Gentilini Motors offers a wide variety of high-quality
used cars in South Jersey.
When considering purchasing a pre-owned vehicle, there are certain steps you’ll
want to follow so that you can find the right car for your needs.
We decided to shed some light on these steps with our
used-car buyer’s guide.
- Figure out what kind of car you can afford: A good rule of thumb to follow when figuring out how much to
spend on a car is to make sure your monthly payment is no more than 20 percent
of your take-home pay. If you’re trying to stick to a tight budget, you might
want to consider spending even less. Keep in mind that pre-owned cars generally
need a little extra work from time to time than new cars. Other ownership costs
to account for are fuel and insurance. If the used car you’re purchasing is out
of warranty, you might want to set aside an “emergency repair” fund to cover
any unexpected maintenance.
- Build a target list of used cars: Consider more than one brand or model when making a target
list of used cars. A list of about three cars that meet your needs and fit into
your budget should do. If you’re looking at cars that are less than five years
old, you might want one that’s certified pre-owned. CPO vehicles have long-term
warranties that are backed by the car’s manufacturer, not just the dealership.
Gentilini Motors offers a variety of certified pre-owned
Fords and Chevys.
- Check vehicle history report: Gentilini Motors backs the quality of all its pre-owned
vehicles but checking a used cars vehicle history report is never a bad idea
just so you know exactly what you’re getting. AutoCheck and Carfax are two
popular sources for finding vehicle history reports, which can reveal important
information about the car. You’ll use the car’s vehicle identification number
(VIN) to look up this information, and in some cases, you’ll need the license
plate number.
- Test drive the car: Perhaps the best way to know if a used car is the right fit
for you is with a test drive. Test drives are also a good way to assess the
car’s condition, so be sure to tune out any distractions and focus on the car.
Some things to check are: Ease of getting in and out; headroom, hiproom and
legroom; comfort of driving position; comfort of seats; check engine and other
dashboard lights; visibility; tread on tires; brakes; air conditioning. After
the test drive, ask your salesman if you can see the car’s service records.
This will show you if the car has had its scheduled maintenance performed on
time.
- Complete paperwork: Once you have negotiated a deal for the used car you’ve
picked out, it is time to head to the finance and insurance office to sign the
contract and complete other paperwork. You will likely be offered addition
items during this step, such as warranties, anti-theft devices, prepaid service
plans, and fabric protection. If you want the peace of mind that comes with a
warranty, this could be an important step for you. If you’re buying a CPO
vehicle, a manufacturer’s warranty should already be included. Once you’ve
completed the proper paperwork, it’s time to celebrate the purchase of your
new, pre-owned vehicle.