Auto Now Belton: 5 Ways to Save Money on Your Next Used Car

Most of us don’t want to pay a lot for anything — cars included. While some might have the resources to begrudgingly pay more for a vehicle they really want, those of us hoping to purchase a used car are always on the lookout for ways to save.

Buying a used car is your first stop on the road to money-saving while owning a vehicle, but here are some other ways that you can save money on your next used car.

Look For a Model That is a Few Years Older Than the One You Want

All car owners have that dream car that they want, and for very few is that dream car the affordable, beige-colored Toyota Camry. If you have an idea in mind for your next vehicle, that’s great! It means that you’ve done the research and know what to look for in a car. However, if you’re looking for a used car, chances are reasonably likely that you are not going to find the exact make, model, year, and color that you’ve been hoping for in a car. One of the easiest ways to compromise and to save money on a vehicle at the same time is to look for a model that is a few years older than your dream model.

Unless you’re settling for a car that is 15 years older than the vehicle that you want, it is highly unlikely that anything significant other than the design of the interior or the exterior will be that much different. You’ll be able to drive around in a vehicle that is comparable to the one that you want without paying an arm and a leg for a newer year model.

Consider All Car Ownership Costs

When you pay for a car, it doesn’t just stop at the cost of the vehicle overall. You have taxes, registration fees, insurance premiums, and essential maintenance to think about. The type of car that you go after can influence the overall cost. For instance, a newer year car will cost you more in insurance and registration fees than an older car might. Alternately, if you get an older car but it’s a foreign car or a car they no longer make (or both, like a Saab 9-5), you run the risk of paying more for necessary fixes because the parts must be sourced from all over the country, and sometimes from different parts of the world.

If your ultimate goal is to save money on your used car, it is best to weigh your options and start out small. Come up with a basic idea for what you want from a vehicle: like a smaller SUV with a backup camera. Some SUVs from the early 2000s fit this build, so you can save on a used car’s registration and insurance fees (as well as overall cost) by considering a car that fits your basic needs and wants. Buy here pay here lots like Auto Now in Belton have many vehicle options, so it is possible to save time and money searching for a basic car by stopping by one of our Auto Now locations and letting a representative know about what you are looking for in a vehicle.

Do Your Research on the Car You Want

Don’t buy a car based on looks alone. It might be tempted to do this, especially if you don’t know anything about cars. But doing even the bare minimum of research before purchasing a vehicle can be extremely helpful and can avoid you from making costly mistakes in the future. Consumer Reports has easy to read customer feedback on most cars, so read up and get an idea of what to steer clear of.

For example, the Nissan Rogue is a popular car. Sleek and stylish, it barely looks like an SUV but provides the same levels of comfort and safety. Based on our previous statements about buying an older car, you might think that purchasing an older Nissan Rogue might be a good choice. However, Nissan Rogues aged 2012 and earlier tend to get significant transmission issues around 60,000 miles. In that way, it might make more sense to spend $1000 extra to get a newer model Nissan Rogue that doesn’t have those issues than saving some money on a car that might have those issues in the long run.

Not confident you can make the right decision? The folks at Auto Now in Belton are well-equipped to help you research a car that is right for you and apply it to your next car search.

Opt For a Less Popular Car

There’s a reason why you see old Jeeps selling for thousands of dollars. It is because they are in high demand. They might not have the reliability of some of the other back road-worthy vehicles, but everyone and their mother seems to want one. This increase in demand has led Jeep dealers, owners, and those who like to modify cars to sell them at prices that are much higher than other SUVs in their class and year of manufacture.

One way you can get around paying an arm and a leg for a car you want goes hand in hand with doing the research — getting a vehicle that has the same capabilities but sells for less. In the Jeep’s instance, you can get an older Land Rover or even a Nissan Xterra. While they might not look like a Jeep, they both have the same modification ability and off-roading capabilities for a fraction of what a used Jeep might cost.

Get a Car From a Buy Here Pay Here Lot

Buy here pay here lots are one of the easiest ways that you can save on a used car. Instead of having to scrimp and save to buy a vehicle that may or may not suit your lifestyle, buy here pay here dealerships like Auto Now in Belton can save you time and money by helping you do the research, find the car that you want, and make affordable and sensible payments on the vehicle at the same time.

Get started at our Belton location by applying for financing today and scheduling an appointment to meet with one of our knowledgeable sales people. They will help you understand your finance terms and help you get the best deal on a car, no questions asked.