Car shopping can be an extremely stressful – and exciting – time, depending on where you look. New car dealerships might sound like a great place to find a nice car, but you’re more likely to spend more money than necessary (and get stuck with a car whose value will depreciate very quickly). Instead, we recommend that you look for a used car right here in Atlanta; find a dealer you can trust, and see what they have in stock.
Online vs. In-Person Car Shopping
Here at Cars@Wholesale, we never recommend that you shop solely online for your “new-to-you” used car. It’s impossible to test drive, see, and inspect the car yourself from the internet. We suggest that you start your search online to get a feel for the inventory of different used car dealerships. Compare values for similar cars, and make a plan to go see the used cars in person. Take a day or more to consider all of your options before making a decision.
Key Factors in Determining the Value of a Used Car Online
Miles
One of the most important factors in the value of a used car is the number of miles that are on the car’s engine. Anything under 100,000 miles for a used car is pretty decent, while under 70,000 is rare and a great find. If you want to purchase a used vehicle that has longevity, consider spending a little bit extra for a low-milage car. If the vehicle you’re searching for is just an interim, short-term car, over 100,000 miles might be alright for you.
Year
The next factor that you should consider when looking at used cars online is the year the car was built. Newer cars will always be more expensive, even if they have many miles on them! Depending on the demands you have of your new-to-you vehicle, it may be more cost-effective to purchase an older car with fewer miles than a newer car with more miles.
Make & Model
The final factor that will determine the proper pricing for your vehicle is the make and model. USA-made cars will usually be cheaper; they are much easier to repair, refurbish, and find parts for. Foreign cars may have a higher price tag and will cost you more in general maintenance over the life of the vehicle. Another consideration is that some used cars will last longer than others. For example, Subaru engines tend to run well into 200,000 miles before needing serious work. As always, keep in mind what you want from your used car, and don’t settle for anything less.
Warning Signs & Red Flags
If you see a deal that’s too good to be true, it probably is. For example, if you find a 2-year-old Subaru Impreza for $10,000 and the car only has 40,000 miles on it, there’s probably something very wrong with this car. We also recommend that you don’t work with a dealer that is extremely pushy about making a sale right away or a dealer who seems to keep offering discounts on a car – these can be signs that the car isn’t worth the sticker price and that there may be an issue with the used car itself.
Buying Used Cars in Atlanta
Here at Cars@Wholesale, we are committed to bringing high-quality used cars onto our lot for resale. We want you to be completely satisfied with your used car purchase, and we don’t use any bait and switch tactics. With our vehicles, what you see is what you get! To learn more about our dealership and other used car topics, check out our blog.
