Buying a car will take a chunk out of your savings. Not only does the car alone cost a lot, but then you also have to pay to have it registered, insured, and in some states, you will have to purchase a city sticker as well.
In addition, there are many states that require a vehicle to pass a smog test before it can even be insured and registered, which also costs. Thus, you will probably want to fill up the tank with gas and do some minor repairs to get your car in top shape.
However, once you get everything taken care of, you will have decent transportation, which is well worth paying for.
Unfortunately, many individuals have purchased vehicles in the past only to find problems later that cost more than they bargained for, not to mention the headaches they had to endure. But, there are ways that one can avoid all this and get what they pay for. The following are “6 imperative things to know about a vehicle before purchasing it”.
- Are the insurance rates high for this model?
Although it would be nice if every car would cost the same thing for insurance, they don’t. In fact, there are a lot of things to factor in when determining how much it will cost you for auto insurance, such as:
- The make and model of the vehicle
- The number of miles you drive annually
- Your age group
- Marital status
- Whether you are male or female
- Past moving violations
- And more
Because there is so much to consider, it is important that you get your insurance and try to get the best price possible for outstanding car insurance value.
- How much does it cost to register the vehicle?
Keep in mind that every car is different and therefore, the fees associated with each car vary. Besides finding out how much a car will cost to register it by the model, you will want to also know how much it will cost in your state since each state charges a different price. According to ballotpedia.com, the registration cost is only $23 in Alabama and $112 in Oregon. So, it is always good to play it safe and check before you buy.
- How many miles per gallon (MPG) does it get?
The MPG can vary greatly between vehicles. There are some cars that are great on gas where others may be a gas guzzler. Take, for example, a Chevrolet Bolt EV Small Station Wagon, it offers 119 mpg. That means if you put just one gallon of gas in this car, you can drive a whopping 119 miles, where a Buick Regal TourX AWD gets only 24 mpg. Efficiency is something to think about, especially if it is a far distance to commute to work or school every day.
- How many miles does the car have on it and does it run well?
How many miles a car has driven, says a lot about a car, including how well it will run? A car’s suspension components and engine parts are only designed to last so long and the more wear and tear that was put on a car by driving it, the less power output it will have. Therefore, a car with 60,000 miles on it is worth much more than one that covered 160,000 miles. That’s why you should always check the miles before buying a car and also take a test drive.
- Does the car come with the original title?
Buying a car without a title can be very risky and a big hassle as there are too many things that can be wrong with this picture. First off, you cannot register a vehicle without the title, so you will have to go through some red tape to become the legal owner of the car. Moreover, even though you paid for the car, the person who has the title in their name is still the lawful owner and therefore, can claim the car at any time. To ensure the title goes with the car you can compare it with the VIN numbers usually located on the driver’s side door jamb.
- View the Carfax?
Viewing a vehicle’s Carfax is a very wise choice as this can tell you a lot about a prospective automobile. Write down the VIN number of the car, then use it to get a report from a reliable company.
Conclusion
If you are in the market to purchase a car, be smart and check everything out before spending your hard earned money. Another important thing to note is the price most dealers charge is almost always negotiable, so try to get the best price possible.