Introduction

Whether you choose to buy a used vehicle from a Dealer or Private Party, this section should make your shopping experience as stress-free as possible!  While the great feel and overall pleasure of driving a brand new car is undeniable it almost always makes more financial sense to by used.  You can get a car that's almost as good as new without suffering the depreciation that batters new car buyers as soon as they drive off the lot.  Also bigger bargains are possible for the smart used car shopper. Read through the 6 steps to buying a used car and you will be well on your way to finding that perfect used car.

Step 1 - How Much to Spend

Decide what you want to spend.  It's always a good idea to start any car-buying process with a preliminary budget to help you determine how much money you feel comfortable spending. Make sure you've accounted for insurance and other maintenance costs that you will be responsible for.  Remember that the lower initial cost of buying used will usually result in higher maintenance costs than buying new.  Be sure to factor this in your budget.

Step 2 - Find your Car

First, make a list of all the things you need your vehicle to do (haul kids, go off road, get good mileage) and then make a second list of all the things you admire in a vehicle (body style, colours, luxury options). You should end up with a list of qualities from which to eliminate models that won't work for you.
 

Before starting a used car search its best to remain flexible.  If you're set on only one model, in a specific colour, with a certain mileage etc. you may find it hard to get the best deal as you will be focusing on too narrow a market. If you're prepared to consider something similar to what you want, you'll find a much wider choice available and it becomes much easier to negotiate.
 

Finding a great used vehicle is becoming easier all the time. The sources available to you are growing everyday.  Your number one resource should be the Internet, where you can conveniently search online for a used car that fits your needs perfectly.  MonsterAuto.ca allows for smart searches that put you in touch with the seller in seconds using its Advanced Used Car Search capabilities.  This reduces the time and effort that normally would be expended flipping through traditional print type classified ads. Our online classifieds can greatly increase the quality of communication between you and the seller via photos, history, mileage and other vital facts that are clearly displayed on each vehicle in our database.

Step 3 - Contact and Communicate with the Seller

If you are contacting a private party, be sure the first question you ask is, "Why are you selling the vehicle?" Ask them to describe the condition of the car and if it ever was in an accident. Ask them if they have all the mechanical records for the vehicle and if they would have any objection to you taking the car to a private mechanic for an inspection.  This is an important step, as private party sales are normally "Buyer Beware", once you've bought the car it's yours.

If the seller says all the right things, set up an appointment to see the vehicle. Always try to view the vehicle while it is still daylight and bring a friend along.  If you have to go alone and are feeling a bit uneasy, ask the owner to bring the car to a public place, possibly a local shopping centre parking lot.  One last word on private party sales, make sure the seller is not a curbsider (a used car salesman representing themselves as a private party) flipping the car for profit.  Generally you want to avoid these types of sellers as they are misrepresenting themselves right off the bat so anything they tell you about the car is probably false.

Step 4 - Check out the Vehicle in Person

Conduct a thorough walk-around, a physical assessment of the vehicle is absolutely paramount before you even consider purchasing. Take your time with your examination.

Look at the bodylines does the hood, trunk, and doors line up with the rest of the car.  Are there signs of repainting, look for over spray, open the trunk, hood and doors.  If you see signs of this ask the seller why he had it painted.  Was it in an accident?  Are all the body parts the same colour?  Now look at the undercarriage is it free of rust.  Look at the tread wear patterns of the tires, this could show suspension problems.  Make sure all power options work, windows, locks, etc. Check air conditioning for proper operation. Make sure heater and defroster works properly.  Check the engine oil and engine compartment you are looking for any signs of leaks or improper maintenance.  Ask to let your own mechanic look at the vehicle.  An honest seller should stand behind his/her car, if they object to this just walk away; there are plenty of good used car sellers out there.

Now it's time for what could possibly be the most important part of your personal used car inspection - the test drive.  Test drives are essential for a variety of reasons but most importantly, they provide you with an immediate analysis of the car's functionality and real world drive-ability.  Make sure the car fits you.  Set the seat in a comfortable driving position and attach the seat belt.  Make sure that you can reach all the controls without straining, that the controls are easy to use, and that the displays are easy to see. Start the engine it should idle smoothly without surging or sputtering.  It should accelerate from a standstill without lurching forward or hesitating.  When you turn the steering wheel you should feel almost no play in the wheel before the car reacts either right or left.  The engine should idle smoothly without clattering or metallic sounds. 

With a manual transmission, the clutch should fully engage well before you take your foot all the way off the pedal.  If there isn't at least an inch of play at the top of the pedal's travel, the car may soon need a new clutch.  With an automatic transmission, don't confuse smoothness with slippage. When you accelerate, there should be no appreciable hesitation between the engine's acceleration and the car's.  If there is, it's an almost sure sign of transmission wear - and a costly fix down the road.  Test the brakes the car should stop straight and quickly, without pulling to one side and without any vibration. The pedal feel should be smooth and linear, and stopping the car shouldn't take a huge effort.  It is recommended to take the seller with you and ask questions when noises pop up. Listen for noises, rattles, or grinding sounds. If you hear rattling in the quarter panels, the car may have been in an accident.  If the car fails on any of the above points it is then your call whether you want to walk away or negotiate the price based on the repair estimate.  If everything went well and the seller has agreed to have you take it to your mechanic you are ready for the next step.

Lastly, be sure to complete your inspection process by soliciting the services of a certified technician who can thoroughly check the vehicle to pinpoint existing as well as potential mechanical problems. Buying a car, regardless of whether it's a new or used vehicle, is one of the largest purchases you'll ever make. Avoid the pitfalls of impulse buying by being honest with yourself during the personal inspection process. If the thought of buying this vehicle makes you uncomfortable, walk away.  At the end of the day, you need to feel good about the purchase you've made by buying a used car you enjoy driving while avoiding a lemon in the process.

Step 5 - Negotiating a fair price

When buying a used car, we all want to pay a fair price; used cars should sell for their market value. The price of a used car is based on its condition, mileage, reliability, performance and popularity. Of course, you want a car that is reliable and performs well. 

When you are trying to negotiate with a car dealer, you should know that they have lots of experience negotiating.  Most individuals do not. Therefore, buying a used car from a dealer or an individual will be two very different experiences. But there is one overriding similarity - they both want to sell the car.  In fact, the incentive to sell the car might be greater to the dealer than to the individual owner.  Here are a few tips to successful negotiating:

Remain positive and confident. Bring a friend with you for extra support. If you need to finance your car do so before you arrive at the dealership so you have something to compare their terms with? Make an opening offer that is low, but in the ballpark.

Decide ahead of time how high you will go and leave when your limit's reached. Be patient - plan to spend an hour or more negotiating. If you are not comfortable with the deal and you are getting tired of negotiating walkout - this may be your strongest negotiating tool.

Many Dealers have now moved to a Value Pricing System where vehicle pricing is fixed.  In this case the Dealer has already dropped the selling price to the absolute best deal so further negotiation is not necessary.  This alleviates the pressure of haggling which most customers disliked in the first place!

Once you have a deal, you need to make sure the transaction is completed properly. Try to get any special terms of the deal in writing, before you complete all the required paperwork transferring ownership and settling payment with an individual or dealer.  Make sure the seller writes a receipt for both of you with signatures on both copies and keep the receipt for your records.

Step 6 - Closing the Deal

Remember before signing anything read the fine print and whatever you don't understand ask someone who is knowledgeable about contracts and legal formalities before signing.  Once all of the paperwork is complete, it is finally time to relax and begin enjoying your new purchase: a good used car.  Pat yourself on the back for a job well done.