Buying A Used Car In Montana
The first thing to remember when buying a used car is to stay away from the sales lots until you have talked to friends or family about the dealers in your area. After you have heard the "horror" stories, sit down and decide just how much you can afford to pay. Don't forget all the added costs that come along with that used car, insurance, plates, and the inevitable repairs. There is little worse than having a car you are paying for sitting in the driveway because you can't afford to fix it. If you have a model in mind, check on the long-term reliability in consumer reports or ask a mechanic.
You are now at the lot. Say "hi" and go deaf. The salesman is not your friend. He is there to make money. Look for cars in your price range and then look at the "Buyers Guide" sticker in the window. It will show you what kind warranty applies. If the car is being sold "as is", don't touch it. It means the dealer knows it probably won't last much longer than it takes to get it off the lot. And once it's off the lot it's yours and you pay for the repairs.
Look under the hood after a test drive. If the dealer doesn't want you to test drive it, don't buy it. Move on. The dealer probably cleaned the engine but after a test drive any serious leaks should be visible. Then check for bad repair work, burnt wiring, or other signs of a fire. Is anything missing? While you were out cruising how did the brakes feel? Did you tend to wander or drift to either side while driving or when braking? Do all the lights and accessories work? Is there any smoke or fumes, any unusual noises?
Now on to the exterior of the car. Does the paint match? If not, think accident. Is there any rust or Bondo? This is getting harder with all the plastic parts on newer cars but look, if it doesn't look right, it probably isn't. How are the tires? They will be shiny, because the dealer has sprayed them with "new tire" gunk. It is the tread, cracks, and other signs of wear you need to look at, not how pretty they are.
If you don't know anything about cars ask if you can take the vehicle to an authorized mechanic for mechanical operation. If the dealer says no, you know what to do, walk.
Don't go for the first deal offered, shop around. You will be introduced to the term " high pressure sales" when the salesman thinks he has you or is losing you. When you ask for time to think about it he will just happen to remember that another customer is looking at the same car. If you don't buy that line he will say the price is only good today. Look him straight in the eye and say well I guess there is no reason to come back tomorrow then. While he is thinking about what to say, ask him some questions about what repairs have been done by the dealer, who was the previous owner, what is their address and phone number, was the car ever damaged in an accident, and was the car ever in a flood. Yes, they try to sell damaged cars. Your only defense is to ask, and if he lies and you discover it, you can go to court and get you money back. He may actually tell the truth that it was damaged.....walk. After leaving the car there the first day and signing nothing, call the previous owner and ask questions. Do research on the car. The Internet will have articles on any recalls.
You are now close to buying but there are a few other things you still need to know. Have the warranty or service contract explained to you. Write right on it anything that doesn't seem clear and have the dealer initial it. Remember most service contracts are nothing but money makers to the dealer. That's why he pressured you into getting one. Service contracts exclude more than they cover. However, the flip side a service contract that actually cover the most likely repairs and don't cost an arm and a leg does provide you peace of mind about having a repair bill you can't afford.
A short summation, don't be pressured into buying; ask questions; and get it in writing what is covered and what is not, what your total payments are, the interest rate, and how long do you have to pay. Finally, read the contract from front to back before you sign. The promises made have a tendency not to make it into the written contract. If you sign, it voids any verbal promises made before you signed.
If you still end up in trouble, write or visit the consumer protection people at the Montana Department of Administration, Consumer Protection,1219 8th Ave, PO Box 200151, Helena, MT 59620-0151 |
