Searching for and buying a used car can be exciting but, let’s face it, also stressful. To try and eliminate some of those stresses and increase the likelihood you’ll find the perfect car for you, follow these tips.
Decide what you’re looking for
Before you head out to look at used cars in Calgary, do some homework to narrow down your search. Start with two lists: what you want; and what you need. Read some trusted automotive magazines and look at some reputable websites to come up with a list of manufacturers and models that might satisfy your needs (and even some of your wants). Don’t forget to consider factors like safety rating and fuel economy in addition to the most obvious factors like price.
Where should you look?
The next step to take to buy used cars in Calgary is to decide where to look. The most obvious place to look is at some of the reputable used and new car dealerships in the city, but don’t limit yourself to those lots. Check out resources such as consumer reports magazines, buying guides and even public auction sites and classified ads.
How to judge the asking price
Once you find some cars you’re interested in, what are you to make of the prices? Look for similar vehicles from other sources to get their prices to have some points of comparison. Don’t just compare the prices, but compare the individual cars, too. There are a lot of factors that go into the value of those prices: age of car, mileage, accident history, damage, special features and even maintenance records. When comparing prices, be sure to include all those factors to make sure you’re not comparing a green apple to a yellow hippopotamus. For a neutral and unbiased double-check of prices’ fairness, visit a resource like CARFAX’ Canada Value Range tool online.
Arrange a test drive
Taking a test drive is a little more complex during the COVID-19 pandemic era, but it’s no less important. When shopping for a used car from a reputable dealer in Calgary, the staff will take all necessary precautions for your health and comfort. Once you arrange a test drive, don’t limit yourself to going around the block but commit to spending 30 minutes driving a route similar to that you’ll take as a regular driver. Try out all the car’s functions, including passing, hard braking, quick accelerating, sharp turns, reversing, parking, the parking brake, the trunk, popping the hood, the emergency flashers, the windshield washer controls, cruise control, sunroof etc. (And, yes, the radio and entertainment system.) It may sound like it’ll take a while, but it’s a small investment of time to make into a purchase that you’ll hopefully own and love for years.
Don’t trust just your judgment
Unless you happen to be a professional mechanic, take your vehicle to a mechanic you trust to conduct a careful but thorough examination of the vehicle to give you advice about its quality, condition and appropriateness for your needs. Ask them also to review a VIN (vehicle identification number) for your potential new-to-you car as well as a CARFAX Canada Vehicle History Report for your vehicle. Those reports will confirm important information about your car’s manufacture, accident history and even whether there are any outstanding liens against the car.
Don’t forget about insurance
Before you even begin to negotiate the price of your new-to-you car, give careful thought to all of the operating costs of the vehicle, including insurance costs — especially if you’re a new driver, have an accident history or are relocating to a new city. Car insurance is mandatory, but is also a commodity that you can shop around for. Don’t hesitate to get competitive quotes from different companies.
With all this homework done, we hope you’ll have narrowed down your first long lists to a couple cars worth negotiating over. We wish you luck, but keep in mind that “luck” is found at the intersection of preparation and opportunity. So be sure to do your preparatory work before beginning your search.