Buying a Used High Performance Car? 6 Tips to Help Buy Your Dream
Not everyone can afford to buy a new high performance car, and very few can afford a supercar (if you look at the prices of the most expensive cars in the world you will see why). Luckily, there is a big market in used, high end sports cars, but, as with all used cars, you could buy a nightmare instead of your dream. Purchasing your dream comes down to knowledge, the knowledge of how to buy, and to help you with that knowledge, here are some tips to note before talking to the bank manager.
Affordability
This is a major consideration, so take some time over it. Set a maximum figure for the car and never go over it. You are also going to need to consider extra costs; so think about insurance, tax and an extended warranty too.
Know Your Dream
Before you set foot on a car lot, start hunting through trade magazines, the internet, and sites like e-bay for the car, know what you are looking for. You may have an ideal car in mind, but it is worth considering similar manufacturers and models too. Once you have your selections; research them. Find out how much they are really worth by using a car valuation site. Forecourt prices are often inflated, and if the price is too low, there is generally a reason for it. Find out if you motor choices have any common faults that you should look out for, and read reviews of used examples.
Finding Your Dream
“Prestige” auto-sales shops are easy enough to find, and have a wide selection; though the cars will probably still be a little expensive as they will be newer. Buying from a dealer is more expensive, but has benefits. You will have a warrantee, a servicing package, the cars will (usually) be in great working order, and a dealer could organize finance. A private seller will have very little responsibility for the car once you have signed the papers, condition is erratic, and you may have to pay cash. Buying privately is the way to get a bargain, but you will definitely need to know what you are looking for.
Take a Test Drive
Taking a car for a spin around the block is OK in a mate’s car, but when buying one, you should have a longer drive. Don’t allow the seller to drive the car, and drive under different conditions. Drive it on a fast road, windy roads, in traffic, and take your family with you. The test drive will help you decide if you are comfortable in (and with) the car, if it lives up to expectations, and if it’s worth your money. Never buy a car without an extensive test drive, use the time to listen to the engine and transmission, and to play with the acceleration and the brakes, and make sure it performs better than your family saloon
Inspection
Use the research you have done on your dream car and look for all the common problems, use the test drive for mechanical inspection, and ask to see all paperwork relevant to the car, (including service history). In an ideal world you will have somebody knowledgeable with you to help with the inspection, but you should always be given the opportunity to use an independent garage before you buy. If you ask for this and it is refused, walk away.
Warranties and Maintenance
The car you buy may be a dream, but plan for disaster anyway. If buying off a dealer, haggle for the best warrantee they can supply, but if buying privately you need to get the best warrantee you can afford. Find a garage that will do all of the maintenance on your car. For instance, carolinamobileautoservice.com offers transmission repair on any car, and has state of the art equipment to do anything else you need, which is what you need. A dedicated service station may seem a better option, but you will need to budget for it.
Blindly buying any car is a disaster waiting to happen; and even more so with a used high end example. If you follow these tips for your purchase you should be able to find, and buy, your perfect vehicle, and I wish you years of happy motoring in it
