I have worked as a service manager in a used car lot for over 8 years and wanted to pass on some tips on buying used car. Realize how to buy a used car in Canada may vary slightly from the US due to mileage and upkeep needs, other than that please read on.
If you know exactly what you want, try buy used car online before going to a dealership. This sounds strange, but you are more likely to get a deal on the price and can still take it to a shop and get checked out before purchasing. No matter what you are told, a car salesman is in it to make money so buying used car although a great idea, needs to be carefully gone through and never rushed.
Trying to buy a cheap used car is a norm for most, but if you take into account who will be riding in the vehicle and what their lives mean to you, price may move down the list and safety go up. This does not mean that you need to over spend however, perhaps buy used rental car where you know the milage will be higher but price is lower. No matter where you buy a used cars from the first stop you need to make before signing any paperwork is a mechanic you trust. If the salesman tells you we already checked it out, still do this, getting something fixed after the fact is impossible.
If you have a trade in however, your best bet is to use a classified buy and sell used car online so that you can get the most for your trade. Average trade in amount given to a customer is $500, and if you still owe money on it, you will get nothing. A buy car site used is great way to get seen by more people for no charge, you may also try a dealership that will buy your car without having to buy one from them. Buying used cars saves you all the money you would instantly lose when you drive off a new car lot, average loss of value on a new vehicle is $5000 in the first year.
