Choose the right vehicle for you by making sure the car suits your needs.
Consider all cars in the class you have chosen and make a target list of three cars.
Look up the car on Edmunds.com and check its reliability and consumer reviews.
Check the Edmunds.com TMV price on the car you want to buy (adjusted for mileage, options, color and region).
Look up the Edmunds.com True Cost to Own (TCO) for the car you want to buy.
Decide how you are going to finance your car. If you are going through a bank, online lender or credit union, obtain loan approval before you start shopping.
If you are financing the car, use the payment calculators to determine the monthly payment for the car you want to buy.
Search Edmunds Used Vehicle Listings and other online classifieds for the used car you've decided to buy.
If you are buying from a dealership, contact the Internet department and simultaneously solicit quotes from multiple dealers.
Ask the salesperson to fax you a worksheet showing all the prices, taxes and fees.
If you are trading in your old car, check its Edmunds.com TMV and print out this information.
Bring your worksheet with you to the dealership so you can compare these numbers to the figures on the contract.
If you are buying from a private seller, call the person and verify the pertinent information. Get the VIN and run a vehicle history report.
Test-drive the car under your normal driving conditions.
Take the car to a mechanic for an inspection unless it's a certified pre-owned car, backed by the manufacturer's CPO warranty.
Negotiate your best deal.
Read the contract carefully before signing and always make sure you get a clean title.
Inspect the car for dents, dings and scratches before taking final delivery.
Most Recommended Comments
By nell79
on 12/07/10
7:22 PM PST
Great tips on buying a used car. It can definitely be a stressful process, but you can make it easier by doing your homework beforehand. Here's another good article on how to get a great deal on a used car: http://hubpages.com/hub/Get-the-Best-Deal-on-a-Used-Vehicle
Used cars move off the lots fast. Edmunds partners with specific dealers who are committed to making sure you
can inquire about the car you're interested in quickly and easily, by providing us their e-mail address and signing up for our Edmunds Direct program.
Favorite Searches (0)
Favorite Searches (0)
Close
Name Your Search:
Tip:Add any search you've done to your favorites and come back later to easily recreate them. You can even name your searches so they're easy to remember.
Most Recommended Comments
By nell79
on 12/07/10
7:22 PM PST
Great tips on buying a used car. It can definitely be a stressful process, but you can make it easier by doing your homework beforehand. Here's another good article on how to get a great deal on a used car: http://hubpages.com/hub/Get-the-Best-Deal-on-a-Used-Vehicle
Recommend (1,008) (222)
Report It
By arnelbdr
on 12/11/11
9:43 PM PST
Is it advisable to pay cash when buying used car on dealership?
Recommend (655) (99)
Report It