Buyers often think that for the best price on a car they will have to purchase it from a private party. For the most part, this is completely true. However, there is a good amount of service, and quality that you will not get from a private party purchase. If the car breaks down around the block, that’s just too bad. You now just bought a car that does not work and you are stuck with it.

It’s worth noting that not everyone takes care of their car like you may plan to do. You’ve heard people talk about trying to squeeze those last miles out of a car before it dies, or hoping that it holds over until they can get something else. The seller is looking to get a car that costs them less than the maintenance on the one they are about to sell to you. Now you are looking at purchasing their problem because it’s so cheap.

Consider the cost to maintain the vehicle, and how long you reasonably expect the car to last. If it’s a high mileage vehicle it could need more than just new tires and brakes. Did you know that it’s recommended to have your transmission fluid changed roughly every 75,000 miles? That may not seem often, but when the previous owner has let important maintenance concerns lapse it can cost you even more money. The air conditioning can cost thousands of dollars for a technician to diagnose and repair. So, even if you are buying a car in the dead of winter, it’s a good idea to make sure that the air conditioning is working before you make the purchase.

If the vehicle has been sitting, and you are looking to drive away, just walk away. Walk far and don’t look back. The fuel lines could be cracked and damaged. The tires could be dry rotted with flat spots. The brakes could be rusted. Debris could have managed to get into the fuel tank, the power steering, the transmission fluid, or even the brake fluid could be compromised.

If the vehicle had gone to a reputable dealership, the maintenance and mechanical issues will have most likely been addressed and fixed. That adds to the cost of the vehicle, but it also allows you to finance maintenance and repairs that may have been an issue if you purchased from a private party.

Another thing to take into consideration is insurance rates. You have to have insurance. It is for you and it is for other drivers. A lack of insurance can mean trouble, so much trouble that I will not even start to brush the surface in this article. Insurance rates can be astronomical if you are under 25, and still if you have a sketchy driving record. Even your credit score can cause that insurance rate to go through the roof.

The model and year of car you get is a major factor too. Buying a used car from a private party sounds fantastic because the car is being purchased for cash, outright, no need for full coverage, which means the rates should be lower, right? Wrong. In many cases older vehicles do not have the newest safety equipment because it was not mandated at the time that the vehicle was made. The lack of side curtain airbags and ABS can jack up those rates, making it cost more to insure an older vehicle with simply liability, than it would to insure something brand new with full coverage. Before you buy, you should always check how much your insurance rates will be. Remember that even when your car payments go away, your insurance bills will not.

Financing is nearly non existent if you have bad credit. If the car you are trying to purchase is a great deal, someone with cash is bound to swoop it up before you can even get to the bank to apply for a bad credit auto loan. In some cases, especially in the case of bad credit auto loans; lenders will want to have the vehicle inspected, and it can be hard to find a convenient time for you and the seller to find a time that you are both available. Also, applying for too many car loans can adversely affect your credit score and may prevent you from getting a loan.

It can be intimidating to take that first step into a dealership. Dealers carry a stigma of shady service and overpriced cars. No wonder buyers are discouraged before they even start their quest to purchase a car and head down the road towards purchasing from individuals. When in truth, dealers have so much more to offer. They can offer you peace of mind, warranties, and in some cases a loaner car to hold you over while your car is in the shop for general maintenance.

Where does that bad reputation come from then? All it takes is one person. That one person who has had a bad experience will scream from the hilltops so the whole valley knows just what happened. Someone who had a good experience may meekly pass that word onto others, or hype it as their own personal triumph rather than the help of someone else. Recognition is another factor. “I bought a car from some guy out of the paper and the car won’t even start now,” may be a complaint that sounds familiar. Who is some guy? I don’t know, you probably don’t, and the person that bought the car might not even remember how to get to the persons house that he bought it from. Now say the name of a dealership, that’s a staple in some towns. You know a major brand name, and someone is likely to mention the dealership later on, and you can add your two cents, “Yeah, I heard from such and such that they are bad to work with.” There are of course legitimate reasons and some complaints have a actual base, but for the most part, the stigma of the evil dealership is false.

Dealerships have the benefit of financing at their fingertips. There are many articles out there on how to get a car with bad credit, little credit, no credit, and things like that, so I won’t go too far in detail. If you are applying for used car loans, or for bad credit car loans, you should remember that dealerships with special finance departments are equipped to assist with getting used auto loans for people with bad credit.

If you are looking to get a loan to buy a vehicle, it’s probably best that you purchase from a dealership where they will be more likely to take responsibility for a vehicles faults than a private party. It’s added insurance in case something goes wrong later on down the road. You don’t want to be stuck with a car that has title issues or other problems preventing it from getting you safely onto the road.

It’s your choice to purchase a vehicle, remember to make a smart one. Don’t take a car loan with payments more than you can afford. Always think about added costs of maintenance and insurance. Put all of the pros and cons together that you can think of, and make the decision that is best for you.

Magnus Larsen is a staff writer for NatLeads, inc http://www.afterbk.com http://www.easybadcreditcarloan.info http://easycarloansforbadcredit.info

Magnus Larsen is a staff writer for NatLeads, inc http://www.afterbk.com http://www.easybadcreditcarloan.info http://easycarloansforbadcredit.info

Author Bio: Magnus Larsen is a staff writer for NatLeads, inc http://www.afterbk.com http://www.easybadcreditcarloan.info http://easycarloansforbadcredit.info

Category: Automotive
Keywords: car loans,auto loans,car financing,bad credit auto loans,bad credit car loans,automotive financing