Auto Now 79th and Wornall: For Sale By Owner or Buy Here Pay Here?

The time has come for a new car, and for many of us, that means weighing our options. Very few Americans have much in their savings account, the majority of us with $400 or less. This can mean that a surprise expense — like buying a new car outright after your current one was totaled — is out of the picture. That’s where used cars come in. Used cars are a great, affordable way to get transportation when you are on a budget.

Used cars come in all shapes and sizes. However, there are two main ways that most people buy a used car: through a private seller or a dealership. Each option has its pros and cons, but the experts at Auto Now on 79th and Wornall believe that if you are going to make a used car purchase, the most affordable and safest option is to buy from a buy here pay here car dealership.

Ultimately, the choice is up to you. Here are some of the pros and cons of buying a car from a private seller versus from a buy here pay here lot.

For Sale By Owner

You know these types of cars well. They are the cars that you see on the side of the road, often freshly washed with easy to see signs in the window that entice passers-by to stop and take a look at the car. Sometimes, the signs have little more than a phone number to call on them, which can be frustrating for those on a car hunt. Alternately, you can find these types of cars for sale on websites like LetGo and Craigslist. For sale by owner cars are one of the most commonly sought after types of used vehicles.They offer many conveniences to users, but also have their drawbacks.

The Pros

• You get to pay for your vehicle outright without having to worry about future payments. Being able to pay for a car outright is a big deal for some, and this is an option (and often the only option) when purchasing a vehicle from a private seller. Once you pay the seller, you then only need to deal with taxes, registration, and insurance and you’re set.
• Sometimes, you buy from someone you know — making it easy to have someone to turn to if the car starts acting up. If you purchase a vehicle from someone you don’t know, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to call them up and ask for advice. However, if you purchase it from your Uncle Larry, you’ll have someone to turn to if it starts acting up. Knowing whether a vehicle has had issues like that before or whether it is a first time thing will save you time, money, and likely will protect the car.
• You save time. Private sellers don’t want to waste their time. Typically, they want to get the sale done and over with as soon as possible. So, if you’re looking for a cheap car quickly, this is a great route to take.
• Negotiations are permissible. One thing that you cannot do at a reputable dealership is negotiate on prices. For some, having a set price is a relief, but for others, haggling is one of the best parts of purchasing a car. If you’re a haggler, buying from a private seller might be worth it to you, especially if you are willing to take that car in to get checked out for issues before purchase.
• The prices can be better than what you might find elsewhere. You often can’t beat a private seller pricing. But buyer beware — sometimes low prices indicate something is awry with the car.
• You’ll get a rundown of the vehicle history. Although you can get Carfax reports from reputable used car sales places, getting the vehicle’s history firsthand is integral to understanding the car itself.

The Cons

The pros of buying from an owner are pretty high, but there are also the cons to consider. Here are some of the reasons why you might want to avoid buying from a private seller:

• If you don’t have the full amount in the bank, you will have to find alternative financing.
• Financing is hard to come by if you have credit issues.
• It is challenging to know the status of the title before buying it, which can impact your registration and insurance fees.
• There is no way to feel confident about the mechanics of the car, even if you take it to a nearby mechanic.
• Some owners are iffy about letting you test drive, which means you will have no idea how the car runs before you buy it.
• Usually, there is no interior detailing with private seller cars — you get the car the way it comes, smelly mats and all.

Buy Here Pay Here Cars: A Premium Deal

Buying a used car will always be a gamble. There’s no guarantee you’ll find one you like by the time you need one, and used cars do come with their shares of problems. However, buying a used car from someone who knows what they’re doing — like Auto Now of 79th and Wornall — can save you a lot of time and hassle.

• Buy here pay here cars offer competitive in-house financing. Many people can’t afford to buy a used car outright, so being able to finance a vehicle is their only option. A one-stop shop at a buy here pay here dealership offers financing options without having to worry about bank terms.
• In-house financing is available regardless of credit. While you usually can’t finance a car from a private seller, you can take out a bank loan. However, if you have credit issues, bank loans are usually off the table. Buy here pay here lots offer to finance to people regardless of their credit, helping people get the car they need based on their income and ability.
• Buy here pay here dealerships must be up-front about their cars. Lemon Laws, or federal regulations that prohibit used car dealerships from being secretive about their inventory’s issues, exist to protect potential buyers. Auto Now of 79th and Wornall takes excellent care of their stock but also follows federal regulation that protects customers.
• Feel confident about the safety and reliability of the car with warranties. All the vehicles at our dealerships have 24-month warranties so our customers can feel that their purchase was made with their best interests in mind.
• Rebuild your credit if you have credit issues. You can rebuild your credit quickly by making on-time, complete payments on your auto loan.

There are even more benefits to purchasing a car through a buy here pay here dealership, but we encourage you to stop by our dealership to inquire about those benefits. Kansas City residents and those living in the greater Kansas City metro should stop by our 79th and Wornall location, or contact us with more questions.