Top Tips for Buying a Used Car
In most of Arizona, including a city like Tucson, a car is a necessity for getting around. There are many purchasing options available, including both new and used vehicles. If you are thinking about purchasing pre-owned, the following buying tips can help you.
Why Buy a Used Car?
Before seeking advice on buying a used car, consider why you would want to purchase a pre-owned vehicle in the first place. The primary consideration may be economic. New cars are running $34,000 on average. That can put you into some serious debt, especially if you also have a house with a mortgage. Used cars usually cost a fraction of the price and are often nearly as good as new models.
Not only are new cars expensive, but they also do not hold their value. They start depreciating dramatically as soon as you drive them off the lot. Due to depreciation, you may soon be underwater on your car loan, meaning that the vehicle is worth less than what you owe on it. Used cars have already gone through the worst of their depreciation and so do not lose as much value.
Tips for Buying a Used Car You Actually Want
The selection of used cars at dealerships in Tucson, even the smaller ones, is almost as wide as the selection of new cars. Therefore, it is more than likely that the used vehicle you want is out there. The following buy used car tips can help you find it and make sure it is everything you expect it to be.
Step 1: Set Your Budget
A good place to start is to figure out how much you can afford for your monthly car payment before you even start going to dealerships to look at cars. This allows you to narrow your search to vehicles in your price range and prevents you from falling in love with a vehicle that turns out to be out of your reach.
You should spend no more than 20% of your monthly income on car expenses. That includes everything, including fuel, insurance, and repairs. Therefore, your car payment should account for no more than 15% of your take-home pay on a monthly basis.
Step 2: Find Your Ideal Car
Make a list of things that you need from your vehicle as well as things that you want. The car you end up with should meet all of your needs and give you as many of the things you want as possible. If it can meet all your wants and needs, that would be ideal, but it may not be possible depending on your budget.
Step 3: Shop for a Used Car
One of the most important tips is to concentrate your search on independent, family-owned dealerships rather than big corporate outfits or private sellers. Independent dealerships offer friendly, focused service while still being accountable to you. The selection is similar to what you would find at a big dealership, while the service you receive is more personal.
Step 4: Figure Out the Used Car’s Value
There are a couple of ways to figure out the value of a used car. One is to compare it to previous sales of the same make and model. This gives you a reasonable price range within which to work.
Each car, pickup, or SUV sold in the United States has a unique vehicle identification number. A VIN search on a website such as Carfax can tell you about the vehicle’s history, such as whether it has been in any accidents, which could affect its value.
Step 5: Inspect the Used Car Yourself
Be sure that the vehicle you want is in good condition before you commit to buying. Inspect the vehicle yourself or take it to an independent mechanic for a professional evaluation.
Step 6: Go for a Test Drive
The test drive is intended to show you how the car handles under various circumstances. Therefore, you should take it over different types of terrain and on different roadways with a wide range of speed limits to give you an accurate representation of its performance.
Want To Save a Little Extra Money?
If you have your heart set on a new vehicle, you can save some money by first leasing it and then buying out the lease near the end of its term. Here are some buy used car tips for buying out a lease:
- Let the leasing company make the first move; they will usually call you about 90 days before the lease’s expiration date.
- Assess the car’s worth, including both wholesale and retail value.
- Think about the timing of the lease, as you may spend more on an early buyout.
- Shop around for financing to get the best price.
Cactus Auto offers a wide variety of used autos in Tucson . Search on our website or visit our facility today.
What You’ll Learn
As you read this article about common car issues and the noises they make, you’ll learn:
- If your car is making any unusual noises whatsoever, it’s important to identify the problem, then solve it before it gets worse.
- Depending on the noise your car is making, you might be able to get some ideas about what’s wrong.
- A skilled mechanic will be able to diagnose the noise quickly, and they can help you fix the problem professionally.
Why Is My Car Making Noises?
No one wants to be asking themself this question. When your vehicle is making strange noises that you haven’t heard before, it’s almost always a sign of trouble. This can be scary because some car repairs are costly, but the problem will almost always get worse if you try to ignore it. Take note of what kind of noise you’re hearing so a mechanic can get to the bottom of things and get you back on the road as soon as possible.
Squealing or Grinding – Brake Pads
Brake pads are specifically designed to start making noises as they wear out. This is a clear sign that you need to get your vehicle into a shop as soon as possible. Brake repairs are obviously extremely important when it comes to keeping your vehicle safe, so this is nothing to put off until later. By the time the noise turns from light squealing to full grinding, you may be doing significant damage to the vehicle itself, meaning more expensive repairs later.
Chugging, Hissing, or Rattling – Exhaust System
When something goes wrong with the exhaust system, it could lead to any number of different sounds. Normally, though, people either say that they hear chugging, hissing, or rattling:
- Chugging sounds mean that there might be a blockage or partial blockage in the system.
- Hissing might indicate that there’s a crack somewhere, and pressure is escaping where it shouldn’t be.
- Rattling, almost no matter where it’s coming from, means that something isn’t properly aligned anymore.
Whining or Growling – Power Steering Pump
This sound might be coming from a power steering pump or the belt that connects it to the engine. You might be low on fluid, or the pump itself might be starting to wear out. These problems normally make themselves known with a wine or a growl (not the same powerful purr you might hear from a sports car). As your engine hits higher RPM, the noise will likely start to take on a higher pitch.
Knocking Sound – Tire Air Pressure
Knocking or thudding while you drive could be coming from the tires, possibly because they’re out of alignment or low on air . If your tires seem to be properly inflated, take the vehicle in for a tire inspection and alignment. Ignoring this problem will hurt your gas mileage, make it hard to enjoy a smooth ride, and potentially lead to dangerous tire problems.
Car Ticking While Idling – Low Oil
You might hear this when you’re at a stoplight in Tucson or sitting anywhere else when your car is on, but you aren’t moving. Ticking could point to a few different things, but it’s often a sign that you’ve been procrastinating when you should be getting your oil changed. The mechanic will be able to tell you if the oil change will be enough to solve the problem or if there’s something more serious going on. In either case, take your car in for service right away.
What to Do When Your Car Makes Noises
Some noises are more serious than others, but they’re all worth checking out. If it’s a simple problem, the repairs won’t be as expensive, and you can save yourself from the costly damage that happens when you ignore warning signs. If it’s a more serious problem, it’s important to know that, too. It’s better to know if your vehicle is on its last leg before you end up stranded, and some problems actually make your car unsafe to drive.
Other than taking immediate action, the most important thing is to find a trustworthy auto mechanic. That way, you can count on getting an honest opinion about your options. When you bring your vehicle to a skilled team, you can also get fast, accurate service for a lower price.
Car Repair in Tucson at Cactus Auto
Here at Cactus Auto Sales , we’ve seen it all. We sell all types of used cars, so we have to learn how to identify and correct problems on just about any make or model. Our team has a lot of experience, and they know how to take care of common problems quickly. Stop by today, or schedule service and we’ll get you back on the road as soon as possible.
What’s the Best Age of a Used Car to Purchase?
Many factors need to go into a car purchase, whether it’s a new or used car. While buying a used car is financially reasonable, it doesn’t always guarantee the quality of the purchase. Is the car mileage worth your money? Regardless of your reasons for purchasing a used car, mileage and depreciation are critical considerations. This blog highlights the proper age to buy a used car in Tucson, AZ, and the environs.
Depreciation Works on a Curve
Generally, depreciation works differently for new and used cars. For starters, a new car depreciates faster than a used car. A new car loses 9-11% of its value immediately after you drive it from the dealership. Subsequently, the average car loses 20% of its value within the first year. After the first 12 months, the car loses about 15-25% of its value yearly for five years. The car’s depreciation happens after that period but is much slower.
The Best Time to Buy a Used Car
Purchasing a used vehicle that is 2-3 years old means that you are getting a relatively new car in good condition without being affected heavily by depreciation. However, you stand a chance to save even more if you purchase an older car. An older car (5 years and above) is likely to have lost 60% of its value, making it a convenient age to buy a used car in Tucson, AZ.
What Factors Affect Depreciation?
Different car models generally depreciate at varying speeds. For example, a luxury sports car has a higher depreciation rate since car buyers usually go for the newer models. On the other hand, reliable vehicles such as the Toyota Tacoma, Jeep Wrangler, and Nissan Frontier have some of the slowest depreciation rates.
Recalled vehicle models or cars with a reputation for costly repairs and maintenance also have an extremely high depreciation rate. Despite getting a great deal and bargaining on a particular car model, ensure you consider the ongoing repair costs.
Consider the Cost of Servicing and Maintenance
Generally, modern vehicles are still reliable when aging. A typical five-year-old vehicle costs way less in repairs than a ten-year-old car. While the average five-year-old vehicle is likely to suffer significant damage every 2-3 years, the average ten-year-old will most likely face considerable damage every 18-20 months.
Consider More than the Car’s Sticker Price
Additional safety features give newer models a competitive advantage over older ones. The best model year to buy a used car would be the 2012 model, when superb safety features entered the auto industry and redefined cars. These features include electronic stability control, side curtain airbags, and backup cameras.
In addition, newer cars have better mileage, thus helping your long-term savings goals. More importantly, more recent models have more gadgets and improved style choices.
What You’re Looking for in a Used Car
What is the most crucial factor to consider when purchasing a used car? Below are some practical tips and considerations for when buying a used vehicle:
- Future resale value
- Car features and specs
- Value for your money
- Low upfront costs
- Low running costs.
These factors affect the price of a used car before purchasing it.
How Old Should a Used Car Be?
If you are looking for a great used car bargain, ensure you buy a car as old as you are comfortable driving around. Also, ensure the vehicle is in good condition and reflects proper care from its previous owner. Unfortunately, you can’t always get such a good bargain by purchasing new or relatively new cars.
Remember that most modern safety features aren’t available in older models. Therefore, the proper model year to buy a used car should be a 2012 model at the very highest.
Cactus Auto Sales has got you covered if you want to buy a used car in Tucson, AZ. Contact us To help you find a well-priced and maintained used car in Tucson, AZ, and the surrounding towns.
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