What are the main things you should keep in mind when buying your first used car?

Question

by "things", I mean stuff as far as cost, gas mileage, safety, roomage, insurance stuff.....what else am I missing? to be more specific, my wife wants a PT Cruiser. any comments on this particular car?

Answer 1

The first thing I tell everyone to keep in mind when getting any vehicle is the vehicle. What do you need a vehicle to do for you? Will the PT Cruiser fit those needs? (If you need to drive 6 people in your car, the answer would be no.) Will you enjoy driving it for the next 3-5 years? It is important to stay within your budget, but if the vehicle isn't right, the expense will always be wrong.

Stay away from cheap used car lots (unless you know them). New car dealers tend to be more reliable places to get preowned vehicles because of the need to maintain that kind of reputation. Get a Certified Preowned vehicle if you can. If I bought my 06 Solstice as a GM Certified Preowned Vehicle, it would have a better warranty than when I bought it new.

For safety questions, I'd go to the NTSB & IIHS. They're the main ones doing safety tasting on vehicles in the U.S. Similar vehicles tend to have similar premiums for similar usage with similar coverage. The DOE & EPA have a website that gives their estimates for the mileage of vehicles as far back as 1985. Good fuel economy depends at least as much on the vehicle owner as it does on the vehicle. Getting a couple extra MPG is a good thing, but the savings are minuscule (avg @ $0.022 per mile per MPG at $4/gal). That's why Edmunds, Consumer Reports, and their like say it takes well over 100,000 miles of driving to make up the added expense of getting a hybrid. CarFax is a good thing, but doesn't reveal everything that might have happened to a particular vehicle. In California, a dealership must allow you to have a vehicle you intend to purchase inspected by your own mechanic. Although websites like Edmunds will give you vehicle's dimensions, & other details, there is only one way to know if it fits you. You need to drive the vehicle.

As for other people's opinions about a particular vehicle, don't let it weigh to heavily in your decision. Just because I've been a vehicle mechanic, trainer, and salesperson over the course of the last 15 years doesn't make me qualified to tell you what vehicle will make you and your wife happy. The PT Cruiser is a fine vehicle, and I've known plenty of people who are happy with theirs. I'm not personally a huge Dodge fan, but I wouldn't dismiss them out of hand. The only thing I will tell you as an absolute is don't listen to anyone who won't consider a certain brand just because.

Answer 2

The main thing is you are buying someone else's cast off or headache.  Why did they get rid of the car?  Was it a trade in and needed repairs and not worth the repairs? Good used car are kept by the dealership but those with serious mechanical problems are sold in bulk to those used car lots on the corner.Whereever you buy it, remember a used car expect from a reputable deal is "as is" meaning you get what you get, prob lems and all and no warantee.Me?  I would rather buy a cheap new car than a used one.

Answer 3

The first step is to go to edmunds.com on computor and find out exactly what model and equipment you want on the car. at that site go to new cars and click on pt cruiser and at that site there is reveiws about the car and read up on them. also customer reviews are there and the ones who bought one will post their views about that car. If you decide that is the one you want go to pricing and find out exactly what you should pay for it. than go to dealer and when you walk in ask the salesperson if they do internet buying ( most will ) but in case they don't ask to speak to internet salesperson and they will go over their figures with you and the price you bring in should a be a close to about 150.00 or so. soem dealers have dealer prep which put it about 500.00 more but that is something that won't be reduced. basically it dealer prep is charged than you should be 150.or less plus dealer prep. If price is not close than walk out. most dealers will be that close and won't lose a sale over a few dollars. also they will ask you if you are going to trade a car and tell them your not sure and have them give you the new car price first and after you have that ask them what they will give you for your trade.
when going to edmund site you can get a used car price for your car also, so you have an idea what it is worh, but don not tell them yuor trading until you get their price first.
Now if you finance it get a quote from from a bank or other lending place as they will finance it but use a loan company that gives them refunds back for using them so if their rate is less than the one you have than go with them, if not use your lender, but again usually they will tell you they can match you rate. seems like alot of work but if you can save a few thousand than why not.

Answer 4

anytime you buy a used vehicle check everything out that you can and make the dealer fix the things you find wrong before you buy it and then figure you are still going to have to put $500 in the vehicle out of your own pocket to fix differen't things that you missed.

Answer 5

Go to both carfax.com to check the vehicle history and bluebook.com to check the value. Then, take it to a local auto repair shop and have them check it over for you. If the seller refuses to let you do this take your money and RUN!

Answer 6

This link can have used car buyer's guide:

http://searchautoreviews.com/results.html?cx=006616979543893323550%3A3aew_r12l8e&cof=FORID%3A10&q=how+to+buy+a+used+car&sa=Search+reviews

This link has PT Cruiser review:
http://searchautoreviews.com/results.html?cx=006616979543893323550%3A3aew_r12l8e&cof=FORID%3A10&q=PT+Cruiser+review&sa=Search+reviews

Answer 7

affordable payments, also , do you really like it !!