Do's and Don'ts of Buying a Used Car
Do's & Don'ts of Buying a Used Car in Lithia Springs, GA
Considering a vehicle upgrade? Save yourself from the new car sticker shock and dive into the world of reliable used vehicles — where quality and value meet! Here at Lithia Springs Ford, we have a large selection of pre-owned sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks and hybrid models for you to choose from. To help you in your search for the perfect fit, we’ve compiled a list of the do’s and don’ts of buying a used model. Keep reading for more information
1. Do know your needs.
Overwhelmed by all the options available in our inventory? Draft a wish list of must-have features in your next vehicle. If your inner adventurer is looking for a roof rack, jot it down. Or if you have a large family, keep an eye out for spacious SUVs with extra seating. Knowing your lifestyle needs will help you streamline your search!
2. Do research.
Stay in the loop with the current car market by using third-party sites like Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book®. Simply enter the details of your preferred makes and models online and take note of the average values that appear. Equipped with an understanding of vehicle pricing, you’ll be ready to negotiate like a pro when you visit our finance office.
3. Do know how much you can afford.
How much car can you afford? Our team strongly recommends only buying a vehicle that has payments that will be less than 20 percent of your gross monthly income. Make sure you include insurance, taxes, dealer and registration fees, as well as maintenance expenses in the final amount. In order to shorten your overall loan term and reduce your monthly payments, it’s wise to put down as much as possible upfront.
4. Don't trade in a car that's worth less than you owe on it.
A great way to save on your next vehicle is by trading your current ride for one of ours! However, if you still owe money on your loan and the amount is greater than what your current model is worth, it’s probably a smart move to pay off your vehicle first. Steer clear of negative equity — it sticks around from one loan to the next, so think twice before trading if this is your situation.
5. Don't rush your test drive.
Last but not least, your test drive can make or break your decision to buy the model you’re thinking of. Don’t rush through this final step — take your time to test each function and system. And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to one of our qualified team members. We’ll be more than happy to guide you to the used model of your dreams!
If you have any questions about what you need to do before buying a used car or would like to test-drive any of our quality used models, please feel free to contact us or stop by Lithia Springs Ford at 870 Thornton Road, Lithia Springs, GA 30122 . We look forward to serving our customers from Atlanta, Dallas, Douglasville and Smyrna.