What many people may not know about buying a used vehicle, is that many of the steps are similar to buying a new car. Since we’re the new kid in town and the new way for Canadians to buy a used car, let us introduce ourselves. We’re FFUN Cars, and yes, we’re fun. We’re a car dealership with a spin on the car buying process. It’s all about convenience, so if you’re someone who hates driving from dealership to dealership trying to find the right car in your price range, look no further. In fact, you don’t have to leave your house. We offer an online car buying experience; if you want. If you’re old school and like visiting a car dealer, that’s fine, too - we are here in person if you want. Or, try a combination of both; start online, and finish in-store.
Now that we’ve got the introductions out of the way, let’s get back to buying a car. You’ve probably heard that the used car market is blowing up, and it is. Lucky for you (and us) we’ve got our hands on some pretty amazing pre-owned vehicles. But, we don’t want you to just jump on over and buy one; okay we do, but we also want to provide you with some information on the best way of buying a used car.
Needs vs. Wants
Sure, we all want the best vehicle out there, but if you don’t have the budget for it, you may need to figure out what your vehicle needs are versus your vehicle wants. We find this is a great starting point as it tends to keep people in check. For example, if you have a large family, a small compact vehicle probably isn’t the best option, and you might be better suited for a larger SUV or minivan.
Research
Once you’ve determined the type of vehicle that’s best suited for you and your lifestyle, it’s time to do some research. As part of your research, you’ll want to see what some good options are as far as make and model and then narrow it down from there. The automotive industry is extensive so it can get overwhelming, that’s why buying from FFUN Cars is so awesome; there’s no pressure. We don’t even have traditional salespeople - we have Customer Experience Specialists who are non-commission based.
Trust the process of doing the research, it will work out for the best in the end. Compare pricing on similar models and look at what different dealerships are offering as a purchase price for the same type of cars. If you have specific models, be sure to read some consumer reports on them so you can learn what some common concerns are, as well as the amazing features they have. Knowledge is power and the more information you can find about your potential new vehicle, the better. While you are doing your research, get a rough idea of the cost of ownership, i.e., car insurance cost, fuel costs, regular maintenance, etc. Find out what kind of resale value certain vehicles have. For example, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are known for holding their value, which is a great thing if you ever want to do a private sale with it or use it as a trade-in in the future.
Find the History
Okay, you’ve weighed your needs and wants and done extensive research on various vehicles and you have finally found one that will work. Now, you have options are where to find and purchase one: car dealership, through a private seller, or from us. Call us biased but we think we are the best option, especially if you only want to deal with one salesperson.
Whatever you do during the entire buying process, make sure you find out the history of the vehicle. If you can, find out the lifestyle of the previous owner as that can tell you a lot about how a vehicle was treated. To give yourself peace of mind, ask for a vehicle history report. If the seller isn’t willing to offer one up, ask for the vehicle identification number and you can get one yourself. PS- all of our vehicles come with a free CARFAX report. We even suggest taking it a step further by getting the vehicle inspected - well, that’s if you’re not buying from us because all of our used vehicles undergo a meticulous 94-point inspection, where if something doesn’t pass, we fix it or it doesn’t go on the lot. If there is any indication of flood damage or odometer fraud; walk away, you’re asking for big repair bills in the future.
Test Drive
Hey, you’re not going to buy a bed without trying it out, right? Same with a vehicle. Make sure you take it for a nice long test drive. Going around the block for five minutes isn’t going to give you a full understanding of how the vehicle moves. Take it on the highway, up some hills, and in the city. Listen for odd sounds; yes that means turning off the stereo, but also make sure the stereo works. Or, consider FFUN Cars, where we offer a 24-hour test drive.
Paying For the Vehicle
So far so good - you’ve found a vehicle that’s going to work for you. Now, you have to buy it. Depending on what your financial situation is, you have options. You can buy your vehicle in cash, take out a personal loan, or get a car loan. The amount you qualify for and what interest rate you will get is largely dependent on your credit score. Before you sign the dotted line, read the fine print to see what exactly you are paying for, such as add-ons you might not need. If you are buying a used vehicle that isn’t that old, it may still have some of the original warranty on it so there’s no need to pay for one, unless you wanted an extended warranty. Car sales can be sneaky, especially used ones, so watch out for those dealership fees and other costs that shouldn’t be on there. I guess this is a great time to tell you that FFUN Cars is a no-haggle zone. Meaning that the price you see, is the price you pay, so you don’t have to worry about going toe-to-toe with a salesperson - haha, we don’t have them!
Pretty straightforward, right? Still feel like buying a used car is daunting? Come on down and let us help you take the stress out of it, after all, we are FFUN Cars!
