6 Smart Moves for Buying a Used Car

When you opt to buy a used car, you can save a lot of money and access a vehicle that might otherwise be out of reach. Unless you have a large amount of cash available, you'll be looking for used car financing in your local area. Let's examine some facts and tips that can help you make the best decision possible. more 4 Things to Know About Used Car Financing 1. It's Cheaper than New Car Financing In general, financing a used vehicle is cheaper than a new vehicle because the total purchase price of the car is lower. On average, Americans spend $575 per month on a new car and $430 on a used one. The exact amount of your payment will depend on the type of car you buy and the terms of your loan, but there is a lot of potential for saving money by opting for a used vehicle. 2. You Can Get Great Rates at Your Dealership Getting financing doesn't have to be a hassle because you can get great rates at your local dealership. To get started, you can browse through the information online. If you have a good or average credit score, you can also fill out the pre-approval form on the website, which can speed up your purchase. People with lower credit scores or no credit history might benefit from speaking to a member of the sales team in person. We believe in providing everyone with great options, so you'll be able to find an excellent rate no matter what. 3. You Can Use Several Strategies to Lower Your Payments There are a lot of different things you can do to make sure you get the lowest monthly payment possible. One of the easiest is to trade in your old car and put up a down payment. By paying for part of your new car upfront, you automatically lower your payment, but you also demonstrate that you are good with money and a reliable buyer. That way, your dealership might be able to offer you a better interest rate. Another great way to reduce the amount of interest you pay is to shorten the duration of your loan. While this may make your monthly payment higher, it will reduce the overall amount you pay for your car. 4. Use Timing and Communication to Your Advantage Just like most businesses, dealerships have seasons that are busier than others. If you're looking for a particularly good rate and your purchase isn't urgent, you could wait until the slow season and potentially get a better rate. The easiest way to achieve this is to build up a relationship with your local dealership. Speak to the customer service team about what you're looking for and the rate you're hoping to get. They will be able to tell you the best time to buy. Financing your used car doesn't have to be a hassle if you get in touch with your local dealership. What's more, you can reduce the total amount you pay by providing your lender with a down payment and shortening the term of your loan. Get in touch with us at Rath Auto Resources Fort Smith to find out more and get started on your used car buying journey.

Shopping for a used car is very different from shopping for a new car. For one thing, you don't have to worry about the mechanical problems of a new car because it's fresh from the factory. Knowing how to spot the best used cars on the lot is vital to ensure you purchase a quality vehicle at a good price. more How to Spot the Best Used Cars on the Lot Do Your Research First Before you even begin shopping in person, go online and identify car models that have the features you want, are not prone to mechanical issues, and have a reputation for reliability and longevity. This will weed out any vehicles that are known to have issues so that you don't even bother looking at them in person. Of course, you'll want to have several models in mind when you go shopping in case some aren't available where you shop. Look at the Window Sticker By law, every used car that's for sale must have a window sticker that tells you whether the vehicle is being sold "as is" or if it comes with a warranty. If a warranty is included, it will explain how repair costs will be covered and what percentage you'll be required to pay. While you don't necessarily need to have a warranty on a used car, it does provide some assurance that your purchase will be protected. Inspect the Body Look the entire car over for dents, scratches, rust, and body filler. All panels, the roof, and fenders should be carefully inspected to ensure the body is in good condition. If you think you've found a spot that's been patched with body filler, place a magnet against the area. If the magnet doesn't stick to the spot, body filler has been used. Body damage is not necessarily a deal killer, but you might be able to get a better price. Tires Cars with fewer than 20,000 miles should probably still have their original tires. If the vehicle you're looking at has fewer than 20,000 miles and brand new tires, think twice about that car. The vehicle may have been driven harshly, which may have caused early wear on the tires. Or, it may not have been maintained properly. Either way, it's a sign that the car may not be as good of a deal as it seems. Interior Besides the obvious wear and tear on upholstery,, there are certain things to look for when inspecting the interior. Turn the car on to make sure all warning lights illuminate and that the car starts up right away. Turn on all lights and look for signs of water leaks from windows and doors. If you smell a musty odor, it could mean the car has water damage, so be sure to ask for a vehicle history report. Mechanics If at all possible, have a mechanic inspect the engine and other mechanical components, especially if you're not familiar with cars. This will ensure you're not getting a car that has mechanical problems that are going to cost you even more money in the long run. Additionally, purchasing a used vehicle from a reputable dealership will remove this doubt as well. Searching for a used car is not always easy, but if you know what to look for, you'll find the best deals on the lot. Come by Rath Auto Resources of Fort Smith to check out our inventory of fully-inspected, mechanically sound used cars.

A car is a huge purchase, and new cars are just getting more and more expensive. The sticker price of a new car is just one of the reasons to consider buying a used vehicle, though. There are many other reasons that buying used makes more sense than buying new. Here are some reasons to make your next vehicle purchase a used one. 1. The Sticker Price You can save thousands of dollars when you buy a used car. According to recent data, you can save over $13,000 by choosing used over new. The biggest reason for this is depreciation. New cars depreciate quickly over the first five years, with the majority of it occurring in the first two years. While some makes hold their value better than others, the majority of new cars will lose 30% of their value in just the first year. more 2. The Availability of Certified Pre-Owned Cars Almost every automaker offers some kind of certified pre-owned program to help buyers feel more secure when they buy a used vehicle. A manufacturer pre-owned certified vehicle usually includes some kind of warranty based on mileage or time along with extras such as roadside assistance. Dealerships also offer certified programs too. You can often purchase a warranty on a used vehicle for extra peace of mind. 3. You Get More for Your Money If you go into sticker shock when looking at just the entry-level trims on new vehicles, consider what you can get in a used vehicle for the same amount of money or even less. Your budget will get you much more in the way of extras if you look at cars that are a few years old. The top-level trim for a three-year-old vehicle with low miles is a much better deal than the base trim of a new car. 4. Reduced Cost of Insurance and Registration The value of the car determines the cost of insurance. Since a used car has less value than a brand-new car, it will cost less to insure it. Once a vehicle is older, you can even drop some of the coverage to save even more money. Collision and theft insurance is not always necessary for older vehicles. Just like with car insurance, the cost of registration is based on the transaction price. The less you pay for a car, the less you'll have to pay to register it. 5. The Variety There are thousands of different makes and models of used vehicles available. Car manufacturers discontinue trims every year and discontinue models regularly. These become available as used vehicles that you can no longer find new. For example, many carmakers are switching to crossover SUVs and limit the number of sedans that they produce. If you look for a used sedan, you'll have tons of options available. These are just a few of the reasons that it is a good idea to buy a used vehicle instead of new. The initial costs are lower, it is cheaper to insure a used car, and you'll have lots of options. Image via RathAuto.com