Buying a used car
Posted Monday, Nov 07, 2022
Buying a used car
If you've come here looking for a great deal on a used certified pre-owned car, truck, or SUV for sale, then you are in the right place. Car cloud auto group has everything you need to know about finding and buying the best cheap used car near you. At Car cloud auto group, we offer the best cheap used cars, auto loans, expert reviews, consumer car reviews, car price comparisons (based on factors like condition, body style, mileage, and trim level), vehicle appraisal calculators, images and videos, technical features and specs, and more.
View all of Car Cloud Auto Group's used inventory, containing tens of used automobiles, trucks, and SUVs for sale with special offers. You can also appraise your current vehicle for sale or trade-in value, and research the car of your dreams. You can limit your search only to good deals on pre-owned vehicles for sale and be a click away from articles by an expert that will give you the best shopping and buying tips and advice. Let's take a closer look at each of these services to simplify used-car shopping.
Just use the search bar at the top right of the page to browse pre-owned autos for sale from popular makes such as Ford, Honda, Toyota, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Nissan, Acura, and Jeep. Or select a body style with Car Cloud Auto Groups' curated lists of the most popular sedans, hybrids, SUVs, hatchbacks, wagons, coupes, convertibles, minivans, or pickups. The inventory tool allows you to see the available used cars inventory at your local dealership website and compare the prices or get pre-qualified on the vehicle of your choice. Start with the make and model of the vehicle that you're interested in and refine your search by using auto price, distance, model year, and mileage. If you're looking for specific options or features, a certain trim level, or a specific color, there are more advanced search filters available, including engine type, fuel type, drivetrain, powertrain, airbags, air conditioning, and much more. After you find the automobile, you're interested in, select the listing to check out the VIN details page for that vehicle and get more information. There you'll find a description of the vehicle, vehicle features and options, contact information for that dealership, dealer reviews, and a ballpark of your monthly payment estimate.
Quick guide to buying a used car
All you need to know in 5 easy steps
Buying a used car is one of the cleverest financial decisions you can make. You pay less for the automobile and avoid the depreciation that new-car buyers face the moment the vehicle drives off the dealer's lot. Buying a used car has several other advantages as well. You will pay less for registration and insurance. Also, the margin for a discount may be greater when you buy a pre-owned automobile. And if you purchase the vehicle from a local used car independent dealer near you, you will likely get an even better price than you would at a franchise dealer.
1. Research your potential car.
The used-car market is like a huge haystack, and while it may seem tough to find that needle, a bit of online research cuts the groundwork and speeds up the process considerably. The good news is that you're already on the right page to start. From here, you can either input the car you want or scroll to the "Select a Make" section and click on an automaker you're interested in. You'll then get a list of cars to choose from. And on the left side of the inventory page, you'll find several ways to filter the choices.
The next thing to do is get an idea of the maintenance costs of any car you're considering. Proper maintenance is especially important on a used car since it may not have a warranty to protect it if anything breaks down. Not to mention, here at the Car Cloud Auto Group, we provide extended service contracts on all used cars in our inventory. You can get more information on our warranties on warrant tap. When considering the service contract keep in mind that people buy used vehicles to save money but often overlook the cost of maintenance, which might end up pushing them beyond the limits of their budget. The car's owner's manual, which is often available online, will tell you what you need to know about maintenance services and intervals. A phone call to a dealership service department or a trusted independent repair shop will get you pricing information. You also can check resources such as RepairPal.
2. Get your financing in order.
Once you find the car you want, you'll want to move fast so it isn't sold out from under you. So, it's a good idea to get your financing set up before you begin searching for your car. If you're paying cash, there is little to do except make sure you have the funds available to withdraw cash or get a cashier's check when it's time to do the deal. If you're paying all cash for a used car from a private party, consider doing the deal in a public place.
If you are financing the vehicle, it is a good idea to get preapproved for a loan. Car cloud Auto Group partnering with Westlake Financial Services a nationwide lender to provide its customer with online pre-approval in just 60 seconds. Our pre-qualification tools will let you know your purchasing budget and the interest rate for which you qualify. Some lenders won't offer a loan if the vehicle is passed a certain age or if it has too many miles. The limitations will vary by lender. In this case, your next move might be to apply for a personal loan. Just be aware that those interest rates are typically higher than for auto loans.
3. Figure out where to shop for your car.
There are several places to purchase a used auto. Here's a quick rundown: Car cloud auto group offers no-haggle pricing and cars that are in good condition, also the prices are great, and we have great financing options. Private-party sellers may have lower prices and can be negotiated with more easily, but the burden is on the buyer to get the car inspected. Major dealerships sell certified pre-owned cars that are in excellent condition and backed by factory warranties. This option will appeal to buyers who want to minimize the risks of buying a used car and are willing to pay extra for it. Other local Independent used-car lots are another alternative but can vary wildly on price and the condition level of their cars.
it is easy to check your area for local vehicle listings using major car search websites such as Cargurus.com, Cars.com, Edmund.com, Carfax.com, and Autotrader.com.
4. Test-drive and inspect the vehicle.
Once you've narrowed the field down to a couple of vehicles, it's very important to thoroughly check out their condition and take them for a test drive.
A detailed vehicle inspection can shed light on potential problems or tell you whether the car has been in an accident. Don't hesitate to bring your mechanic to see the car or to request a mobile inspection. Take the car for a spin to listen for any unusual noises and to see if you like the way it drives. If you are an audiophile, now is also the time to test-drive the audio system.
A vehicle history report from services such as AutoCheck, Carfax, or the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System is worth the money and could help tip the scales in favor of one car over another. Pro tip: Check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA.gov) website to see if the vehicle you're considering is under an active safety recall. Here at the Car cloud auto group, we also provide a free Carfax history report on all available cars in our inventory.
5. Negotiate and close the deal.
Don't stress out over a little bit of haggling. If you've done your homework on the car, you will have the information you need to negotiate. You should be able to determine a fair price for the car you've settled on by appraising the vehicle and getting its True Market Value (TMV®), also known as the average price paid for the vehicle in your area. Make sure you input the correct miles and choose the applicable options. TMV tool will show you what you can expect to pay for the vehicle, depending on whether the seller is a private party or a dealership. You'll also get the car's estimated trade-in value. Here at the Car Cloud Auto Group, we use CarGurus TMV tools on our website to provide True Market Value for all vehicles on our website, which save a lot of time for the customer researching the TMV for a vehicle of their interest. Consider printing a copy of the TMV and bringing it with you to help wrap up the deal.
Keep in mind that TMV is average. You may end up above or below the price. But as long as you get reasonably close, you've paid a fair price.
Most private sellers aren't as experienced in negotiating as dealers, nor do they want to negotiate as car dealerships do. Use this to your advantage and make a fair but aggressive offer. If the seller turns it down, be persistent and counter with a slightly higher amount. Remember, it might be OK to spend a little more than you'd hoped if you found the perfect used car.
When the time comes to close a deal buying a used car, there are a few important items to take care of. Have the seller get a smog test for the car if your state requires one. Check the registration to ensure it is current. Make sure the seller gives you the title (also called a "pink slip"). If the owner still owes money for the vehicle, you may have to contact his or her bank or credit union to complete the transfer of ownership. Some states require the seller and buyer to complete a bill of sale. This document is good to have in case you are pulled over and haven't yet registered the vehicle. To prevent any hassles like that in the first place, go to the Department of Motor Vehicles as soon as possible to register the vehicle in your name and pay any appropriate taxes.
