How to Buy a Used Car from a Dealer

Is it your first time buying a used car? Even if you've been around the block before, you may need a refresher. Luckily, at Ray Price Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we want to show Mount Pocono, Stroudsburg, and Scranton shoppers how to buy a used car from a dealer.

Before we delve into detail, here are the steps Tobyhanna and East Stroudsburg drivers can follow to buy a pre-owned car:  

1.Set your budget. Plan out how much you want to spend-and how you'll pay for it.

2.Shop some cars. Find some options! Feel free to shop online or at the dealership.

3.Check the Vehicle History Report. Check out your finalist's record before you buy.

4.Take a test drive. See how you feel behind the wheel and decide if the car is right.

5.Set the terms of your agreement. Negotiate, close, and sign the deal!

Set Your Budget

Before you do anything else, decide how much you're willing to spend on a car and how you're going to pay for it. There are various rules of thumb out there that you can use as guidelines; however, we advise using your own system based on your unique situation. In allocating your car budget, consider:

• How long you plan on keeping the car
• How long you want to make payments
• Other debts/payments/expenses you may have, now or in the future

Shop Some Cars

This is the fun part! You can start your shopping online or do it the old-fashioned way and visit the dealer. Be sure to consider vehicles that suit your needs, whether they be sedans, trucks, SUVs, or sports cars.

You can shop used cars or certified pre-owned cars at most dealerships. Certified pre-owned vehicles are more rigorously inspected and include added perks, like factory-backed warranties and 24-hour roadside assistance. It's an extra layer of protection for a little more peace of mind.

Check the Vehicle History Report

Don't miss this important step! If you're shopping certified pre-owned cars, the CARFAX Vehicle History Report™ should be free. Your salesperson is likely willing to pull up the report for any used car, if you ask.

You can check the vehicle history report yourself, too. All you need is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Get a detailed report from CARFAX® or a similar organization online.

In the vehicle history report, you can see whether the car has a clean title or has been in serious accidents. You'll also see how many title owners the vehicle has had as well as a vehicle service record. This data can help you decide whether the car is a smart investment for you.

Take a Test Drive

In our opinion, the test drive is the most important part of the whole process. It's your chance to get in the driver's seat and see how it feels to command your car of choice.

Make sure you can adjust the mirrors, seating position, and steering wheel to your liking. Check the blind spots and riding height and ensure that visibility is just the way you like it. Test out the multimedia system and confirm that the menus and controls are intuitive and easy to follow.

Try sitting in every seat and get a feel for the cargo area, too. When you drive, test the vehicle's mettle on all sorts of roads, from stop-and-go traffic and highways to winding country roads, if possible.

Set the Terms of Your Agreement

Nothing is official until you sign the dotted line! Now's your chance to negotiate price and set the terms of your agreement. If you have a car to trade in, you can negotiate the value of that as well. Learn your car's estimated worth with Kelley® Blue Book.

If you've set your budget correctly, you'll already know how much you want to pay down up front. Have your loan term in mind, too. Try to keep your term on the low end-less than four years, we recommend-to minimize your interest rates and interest payments.  

Start Shopping Used Cars Today!

Now that you know how to buy a used car from a dealer, you'll be in control every step of the way. Ready to shop used cars? At Ray Price Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we have a vast selection of cars in our pre-owned inventory.

Feel free to browse our pre-owned models online for a closer look. Our inventory changes daily and no car sticks around for long. If you see a car you like, don't wait-set up a test drive today! See for yourself which car is right for your Mount Pocono, Tobyhanna, Scranton, Stroudsburg, or East Stroudsburg drive.

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