Do's & Don'ts of Buying a Used Car in Shawnee, OK
Do's & Don'ts of Buying a Used Car in Shawnee, OK
Thinking about upgrading your vehicle to a new one? You don't have to purchase a brand-new model to receive quality, longevity and value. Shop our pre-owned selection of sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks and hybrid models to discover your next favorite. But before you scroll through our listings online and schedule a test drive (or two), here are our do's and don'ts of buying a used car from us at Joe Cooper Chevrolet Cadillac!
Searching through our inventory can be overwhelming if you don't know what features, amenities or even the body style you need for your lifestyle. We recommend making a list of what you want in your vehicle (like a roof rack if you're outdoorsy or a third row if you have a large family) and sticking to those features in your search.
Third-party sites, such as Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book®, are excellent resources if you want to get a feel for the current market. Type in your list of preferred makes and models and save the numbers you see. You'll be prepared to go into our finance offices with an understanding of why we've priced our vehicles and better negotiating power.
What's your budget? We suggest only purchasing a model that's less than 20% of your income. Include insurance, taxes, dealer and registration fees, maintenance costs and any garage or parking costs in your final number. It's best to put as much down upfront as possible to lessen your monthly payments or shorten your overall term.
If you'd like to trade in your car for one of ours, that's a great way to save a little extra! However, if you still owe money and the amount is more than what your current model is worth, it might be a better idea to pay off your vehicle first. Negative equity will follow you from loan to loan, so we recommend waiting.
Your test drive is the final factor in your decision to purchase the model or simply walk away. It's important not to rush your test drive! Enjoy the ride and take your time, testing each function, button and system in the vehicle. A member of our team will be available to answer any questions you may have!
If you have any questions about what you need to do before buying a used car or would like to test-drive any of our quality used cars, please feel free to contact us or stop by Joe Cooper Chevrolet Cadillac at 4920 N Auto Mall Drive, Shawnee, OK 74804. We look forward to serving our customers from Oklahoma City, Norman and Moore.