A Frugal Guide to Used Car Purchases

So what’s it going to be? Spend money on a NEW car or should you save some cash and buy a used car? Knowing that gas prices are going to $4/gallon in the US, you know my recommendation. I think you should cut back on both sides. If you don’t NEED a car, learn to use public transportation.

If a car is a necessary evil, please (!!!) learn how to buy a used car before heading to the car dealer or private seller. Your money problems will expand 10-fold if you buy a lemon.

Life Learning Today does a good job of listing out what to look for in your used car search. There is too much to list so I will share my favorite section and rely on you to read the rest at their site.

• Review the Car. Check for all these things that can be negotiating points and also safety issues:
  1. Rust, if so is it surface or deep body rust?
  1. Doors and trunk do they work?
  1. Body: do you detect repair work such as different color paint on the car?
  1. Tires: is there wear on the treads and are all tires the same size?
  1. Trunk: any signs of water leakage such as dampness or mildew smell? Is there a jack and spare tire?
  1. Interior: water leakage signs? try all the electronic and manual controls such as adjusting the seat, windows, etc.
  1. Undercarriage: any signs of oil leaking, how does the muffler look.

Read on at How to Buy a Used Car – a Frugal Guide by Life Learning Today

Related:
How to Test the Odometer before you buy
20 Ways to Waste Money on your Car

Photo: Thomas Hawk