Buying a used car is a smart way to get something reliable without breaking your budget. Whether you’re looking for a starter car for the kids or a late-model vehicle for yourself, it’s fun to browse the dealer lots and find just the right car.
Do Your Research
Before you buy a used car, there are a few commonsense things you can do to make sure it’s a good buy.
You should research the car’s history and make sure it hasn’t been wrecked or flooded. Get the VIN number off the car, and then use one of the online research sites to check it out. It’s very unlikely that you’ll find used cars Crestwood dealers have bought that are in this category, but it’s always possible one slipped through, so it’s smart to double-check.
You can also lookup the car’s Blue Book value online. This gives you some idea of its market value. This is one thing to put in the equation when you’re deciding how much you’re willing to pay for a particular car.
If you’ve narrowed down your choices to two or three vehicles, look for online reviews. These won’t tell you anything about the individual used cars Crestwood drivers have traded in, but it may tell you if a particular model has a known problem.
Certified Vehicles
One advantage of buying a used car from a new car dealer is that most companies have a certification program. This is a systems check that the dealer’s mechanics put each used car through. If they find anything wrong, they fix it. The certification may add a bit to the price of the car, but it gives you some assurance that the car won’t require major repairs as soon as you drive away with it.
