** CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK **3) Financing a Used Car
Financing is handled differently depending on whether you are purchasing from a dealership or a private party. Either way, most banks will not give you a loan for a car older than 4 or 5 years. In general, you will pay at least 2% higher APR for a used car than you would on a new car loan but you can offset this by using an online lender that specialized in financing used cars such as the ones we recommend. Try to have your credit score over 680 because you will be considered a prime borrower and get the lowest possible APR. If your credit is really bad you might want to try and repair it before you buy a car.
4) Negotiating Like a Pro
Out of all the steps to buying a used car, the one-on-one negotiation is the most daunting! You need to use all of the available information to your advantage to drive the price down. Before you begin negotiating, invest the time to do all of the research we recommend.
5) Closing the Deal
Now that your price negotiating is complete, it is time finalize the transaction. You should never pay cash because if something goes wrong you may have trouble getting your money back. Besides, carrying around large sums of cash is dangerous. You should pay with a credit card if possible or a check of some type (personal, official check, etc.). With a credit card or check you have a paper trail and some recourse available if something goes wrong.
One of the trickiest things to deal with when finalizing the purchase of a used car is when the seller still owes money on it. This should only occur when you are buying from a private party. The lender is holding the title and you must make arrangements with them to have the note paid off and the title transferred to you.
6) Get an Extended Warranty to Protect Your Purchase
If you buy a used car that is no longer covered by the manufactures warranty, you are at risk for expensive repairs. That's why it is recommended that you get an extended warranty any time you are in this situation. If you buy a 3 or 4 year old used car, chances are that the manufacturer's warranty has expired and you will be liable for the repair costs. Don't be fooled by high mileage "powertrain" warranties as these do not cover most common problems. Do your research to determine what is actually covered by the manufacturer and what isn't.
If you bought your car from a private seller it will always be "As Is". I don't think you really have any choice in this case and you must buy an extended warranty or you are taking too much risk.