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The 8 Biggest Mistakes – #1

Buying a used car can be one of the most stressful things that you’ll do this year.  Yet, here are specific steps to:

• make the buying process easier
• ensure you get more than a good deal
• find a vehicle that will last you for years to come

I have compiled a list of the most common mistakes my customers have made when buying used cars. Making any one of these mistakes can cost you hundreds – even thousands of dollars more than necessary. Finally, you can get ahead of the learning curve and buy your next car with confidence.

As the Internet Pre-owned Sales Manager for Honda of El Cerrito in the San Francisco/Bay area, I have watched my customers make the same mistakes over and over. However, it only takes a little knowledge to turn a bad car buying experience into one in which;

• you feel more in control
• even your family and friends are impressed with the deal you made

I hope that by sharing my experience I can help turn your next car buying experience into a postive and profitable one for you.

MISTAKE #1 – Not test driving early in the buying process.

As the Internet Pre-owned Sales Manager, I have worked with customers for weeks – even months – corresponding by email and talking on the telephone about price, color, specifications, and availability.

Steve W. spent months researching on the Internet before test driving the car he was hoping to buy. By the time I met him, Steve knew more about the engine, options, and specs of the car than I did. It was a big day when he finally came into the dealership to buy the car. However, when he sat in the driver’s seat for the first time, a sad look came over his face.

I don’t fit in this seat. The visability sucks. I can’t believe that I don’t even like this car. How did I make this kind of mistake?

A particular car may be:

• highly recommended by family and friends
• looks great on paper and has a good reputation
• gets great gas mileage and is priced right
• has all the options that you are looking for

However, none of this matters if you simply don’t like the car once you see it in person. Hands-on experience is crucial – please test drive early in the car buying process. As soon as your short list is reduced to just a few choices, test drive each one of them.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Which vehicle can I see myself driving for the next few years?
• More specifically: Will I still like this vehicle as I continue to make payments on it over the next few years?
• Which one is more comfortable?
• Does it have good visibility?
• Does it have all the options I want?
• Is the color okay?
• How is the gas mileage?
• Is it practical and affordable?

How does it drive on different terrains? Test drive it on:

• City streets
• Curvy roads, rough roads, roads under construction
• Major highways. How is the on-ramp speed?
• Try parallel parking

Open the trunk, the glove box, check the spare tire and tools, sit in the back seat, look under the hood, and kick the tires. After you do all that – well, see mistake #8 where it is crucial to follow your gut instinct.

Test drive early. It’s going to be your car for awhile, so don’t be afraid to go back and test drive a second time.

See the next article in this series:

Mistake #2 – Not checking the CARFAX report.