Sometimes it seems like cars break down at the worst times. You might not be in a great place financially when your car becomes inoperable, and buying a new car is not always possibly. When you need a car, and you have limited funds, a good used car might be the best thing for you. There is a wide-variety of used cars on the market. With a little bit of research, you might find a used car will work well with your current lifestyle.
Know Your Budget Before You Begin
Before you start your travels to dealerships, you need to consider how much money you can afford to spend on a used car. You could save a lot of money, if you pay for the car in full. If this is not possible, consider making a large down payment. Obviously, when you finance your car, the cost is more because you are paying interest each month when you make your payment. Traditionally, when you purchase a used car, rates are higher and the financing periods are usually shorter compared to purchasing new cars. One tip most financial experts offer is to never spend more than 20 percent of your take-home pay on a car.
Estimate Future Expenses
Always do research on the car you want to purchase to see if certain parts need to be replaced more frequently. You might have a particular car in mind that you'd like to buy, but if the water pump in that model has a history of failing, than you might want to consider another car. When you purchase a used car, there's always a chance you will have to forgo funds for maintenance and upkeep. An older car obviously has more wear and tear on it than a new car. Having savings put aside is important, since you don't want your car to cause you unnecessary debt.
