Buy Here Pay Here - Buying Quality Used Cars

You have options today when buying a used car or truck. There are newspaper classifieds, online classifieds and Craigslist. We’ve even seen cars lined up from individual owners in a big box store parking lot with for sale signs in the windshields.

Then of course there are used car dealers, some who even offer buy here pay here options.

Where to Start

Your starting point is deciding your current situation, and where you want to be by the end of any transaction.

What is your budget? Can you get financing? What payments can you afford? Do you want a car to just get around in or do you want something with a little style? Do you have a car to trade in?

You’ll also want a least an idea of the type of vehicle you want to end up. Two doors? Mini-van? SUV?

Once you assess your situation, you have three general choices.

The “Do-it-yourself” Approach

Buying a vehicle from a previously unknown individual carries a lot of risks. Other than a short test drive, you probably have minimal knowledge of the vehicle’s true mechanical condition. “Oh, he SAID he changed the oil every 3,000 miles” isn’t going to get much sympathy from your mechanic when he has to replace the engine.

Buying a car from a blind ad is like stepping out in the old west. There are people who are willing to take advantage so buyer beware.

No warranty. No vehicle history. No relationship. You may end up with a successful transaction, but buying a vehicle is usually a significant transaction. Why take the risk?

Buying a Used Car from a New Car Dealer

While many new car dealers have a good selection of used cars, the salespeople spend the vast majority of their time learning about the details of their new car lines. In some cases they may be no more familiar with a particular used car on the lot than you are. They buy used cars in bulk with profit margin as their main focus.

While they have reputations to uphold, the sheer volume of sales makes an individual customer just a little less valuable. Most new car dealers are big business, and the business is moving cars.

Buying From a Used Car Dealer

The days of the fast talking, sunglass wearing, plaid suit-coat wearing used car salesman are long gone. Ok, mostly.

You’ll find used car dealers today who support fundraising efforts in their communities, serve on local school boards, and spend money at other local businesses. Many are owned by hands-on, hardworking individuals and families who take pride in building their business.

What this means is that a used car dealer can care about you not just as a customer, but as an individual. They want to do business with you again. The cars on their lot are likely individually selected by them…hand chosen so to speak because of their mechanical reliability.

A used car dealer will generally offer some type of warranty, and buy-here-pay-here dealer’s offer financing for those who may not qualify otherwise. This allows for payments that can allow a buyer to get into a much newer vehicle than previously thought. It many cases the down payment is also small.

If you are in the market for a previously owned vehicle, consider the benefits of buying from a used car dealer, and even one that offers buy here pay here options.

Auto Masters of Smyrna
56 S Lowry St
Smyrna, TN 37167
(615) 625-7200
http://www.usedcarssmyrnatn.com/