Used car prices are going up everywhere in America, especially for smaller vehicles like sedans. Threats of a trade war with China, higher-than-average fuel prices, and high tariffs on imported steel may make gently-used, 2-3 year-old vehicles even more desirable in the future – because they’ll be much more inexpensive, compared to new cars.
So, how can you shop around to find the best deals on used cars in Langley, and get yourself a pre-owned vehicle before prices increase further? In this guide, we’ll give you our best tips for buying used cars in Langley.
1. Look For A 2-3 Year Old Car With One Previous Owner
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of “great price” and “new enough”, you’re going to want to shop in the 2-3 year “sweet spot”. Cars that are 2-3 years old tend to have been leased by a single customer for their entire lifespan – and that means they’ll be in good condition, and properly maintained.
In addition, most cars have at least a 3-year bumper to bumper warranty. If you buy a 2-year old car, you can get complete mechanical coverage for another year. Some 3-year-old vehicles may also include an extra year of warranty if they are Certified Pre-Owned (CPO).
2. Think Small
The demand for crossovers, SUVs, trucks, and other large vehicles has been skyrocketing in America for the last several years. Despite higher gas prices, our country has an insatiable appetite for larger cars.
So that means that, if you think small, and look for a subcompact, compact, or full-size car, you may be able to save quite a bit of money. As demand for bigger cars has surged, demand for smaller vehicles has slowed – despite the fact that most people don’t need a gigantic truck or SUV.
If you shop smaller cars, you may be able to get an even better deal when shopping for a used car in Langley.
3. Consider A Model That’s Being Phased Out
One side-effect of the enormous demand for trucks and SUVs is that automakers are discontinuing some of their previously-popular sedans. The best example of this is Ford. They’re phasing out the Taurus, Focus, Fiesta, and a number of other subcompact and compact cars, to focus on building trucks, SUVs, and crossovers.
Because these models are being phased out, you may be able to get a great deal on a slightly-older, pre-owned or CPO vehicle.
4. Check Consumer Reports And Car Reliability Rankings
Before you consider the purchase of any car, you should check out its reliability rankings on a website like Consumer Reports or JD Power & Associates, to ensure that it’s free of major issues, and won’t carry a hefty repair bill in the future.
In most cases, it’s worth investing some extra money to get a more dependable vehicle, like a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, rather than purchasing a car with a sub-par reliability rating, like a Chrysler 200 or Dodge Dart.
5. Check CarFax For Damage And Schedule A Vehicle Inspection
If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. You should be careful if you spot a vehicle that’s going for much less than its Kelley Blue Book price. Chances are, it has some serious mechanical or structural issues.
To ensure this isn’t the case, it’s best to get a CarFax report to see if the car has been damaged, and to schedule a comprehensive, third-party vehicle inspection.
Most private sellers and dealers will let you do this – and if they don’t, you should consider walking away from the sale. You’re going to drop $10,000 or more for a car that’s within the last 2-3 model years, in most cases, so you want to make sure you have a complete understanding of its condition.
Follow These Tips For A Great Deal On Lightly-Used Cars!
Today’s cars last longer than ever. By investing in a used car in Langley, you can save plenty of money – and still expect to drive it for a decade or longer. So follow these tips, and start shopping today.
