Shopping for a Pre-Owned Vehicle

So, how do you find a great used car? It’s easier than ever before to make sure you're getting great value on a pre-owned vehicle; this is thanks in part to the internet. You have more information than ever before to provide you with tips, guides, history reports, price comparison and research. Below are a few simple tips on shopping for a used car that is right for you, including: price, research, lifestyle and where to buy.

Know Your Price

Decide how much you can spend and are willing to spend on a car, next map out how you’re going to pay for it. When calculating a price, think about what all your monthly expenses are and what you may be willing to sacrifice. Note that it isn’t just the monthly car payment but also insurance and maintenance. Generally if you're paying a little more upfront for a newer model with less gas mileage, you’ll also have less long term maintenance. Think about how long you’ll own this car and how long you’re willing to pay it off.

Getting a pre-approved financing offer from our team before you start shopping can save you money and give you an idea of what you can afford before researching and falling in love with your next car. Ask yourself: “How much can I afford to pay?”, “How long will I own this car?”, “What’s the insurance going to be?”, “How long will it take to pay off?” and “What is my credit score?”. Our finance experts at M'Lady Nissan work with national and local lending institutions to help you get the best rate and car financing package for your budget.

 

Research / Lifestyle

Search for a specific vehicle, know what you want versus what you need. Ask yourself “How many seats do I need?”, “Is it for friends or family?”, “Can I grow into this?”, “What will insurance and long term maintenance cost be?”, “What technology and safety features do I want?” and “Where will I be driving?”. After you answer some of those, look for a CARFAX report to check for reliability and ownership costs.

Think about buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, M’Lady Nissan has a great selection of used and certified pre-owned vehicles. Only Nissans that meet our high standards qualify for certified pre-owned status. They must be less than six years old from the original in-service date, with less than 80,000 miles on the odometer. Plus, they must have a clean, non-branded title and, most important, pass a comprehensive 167 points certified pre-owned inspection.

 

Test Drive / Know the Seller

The final tip on deciding if the car is right for you, in good shape and ease potential buyer remorse, is with a test drive. Drive the car exactly as you plan to use it, test drives can shed light on any issues and allow you to get to know who you’re buying from. A few things to do in a test drive include: adjust the audio system, switch on the cruise control, test brakes, blast ac/heating and adjust the suspension settings.

While test driving, make sure to ask all your questions and concerns; make sure you're buying from knowledgeable people. Knowing the seller and how forthcoming they are with vehicle history is an important part of your test drive. Not all buyers are equal, some come with different levels of commitment post buyer while others are more invested in long-term customer service. Decide what is right for you, look into the benefits of buying from a dealer, used car store or private buyer.

 

Dealer Benefits

Dealers generally have more to offer and come with a number of perks. Car dealers are the only place where you will find factory-certified used cars from the brand, CARFAX Vehicle History Report, a more thorough inspection, great warranties and a high level customer service commitment. Nissan Certified Pre-Owned offers all this and more. Including a  7-year/100,000-mile limited warranty, 167 points Certified Pre-Owned inspection, 24-hour Emergency Roadside Assistance, Car Rental Reimbursement and Towing Benefit, Genuine Nissan Parts and CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™.

When you're looking to lease or finance a new Nissan, why not buy from the No. 1 Nissan dealership in Illinois? M'Lady Nissan is committed to providing each and every driver with an upfront and transparent sales experience. When you visit our Nissan dealership in Crystal Lake, IL, you'll find an extensive selection of new, used and certified pre-owned Nissan models for sale, as well as an expert staff that has your needs in mind. Stop by our Illinois Nissan dealer at a time that's convenient for you and check out some of the cars, trucks and SUVs we have for sale.