Private Party Used Car Buying Guide
If you plan on purchasing a car from a private party, then you want to make sure you follow some tips that will help you to have a better car buying experience and end up in a car that you are going to be happy with for a long time. Here are some of the tips you may want to be sure to follow:
Set a solid budget for yourself
Determine exactly how much money you can spend on a car by going over your finances with a fine tooth comb. You never want to go over the amount you decide on. However, you can go look at cars being advertised for a bit more and then present them with the amount you are willing to spend. The worst that can happen is they can turn you down. But, you may also end up driving off in the car you want for the price you decided on.
Don't be afraid to look for a car in an unconventional way
If you aren't finding a car that works for you in the local ads or even online, then you can try another great strategy. You can take a drive around some neighborhoods and look for cars you like that are sitting on the sides of houses looking like they have been collecting dust for a while. While they may be sitting there because they have major issues, they may also be sitting there for many other reasons. Maybe it was a college student's car they left at home when they went off to school, maybe it is an extra car that they don't really need or maybe they inherited it from a relative. You can knock on the door, ask about the car and see if they would be willing to sell it to you for the price you are willing to offer, providing it has no major issues.
Always take a car in to be looked at before handing over your money
A seller should never have a problem with you having the car they are selling looked at by a professional mechanic. If they do, then it likely means they are hiding something they know is wrong with the car from you anyway. You should have a mechanic such as Myers Auto Salvage look at the car so they can check it for anything that's wrong with it that would result in you deciding you don't want to follow through with buying it.
