As a student, having a car can be a great help. A car can get you to and from a part time job, as well as home for vacations and breaks. On the other hand, it can be quite difficult to come up with the money for a car when you are working on your degree. One of the best ways to get a good deal on a car is to get a used car that an individual is selling. Here are some tips for buying a used car from an individual rather than a dealership during your college years.
Do your research
Doing your research can help you find that car that best suits your needs. Find out about safety, gas mileage and other features from automotive magazines and consumer satisfaction publications. When you narrow down your choices for cars, shop around and find what individuals and dealerships are asking for similar cars. You can use this information to narrow down your search and as leverage when you decide to make an offer on a used car.
Know how much you can afford
This does not just mean how much you can spend on the purchase of the car itself. You will need to keep in mind which cars are more expensive to repair, maintain and insure, as well as which cars have low gas mileage. While you are in college, it can be hard to keep up with all of your car related expenses, so make a budget for yourself and find a car that fits within it.
Check it out!
Before you buy a used car from an individual, do a thorough inspection of both the inside and outside of the car. When you look at the exterior of the car, check to be sure that the bumpers fit the body of the car without gaps. Also be sure that there are no dents or scratches and that the paint matches all over the car. When you check out the inside of the car, be sure that the windows and the doors open and close completely. Also be sure that all of the systems inside, including the stereo system, heating and air conditioning and the front and rear lights, are in good working order. When you take the car for a test drive, be sure you are comfortable with the size of the car and how it drives. Listen for questionable whirs, rattles and grinds, and, if you have any questions about the exterior, interior or test drive, be sure to get solid answers from the individual selling the car. You can also get invaluable information about the vehicle you are interested in by checking a vehicle history report available from CARFAX.
If you are happy with your own inspection of the car, choose a mechanic to check it out as well. A mechanic should be able to alert you to any problems that could make the car unsafe or more expensive.
Remember that if you are uncomfortable making any decisions about what kind of car you should get, financing the purchase or the car itself or negotiating the deal with the seller, talk to your parents or a trusted adult. Someone with more experience in car buying and financing can help you make the right choices and help you avoid being taken advantage of due to your age.
(CARFAX and CARFAX.com are registered trademarks of CARFAX, Inc.)
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