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How to buy a used car
 Taryn Eudaly
When going to buy a used car it's normal to feel some trepidation. But there are a few things you can do to make sure you get a good deal.
First, figure out your budget. If you're financing, call a couple banks and check out terms. When you find reasonable terms, talk to the bank's loan department and see what you are pre-approved to borrow, and what kind of payments that loan would mean. Once you know how much you can borrow (or how much you have saved) it's time to look at your needs.
Do not buy a used car just because it's pretty, because chances are you'll regret it. You need to determine how many seats you need, how much storage, if you need tow/haul capability, if you need 4x4 or AWD, how important is fuel efficiency, how long you want this car to last, and how important a/c, heat, and the sound system are to you. Do you need a truck, SUV, sedan, or sports car?
Now, find the car you're going to love. Check out used car websites, search engines, and talk to people you trust. Check out cars based on the structural aspects first, like seating, storage, engine, drive, and fuel efficiency. From there, add in the a/c, heat, sound system, current odometer setting, and price. When you've found a few vehicles that you like, check out their reviews. Professional consumer reviews and personal reviews are both good, and will give you a good idea of reliability, practicality, and usability.
So you've found a car you like. Check out Kelly Blue Book, Carfax reports, and online ads to check the car's history and competition pricing. Now go look at it. Make sure you take a friend with you who can keep you from making an impulse buy! If it looks good, find a mechanically gifted friend or hire a mechanic to check out your car and make sure it's safe and not going to die halfway off the lot. It's used, so chances are things aren't perfect, but if it's not something major like the transmission, it's just a matter of how much money you're willing to put into it.
You've covered all your practical bases. It's time to buy a used car you're going to love!
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