You never imagined that you would be looking at used cars this summer, but by the third weekend in June you again found yourself looking at vehicles for your daughter who was nearing her third year in school. And while it was tempting to look at a new car purchase that would be able to carry her through the end of her Bachelor’s Degree and the pursuit of her Master’s, you knew that looking at used cars made more sense.
For one thing, you did not know where she would be going for that next degree, and, for another, you simply did not have it in your finances to make yet another new car purchase. You had recently traded in a van that had more than 150,000 miles on it and leased two new vehicles instead. The fact that your younger daughter just turned 16 two weeks ago meant that it would not be easy to fit either a new car lease or purchase into the budget anytime soon. As a result, you were looking at used cars in an effort to find a vehicle that would meet the needs of your daughter for the next two years and, once you knew more details about her graduate school plans, you would be willing to look at new car options.
One-Owner Vehicles Are Often the Best Find for Many Buyers
Whether you are looking for a car, truck, van, or SUV, many buyers decide that used cars are the wisest investment. Instead of taking a hit on the value of a new car the second it leaves the lot, used cars for sale in the right price range can be investments that will hold their value. Working with a reputable pre-owned dealership and making sure that you do your research can, in fact, help you locate a vehicle that can meet your needs without breaking the bank.

• Families with children who are either in high school or college often find themselves in search of the right vehicles to meet the financial limitations that they have, as well as meet the transportation goals that they require.
• In a family where one or two students are in college, budgets are often limited, but the need for reliable transportation is important.
• Numbers indicating an increase in how many driver’s licenses are issued indicate an increasing future need for both new and used cars. The number of people with a driver?s license in the U.S. grew from around 167 million to about 214 million in 2014.
• Dealing with a reputable business can help you avoid being one of the consumers who lose as much as $4 billion a year due to odometer fraud. Records indicate that the average rollback is 15,000 miles.
• If you are planning to buy a vehicle that is less than five years old, experts recommend that you visit used car dealerships that have an inventory of options that have certified pre-owned (CPO) documentation.
• Numbers from the 2015 Used Vehicle Market Report indicate that there were 38.3 million used-vehicle sales industrywide. This was the best annual tally in eight years.
• Going on a test drive and having your own mechanic look over any used vehicle that you are considering is a good idea.






• The average vehicle will likely have three owners in its lifetime. Finding a car that comes with detailed service records can help a buyer feel more confident that the vehicle has been well taken care of.
• Having a family member with a low milage car for sale is great option, but not all used car buyers have this advantage.
• Estimates indicate that nearly 40 million used cars exchange hands each year between private-party and dealership sales.






• Dealerships sometimes specialize in certain makes and models of vehicles so it is important to do your research before you start out looking at lots carry an inventory that is out of your price range.
• Estimates indicate that the most frequently searched price range for a used vehicle is under $5,000.
• A good used car is a combination of pricing, accurate and detailed maintenance records, and milage.
• Looking for a used car takes both knowledge and patience. If you want to make sure that you find the best deal, give yourself plenty of time.