Cars are GREAT! They get us to school, to see Grandma, on family car trips, and even on time for soccer games. But not everyone buys a brand-new, shiny car. When people buy cars, many of them choose to buy used cars, which are cars that someone else owned before. Why? Because when you choose the right one, they are often cheaper and just as good!
Fasten your seat belts! This guide will teach you how to buy a used car, whether you want to do it online or at a dealership. When you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly how to find the best car for your family.
Shopping Online vs. Going to a Store
When you buy a used car, you can do one of two things:
- Browse the web.
- Go to a car lot.
They are not the same, but both can work well. Let’s take a closer look at each choice.
Buying things online
Online shopping for a car is a lot like online shopping for a game, a toy, or even shoes. While sitting on your couch, you look at pictures on websites, read about cars, and lots more.
How it Works – Check out sites like Facebook Marketplace, Carvana, or Autotrader.
Read about the cars and look at a lot of pictures to find one that your family likes.
You might be able to buy one online and even have it sent right to your house once you’ve chosen one.
Fun Tip: Looking for something online is like going to a big store with all the ice cream flavors you can think of and trying to find the right one.
When you buy something from a dealer
Shopping at a dealer is like going to a real ice cream shop. You can touch, drive, and look at the car before you decide. Plus, the agent knows EVERYTHING there is to know about cars.
How it Works: You go to a car shop and look at the cars that are already there.
– You can get in and out of different cars, turn the wheels, and even go for a short test drive.
– The salesman helps you buy it and takes care of all the paperwork once you choose one.
Fun Tip: Buying from a dealer is like trying on clothes in a store—you can see how it fits and feels before you buy it.
Where to Look for a Used Car
Okay, so you know you have two choices. But where should you look to find the best car?
1: Online Choices
These are some of the coolest online car lots:
– Carvana and Vroom – These sites make it very easy to buy a car, and some of them will even bring the car to your house!
– Autotrader: This site lets you compare a lot of cars, like which ones are the cheapest or have the lowest mileage.
— Facebook Market – Cars might be for sale by people in your neighborhood or nearby.
– Craigslist: You can also find deals in your area here, but watch out for con artists!
On these sites, you can use tools to choose things about the cars, like color, price, or even brand (like Honda, Toyota, or Ford). In a computer game, it’s like making the best car possible!
Go to Dealerships
There are real places called dealerships where a lot of cars are on show. To find them, use Google to quickly look for stores near you.
– Look at both big and small shops. Family-owned places often have great deals.
Pro Tip: Find out if the store has Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) cars. Checked out by professionals, these used cars come with a guarantee that says they will fix some things for free if they break down soon after you buy them.
Ask People You Know
The odd person in your neighborhood or at school will sell their car! People in your family can ask around or even look in the local paper for listings. Weird, but it can help you find some great things.
Should I put down money?
This question is very important! Do your family members need a down payment to buy a car from a dealer?
What is a down payment?
You pay a down payment when you buy a car. It’s part of the price that you pay all at once. This might help you borrow less money for the car all together.
As an example:
As long as you put down $2,000 toward the $10,000 price of the car, you only need to borrow $8,000. In the long run, this means smaller payments.
Why is it a Good Idea?
Some car lots let you buy without a down payment, but it’s still a good idea to put money down:
- It brings down your debt.
The money you pay each month will be less, which will be better for your family’s budget.
- Dealers like it when people put down money, so they’ll probably go along with your deal.
Tip: Act like your family is spending $2 on a candy bar. They won’t be getting as much money if they pay $1 up front than if they pay $0 up front. That’s kind of how a down payment works!
Pros and Cons of Online Shopping
I’m going to quickly list the pros and cons of shopping for a car online.
“Pros!”
There are more cars to choose from, and they come from all over the country.
- Compare Prices: To find the best deal, it’s simple to put prices next to each other.
- Shop from home. You don’t even have to put on shoes to buy a car online.
- There is no pressure to choose a car right away. No one is buzzing your ear.
“Cons!”
“You Can’t Touch the Car”: When you buy something online, you usually can’t take it for a test drive.
- Scam Alert: People who sell things online sometimes do so dishonestly.
- Extra Costs: If you want the car brought to your house, there may be extra charges.
Pros and Cons of Buying from a Store
Why not stick with one dealer?
“Pros!”
- Go for a test drive before you buy. This way you can see how the car feels.
- Warranties: Some car sellers say they will fix the car if it breaks down after you buy it.
- Help with Financing: The dealer can make it easier for your family to get loans so that they can buy the car.
- Large Choice: Their lot has a lot for you to pick from.
“Cons!”
- Pushy Salespeople: Some dealers may try to force you to make a choice.
- Higher Prices: To make a profit, dealers usually charge more than private buyers.
How to Check Out a Used Car
It’s really important to check out a car. You want to make sure everything works, like when you check your backpack before school.
Key Things to Check: 1. Outside Look
Take a look for rust or scratches.
– Make it easy for all the doors and windows to open and close.
- Wheels and Tires: Are the tires smooth? (You might want to get new tires soon.)
– Check that all four tires are the same.
- Look at the lights. Do the brake lights and headlights work? Check by turning on and off!
- Inside the Car: Check the heat and air conditioning; they should both blow hot and cold air!
– Look for tears or spots in the seats.
- Go for a Test Drive! – Listen for strange sounds.
– Click on the brakes and feel how they work.
Pro Tip: If you don’t know what to look for, have a mechanic check out the car for you. They know a lot about cars and can easily find problems.
Things You Should Ask the Seller
Before you buy a car, you should always ask a lot of questions. To give your family some ideas, here are some:
– Why do you want to sell this car? – Has the car ever been in an accident? Can we see all of the records for the car, like when the oil was changed and when it was fixed? Can we take it to a mechanic to be checked out?
As more people answer, the better choice you can make.
How to Talk About the Price
Remember that you can always look for a better price!
Here are some tips on how to negotiate: 1. Do some research first. You can look online to see how much cars like this cost. Make your case for a better price with this information.
- Be nice, but firm – If you think the price is too high, smile but don’t back down. Be nice!
- Point Out Problems—You can get a deal if you see wear and tear or an old tire.
For example, let’s say you want to buy a cookie. One cracked cookie might make you ask for less money, and you might get it!
Final Thoughts
You need to do some research before you buy a used car, but you can make a great choice!
– If you have time and like new things, look online.
– Go to a shop if you want to see cars in person.
Always check that the car is safe, meets the wants of your family, and fits your budget. Also, remember that the car you choose could take you on a lot of cool experiences.
Have fun looking for a car!
