When looking for a used car there are many things you need to know. The last thing you want to do is rush into buying a car without the weapons of knowledge. Used car dealerships can be brutal so here are some useful tips that you can use to get the best bang for the buck.
The first rule of thumb when looking for a used vehicle is to know what your spending limit is. Your spending limit is how much money you will spend total on the vehicle that you want. Also understand that the dealer or seller has a bottom line for how low they are willing to sell the car for, and it's your job to get to that bottom line. When you are negotiating the price your emotions can some times sway you, so it is important to know what your limits are on spending.
Remember that the next step for you is to make sure that you have the funds necessary for the vehicle. Are you going to pay cash, or are you going to get a loan? Come prepared to make a decision. If you have the funds you have more bargaining power with the seller. The dealership or seller will take you more seriously if you have the funds ready.
One of the most important things you can do is arm yourself with knowledge. You should know the history about your make and model. You should also have comparables from Kelly blue book, NADA, and other companies to understand if you are getting a good deal. If you have local classifieds that have similar vehicles compare what you want to what the market is willing to pay for your car.