Our Guide to Choosing the Best Used Car

You have a big decision to make when buying a used car. With so many things to consider, it can quickly become challenging. How much passenger room will you need? Will you need more cargo area? How much can you afford to spend? Should you pay cash or finance the purchase? The list goes on and on, which is why we created this guide. We’ll walk you through the questions you should ask yourself before you buy to help you make an informed decision.

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How do I know a used car is reliable?

“Volkswagen” licensed under BY-SA 2.0 via Flickr by Alfonso Jimenez

Cars can do so many things today, but no matter a vehicle’s capabilities, it must be reliable enough to meet all of your needs. Transporting the kids to school trips to the store and the all-important commute to work has to happen daily. You need a car that’s on the road, not in the shop all the time.

Consumer Reports offers product reviews on over 1,500 new and used vehicles. They provide unbiased reviews on quality, dependability, and pricing free. You can research used cars you want to buy and learn how they’ve performed to date. J.D. Power reviews cars, trucks, and SUVs every year and gives out coveted best-in-class awards for everything from reliability to comfort. Cross-checking a vehicle you like with their list can help you find the best used car.

How do I get a fair price?

Cars manufactured within the last 10 years have many more options and features than ever before. Keeping track of them and their value can be confusing. Several companies offer online tools to help you assess the value of a car. Many of these tools can look up the value with the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If you’ve narrowed your search to one or two specific vehicles, run the VIN through one of these tools. You’ll get the resale value and trade-in value in seconds.

These tools can adjust the pricing based on the condition of the car. Be sure to look at pricing for all conditions and determine which category your considering vehicle falls under.

What kind of used vehicle do I need?

Only you can answer this question, based on your needs. For example, if you commute long distances, you’ll want something efficient and comfortable.

Sedans, coupes, and convertibles

Sedans and coupes come in compact, midsize, and full-size options. It would be best to look at the best size to suit your passenger needs and balance against MPG ratings. Convertibles appeal to many drivers, especially those in warmer climates. If you love the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, you should consider buying a convertible.

Sports cars

Sports cars have glitzy style, powerful engines, and high-performance engineering. These features appeal to many people, whether they need them or not. Don’t fall into the trap of buying a flashy sports car if you don’t like going fast and spending extra money at the pump. That said, maybe you do value these features. If that’s the case, you should look for a low-mileage sports car that likely hasn’t taken much abuse.

Sport utility vehicles

If you have a large family, SUVs offer more passenger room, with some models providing seating for up to eight. SUVs also offer the versatility to convert passenger seating into cargo space if you’re the type that likes to take a weekend camping trip or the occasional road trip. SUVs also have all-wheel-drive versions that may be important if you live in colder climates with wintry weather.

Pickup trucks

Trucks are great for transporting gear, tools, and materials to and from job sites. You want to check the truck’s payload capacity and compare that to what you need to haul. You might also need a truck to tow your work trailer or a personal camper. Trucks come with different tow ratings and sometimes require special equipment to perform to specific standards. Check the manufacturer’s specifications on any truck you consider to be sure it can tow your trailer.

Trucks also offer four-wheel drive as an option. If you like off-road adventures, you want to find a capable 4×4 system. However, if you rarely go off-road and don’t have wintry weather to concern yourself with, why spend the money on a 4×4. A two-wheel-drive truck will handle the towing and hauling just as well as a 4×4 but for thousands of dollars less.

How do I know if a used car’s been in an accident?

Several online companies provide vehicle history reports. These reports will detail any accident information based on insurance claims. Just because a car was involved in an accident doesn’t make it a bad car. As long as the previous owner repaired the car to factory specifications, the vehicle should be acceptable. You should request to see the repair receipts to verify the car was fixed properly.

If the previous owner never filed a claim, an accident or other damage won’t show up on the history report. A qualified mechanic can look over a car and in most cases, tell if repairs were done. If so, your mechanic can verify they were done correctly or not.

How much used car can I afford?

Your creditworthiness and any cash on hand you have will determine how much you can afford. Affordable monthly payments are essential but can be misleading. You should run your credit report before you begin shopping. You can also get pre-approved for an auto loan before looking at cars. Getting pre-approved will help you focus your search and avoid buying a car you really can’t afford.

The financial team at VW of Marion can get you pre-approved online in minutes. Our online tools include a convenient payment calculator and a trade in car value calculator. After answering a few questions, you’ll know what you can afford, what your trade is worth, and your monthly payment.

At VW of Marion, we know how important it is to find the right car to fit your needs and budget. That’s why our professional sales team takes a consultative approach to sales. After answering a few simple questions, a salesperson can show you only those cars that suit your lifestyle and financial situation. We invite you to browse our pre-owned inventory online or stop in anytime. One of our friendly staff will happily show you around and let you take your favorite vehicle for a test drive.