Tips for Buying a Used Car

Tip #1: Take a Full Account of Your Current and Future Lifestyle

While that sporty coupe would look nice sitting in your driveway, will its shine start to wane once you add kids and a messy dog?  Using pen and paper, try your best to answer the following series of questions:

• How much am I willing to pay each month?
• What does my current parking situation look like?
• Do I need to use my car for work?
• Am I expecting my family to grow in the next 3 to 5 years?
• On average, how many hours per day do I spend inside my car?

Tip #2: Get Your Finances Together

Financing a used car is an important investment. That’s why we suggest you take a hard look at your monthly finances before you apply for financing. Not only will this help set the right expectations, but it can also help make the entire process seamless.

Remember, the average financing plan ranges from three to five years. That’s why it’s important to consider how much you’re willing to commit to your monthly payment

If you do intend to finance your car, knowing your credit score ahead of time can also be a big help. Having a decent credit score can provide more options and, in some cases, make it possible to upgrade to a higher trim level.

Tip #3: Do Your Research

You wouldn’t buy a new house without an inspection, right? The same rules should apply when buying a used car. When you use AcceleRide®, you’ll have access to thousands of options. This includes vehicles in your local area and nationwide!

Once you pick out a vehicle, we recommend reaching out to our team to view its history report. You also can use third-party sites like CARFAX®. Some of the important info you’ll find inside a vehicle history report include:

• Accident and damage reports
• Odometer readings
• Service history and recall notices
• Existence of any salvage or junk titles
• Previous ownership and registrations