Do's & Don'ts Of Buying A Used Car in Greenville, SC
If you're looking to upgrade your ride but looking to save money, you might be wanting to buy a used vehicle. There are, however, quite a few factors that you should consider when looking to purchase a used vehicle over a new one. To learn more about the do's and don'ts of buying a used car, keep reading!
Do Know Your Needs
With so many body styles and the variety of features and amenities available, it can be difficult to know where to even begin to look. But when you begin to narrow down your needs like cargo space, seating or towing capacity, you can start to figure out which type of vehicle is right for you.Do Research
When you've narrowed down the type of vehicle you want, you should list out what your deal-breakers are in a used vehicle. Do your research on various makes and models that have all the amenities and features you want.Do Know How Much You Can Afford
One of the more difficult parts of the car-buying process is creating a budget. You may have found a vehicle that fits your needs and lifestyle perfectly, but choosing one that you can afford is harder. When buying a new vehicle, it's recommended that you put down about 20 percent, limit the term to no more than 60 months and keep your monthly payment below 10 percent of your income. You'll also want to consider the cost of regular and unexpected maintenance, as some cars cost more than others to maintain.Don't Trade In A Car That's Worth Less Than You Owe On It
Negative equity is a huge burden. You may be able to consolidate your old loan into the new car's loan amount, but that means you could be paying the debt of two cars in one, big loan. A smart idea is to get ahead by researching what your trade may be worth.Don't Rush Your Test-Drive
Be sure to take your time when test driving a vehicle to ensure you actually enjoy it and get a feel for how it handles. You should also ask questions, play with the various features and look around the vehicle. Also make sure the car has enough space for your needs.
If you have any questions about what you need to do before buying a used car or would like to test-drive any of our quality used cars, please feel free to contact us or stop by Steve White Volkswagen at 100 Duvall Drive, Greenville, SC 29607. We look forward to serving our customers from Asheville, NC, and Columbia, Spartanburg, Anderson, SC, and throughout the Upstate.