It may not feel like it right now, but spring and summer are just around the corner, and if you are lucky enough to live in Colorado Springs, you know that that means the best time of the years is barrelling down on us. There’s no place quite like Colorado Springs, where nature truly showcases her beauty in the warmer months. So don’t waste a single day of the gorgeous upcoming seasons spending your time searching for a used car – go ahead and start researching the best way to purchase used cars in Colorado Springs so that you are ready to make the most of the spring and summer in this beautiful area.
Now, if you haven’t bought a used car before, you don’t want to rush out and just buy the first car you see on a dealership’s lot – and you especially don’t want to buy the first car you see listed on Craigslist. Purchasing a used car is a wonderful way to save money and still own a great piece of high-quality and safe machinery, but you need to plan on investing a little time and energy into doing some in-depth research. The first place to start is by figuring out what type of car is right for your lifestyle and budget.
Let Your Lifestyle Lead the Way To Your Used Car
With so many different makes and models on the market today, you certainly have plenty to choose from – starting with the big question: are you looking for a sedan, SUV or truck? The best way to answer this question is to take a look at your day-to-day life and start narrowing down your options. Do you have a long commute to work? If so, you might want to consider a sedan that gets incredible gas mileage – perhaps you may even be interested in exploring an electric or hybrid vehicle. Do you have a lot of hobbies that require hauling equipment to and fro? If the answer is yes, you’ll want to be sure that whatever you ultimately purchase has plenty of room to fit your kayaks, canoes or any other outdoor equipment you may need to make the most of your activities, so perhaps an SUV or truck is the best match for your material possessions. And don’t forget to consider who you are driving around – is it just you and a pal riding shotgun? Well, a convertible is always an awesome option, especially if there are only two of you riding with the wind in your hair. But if your kids are planning on joining in on all of the fun that Colorado Springs has to offer, you’re going to want to make sure they have plenty of safe and comfortable seating options. After all, a trip to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is not exactly a great time if you have to hear “are we there yet?” for the entire journey. When you start to shop for a used car, the best advice is to take the time to list out what is most important to you, be it hobbies, passenger capacity or gas mileage – you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can narrow down which type of vehicle is ideal for your lifestyle and your needs and wants.
But Always Keep Your Budget In Mind When It’s Time to Buy
Of course, just because you’ve narrowed down what type of model is right for you, you still can’t consider your used car shopping done yet – in fact, you still have to tackle one of the most important considerations: your budget. After all, you might have champagne taste, but if your budget leans more towards Bud Light, you’re going to want to narrow down the playing field to vehicles that won’t leave you struggling to pay your bills every month. One of the best ways to prepare yourself for the expense of purchasing and paying for your used car is to speak to your bank or credit union and see what type of loan you can qualify for – this is called getting prequalified, and it can make you a more attractive buyer once you are ready to head to the dealership. Even better, it can allow you figure out exactly how much car you can afford, so you won’t need to worry about getting in overhead and becoming upside down on your car payment. It may seem like one additional (and some will argue, unnecessary) step in an already long process, but being aware of your budget and its limitations is one of the most valuable steps you can take in the used-car buying process.
Don’t Ditch the Dealership
Once you have figured out the car that is just right for you and have spoken to your bank or credit union and have been approved for a car loan, you are ready to head to your local dealership. Of course, some people will argue that there are great deals to be found online – especially on sites such as Craigslist, but we are here to tell you to save yourself the hassle of buying from anyone but a dealership. Why’s that? Because unless you are a top-notch mechanic who knows cars inside and out, it’s simply too easy to be taken for a ride by unscrupulous sellers on sites like Craigslist. Avoid having to gauge total a stranger’s honesty and simply head to your local, reputable used car dealership. Many dealerships offer deals on their used cars and bonuses like extended service plans or warranties – which no seller on Craigslist is going to be able to match. Take your time and work with a dealership who understands what type of car you’re looking for and is respectful of your budget constraints. There are lots of used car dealerships, so if you don’t like the first one you work with, simply shop around until you find one that treats you with dignity and respect – and that offers you a great deal on a fantastic used car.
Make the Most of Colorado Springs in Your Used Vehicle
Finally, once you find a car that you would love to call yours, do your due diligence. Review the CarFax report for an in-depth report on the vehicle’s history and be sure to take the car to a trusted third-party mechanic so that you can buy confidentially, knowing that there are no hidden issues to be found under the hood. And finally, don’t forget to buy a map and make a plan for maxing out the most of your spring and summer in Colorado Springs!
