Figuring out the right price for a used MB Star C3 with an unknown history is never easy.If you've decided to buy a used car, you've already made a smart decision. You can get a car that's almost as good as a brand-new one without paying for the depreciation that wallops new car buyers as soon as they drive the car off the lot. Even cars that are only a year old are 20-30 percent cheaper than brand-new cars. But there are other good reasons to buy a used car:You'll save money on insurance.Bigger bargains are possible for the smart used car shopper.Used cars are more reliable today than ever before.Some used cars are still under the factory warranty.Most new carmakers now sell certified used cars, which include warranties.The history of a used car can easily be traced using the vehicle identification number (VIN)t the beginning of the car-buying process, many people already know the car they want.
But it's a good idea to stop right now and test your decision with this question: Will this car fit into my monthly budget? We'll explain how to determine what car you can afford in the next step. For now, make sure your choice isn't obviously exceeding your budget. Ask yourself, does it meet my current needs? ou may need to expand your horizons when considering what to buy because you won't know what is available in your area until you really start looking. Consider building a target list of three different cars. You might want to think of vehicles in the same class.But with some work, you can find great deals. New cars, on average, lose 25% of their value the moment they're driven off the lot.
At the same time, cars are being made better, with many models happily chugging along well past the 100,000-mile marker. So unless you're the type who simply has to have the very latest model parked in your driveway, you could save yourself a bundle by buying used. They're not cheap. According to figures from auto web site Edmunds.com, you could expect to pay an average of $31,506 for a certified 2003 Lexus GS 300. If you bought that same car, uncertified, from a dealership, it would cost an average of $28,479. An individual would charge an average of $25,852.Certified vehicles, as we said, are more expensive than other used cars. (To check pricing data in your area, click on Edmunds.com's True Market Value tool or Kelley Blue Book.)
Only you can decide if the peace of mind is worth the heftier price tag. If the monthly payments stretch your budget too tight, consider buying that same make and model from a private party. While you won't get the factory inspection, you could hire a mechanic for $100 to look for any problems. Buying from individule.You're buying a high-ticket item from a complete stranger. Once the deal is closed, you'll have little recourse if you got stuck with a lemon. (In most states, lemon laws only apply to cars bought through a dealership.)the most common sign that a vehicle has been in a major accident is clamp marks (which look like holes or gashes) on a vehicle's frame, because this usually indicates that the car has been in a frame machine.
Other things to look for: signs of repainting, such as variations in paint color between the inside of the trunk and the outside, and poorly closing doors, hoods or trunks. It's also a good idea to compare the VIN number on the dashboard with the number on the sticker inside the door. This could indicate that someone is trying to pass off a salvaged or stolen car as slightly used. Even if everything checks out, ask to see the owner's service records and be sure to get the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic, says Philip Reed, consumer advice editor with Edmunds.com. If a seller hesitates on either point, walk away. There are plenty of great used cars out there, so there's no reason to take a chance, he says. Most states have lemon laws that provide consumers with some protection if they buy a seriously problematic car.You don't get the comfort that comes along with a certified pre-owned vehicle, and you're still paying more than if you bought it from a private party.Advice:
Buying a noncertified vehicle from a dealership can be a risky proposition. Not all dealerships are trustworthy, obviously. And no one knows how to hide a problem as well as a professional does, warns CarMax's Claeys. So it's crucial to follow all of the above advice as if you were purchasing the car from a private party. Even if the dealership says its mechanic inspected the vehicle, it's still a good idea to bring in an independent professional to look it over. An up-and-up dealership won't say no, says Claeys. Among the three choices, you'll need the sharpest negotiating skills when buying a noncertified vehicle from a dealership. Often, the dealership will just throw out an astronomically high price to see if it can get it, warns Edmunds.com's Reed. But dealerships are also willing to sell at bargain prices. So don't get discouraged. Just indicate that you've done your research and checked a pricing guide. Sometimes just showing a little hesitation cancause the salesman to take another $500 off the price to seal the deal.
没有评论:
发表评论