Whenever you decide to buy a used vehicle instead of a new one, extra precautions should be taken. There are a few extra considerations when that vehicle is a used truck since pickup trucks are usually used for more heavy-duty tasks in Saskatchewan. The market is full of used cars and trucks, especially larger ones since roughly 90% of vehicles sold in Canada are either crossover, SUVs, or pickup trucks.
Let’s be honest, Saskatoon isn’t known for having hot sunny days all year. Almost every Canadian city experiences four seasons, so your truck better be able to handle it. When it comes to picking a truck, the first thing you’ll want to determine is what your needs are for the truck and the size you want based on those needs. For example, if you’re planning on hauling farm equipment and barrels of hay, a midsize model such as a Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, or Toyota Tacoma, might not be the best pick. You’ll want a beefy full-size truck with a tow package, such as a Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 or RAM 1500.
Buying a used truck isn’t an easy task since they are in high demand, luckily FFUN Motor Group has created a new way of buying used vehicles that is convenient, quick, and easy. Visit FFUN Cars online or in-person to see how car (or truck) buying is changing.
We get it, buying a used truck is a little riskier than buying a used car since they are driven harder and on rougher terrain which usually translates to more damage. We aren’t going to tell you that you’re wrong to think that, because you aren’t. That doesn’t mean you should completely scoff at the idea of purchasing a used truck over a new one; it just means you should buy with caution, or from FFUN Cars, where every vehicle has gone through a meticulous 92-point inspection. If it isn’t good enough for our mechanics, then we aren’t selling it. Period
As much as we would like to think we are your only option for buying your next truck, we know we aren’t but we do still care about the type of vehicle you are transporting you and your loved ones in. Regardless of where you decide to purchase your pickup truck, whether at a traditional dealership, from a private seller, or from us, follow these few things to ensure you’ve got a reliable one.
Ask Questions
This doesn’t just apply to used trucks, it applies to new ones as well. Trucks are used for towing, hauling, and going off-road and as a result, the parts take a beating, especially the brakes, suspension, and tires. It doesn’t matter how good the reputation is of the automaker who makes the pre-owned truck you are considering; whether it’s Dodge, Ford, or GMC, always ask about the history of the vehicle. Actually, do yourself a favour and get a vehicle history inspection report. Ask what the previous owners used the truck for as this will provide a good indication of the wear on the vehicle.
Tread Carefully
Wouldn’t it be great if we could fully trust buying a used truck? Of course it would, but sadly, we don’t recommend assuming everything is as it seems or that sellers are 100% honest. The reality is, there are a lot of moving parts (no pun intended) when it comes to buying a pre-loved vehicle (in some cases, pre-abused), so tread carefully. We hate to say it, but, at the end of the day, if your used vehicle turns out to be a money pit, you have to ask yourself if you did all the necessary research.
Be leery with trucks that have loads of modifications done such as engine mods and lift kits, as both can be damaging. Sure, they enhance the look and feel of a truck, but what was sacrificed to get that?
Test Drive
We feel like we shouldn’t have to say this, but, test drive the truck, even if you’re buying a certified pre-owned one. When taking a truck for a test drive, take it on rougher terrain to see how it handles and to check the suspension. Like you should with any test drive, turn the volume down on the radio so you can listen for any weird sounds. Before or after the test drive, check the tread on the tires and if they are nearing the end of their lifespan, factor the replacement cost into the purchase price.
During the test drive, try any of the added features to ensure they are all in working order, such as the sunroof, backup camera, remote start, cruise control, etc. Not to mention, most newer used vehicles come with touchscreens, so don’t forget about that, and the Bluetooth that’s connected through it.
A few pointers when test driving your (possible) new truck. Accelerate hard, and brake just as hard to see what the capacity is. Get the engine up to its full operating temperature, and make sure it shifts smoothly, whether it’s a manual transmission or a five-speed automatic.
What Do You Need?
What is it you need out of a truck? If you plan to use your truck to commute to and from an office, you probably don’t need a four-wheel drive with a massive towing capacity and supercrew cab. On the other hand, if you are using your truck for tough work that involves a lot of heavy-duty operation, you’ll want something large that can handle the harsh driving.
If your truck will be used as a work truck and not a commuter/family truck, do you need all the added features like a heated steering wheel, heated seats, sunroof, etc.? Probably not, as it’s just another potential electrical issue that will need repairing.
Whatever truck you decide to purchase, where you buy it from, and what you plan to use it for, it’s best to get a pre-purchase inspection done. Well, unless you buy from FFUN Cars where that’s already been done.
Speaking of FFUN Cars; we’re new, and we’ve changed the way people buy cars. You can buy your next used truck online, in person, or a combination of the two. Truthfully (and we mean it), it’s about YOU and it’s FAST. FIRST, and FFUN. What does that mean? Great question. We make buying a car FAST, like one hour fast. Yes, we will have you in and out of the dealership in one hour or less. You are always FIRST. We don’t have salespeople; we have Customer Experience Specialists and they are non-commissioned, so they focus on getting you in the right vehicle and not how much they’ll make on the sale. Like everything we do, buying a car is FFUN. Don’t believe us, try it for yourself. Welcome to the new way of buying a car.
