| Finding a good used-but-new-to-you car has | | | | the car you end up with may not be the same |
| never been an easy proposition. Sifting | | | | thing. |
| through car ads and dealer lots trying to | | | | |
| decipher the secret code of used car talk is | | | | The seller can be placing a picture of the |
| an exhausting process. | | | | car from when it was new, or show one side on |
| | | | the car while neglecting to photograph the |
| Does "easy to handle" mean you won't have | | | | big scary dent on the other. Some cars, like |
| trouble pushing it out of the road every time | | | | cover models, may even have their pictures |
| it stalls? Is "classic" an accurate way to | | | | "photoshopped" before placement. If possible, |
| describe its status or is it simply old. Will | | | | see the car before agreeing to purchase or |
| it be covered by state "lemon laws"? | | | | put a down payment on it or if its in another |
| | | | city ask a friend or acquaintance who is |
| For people who simply don't have that much | | | | close to take a look. |
| time or patience, online used car shopping | | | | |
| would seem ideal. You can use search engines | | | | Always require the seller to supple pictures |
| and keywords to arrive at exactly the vehicle | | | | of all sides of the vehicle and interior. Ask |
| you are looking for. However, even a good | | | | them to send you a picture of the car with |
| process can have some snags along the way and | | | | the daily newspaper on the hood with the date |
| online used car buying is one arena where | | | | visible. That will ensure it's a recent |
| it's best to be aware of them. | | | | picture. |
| | | | |
| What's The Real Story? | | | | What's The Deal? |
| | | | |
| It's best to use reputable online dealers and | | | | Every state has differing laws about how to |
| people approved by your state's Better | | | | handle disputes when it comes to used car |
| Business Bureau. While you may think you are | | | | purchases. Check the laws in your state and |
| getting a better deal from an advertisement | | | | the state you are buying the car in to make |
| off Craiglist or a community online bulletin | | | | sure you meet the requirements to be |
| board, it's much harder to know how much of | | | | protected. Have the seller put in writing the |
| what they say is true and enforce that truth | | | | condition of the car and note any problems, |
| in a dispute. | | | | dents, or wreck history the car may have. |
| | | | |
| Make sure to research the seller and find out | | | | Also put in writing the full terms of the |
| as much as you can about where the car came | | | | agreement including the terms of payment, how |
| from and its history. Websites such as CARFAX | | | | the car is going to get from the seller to |
| offer vehicular history but their information | | | | the buyer (and who pays for that), the |
| comes from insurance and public notice | | | | disclosed condition of the car and any |
| claims, not the private things people don't | | | | photographs the seller supplies. Keep hard |
| want to disclose. Those sites can also alert | | | | copies of all emails and transactions during |
| you if the car has been registered as a | | | | the purchase. If there is a discrepancy in |
| stolen vehicle. The more you can verify about | | | | the car's appearance or condition, document |
| the car and the seller, the better your | | | | it with photographs. The more clear things |
| purchase experience will be. | | | | are spelled out, the better protected both |
| | | | the buyer and the seller will be. |
| What's The Real Picture? | | | | |
| | | | The internet is a friendly place full of |
| Used cars advertised online always seem ready | | | | people ready to make deals and sell |
| for their close-up, but some pictures don't | | | | treasures. Buying a used car online is one |
| give you a realistic view. Similar to the | | | | way to find what you are looking for quickly |
| nightmare stories that come out of the world | | | | and make an easy transaction in the process. |
| of internet dating, the picture you get and | | | | |