Buy USED...not ABUSED!!
Jun 21 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
The Bottom Line Information is the key to ultimate buying power, and there is no alternative to investing substantial time and energy into exhausting all available resources.
I find myself among the financial class of those who can't quite afford to but a brand new car...or at least I can't entirely justify the expenditure. After driving a hour from home yesterday, I purchased - yet again - a used vehicle from a private seller. My wheels of choice? A 1996 Toyota Celica in a beautiful smoke color. You may be wondering how I decided on this particular make and model, so here's the history: I made my first used car purchase when I was 17 years old (I am now 23). I will fully admit that logic and common sense had no place in my decision, but rather social status and curb-side appeal. I sought out a red 1989 Jeep Wrangler with chrome and tinted windows. Spending 15 minutes admiring the exterior then taking it for a quick "joy-ride" rather than a test drive, I forked over the cash and took that baby home. It wasn't until my dad did an overview that I realized I was in for a lot of internal servicing. Okay...bad experience number 1. You would think I learned my lesson, but I suppose it takes 3 times to get the point through my thick skull. Only 6 months ago I decided to trade up my 1989 for a 1995 Wrangler. I searched the classifieds and found one that I was sure had been built just for me. After talking the owner down a few hundred bucks, I drove away with what turned out to be more of a lemon than the first Jeep. The owner had lied up one side and down the other about the car's history and fuel economy and I was stupid enough to believe him- hey, the guy had three little kids and a pregnant wife on the doorstep! Okay, so I have finally figured out what is required to make an informed decision regarding a used car. I began my quest by finding a comfortable chair at the public library and piling up every edition of Consumer Reports available. I cross-referenced according to reliability, gas mileage, maintenance, and overall satisfaction ratings. I narrowed the field down to 6 or 7 models and from there researched each manufacturer's web site. Getting all the details I could possibly contain in my intellect I then turned to the Kelley Blue Book. Arm yourself with all possible price quotes, from high book value to trade in and everything in-between. Now I had the knowledge and I could begin my search for an ideal specimen. Classifieds proved quite successful, but I found more variety and better details in the Auto Trader and other publications similar to it. On-line classifieds were great to compare the value of my picks to others available around the country, although I was not going to buy out of my region. I found 2 or 3 Celicas that fit the bill (literally) and proceeded to scrutinize every last inch of those puppies. Emotion was to play no part in my investment!! Finally I settled on one that would compliment all my needs (and wants) and I took it to 2 separate mechanics to have it inspected for possible red flags. Having the go-ahead from trusted professionals gave me the confidence to hand over the cash and drive off into the sunset feeling like I came out on top...for once!! One more word of advice: make SURE the bill of sale spells out any promises or agreements made at the time of sale so you don't find yourself arguing over broken promises with the seller. I would rate this experience as wonderfully successful and my previous 2 as humbling moments of learning. I just hope I don't have any more of those moments in the near future!
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