What are the steps in buying a car??

Question

not a new brand car but it's like this am 17 and i want something nice but doesn't cost to much so how should i go about to process in deciding what to do first..

Answer 1

1) do research. Look up the type of car you might like, to meet your needs.

2) find out the blue book value of cars of that type. This is crucial - to know how much a particular type of car is worth. That way when you're shopping for one, you'll know what's a good value and what's a ripoff.

3) shop for cars in your area - either on line or at dealers.

4) get an inspection. Once you find a car you may want to buy, have it inspected by a mechanic, and not one at the place you are buying from. This will let you know if it's in good shape, and if there's anything that needs fixing, that you may want to take off the price.

5) get the history of the vehicle. Getting a history on the car is critical - use the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to look up it's history online. This will tell you if it has ever been in any accidents. Sometimes old, very damaged cars - or flooded cars from Katrina and other disasters - are given cosmetic fix-ups and sold in distant cities.

6) Insurance. Get insurance before you buy, if possible, so you can drive it off the lot. Certainly research insurance before you buy, so you know what you can afford.

7) purchase the car. You hand over money, they hand you the keys. Happy driving!

Answer 2

This is hard to say because its different for everyone. It depends on what kind of car you want. It also may be hard because you are 17 and most people wont sell to minors because according to US law, when you are a minor all contracts made are considered voidable under any circumstances and can be voided by the minor at any time. Thats why you need a parents signature on a lot of things. But anyway, you want to get a trusted brand. Chevrolet, Pontiac, Toyota, Nissan, all some of the top brands. I would say BMW but if you want cheep... and insurence on a car like that would be a ***** especially because of your age. You also have to think about how much the gas would be for the car, and things like that. The best thing you can do is to research cars on www.cars.com. They give you gas millage, dependability ratings, etc. Then go get insurence quotes and see how much that will be. When you actually go to buy a car, ALWAYS ALWAYS take it for a test run and ALWAYS get a mechanic to look at it. Get everything in writing. It actually may be good for you because if there is something wrong with the car you can always return it and get your money back, no matter what because you are a minor. Even if it is totaled, you can demand your money back and they have to give you your money back as long as you return the goods. HOWEVER: As of the advice of my law teacher, USE THIS AS A SHIELD, NOT A SWORD. Im simply telling you this so you know. Thats about it I guess. If I'm missing something, oh well.

Answer 3

Obviously you don't have cash and will need a loan? or else you wouldn't be asking.

Getting a loan at your age is a good thing to establish credit.

At your age, you're going to get reamed on the terms of the loan, so put together as much money as you can so the loan is as small as possible.

Approach lenders and apply, apply, apply. If you're accepted by more than one (which isn't likely) compare the terms and choose the best one. If they ask you for the seller's information, just tell them you want to pre-qualify so you can start looking for the car you want.

Don't let anyone pressure you. If they do, RUN! There's other fish in the sea.

Once you're pre-qualified, find a low-mileage car more than two years old. The first-time buyer takes the biggest hit in depreciation. After the first two years a car loses less than the first two, after five years it starts losing value quickly again.

If you buy a brand of car that everyone wants, you're going to pay a premium for the car, but it will hold it's value better and the re-sale is where you'll get your investment back if you can keep the car in good condition.

If you aren't in a position to garage the car, you might want to think about getting what used to be called a jalopy.

A jalopy is just a car you don't intend to invest much money in.

If you're more interested in a small purchase price than you are in re-sale value, get a high quality, but low re-sale car like a Mitsubishi. It's as bullet-proof as a Honda, but tumbles precipitously in value on the used car market.

All cars need maintenance and repairs over the course of your ownership. A jalopy just gets scraps, not a place at the table.

I used to treat my car like a jalopy, until I realized the thing just wasn't going to die. It's a 41 year old Chevy Nova that we bought to keep our expenses down to buy a house. This wonderful little car now has a place at the table and we treat it to new upholstery, new paint, trans rebuilds etc.

Oh, one more thing. Whatever work you can do personally on your car, do it. I have found from experience that most "professionals" don't give a crap about my car and their life is dedicated to beating the "flat rate", not to repairing the car properly.

If you get a Frantz for the engine oil and trans fluid, you can just take the dirt out without the muss, fuss and bother of changing oil.

Just don't forget that you'll need to lube the chassis a couple times a year.

253,000 miles says this method works well.
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Answer 4

You should first compare the cars price, quality, miles, and condition they are in. What also might help is reading reviews on line about the car to see if it has good reviews and also maybe take a technician with you when you test drive the car(someone you know and trust as a technician).

Answer 5

Go to used car lot , someone who you trust or know.
See the car you can afford.
Get it inspected before you buy.
Good luck.

Answer 6

well turn 15 or 16, get a job, find one u want and either ask ur parents or buy it of corse

Answer 7

Just ask your parents to buy you a used Lexus.

Answer 8

look at autotrader.com then find the car you want and see if you can afford it. or try EBAY