5 questions to ask when shopping used cars

January 21st, 2019 by

questions to ask when choosing your used carSometimes when we think of buying a used car on a budget it feels like we have to buy whatever that runs and fits within our budget. This isn’t necessarily the case. If we ask ourselves a few questions when shopping used cars at Kendall Value Lot, it’s easy to find what is truly best for us.

What do I want?

Just because you’re trying to stick to a budget, doesn’t mean you have to drive something you hate. Start with a realistic list of used cars that you want to shop for. You can start your list as broad or specific if you want. There’s nothing wrong making a list that consists of both a compact sedan and a half-ton truck. You’ll whittle the list down as you move forward.

What are my needs?

This is where the list starts to shrink. Think about your daily needs. If you have kids or are planning on having kids in the future, anything with two doors probably isn’t for you. If you live somewhere that’s cold or it rains 10 months out of the year, a convertible might not be the way to go. You can save money now and in the future by finding something that fits your current and future needs.

What size is best?

It’s important to find something that’s the right size. If all you do is drive to work and the grocery store, a full-size SUV might be excessive, because you probably won’t want to be paying for that kind of fuel for all that empty space. Figure out how much space you need and shop within that size of used car.

What’s my budget?

Don’t overshoot your budget. You might quickly regret spreading your budget too thin by springing for something that’s even a little outside what you can afford. If you’re going to finance a used car, it’s ideal to keep your monthly payment within 15 percent of your monthly income. Yes, it’s nice to drive a really nice car and have all eyes on you as you drive through town, but you’ll still want to be able to afford to buy other things as you go about town. Use our car loan calculator to help you find out what you can truly afford.

How much does it cost?

Once you’ve set your budget, continue to whittle down the list of cars you like. Something to keep in mind is that you might have a particular make and model in mind that fits the size of used car you want. However, as you shop, you find that car is out of your price range. Shop around for comparable used cars that fit with the same class as your desired model. At Kendall Value Lot, you’re sure to find something that you love that fits within your budget.

By asking yourself these five simple questions while you shop for a Nampa used car, you can easily find the right car for you and your lifestyle. Feel free to contact us with any other questions you might have while shopping for your next used car near Boise.

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