Getting a Deal on Wheels
Finding a reliable used car at an affordable price requires both planning and persistence. A good starting point is narrowing down the type car you want or need. Be
realistic. You may envision yourself cruising around town in a little convertible, but that won’t leave much room for the kids and dogs. Once you’ve settled on the basic vehicle, do some research to find out which vehicles have good reliability ratings. The internet and books like Lemonade can help you pick out the high maintenance turkeys. The next step is finding the model you are looking for. Used car lots will give you an idea of price, but they can be expensive and full of used car salesmen. Check your local paper, car buyers’ magazines and the internet. When you finally track down what looks like the perfect car, the last step is the test drive and inspection. If the car drives well and looks good, arrange to have your mechanic inspect it. Never omit this step. After your mechanic gives the car the OK, all that’s left is to haggle over the price.