Buying a car is a big step in anyone’s life. Before making a financial decision with this much significance, it is important to consider all the alternatives you have. A great way to acquire a great quality car at a lower price is to look at certified used cars in Calgary. Deciding to go for this less expensive option has its pros and cons, and in this article, you will find 5 suggestions you should keep in mind when purchasing a used vehicle.
1. Look for used cars online
In the past, the only way to learn the price of a car was to physically visit a car dealership. However, nowadays you can do this from the comfort of your home by going online and looking for websites and search engines that compare all the dealerships that sell used cars in Calgary. Some of these websites allow you to filter your search by your postal code and the specific make and model that you are looking for. This way, you can compare the same vehicle in different places and find out what the cheapest option in your region is.
2. Pay attention to the mileage
Before deciding to buy a used car, you should examine it thoroughly. Remember that once you buy it, the car will be your responsibility and you will have to fix any flaws you failed to see before. Something essential in this regard is the mileage. On average, a car racks up 10,000 driving miles per year. Therefore, if you are looking for a model that is 8 years old, the mileage shouldn’t be higher than 8,000. A car with higher mileage than this is bound to be worn out and will be a burden in the long run. Even if the price is significantly lower due to the mileage, you should consider that a worn-out car will be the reason for endless trips to the mechanic, with bills that can accumulate and end up being costlier than the amount of money you initially saved.
3. Find a cheap car
The best way to save money while buying used cars in Calgary is to look for cars that were already cheap when they came out. New cars start to lose their value as soon as they are taken out of the dealership, and after their first year, they can lose up to a quarter of their value. Therefore, looking for a make and model that wasn’t too expensive when launched will surely save you some coin.
4. Select a good model
Many things should be taken into consideration when picking a car model. Even though the appearance of a car is important, other things must be reflected before making a purchase. Once a model has caught your attention, you should go online and look for consumer reports which provide a lot of information in regard to how reliable the make and model are. Also, they will inform you of customer satisfaction and help you discover issues that you didn’t know were common with that specific make or model.
5. Ask for the car’s title history report
You mustn’t skip this step since it is crucial in the process of buying a used car. A vehicle history report will provide you with information regarding any accidents in which the car has been involved, as well as any type of damage suffered by the car or if the specific model was recalled by the manufacturer due to any safety risks. Ask your seller for this report before buying a used car to ensure that it is in great shape.