14 Tips For
Buying A Used Car

I'm glad you are serious about buying a used car, but a used car for sale, even a cheap used car for sale is a very serious decision.

You see, when buying a used car, its easy to make a used car buying mistake, especially when your used car purchase is done on the rebound, done after breaking up with your old car. Unfortunately this makes you vulnerable to any used car offer that comes along, so be careful.

I thought I would have some fun writing about the menial task of buying a used car. If you want to see the previous articles click on the specific "How To Buy A Used Car" article title:

Seeing A Used Car For Sale Prompts A Father's Tips For Buying A Used Car

The first article in this used car buying saga is entitled: Knowing The Used Car Blue Book Value.

Fourteen Tips For Buying A Used car

1. Treat your used car buying experience as if you are considering a date. After all, the used car buying experience is very much the establishment of a relationship. I really don't care if you buy a late model Hummer or a Honda used car. Just understand that once you make your commitment, it is difficult to back out.
2. Know that there are two sides to every used car transaction. You see, a used car for sale needs someone buying a used car to complete a car buying transaction with someone selling a used car.

Simply put, make sure that your need for buying a used car is not trumped by someone's need for selling a used car.

Of course, you can avoid this used car buying problem by taking this simple car buying strategy: Buy Your Next Car Online at CarsDirect.com!

3. Never fall in love with a piece of metal with wheels. After all, beauty is only paint deep when it comes to used car appearance. Looking good is pretty shallow in the tough times of life.
4. Pedigree and history do matter in choosing a future road mate. So check out the used car’s repair record, maintenance costs, and safety and mileage ratings in consumer magazines or online on car buying websites. Look up the used car blue book value and be prepared to negotiate the price.
5. Be careful who you choose as used car friends. If you are buying from a dealer, look for the Used Car Buyers Guide. It’s required by a federal regulation called the Used Car Rule.
6. Don't believe every line a used car seller makes. Make sure all oral promises are written into the Used Car Buyers Guide.
7. There should be no secrets between you two in this used car buying relationship. In other words, you have the right to see a copy of the dealer’s warranty before you buy.
8. Watch out for those empty promises to love you forever, or, at least for the life of the used car. In other words, understand that warranties are included in the price of the product; service contracts cost extra and are sold separately. Be careful of these service contracts because many companies who offer them are out of business when you try to get them to pay for services.
9. A car's past does matter! Ask for the car’s maintenance record from the owner, dealer, or repair shop. After all, it is called a used car and that just may mean "used up".
10. Words may be just empty promises, so get to know your future used car. Test drive the car on hills, highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
11. Hire a private investigator to check out your intended love. In other words, have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire. Remember that a cheap used car for sale may be too expensive if you have add the costly auto repairs to the used car price!
12. Find out about the reputation of your intended used car love. That means check out the used car dealer with local consumer protection officials. There are a lot of broken hearts out there,
13. Love is blind. Remember, you get what you see, so take the blinders off. You see, you buy a car "as is," which means you’ll have to pay for anything that goes wrong after the sale.
14. Character counts so be a good judge of character by considering a used car rating. That's because the Used Car Rule generally doesn’t apply to private used care sales.

Honey, I really do want you to be happy. Lots of used car horror stories have their beginning because of blind love for a peice of metal.

Just because a used car for sale catches your eye, be warned that buying a used car too quickly in your career change move could break your heart. I encourage you to be honest about the flaws that exist right from the beginning.

I just don't want to see you hurt just because you bought the first used car you saw.