Tips for buying a used car in Chicago

Tips for buying a used car

Buying a used car can be a great experience. Buying a used car today is a much better experience than it was 7 to 10 years. The nightmares of odometer rollbacks and title fraud were heard frequently, even when purchasing from a franchised “reputable” dealer. Nowadays there are many technological guards in place and vehicles are built much better than they were in the past. In fact, the quality of pre-owned autos makes purchasing one an easy alternative to buying most new cars.

At Car Loans on Demand we want everyone to be able to select a used car or SUV that is right for them. Below is a list of suggestions that we recommend you get familiar with that will make your car buying experience the best that it can be no matter where you go!

When you are at the dealership

• Take a look around at all the vehicles before you decide on one.  Let your sales person know that you want a few minutes to look around and you will get them if you have any questions.. It is recommended that you don’t make a quick choice  with an auto until you have had the chance to discuss the price and possible payments that are right for you. Working with a good dealership will make for a better experience as they will guide you to a vehicle that is good for your situation. Including the price and payments.
• If possible, inspect the vehicle in daylight. If you are looking at night have the car brought into a well lit area to inspect like the dealerships indoor showroom or service area.
• Go through the car carefully and look at all the features.
• Test drive the car you want to buy in various circumstances if you can. It’s very important to see how your auto behaves in most conditions.
• IF you bring person with you for advice, make sure they understand they are not there to dash your hopes of buying a car. Hopefully they don’t lose sight of their mission and they wind up finding everything wrong with every car.

Exterior Review

• Does the door look straight when closed or are there gaps?
• Is there a larger gap at the top of the closed door versus the lower end of the door?
• Is there any paint on the rubber moldings of the vehicle?
• Is the paint on the car rippled or “orange peeled”?
• Does the paint look smooth and unblemished?

Vehicle Tires

• Are all four tires the same?
• Are all four vehicle tires the same size?
• Are the tires balled or cupped or do they show uneven wear in any area?
• When test driving, listen if you hear any abnormal noises that could be caused buy the tires.
• Make sure the vehicle has a decent spare tire-inflated- and a jack.

Inspect the inside of the auto

• The interior material should be clean of stains and not torn.  Seating should be clean and have no tears as well.
• Do the seating controls adjust the seat properly?
• Does the radio and CD player work and play properly?
• Are there any cracks or chips in the dash or console areas?
• Try “all” electronic devices such as windows, doors, gas doors, etc that they work properly.
• Do you smell an odor in the vehicle?
• Is the carpet secured to the floor properly-check for loose edges.
• Are the floor mats present?
• Inspect under the seats for past spills of hazardous or “stinky” fluids.
• Check the headliner for some signs of smoke stains or tears.

Suspension

• Inspect the auto shocks for any rust or visible issues, like loose bolts
• When test driving pay attention to ride feel and noise and drive over some potholes.
• Does the auto pull to one side when you test drive the vehicle?
• Does the car ride straight when driving straight? Don’t laugh…

Trunk Area Of The Car

• Inspect also for tears.
• Inspect for odors indicating moisture retention from possible flooding.
• Look for mismatched paints schemes around the trim and moldings and the metal edges.
• Does the trunk of the vehicle lock?

Vehicle Transmission

• Does the auto shift smoothly?
• When test driving the vehicle manually shift the gears.
• Test the 4 wheel drive feature if available on your car.
• Watch for racing RPM readings in various gears for transmissions issues.
• Does the car respond good on hills?

Car Brakes

• Try the brakes at different speeds.
• Ask the service manger how much of the brake pads are left.
• Ask if the rotors were replaced recently or if they appear rusted.
• Check the rims for excessive brake dust or visible rotor issues.

Auto Engine

• Does the vehicle start well?
• Does vehicle sputter or idle or make strange noises?
• During a test drive, accelerate and slow down often and at varying speeds to check for the engine response.
• After the car has been running, make sure there are no strong gasoline smells coming from the engine area or other odors.
• Do all the fluids look and smell right?  Do the belts look in good shape? Do the belts make any strange noises?
• Do all of the performance gauges work properly?

Other possible areas to review on your used car

If the car dealer has any maintenance history obtain a copy.

Don’t rely too much on reports like Carfax as they are not perfect.

Has the auto been on the lot a long time? May have flat spots on tires or rotor rust.

If you can, have the car put up on the lift so you can inspect the underside of the car.

MAKE SURE YOU LIKE THE VEHICLE!  IT’S IMPORTANT TO ENJOY YOUR CAR!

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