Review Car

Where can I find used cars classified ads?

Many people have heard that saying about how a new car loses half of its value immediately after you buy it. While a new car may not lose its value quite that quickly in reality, most drivers who have purchased a brand new vehicle in their lives have experienced the financial loss that is associated with buying new cars.

It may have crossed your mind that you can buy a used car and let someone else take that hit. You can save money on the cost of owning your car by using an auto insurance rate comparison site to shop for rates. You just enter your ZIP code into the FREE form to find savings. Before you take this step, though, you first need to find a way to search for used car listings.

Common Places to Find Used Car Classified Ads

Buying a used car can be different than buying a new car. Most people will drive from dealership to dealership when buying a brand new vehicle. Some dealerships also have used cars on their lot, but you may find a greater selection of vehicles by viewing used car classified ads online. This is because many car owners are opting to sell their own vehicle rather than to trade it in to a dealership. There are several places where you can find used car classified ads:

• Your Local Newspaper
• Large Newspapers in Major Metropolitan Areas Within Driving Distance of Your Home
• National Classified Listings Websites

Other Websites to Find Used Car Listings

Some classified listings will have all of the details you need to make your decision about whether to contact the seller for a test drive. Many will even have color photos attached to the ad. However, you may want to consider expanding your search behind classified ads. There are some other websites that will allow you to search for used car listings as well. Some sites are free for owners to list their cars on, and others may cost them a small fee. These used car websites generally allow you to perform a search query based on:

• Your location
• Sales price range
• Geographic location
• Vehicle make and model

If you are looking for a special type of vehicle like a pick-up truck, a sports car, or a vintage car, you can consider using used car search sites that cater to these niche vehicles.

How to Decide Which Make and Model to Buy

Many people interested in buying a used car know exactly which make and model they are looking for, but others may be considering several different types of cars. There are a few different factors to consider before you make your final decision about which make and model to purchase. Consider these factors:

• Fuel efficiency rating
• Cost of insurance
• Safety equipment in the vehicle
• How functional the vehicle is for your unique needs

After narrowing down the type of vehicle you want to buy, you can then pick out the top few specific vehicles you are interested in test driving. Consider factors such as the mileage on the vehicle compared to the cost as well as the overall condition of the vehicle. Some vehicles may still be under warranty, which can be an additional benefit.

Questions to Ask Before You Schedule a Test Drive

It is a good idea to test drive a few different vehicles before making a buying decision, as you may benefit from comparing a few different vehicles against each other. However, you also may not want to test drive more vehicles than necessary. It can take some time to schedule a test drive and then actually perform the test drive. By asking the seller a few questions before you request a test drive, you may be able to reduce the number of vehicles you are looking at. This step can help you to ensure you only test drive the top used cars. Consider asking these questions:

• When was the last time the oil was changed and the tires were rotated? Are maintenance records available to review?
• How frequently have these maintenance tasks been performed in the past?
• Has the vehicle ever received additional body or mechanical work?
• Has the vehicle been involved in a minor or major accident?
• Are there any parts that are currently in need of repair?

Shopping for Insurance and Car Loan Rates

Most used car buyers will shop for auto insurance rates and car loan rates once they have narrowed down their options to the top one or two vehicles. Auto insurance rates will be based in part on the age of the vehicle. Car loan rates will be based on the make, model, year, and safety equipment of the vehicle. So it is necessary to have your car search refined before shopping for rates. When ready, you can most easily compare loan rates and car insurance rates by using an online rate comparison site. The auto insurance rate comparison sites are as easy to use as entering your zip code and a few other details into a query form.

Making Your Offer

Many used car listings will list a sales price followed by either “OBO” or “firm.” OBO means “or best offer.” A firm price indicates that the seller is not willing to negotiate the price. However, you may be able to negotiate a lower sales price when either of these words or phrases are listed in the ad. This is because your site visit and test drive may indicate that the car does have some flaws not mentioned in the ad, and these flaws can be used to your advantage when negotiating the price. However, it may be more difficult to convince a seller with a “firm” asking price to agree to a significant reduction in sales price. Most sellers are willing to negotiate at least slightly, so it often is to your advantage to make an offer lower than the asking price.

Buying a used car can help you to save money on the purchase of a great vehicle. The process of finding and reviewing a great vehicle is easy when you search for classified listings online. Put these tips to use to shop for your next vehicle. Then enter your ZIP code into a car insurance rate comparison website to shop for auto insurance rates for FREE!