When you’re looking at used trucks for sale, the time and commitment you put in before purchase is important. Making sure you’re looking at all your options, and considering cost, the model, the year, and your insurance are all essential factors. Some people want to get it done right away – intent on getting on the lot and leaving the same day with a vehicle. Whether you’re the type of person who wants to take the time to research or someone who likes getting things done quick, with this 10-step guide, we’ll help you navigate how to choose the best-used truck.
1) Cost
Knowing your budget is one of the most important factors when purchasing a used truck. This will help narrow your choices and help eliminate vehicles that are completely out of your price range. Once you do so, the buying process will become a whole lot easier – you know the maximum you’re willing to spend and can focus all of your attention on used trucks for sale within that price range. We recommend going a little higher on your budget as well. If you go low – you’ll have to take into account the maintenance of the vehicle, especially if it’s an older model with more miles. If you purchase a newer used vehicle, it may help you save in the future on maintenance and mechanic visits.
2) Brand
You’ll have some leeway with brand, but it’s also important when you’re looking for used trucks for sale to have a brand in mind. There are a lot of different options out there for used trucks, and from Chevy to Ford to Toyota, all of these brands have an array of models available. Do some research and choose your favorite model that offers the most utility. Do you need a used truck for work? If that’s the case, you may want to look into super-duty vehicles and determine which brand has the best inventory. Are you looking for a used truck that can haul a large payload? Keep that in mind when you’re on the lot and ask questions to the salesmen. Are you looking for a truck that can handle all-weather and terrain? These are all important factors to keep in mind and be aware of before you go out on the lot to look for a vehicle.
3) Year
The year of a car can have a lot of impact on the car’s future, both in longevity and maintenance. The good thing to keep in mind is that according to IHS Market data, the average age of cars out on the road are eleven and half years old. So if you’re looking at a vehicle from 2007-2008, it’s actually not the worst option either. The thing to keep in mind is warranty, make sure the car has been inspected by a mechanic, and be aware that the vehicle will not have the latest in tech or safety features.
4) Performance
Looking at the specs and performance of a used truck for sale is also extremely important. A lot of times customers focus most of their attention on exterior or interior features. These are important too, but when it comes down to it, you’re purchasing a car to get you places, and how it runs, and how fast, and how much horsepower and torque, can be useful details to know. Most used lots have detailed and in-depth web pages that give you all of the details associated with their used trucks for sale. Taking a look at the company webpages and corresponding details, as well as comparing it to the Kelly Blue Book ratings and specs, is a good first step before you go into a lot to look at a vehicle.
5) Gas Mileage
With the price of gas increasing and depending on whether you live in a city or in a more rural area, gas mileage can be a very important factor to consider. You’ll want to take into consideration how many miles per gallon the vehicle gets on streets and highways and calculate that into your budget for the car.
6) Insurance
This links into cost and budgetary factors, but when you’re looking at used trucks for sale, remember to keep in mind your insurance costs and monthly payments. The overall cost of the vehicle when you drive it off the lot isn’t the last time you’ll pay for the vehicle, and monthly insurance fees and gas prices are something good to keep in mind for the future. The rule of thumb is that you shouldn’t be paying more than 20% of your monthly income for car payments.
7) Lots vs. Carmax
When you’re looking at used trucks for sale, there’s a few places you can start looking. Maybe you have a specific brand in mind, and you choose to go to a used Chevy dealer to look for trucks. These will reduce some of your options and may make the car buying process smoother. As we stated above, having an idea in mind of the brand you want is important, and can eliminate some of the stress that comes with buying a vehicle. However, if you just feel like browsing, or want to see a variety of vehicles, a company like Carmax could be a good choice as they’ll have a variety of brands, models, years, and may give you a good overview of trucks on offer. However, keep in mind, that Carmax will probably not have every truck in their inventory, so it’s a good idea to do a little bit of research before speaking to a salesperson or showing up to buy.
8) Style
Let’s admit, style is important, and you want your car to look good when you’re driving on the road. While it may not be best to purchase a vehicle solely on its appearance, it is a factor to keep in mind. Whether you want something classic like the Chevy Silverado or Toyota Tacoma, knowing your preference for the aesthetic of a vehicle, is important to keep in mind. In addition, make sure you inspect the interior and exterior of the vehicle for wear and tear – things like cracks in the windows or chips in the paint or scratches can depreciate the value of a vehicle.
9) Safety
Safety, we all know, is of incredible importance when purchasing a vehicle. Especially if this is going to be a family car, you want to make sure yourself, your partner, and your children are safe. Most companies should provide an inspection, and with certified pre-owned vehicles, there should always be a warranty included. Always make sure that the basics: seat belts and air bags are fully operational.
10) Technology
If the latest technology is a big factor for you, like Bluetooth, smart device connections, rear video camera, blind spot alert, consider buying a newer used truck. However, if you’re ok with just listening to the radio, or driving old school with manual transmission and manually-adjusted seats, don’t worry about choosing a used truck for sale that has a few years on it.
All in all, there are a lot of factors to keep in mind when buying a used truck. Keep these steps in mind in order to make the process as smooth as possible and to come out with the best purchase on the lot.
