20 Checklists that Can Help You Find the Best Qualified Car Dealers in the USA
20 Checklists that Can Help You Find the Best Qualified Car Dealers in the USA
So many people may not have the luxury of getting a brand new car. For a person who falls under this category, such that take-home income on a monthly basis may not be enough to take care of utility bills let alone getting a brand new car but still considering having a car as an option that would enhance mobility for personal, family or business use. There is an option of getting a used car which could serve just like a new one.
Are you considering going for a used car?
What you need to do is; make a checklist that will serve as a guide whenever you are setting out to get a used car of your own. For someone who earns an average income, you wouldn’t want to spend your entire money on technical faults you didn’t notice on a used car you just purchased in a few weeks ago. So, in order to get the real value for the money you intend to spend on a used car, here are twenty things to put on your checklists that will help you get in touch with the best qualified car dealers in the USA.
1. Tag a knowledgeable friend along
Getting a used car of your own, especially when you want to get the best for your money, may likely take you an entire day for a full inspection. You shouldn’t feign or pretend to have a considerable knowledge about cars, as your ignorance can lead you to purchasing the worst. The reason why you need to take a friend who has a sound knowledge about cars along when you want to purchase used cars in USA is because your eyes may not be able to notice faulty areas in a used car you have placed all hopes in getting. Perhaps you have no friends who have little or no knowledge about cars; you can take a mechanic along who will help you spot faulty areas in a car, which will normally go unnoticed by you whenever you are making an inspection. However, if a car dealer is unwilling to accommodate a friend or a mechanic that has come along with you for a car inspection, then you have the liberty not to buy used cars from him. Some car dealers may want to play a smart one with you if you don’t have a friend that could spot faults easily when inspecting a used car.
2. Work with a realistic budget
You know what you earn on a monthly basis. Therefore, it would be unwise to spend all your earnings just to get a used car. What you should set out to do is try to create a savings plan that wouldn’t exceed 20 percent of your income, especially when you are considering the chance to obtain a loan in order to finance what you need to buy. When your budget is flexible, you won’t be stretched beyond your financial capacity, as you have other plans for other ongoing projects. There are so many loan schemes out there in which you can apply for in order to purchase used cars in New York. However, the important thing is adopting a loan scheme that works for you, which will not eat deep into your budget, just because you are planning to get a used car of your choice. Your sole priority is to be comfortable, and you shouldn’t be under intense pressure just because you want to buy a used car. Go for an affordable car that can provide you with great performance.
3. Make your research before getting to buy used cars from dealers
It is essential that you know the kind of model that befits you. The reason is because you will at a point in time spend some amount of money on repairs. Moreover, knowing the kind of model before hand will help you know the choice you will end up selecting whenever you want to purchase used cars in New York. For instance, if you have a store and you need to move goods or boxes at different occasions, your option should be a pick-up truck. Therefore, you have to get a car that perfectly complements your present situation as an entrepreneur, individual or family person.
Moreover, some car models are far stronger in terms of engine quality compared to other models. This can give you a clue into the budget you need to set aside for repairing, whenever your used car breaks down. Other areas which you feel may be more important to you include; interior design, rims, exhaust pipe, audio system, fog lights, rear lights etc. All of these components in one way or another will determine your choice of vehicle.
4. Check out the frame
No matter how appealing a car may be, you should take out time to check the frame before you eventually buy. There are some car dealers out there who are prepared to cleverly conceal all the defects of a used car which they are much eager to sell off to unsuspecting buyers. Whenever you spot your desired version of a used car in a dealers’ shop, you must ensure that you check out the framing system. Ideally, a frame that is still intact will have bolts and nuts in a complete set, without any form of tampering. If a used car frame is short of these important components, it means the used car has been patched up from a recent accident, which a car dealer is willing to sell off to unsuspecting buyers. So, whenever you want to purchase used cars in USA, you must ensure that the framing system is intact with the complete bolts and nuts. If it is wielded, that should be a warning sign for you. This way, you have the option of not paying for a used car that will cost you more money for repairs in the future.
5. Insist on inspecting the used car you want on a level ground
When a used car is on a level ground, it is easy for you to check out faults that may not be noticeable,especially when the car is maintaining a slant position. You should not make the mistake of paying so much for a used car, only to start noticing faults that will make you spend a lot more on repairs. For instance a used car may have a faulty suspension which will be unnoticeable when such a car is on a sloppy surface. So, before you buy a used car, ensure that the suspensions, the springs and shock absorbers are all functional. The way in which you can ensure that all of these items are still intact whenever you are checking out a used car from a car dealers’ show room is by insisting that the car is parked on a level ground.
6. Check underneath the used car for fluid leakage and rust
You should inspect the state of the used car model you are hoping to pay for. Used cars can be overwhelming, especially if the car is newly painted. However, you may be caught unawares if you fail to check out a used car which has become rusty underneath. Moreover, there are some places in a used car in which you can check out for rusty surfaces.
First, the hinges are one of the delicate areas that you cannot skip while inspecting a used car you intend buying. This is one of the reasons why you should take a knowledgeable person along, who can help you spot faulty places that you may unknowingly overlook.
Secondly, you also need to check out the floorboards, as foot pads can conceal rusty areas which you may not notice after you have purchased a used car in New York. Inasmuch as you are interested in the exterior design of the desirable car you want, you should also be careful at checking out the exterior, such as the floorboards.
Furthermore, you should ensure you check out for leakages before you agree to make payments. A lot of pipes and hoses run underneath cars. So, used cars that may have suffered some form of collision in the past may have leaky pipes which can endanger your life and passers-by. In order to avoid accidents, you should check out for loose pipes which can provide outlets for leaking fuel or break fluids.
7. Check out the engine
You wouldn’t want to start hearing an unusual sound while driving, would you? The reason is because the engine is one of the most vital parts of a car. Apart from the nice exterior and interior of a used car, you should also be concerned with the condition with which you may meet the engine of the car of your choice. You wouldn’t want to buy a fancy car in which you will spend all of your income, just because you are trying to refill the oil on a daily basis. Initially a fairly used car should have the capacity to retain its oil for a month, depending on the number of times you hope to drive it. Therefore, it is necessary you check out the entire engine before you agree to pay for the used car you have chosen.
First, you should check out the radiator for leakages, so that you don’t have to spend extra cost at repairing. A bad radiator can result to a possible knock for your engine. Therefore, you should make sure that the radiator is in a good condition before you purchase the used car of your choice.
Secondly, you should also check out the engine block for oil leakage. This is usually caused by a faulty gasket. The oil leak is usually brownish for a car whose mileage is still not very high, compared to cars whose oil leakage come out as black, especially for cars that have a very high mileage. Moreover,leakage can come from an oil filter that has a loosened thread. No matter how good an engine may sound, if the threading does not hold the oil filter well, do not be easily convinced to buy what you would spend extra cash on later. However, if you are not comfortable with the look of the engine, you could check out another used car that can still measure up to your taste. Moreover, you should check out the fluids of each compartment of the used car before you buy. As mentioned earlier, you need to go along with a friend or mechanic who has a sound knowledge about cars. For instance the power steering fluid as well as the gearbox fluids should be reddish brown. Moreover, the coolant,that is the antifreeze apparatus for cars generally, should have one of these colors: pink, green or yellow. If there happens to be any form of leakage, take your time to either walk away or ask for a reduction in price.
Thirdly, you should check the dipstick and ensure that the oil is measured correctly. Getting the correct oil measurement has to do with having the used car maintaining a straight position. So, when you check the dipstick and you notice that the oil is below satisfactory point, you shouldn’t consider purchasing the used car in New York.
In addition, you should ensure that you start the engine in order to know if the car is in a good condition. Having started your car, remove the oil cap to check for unusual sludge which could either be whitish or brownish in color. If this is so, that means the gasket has been blown up. Therefore if you end up buying the used car, based on your sentiments, you don’t have to be surprise when you start buying oil on a weekly basis for a refill or filling up the radiator with water after covering a few miles. Moreover you should also go to the rear of the car you hope to buy, in order to check out for unusual smoke. If the used car is letting off a blueish smoke, which means the gasket is blown up, as an indication that few drops of oil are getting into the cylinder. This is a sure sign that the used car you are about to buy shouldn’t be considered as an option except you are willing to procure a new engine for the car which is not a good idea.
Furthermore, you should ensure that the fan belt is well in position, as well as in a good shape. Cars come in different designs in the sense that you can have a separate fan that is not attached to the shaft. If the fan belt is not firm, you can end up knocking your engine unknowingly, while on the run way. Moreover, a faulty fan belt can mean less supply of electricity from the alternator. The alternator is responsible for generating the electricity that goes into the cylinders repeatedly in order to aid movement through combustion. Moreover, a faulty fan belt can also run down your car batteries, when the fan belt fails to keep the alternator working perfectly.
Finally, you also need to check if the hoses are tight or loosen. There are so many compartments in an engine and all things must be sitting in place, for seemingly insignificant items could cause your used car not to move. Before you finally agree to purchase used cars in the USA, you should check if the hoses are tightened so that fluids such as water and petrol can freely move within the engine without hindrances or leakage.
8. Go for a test drive
If you have checked the engine, and you are impressed with whatever you must have seen so far, ensure you go for a test drive. A test drive will point out hidden faults that a car would normally not give while on a still position, irrespective of the fact that the engine is still running perfectly. While driving you can easily notice unusual sounds that can become ahindrance to having the used car you have chosen move freely.Moreover a test drive will also reveal to you how good the gear of a car can be. Some car dealers may try to play a smart one on you, especially when they are so eager to sell a faulty car to you. Some car that look nice, both engine and body-wise, may have trouble moving well, because of a faulty gear. A car should have a good transition from one gear to another. This will inform your choice on what to buy at the end of the day. If the used car cannot transit easily, do not waste your money purchasing such. This is the reason why it is essential you test run before you eventually pay those bills.
Moreover, a test drive can also reveal to you if the used car has a very bad fuel pump. A faulty fuel pump has a very bad result on motion. What usually happens is that the used car either jerk or stop in between motion while you are test driving.
Also, a test drive will help you figure out if the used car has a very bad air conditioning system. Before you buy a used car, you should ensure that the air conditioning apparatus is working properly and perfectly. The reason is because there could come a period in your life in which you need to be in your car, all wound up, so that you can avoid contaminated air at the lest expected times. You want to be a proud car owner. Therefore your limited budget should be able to give you the best quality service from a used car, without having to pay excessively for hidden damages you never thought the used car would have.
Interestingly, a test drive can also reveal to you whether the used car has a better mirror view while driving. This way, you will be able to notice areas which could pose as a blind spot. If you are on a drive way, you should be able to know the cars that have are very far or maybe have a close proximity with you. A good side mirror will help you check out for incoming vehicles that you may not notice whenever you are driving at a top speed.
More importantly, a test drive can provide you with warning signs that may normally not be noticeable when a used car is at a stand still. The shape and size of a car can be overwhelming, especially when the car meets you specification. Yet you cannot reach conclusions based on the fact that a used car has a good engine sound. So, whenever you start the ignition, you should ensure you check the dashboard for warning signs that can come up while trying to drive a used car. If there is an oil shortage or your passengers have not put on their seat belts, a used car should be able to provide you with a notice. The purpose is to ensure that you are in safe hands, especially when trying to buy a used car. If a used car is in a very bad condition, the lights will provide you with clues to the next action to take. If a used car does not have these features, you should check out other cars in good condition.
9. Check out for unusual smell
The way in which people maintain their belongings differs. So, for used cars, the one you may be getting can indicate the kind of lifestyle that the former owner could be living. You must ensure that the used car you want to get does not have any form of foul smell. You will be spending long hours in your newly purchased used car, and you are entitled to get all the comfort you need. For instance, a car smelling of cigarettes is an indication that the former user was a smoker. Interestingly, smoke fragrance can linger in a vehicle for a long time. Therefore, if you notice such kind of smell in a car you have set your sight on, which you are not comfortable with, do the best you can to reject the offer of purchasing such car in New York. Inasmuch as you want to get a car of your choice, try and watch out for used cars that still have a retained natural fragrance of leather.
10. Check out the glass to ensure its intact
Car dealers have just one primary goal: to sell off all the used cars they have in stock. As a new buyer, you should take out time to check out for any form of cracks on the windshield. As little as a crack may seem, you never can tell what may happen in the future. Don’t be convinced that a minor crack on a glass will result to nothing. Remember, you are paying a lot more from your income to secure this used car for yourself. Therefore you need to keep your senses open to the choice of used car you will purchase. It takes a bit of luck to buy a used car that has all the necessary components intact.
Also, you should check if the wipers are functioning properly. You wouldn’t want to use your hands as a manually assisted wiper to wipe off rain or snow from your windshield. Inasmuch you want to get a used car of your own, you should ensure that the wipers are working. The reason is because you don’t know the time in which you may be in desperate need of having them work properly.
11. Inspect the condition of the stereo or CD player
You shouldn’t feel ashamed taking along a CD player so as to test the car CD player in order to know if it is working perfectly. You may end up spending a lot of hours on the road, depending on the distance you cover on a daily basis. Therefore, you need an electronic gadget that can keep you company whenever you are set for a journey which you are set to ride alone. So, if there is no stereo or a CD player that comes with the car you have chosen to buy, you are entitled to ask questions before setting out to buy a used car from any dealer. Moreover, you can come along with a compact disc or a flash drive loaded with song, so that you can test the CD player or the flash slot to know if they are in a good condition.
12. Ensure that tires are checked during inspection
Tires can also tell you much about the condition of a used car. During your inspection there are signs that a tire can show you, which could give you a clue to what is actually wrong with the car you intend buying. For instance, if the tires have missing threads, it means you have to get new ones, as a worn out tire is unsafe for use, for whoever wants to purchase a used car in the USA.
Also, you can discover the fact that the alignment of a used car is bad, based on the irregular threading from a tire. No matter how good looking a tire may be, irregular threading is just one of the danger signs that the used car does not have a good balance. Moreover a very bad alignment also means you have to be spending more on tires on a monthly basis. Apart from spending on tires on a monthly, you also put your life in jeopardy, as there are instances a tire can come off in motion, because the car you purchased has a bad balance.
13. Check the effectiveness of the brakes
Inasmuch as the engine is running smoothly, other areas which appear insignificant should also be checked thoroughly. You should never work on assumption, so that you don’t jeopardize the lives of your passengers and yourself while on a top or moderate speed. How do you know that the brake of a car is faulty? Well, it is very simple. All you need do is apply pressure on the brake pedals. When the brake pedal is very soft, you should ask if the car dealer will have it fixed.
Another way in which you can know that the brakes are working is by going for a test driving. Test driving will point out faulty areas in the used car. The break lights should be in a good conditions, as these apparatus will help you reflect light visibly for people to see, which will help avert others from colliding with you at night while driving. While test driving, ensure that you step on the brakes abruptly, as you will need good brakes to keep you from making colliding with other road users. You should also remember that the brake pad should not be too hard or too soft.
14. Ask for the history report
A history report for a used car must be demanded for irrespective of how the car may look or appeal to you. You don’t know if there are hidden faults which you may have to address in the future, having purchased a used car in the USA. A history report is like a secret that unveils all the occurrences that can never be conceal by car dealers. Here are a few things that a history report will do for you as one of your methods of making a car checklist.
First, you need to be aware of the fact that used cars may have been damaged by flooding. For some years, there have been occurrences of tsunamis in some parts of the United States. So, it is a known fact that many cars become flooded as a result of the bad weather. Interestingly, such cars end up with car dealers who take it upon themselves to repair the cars and put them up for sale. For someone like you who is interested in purchasing a used car in New York, it is best you ask for history reports as regards flood damage on the used car.
Secondly, the total number of previous owners on the report will give you a clue into what you are about to buy. As a potential buyer you can get lucky with a car that may probably have just a single user. However, if there are multiple users, you should do a careful inspection before you eventually agree to pay for the used car. A used car you purchased shouldn’t eat deep into your budget.
Thirdly, the history report will also provide you with the mileage facts. The way in which people handle cars or maintain them are different. You can set your sight on a used car that has a good interior but a bad engine. You can also set your sight on a used car with bad exterior design, but still have an incredible engine. Interestingly the mileage of a car can serve as a clue to the numbers of years a car still have in order to run effectively. If the mileage is low, the car has a better chance to stay with you for a long time with minimal repairs. If the mileage is very high, you are left with nothing, but to select other car options that can still measure up to your taste.
Forth, the vehicle identification number (VIN) should be verifiable. This is to ensure that you are not poised to buying a car that is stolen. At different instances, a car dealer may likely want to play a smart one on unsuspecting buyers who never take enough time to verify the identification number. A history record can provide you with the exact verification number, so that you don’t end up buying a used car that is not road worthy.
15. Inspect the state of the seats
Seats in cars have been designed in such a way that you can adjust them for your comfort. Although the seats are not the most important component of a used car, you know you are out to select the best item for yourself. Before inspection, here are some key elements you should watch out for in used cars judging by the seats.
First, you should check out for rusty deposits. Whatever type of car brand you hope to buy, you must ensure that the seats are without rust. Rusty seats are indications that the used car could have been damaged by flood. So, if you happen to encounter a seat that has rusty deposits, you can check for other better used car options.
Secondly, ensure that the seats are easy to adjust for the sake of comfort. Your ability to drive with ease is another factor you must put into consideration whenever you are planning to purchase used cars in New York. Most cars are specially designed to accommodate all types of height. So, what you need to do is change or adjust the seats, which will determine how comfortable you will become while driving. Driving a used car you just acquired should be something you are ready to do effortlessly without encountering any form of discomfort.
Thirdly, another component which you also need to check out is the seat belts. You should not be too eager to pay for a used car, simply because you are satisfied with the both the interior and exterior design. No matter how good looking and appealing a car may appear, the seat belt is an option you should not joke with. Your life and that of your passengers can be in danger, when there are no available safety kits. Apparently you are not purchasing a used car in the USA just to get involved in an accident. However, you need to take the necessary precautions on what you are about to buy in relation meeting the safety requirements that will guarantee your being alive while driving.
16. Ensure that the car passes emission test
The American environment is doing all it can to curb the negative influence of green house gases at every nooks and crannies of the state. So, in whatever state you belong to, you should be aware of the regulations that have been made, as regards the type of car you should use in order to regulate the gas that are release into the environment. Before you pay up in cash, you should check to ensure that the used car you intend buying passes the emission test. If it doesn’t pass the test, and you choose to be adamant with your choice, irrespective of the consequences, you then have to be prepared at incurring an extra cost at paying fines which you can avoid paying in the first place.
17. Take out some time to check the hood for leakage
You wouldn’t want to be drenched in rain, would you? You should ensure you check the hood of the used car you are about to buy from a car dealer. How do you get to know if a car has a bad hood? It is very simple. All you need do is to check if there are traces of water stain which will appear at the hood of the used car. Rather than buy, you can examine other car options, so that you won’t be drenched at seasons in which there will be abundance of rainfall that will take place. When a used car comes with a very good hood, there is little you need to worry about, as you know that you are safe from any form of weather.
18. Know the car model you want in particular
In order to maintain a consistent bid for buyer’s choice, a lot of car companies are improving on their car features so as to entice the potential clients to buy more cars on a daily basis. Yet, there are faults that are common to a given particular car model, compared to other car models. So you shouldn’t be surprised if a car has to be recalled in order to fix problems that could endanger the lives of those who are owners. Some cars can suddenly develop an unknown fault which needs to be addressed by the manufacturer. If you don’t have this adequate information about the different brands of cars, you may end up purchasing a used car in which you have a little knowledge about its peculiarities, as well as its disadvantages. In order to make your choice of car easier, you can go online to obtain the required information about the different models of cars which will inform your choice whenever you want to purchase a used car in New York.
19. Pay attention to noises
When you start a used car, you should maintain a perfect silence in order to check out for unusual noise, which can serve as a warning.This is to ensure that you don’t make the mistake of purchasing a used car that will turn out bad for you. While the used car has its engine running, you should try stepping on the gas pedal to see if the shaft will give an unusual noise. A faulty shaft can cause a car to break down when you lest expect. Therefore a person like you should be on the alert whenever you are trying a make a car selection that will sooth your taste. You shouldn’t be in a hurry to pay off the car dealer. Instead, you should be willing to check out areas in a used car which will inform your choice of selection. If at the end of the day, you kept your foot on the gas pedal and the car is still giving usual noise, the next thing is for you can check out other options.
20. Prepare your mind towards a negotiation
These checklists should be able to provide you with the needed requirements to make a better selection for a car you are about to purchase. Having to maintain a car comes with a lot of sacrificing, as there will be attentions tugging at you to create a special budget that will help with the maintenance of a used car you just got. If after conducting the inspection and you notice some bad areas in a used car you have set your eyes on, you can do the needful by beating down the price to what you can afford. This way, you are placed in a better position of accepting the offer a car dealer is offering you or you stamp your feet on the ground by rejecting the offer. So, it is high time you haggled the price of the used car into something you can afford. Your action towards beating down the price should be an advantage such that you would not run out of money after your purchase, knowing well that you still have to plan for repairing. The important thing is getting to agree with a car deal that soothes your budget perfectly without taking a bad toll on you.
So, in your search for a used car, you have to be deliberate with your steps by using these checklists as a guide. You wouldn’t want to be spending so much on repairs, just because you didn’t take out enough time to do the needed inspection for a used car of your choice. You don’t have to be convinced into buying a used car that will give you a lot of technical problems in the future. Inasmuch as you cannot afford to buy a brand new car, you should not also open yourself up to incurring expenses that will flatten your budget. Therefore, you should take out time to master this checklist, so that you don’t end up making decisions over your car choice, which may turn out regretful. There are many car dealers out there in the US, and a good number of them are waiting to sell you used cars that can take a large chunk of your monthly budget. If you have a little or no knowledge about cars, and you intend getting a fairly used type for yourself, you can take a friend along to meet with a car dealer. Your friend will serve as you guide as you inspect the components of the used car, in order to ensure that the car is still in good shape. You don’t have to compound your financial worries, because that would eventually set in when you spend more on car repairs on a monthly basis.
Interestingly, a used car cannot provide an hundred percent guarantee, by avoiding a possible breakdown in the future. Even though a break down is not inevitable, your budget shouldn’t stretch you beyond your limits, because you purchased a used car in New York. However, before worries start setting in, you may be lucky to have selected a car that will take a few years to develop faults. By then, you may have developed your financial capacity to get a new car. On the other hand, if you still prefer to go for used cars in New York after many years of getting your first one, you can go back to this checklist, as it will always come in handy whenever you need it. You don’t have to become an unfortunate buyer of used cars, when you have a checklist that can save you much of the trouble in the area of fixing damaged car parts after purchase. After all, you are the one spending your money on an item that you know can provide you with the needed comfort. With this checklist in hand, you are well on your way to becoming the newest car owner in town. Moreover, no one will be interested at knowing if your car is new, as long as you are able to convey yourself freely from one place to another.