How and Where to Find Used Cars for Sale
Here are some of the places you might find the car you're looking for:
- Local used car dealer lots
- New car dealers with used car lots
- Large national used car dealers (example: CarMax)
- Local "auto trader" magazines
- Newspaper classified ads and online ads
- Newspaper dealer ads
- Consignment sales lots
- Online used car sales sites (example: UsedCars.com and Drivetime.com
)
- Online used car auction sites
- Online classified ad sites (example: Craigslist)
- Online car enthusiast web sites (example: CarSpace)
- Online car related discussion groups (example: BMW Forums)
- Online dealer web sites
- Supermarket or community bulletin boards
- Friends, neighbors, and work associates
- Public car auctions
Buy from dealers
Expect to pay higher prices at a car dealer than if you buy from an individual. Dealers make more profit on used cars than on brand new cars.
Some dealers inspect their cars and provide an inspection report with each car. However, don't let this be a substitute for your own inspection. Most used cars are sold "as-is" which means there are no guarantees, warranties, and no "grace" period in which to return a car.
Many new-car dealers sell late model "certified" used cars. This generally means that the cars have had a thorough inspection and come with a limited manufacturer warranty. Prices for certified cars are generally higher. Be sure to get a list of what was inspected and what is covered under the warranty.
Buy from individuals - private party sales
Buying a car from an individual can give you a chance to get a lower price than from a dealer. An individual seller may be desperate to sell, may be more willing to negotiate, and be more forthright with you — but not always.
Although most used-car transactions between individuals go well, some do not because of misunderstandings, misgivings (buyer's remorse), and dishonesty (seller untruthful about condition or history of car). When buying from an individual, it is always – repeat, always – a smart move to get the car inspected by a mechanic before you buy. It might cost you $75-$100 but can easily save you from a multi-thousand dollar mistake. Like dealer sales, car sales by individuals are always "as-is" which means you have no right to return the car and get your money back if you find problems later.
See our article, Buying Used Cars from Individual Private Sellers for more details.
Buying cars online - benefits and cautions
Many car buyers enjoy the ease of shopping online at web sites such as eBay and Craigslist. However, buying cars long-distance is risky. If you can't see the car, inspect it, drive it, and talk directly with the seller, you are taking a big chance that everything will work out well. Many buyers have had great success buying online; others have not. Furthermore, there are common car scams, particularly on Craigslist, that will quickly separate you from your money. If you choose to buy on eBay, take advantage of all their "protection" services, although it will cost you extra. For more, see, Best Used Car Web Sites.
Lease a used car
Although is it not possible to lease used cars now as it was in the last few years, there is still a way. You can take over a lease from someone who needs to get out. With the approval of their lease company you can take over their late model car and complete their lease. It's a great way to get a almost-new car with no down payment and low monthly lease payments. In fact, many "sellers" even offer cash incentives. Where do you find such cars? Swapalease.com
is the best and most respected of the online companies that help match up lease takeover "buyers" and "sellers."
Car auctions for cheap cars
Car buyers looking for real bargains often attend public car auctions. Although some auctions are dealer-only, many are open to the public, and some are online. There are government surplus auctions, police seized car auctions, unclaimed vehicle auctions, repo auctions, and salvage auctions. Buyers who take the trouble to find the auctions, learn the rules, and develop skillful bidding techniques can walk away with great car deals. Repo car auctions are another source of good used cars at bargain prices.
What's next?
When you have found the car you want, whether it is online, from a dealer, or from an individual seller, it's time to consider how much to pay, how to negotiate the price, how to transact the deal, and how to finance it. Read out next article for details.
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