Having a car is essential in nearly every part of the country, unless you live in a larger metropolitan area with excellent public transportation. But if you are like many buyers, you do not have thousands of dollars ready to spend on a vehicle, and you don’t want to go into major debt just for a means of transportation. There are several tips you can follow that will guide you to a perfect car for cheap. Knowing how to buy a cheap car is extremely important so you won’t purchase a lemon or a vehicle that will end up costing you more in repairs than what you paid for it.
The first step in purchasing a cheap car is to find a car that can take you from point A to point B. While everyone would love a luxury vehicle, if you need to save money, you can purchase a solid vehicle for only $1000. However, vehicles in this price range will be around ten to fifteen years old and most of them still have many years to go before they die.
Where you purchase your car is also very important. I’m not talking about dealerships, but geography. If you live in areas that see a lot of rain and damp weather, you will need to really check the car for rust damage as well as possible engine failure. However, in locations that do not see a lot of rain and are mostly sunny, these type of cars will be in great condition. One of the best cars to purchase for this price range is a Chevy Cavalier, which is known for having a lower resell value, thus saving you money.
While many think that going to dealerships is your best bet on purchasing a cheap car, this may actually be the worst mistake you can make. The reason for this is because dealerships have to cover overhead, so if you’re purchasing a car for $1000, imagine what it was worth before the price increase? And what’s worse; imagine what shape the vehicle is actually in. It is always suggested to look for cars that are being sold by private parties. You can find these by searching through your neighborhood, or by going through a classified listing. In most cases, these sellers are more honest than dealerships and will inform you of any major mechanical problems.
Auto auctions are a great way to purchase a vehicle for cheap, but remember you will not be able to test drive the vehicle before you purchase it. Even though you can buy a decent car for just over $100, you will want to always bring a person who is very knowledgeable about cars with you. Have them look over the vehicle before you make your bid. Also, ensure that you are not buying a car that is illegal, such as busted tail lights, too dark tinted windows or other features that will make cops look at you when you’re driving to work. Ensure that the transmission fluid is NOT black – this would mean that the transmission is burnt-up and you will soon be spending another $1,000 to replace it. And, of course, always make sure that the current owner has all of the paperwork needed for an easy transfer. This includes registration, that is current, and the car title. If you think that the registration papers are not accurate, visit your local DMV before you purchase the vehicle. There have been some cases where the cars that are being sold have actually been stolen, which is something you do not want to deal with.
