Know What You Want In Your Next Used Car!

Before shopping for a used car, you should make a list of what you need in a vehicle. What you intend to use the car for will determine what makes it onto this list. Are you towing a trailer on the weekends? Do you have to carpool the kids to school and soccer practice? Will you have to take long trips out of town on business?

You can include items you want on this list as well. These wants may be a good infotainment package or driver-assist features. Maybe you want a leather interior, or you want to be able to load more cargo. The important thing to remember with wants is that they are extras that you can live without. Don't over-extend for desires.

Knowing what you need and want will help you narrow your search. It will also help you avoid buying features you don't need or want, and that can save you money. For example, a 4x4 truck costs thousands of dollars more than a two-wheel-drive truck. If you never go off-road, why pay the extra money for a feature you'll never use?

Know Your Budget

Understanding what you can afford will help you avoid the several missteps that used car buyers make most often. If you plan on purchasing a used vehicle with cash, this question has a finite answer because you have the money set aside. If you plan on financing, you should consider three things before you begin shopping. 

The first is how much you can afford in a monthly payment. This number should include the finance payment, insurance, and fuel. You don't want to buy a car and realize the fuel and insurance costs have eaten into your spending money to the point you can't afford a night out with friends or a trip to the movies.

The second thing to consider is how long you want to pay for this car. Loans lengths vary. The longer the loan, the lower the monthly payment and vice versa. Going too long on your loan will cost you more in total, so a good tip would be to opt for the shortest loan term you can afford in a monthly payment.

The last thing to consider is your interest rate. Lending institutions have different rates, and while they compete against each other for your business, a low rate doesn't always translate to the best deal. You may see a low interest rate, but if the loan runs two years longer than others, you'll end up spending more in the long run. Shop around for loan rates before you begin shopping for a used car. Here's a list of other things to consider when shopping for a used car.

Inspect the Vehicle

Now that you've determined what you can afford and what you need, it's time to shop. You should always inspect a vehicle you're considering. Look it over inside and out, paying attention to every detail. It's best to have your mechanic inspect the car for you. It may cost you $150 or so, but that's a small price to pay to avoid buying a lemon. If a seller refuses to let you take a car to a mechanic, you should strongly consider walking away. Most reputable dealers will happily agree to this, so one that doesn't should be cause for concern. There are plenty of reputable mechanics within the Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton and Carrollton areas to ask for an inspection. 

Get a Vehicle History Report

Many companies offer vehicle history reports online. They are cheap and easy to get. You'll find out things like accident history and recall information that will help you assess the actual value of the car in question. Just because a vehicle was in an accident doesn't make it a wrong choice. As long as the damage was repaired correctly, you can feel confident about its reliability. We also offer Car Fax certified cars.

Negotiate a Fair Price

Our finance department will happily provide you with a loan pre-approval to give you an idea of what your monthly payment will look like, including your interest rate and loan terms. Through years of serving the Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton and Carrollton areas, we have relationships with many local Lewisville, Texas, banks, plus various national lenders that we will leverage on your behalf to get you the best loan possible.

Negotiating can be challenging for some people. One good tip would be to look up the car's value before entering negotiations. Several companies provide this service free of charge with simple, online tools. You need the year, make, model, and mileage to start, and you'll have a figure in minutes. This estimate should be the starting point for your negotiations. If you've inspected the vehicle, you can use those items in need of repair or replacement to get a lower price.

Consider Certified Pre-Owned (CPO)

A certified pre-owned vehicle has advantages over other used cars. Often, they are lease vehicles that the lessee turned in at the end of the term. A leased vehicle will have been maintained by the dealership during the lease and then inspected for quality before being put up for sale. Certified pre-owned cars come with the manufacturer's warranty, too, another valuable benefit when considering a used vehicle. By definition, a used vehicle will have some wear and tear. Having the factory warranty to fall back on will give you peace of mind.

At Huffines CJDR Lewisville, we know how important finding the right used car can be to you and your family. That's why we have the most expansive selection of used and certified pre-owned vehicles to choose from throughout Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, and Carrollton. We invite you to browse our inventory online or visit our dealership.

We take a consultative approach to sales. After answering a few simple questions, one of our friendly, professional staff will show you only those vehicles that fit your needs and budget. After narrowing your search, we will happily let you take your favorite for a test drive.