If You Want a Used Car, Try a Dealership

If you are in the market for a used car, where should you go? What kind of car should you get? Should you check the classifieds for cars for sale? Should you visit a pre owned car dealer?

The first thing you might want to decide is what kind of car you want. Subaru cars have a great reputation. The company has been doing business in the United States since 1968. They have a great environmental record. The cars themselves are made from recyclable materials so that more than 97% of the vehicle can be recycled. Some Subaru plants, such as the one in Lafayette, Indiana, send absolutely nothing to the landfill.

But where do you get your Subaru?  Open the paper and look for “used Subaru for sale?” Your best bet is probably to look for local Subaru dealers who have used cars.  A pre owned car dealer will have an Subaru inventory, not just one car that an individual would be selling. A pre owned car dealer may also be able to work with you on financing and/or get you a deal on service. If they cannot come down on the price, they have a service department that can make repairs that might save you a lot of money. They will also let you test drive more than one car so you can get a real idea of what the car is like and how it handles.

Now, going to a used car dealership is often a daunting experience. People have the mental image that they are going to be swarmed by a horde of eager salespeople. Fortunately, that really is not the case. They want to make sure all of their customers leave happy. Word of mouth advertising is the best kind and no car dealership wants to be known as having the stereotypical salespeople who hound everyone as they walk in the door. Also, if the car you buy dies as you leave the lot, you have more recourse against a dealer than an individual

Here are some things to consider:

• How much car can you afford and how much do you need? Some people drive a lot for work, or to work, and some only use the car a little. Look at your lifestyle and needs. Don’t pick the first car you see because it looks nice or looks better than your neighbor’s.
• What is your credit like, really? If you are going to need financing, you should know what your credit score is.
• Don’t be shy about asking questions or walking away. You may want to go to a few pre owned car dealerships to see what is available in your area. This is a big purchase, you do not want to have “buyer’s remorse” later on.
• Do you have a car to turn in? What is the value of the car you are driving now? Check the Kelly Blue book for its value.
• Ask your friends and relatives if they have bought a used car in your area. Chances are that someone you know has bought a used car from a local dealership. See which Subaru dealerships have good recommendations.

Getting a “new” car can be fun and you can take a lot of the stress out of the process by doing some research before and sticking to your guns during the process.