if you want to avoid a dealership. According to Car Buying Tips.com, no matter what option you go with, if you do decide to purchase a used car, there are four tasks that will increase your odds of success:

1. Have a mechanic put the car up on a lift for a full inspection and to check for damage -- anything that might indicate a previous accident or possibly flood damage.

2. Run a Vehicle History Report to get a full history of the car. You can get a Vehicle History Report at ConsumerGuide.com. It will include everything you need to know about the car including:
* if it was ever salvaged, stolen or recalled
* the number of previous owners
* if it ever failed inspection
* if someone tried to create a fraudulent odometer reading

3. Never sign an "As Is" statement. Many used car dealers will mix that in with the other paperwork you'll be asked to sign. As with anything that requires a signature, READ BEFORE YOU SIGN. You should have at least 30 days to make sure the car is in good condition. If you sign an "As Is" statement, once you drive the vehicle off the lot, anything that goes wrong is your problem.

4. Have your own financing and loan approvals ready before you go to buy the car. (This can also be good if you're planning on making a new car purchase.)

If you follow these simple instructions, your used car-buying experience should go smoothly. Remember that buying a used car from a dealership is similar to buying a new car from a dealership. You want to be armed with all the relevant information before you buy any car, new or used.

Buy the Book
If you're in the market for a used car, you might want to check out one of the following guides. These handy handbooks will provide you with valuable pricing information.

* N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide
* Kelley Blue Book Used Car Guide: Consumer Edition
* Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide
* Edmunds.com Used Cars and Trucks Buyer's Guide

Remember these are guides and should be used as such. The listed prices are usually for cars that are in good condition with "reasonable mileage" -- about 12,000 miles per year. If a car has a much higher mileage or if it's in poor condition, the sale price should be lower than what's listed in the guide.

The Internet is Your Best Friend
Whether you're buying new or used, there's no doubt that the Internet is a great tool for your car quest. If you are buying a new car, you can research the kind of car you want, the options you need, the price of the car and the price of the additional options. If you've done your homework, you'll be able to walk into a dealership armed with loads of valuable information.

When you're just starting out, a good first step is to go to the manufacturers' Web sites to check out the cars and the available options. You can usually find local dealers and request quotes or see the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Once you've narrowed your choices, you can check out an array of other Web sites for more pricing information:

* Autobytel
* Autoweb
* Car.Com
* CarsDirect
* ConsumerGuide.com
* Invoice Dealers

Make sure you go to more than one pricing site to get the best idea of the average price.

In addition to using the Internet to research the car you want to buy, you can also use it to figure out your finance options and select a warranty for your car. Sites like E-Loan and Lending Tree offer online auto loans. A warranty is a contract that guarantees maintenance if your car has any mechanical or other problems. Remember that warranties are another way for dealers to get more money out of your bank account, so know what kind of warranty you want and how much you are willing to pay for it.


Photo courtesy Edmunds.com
Taken by Scott Jacobs
Let your fingers do the walking so your feet don't have to! Use the Internet to help put you behind the wheel of your very own vehicle.

One of the most useful sites on the Internet is Car Buying Tips.com. This site offers up just about everything you need to know about buying a new or used car. The tips are invaluable for anyone who wants to make sure they don't overpay for their new ride. One of the best things about the site is that it deconstructs various dealer scams. If you know the dealer's agenda before you walk in the door, you'll be able to spot if someone is taking advantage of you. We're certainly not saying that all car dealers are out to dupe you, but you have to be careful and be prepared. Remember, an ounce of prevention can save you thousands of dollars in the end.

Now that you know where to start looking for information, let's take a closer look at what you should know before you go shopping.