At the very least, finding the used car you want can be a mighty undertaking. With that in mind, discover some important things to consider, pieces of advice, and tips for buying a used car so that you get a vehicle that will last for many years.
To reach your goal of getting the ideal vehicle, we suggest that you visit us at Friendly Ford. We’re here to support Geneva, Canandaigua, and Seneca Falls, New York, drivers in their search.
The first thing to do is to know your budget. The total amount you make in car payments should be no more than 20 percent maximum of your total monthly income. That’s for all cars in your household. If you’re planning on buying outright, know what you can afford to pay.
You may wish to find out your credit score before you fill out a finance application through our credit score estimator. Whatever your credit score is can determine the interest rates you can get and how likely it will be that you get approved for a loan. According to FICO, a good credit score ranges from 670 to 739.
Remember that even though your score may be less than perfect, it doesn’t mean that you cannot finance a car. We work with all types of customers who each come with a diverse array of characteristics, budgets, and lifestyles. Talk to a finance professional at our dealership, and we’ll figure it out together.
Before you even begin looking at cars, make a list of what you want and need. Know which features would be nice to have and which ones are essential. Do you need lots of cargo space? Plenty of room for passengers? Solid towing capacity? Great safety features?
After you secure your list, then research which cars have those features and narrow it down to a few makes and models in our used inventory. If you need additional resources, we recommend reviewing Kelley Blue Book or the US News and World Report Cars website. You can read about different types of cars and see which make or model fits you best.
Once you’ve figured out which types of vehicles you prefer, start searching our used inventory for the right car. You never know what may be waiting for you. Our cars go fast, and we provide a well-rounded collection of cars, including models like the Ford F-150 or Ford Escape.
Read reviews of all the cars you’ve got on your list. Investigate things like reliability, longevity, and the costs of ownership. What kind of routine maintenance will be required and what are the costs? Are there a lot of recalls and reported issues? All of these will go into the ongoing costs of owning the vehicle.
As we mentioned before, you can check out the resources listed in the previous section or look at our reviews. If you’re looking for a car that’s only a few years old, you can find reviews covering diverse pre-owned Ford models. They go over performance, amenities, safety, and technology.
Read the comparisons that we provide as well because they will give a unique perspective on the Ford cars that we offer. They pit two different yet comparable vehicles against each other and show how they measure up.
You Like Look at sites like Kelley Blue Book to determine the base sale value of the cars on your list. Then research local dealers to find out whose price is the best, based on your research. Contact these dealers and see who has solid incentives.
On our website, we provide a complimentary payment calculator, so that you can compare the different vehicles in stock. If you’ve been eyeing a handful of SUVs, for instance, you can see which provides the best value for you. This can also let you know what the potential monthly payment could be.
It's recommended that you test drive a used car before you purchase it to get a good feel for how it operates. You should also have a mechanic look it over and see if any areas need attention.
Make sure you drive the car for at least a half hour and get it on the highway if you can. Listen for rattling, rumbling, and check the feel of the brakes and engine. Make sure it runs as it should.
Besides, the car operating well, see if it feels comfortable and you have enough visibility outside of both windshields. Turn on the air conditioner and radio to see how they work. Ask questions about any interior features that you’d like to use but do not know how to operate.
Many of our pre-owned vehicles come from drivers like you. We rely on those gently used cars and can make it an easy transition toward a trade-in transaction. You can check out the value before you decide to trade it in through our Value Your Trade appraisal tool. This can tell you the current worth of your car.
If you’re not satisfied with the value, you may wish to take a good look at your car. You may be able to boost the value with a few tips. Make sure that it’s clean inside and out. A shiny exterior will attract buyers and a tidy interior will show off how much space you have. Take out any trash or personal belongings from your car and take it to our service center for a quick inspection.
We hope you learned enough about the tips for buying a used car. If you’re looking for the best deal on a used car in Geneva, Canandaigua, or Seneca Falls, NY, close the deal at Friendly Ford. Browse through our pre-owned inventory and then set up a test drive online.