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