Tim Rowen: Allstate Insurance

When buying a used car, it’s important to shop smart. We’re making it extra easy for you with 6 short but sweet tips to remember when you’re ready to start the search for your new ride!

#1-Do Your Research: Finding the right car to fit your routine, family and lifestyle is important. Consider things like age, condition, gas mileage, size, cost etc. It’s okay if you aren’t able to narrow your search to just one vehicle, but it will save you some trouble to have a defined idea of what you will be looking for. Once you’ve narrowed your search, head over to KBB or Kelly Blue Book and get ballpark figure of what the vehicle is worth in a few different conditions. If you will be using your current vehicle as a trade-in, look up the value of your vehicle in its current condition so you are prepared to negotiate if you must.

#2-Set Your Budget: Figure out how much you’d like to spend, and how much is too much (based on your research & personal finances). If you don’t do this before you head out, a beautiful car (or a great salesman) can push you over the edge to commit to a vehicle that is outside of your financial comfort zone.

#3-Think About Financing: If you have the cash, great! If you dont, apply for financing with a credit union or bank. Try to shoot for a credit union first, their loans tend to come with less interest than regular bank loans. If you’re purchasing from a dealership and need additional options, see if they offer in-house financing. Most dealerships work with a multitude of banks at different interest rates based on your eligibility.

#4- Inspect & Test Drive:  Do a thorough inspection of the vehicle you plan to buy, both inside and out. Ask for a CarFax or run the vehicle VIN to check for flood or accident history. Hiring a mechanic to do an inspection will save you time, money and a lot of headache down the road. A good way to do this is to leave a deposit and specify in writing that your deposit is to be refunded to you if the car doesn’t check out.  As nice as they may be, you should never make your purchasing decision solely based on the information given to you by the person selling the vehicle. 

#5- Make an Offer: Compare your research findings with the price tag of the car you’re interested in buying. If it’s lower, great! If not, don’t be afraid to make a more reasonable offer. If you found any issues that are small enough to deal with, use them to your advantage to lower the price. If the seller declines your offer and the price is too high, keep looking.

#6-Think About Warranties & Insurance: Depending on who your buying your vehicle from and how new it is, a warranty is something that you might be able to work into your deal. Remember, if your buying a car that is well out of its factory warranty, if you’re at a dealership always ask- many provide additional warranties independently of the manufacturer. When it comes to insurance, come to us!