How to buy a used car from a dealer

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Here, we'll give you advice on how to buy a used car from a dealer. As straightforward as you would expect the process to be, It isn't always - and the more prepared you are to negotiate with used card dealers, the better off you'll be for it. for the experience

First of all, before you step for on a car dealership's used and/or new car lot, you should already know what the approximate price is for the car you have in mind. That's right - note that you should already have your preferred car(s) in mind first. Do research on the car models and makes that appeal to you: you can scour the internet and read car buying guides and magazines to narrow down your car choices.

Likewise, consult with car pricing guides, such as Kelley Blue Book and the NADA pricing guides, in order to determine the approximate cost for the used cars you have in mind. Note that pricing guides usually offer you more than one pricing option based on mileage, condition of the car, etc - in your particular case, you're looking at used car prices from a dealership.

Now, armed and prepared with what cars you'd like to look at along with how much they're generally worth used, you can consider stepping onto that car lot.

There is one more thing that you may want to consider before stepping on that lot, though. You can always apply for a car loan online - if you're preapproved for a car loan, you'll be armed with even more negotiating and buying power at the car dealership.

No doubt, once you're on the car lot, you'll be accosted by a car salesman or salesgirl, ready, willing and maybe a little too eager to oversell specific car models and makes. Stick with your plan first, and check out sticker prices for the car models that you had in mind, comparing them with the relative value for those cars based on the pricing guides you had already consulted. The two price points should be close.

If you find the car(s) of your dream on first sight, then dig some more. Kick those tires, as they say, and take it out for a test spin. Ask your car lot representative key questions about warranty information, especially if you're looking at used cars. Ask your rep for a car lemon report - many will be able to provide you with this information free of cost.

Now that you've reached this phase, the car rep will probably be eager to close the deal. Not so fast. In the spirit of preparation, you should already be prepared to know how much you would be willing to spend on a car, including what your monthly payments would be if applicable. Stick with that plan, too. Make sure that what the car dealer or financing rep is offering you fits within your budget. Get a breakdown of fees - including miscellaneous "administrative"-type fees that most agreements have. If those fees don't seem excessive, carry on. If some of those fees DO seem excessive, talk with your car rep about them. Ditto for monthly payments, apr and payment terms - they call it negotiation for a reason, so don't be afraid to negotiate with your car dealer on these terms.