So you’re pondering the question: should I buy a new or a used car?

Many people battle with this decision. Most of us love the idea of pulling out of the dealership in a brand new car. We love that immaculate clean, perfect look, we love the color, the model, the options we selected, and of course we love that brand new car smell. But know…is it all worth it? Is it all worth that high sticker price?

Well to those of you for whom all of the above are crucial the answer is simple: buy a new car. To those of you that are considering your wallet, the answer is: perhaps I can compromise a bit and save myself a ton of money. Buying a used car can not only save you money on the vehicle itself, but also on insurance, registration, and taxes.

Buying a used car can be stressful especially for someone that knows very little about cars. I remember when a friend of mine was looking to buy a used car she was worried about the condition of the vehicle. Questions came up such as: has this car been taken care of, did the owner maintain it properly, has it been in an accident, how long will it last me?

 The fact is that today’s vehicles are more reliable than ever and can serve you well over 100 K miles. It takes a little bit of research and a little bit of investigation to find just the right wheels for you, so let us help and guide you through the process.

How Not To Buy A Lemon

-Use the tools that are available out there such as: pricing guides, online listings, and vehicle history reports.

-Be realistic with your budget. Decide on the maximum dollar amount you want to spend and stick to it no matter what. Don’t let emotions and desires get in the way. Calculate all your monthly expenses carefully and make sure that the additional cost of owning your vehicle will be feasible and not cause a financial burden. Plan for some unexpected expenses, – just in case.

-Choose a vehicle that works for you. Is the vehicle just for you and an occasional passenger, or do you have a large family that you will be transporting all the time? Think about body type, size, features, fuel efficiency, how much will it cost to maintain, are parts for this vehicle expensive, and…looks, well looks count too. You must love what you drive. Check out Edmunds.com, Car Finder, and Carfax.com (be aware that not all accidents are reported here, however).

-Don’t overpay. Do your research. In today’s world, the power is in the hands of the consumer. There is so much information available online. Call the dealers and pick their brains. Check out Kelley Blue Book and be sure to compare makes and models, age, mileage, condition, and options. Once you get a good idea of what the car is worth, don’t be afraid to negotiate. Most sellers expect it and have built it into the asking price. Plus, you’ve done your homework and you have the information needed to negotiate effectively.

-Shop around for insurance before you buy a car. Select a few makes and models you are interested in and check to see what the insurance will cost you.

-Look for vehicles that age well and hold their value. Check out Consumer Reports and J.D. Power. They both collect maintenance reports which can give you a good indication on which vehicles require the least amount of attention. Other websites to investigate are Kelley Blue Book’s Five-Year Cost to Own or Consumer Reports’ Cost of Vehicle Ownership.



-There are several good websites that list used vehicles. Here are the top four to checkout: Craigslist, Auto Trader, Auto List, and CarMax.

-Find out about the owner. Ask why he or she is selling, how long have they owned the vehicle, are they the original owner, ask about any accidents, see if they can provide you with maintenance records and receipts, find out how they set the asking price, and if they have a clear title, ask if you can have your Auto Mechanic Shop Gilbert AZ inspect the car. If you come across an originally owned vehicle with good maintenance records, chances are you will end up with a good reliable vehicle.

-Take the vehicle on a test drive. This is your chance to feel the car. See how it handles. Get a feel for the brakes, the acceleration, ergonomics: can you easily reach all the gauges and controls? Listen for any unusual noises and vibrations. Check out the tires for wear and tear. Think about the space in the front and back of the car. Make sure the seatbelts are working properly. Look for any indication lights on the dashboard.

-If you like what you see it is time to stop by Bullitt Automotive, your Auto Repair Gilbert AZ shop. Leave the rest to us. Our trained technicians will pop the hood and take a good look at what could be your next ride. We offer two types of pre-purchase inspections. A basic inspection and a detailed inspection. During a basic inspection at our Auto Mechanic Shop Gilbert AZ, our technician will perform a visual inspection. He will check out the tires, the brakes, the suspension, look for any leaks and check all the fluids. During a detailed inspection the technician will in addition take the vehicle on a test drive, he will also hook the vehicle up to a diagnostic scanner and perform a digital scan. During a scan codes will pop up that will give the technician insight on possible problems with the transmission, emission system, exhaust system, engine, suspension, traction, abs system, safety modules, airbags, and other important vehicle components. Keep in mind that you can use an inspection report as a good negotiation tool. If we find some minor issues you can ask the owner to lower the price, if there are major issues you are better off looking for a safer car for you and your family. You certainly don’t want to spend big money on necessary major repairs.

Good luck on your search and remember that at Bullitt Automotive, we love cars and we love helping our customers. We are a full-service Car Repair Shop Gilbert AZ near ASU, the Light Rail, and Tempe Marketplace. We Provide Reliable and Honest automotive service and maintenance. You name it, we can fix it. We love what we do, and our team’s positive energy can be felt the moment you walk into our Auto Repair Gilbert AZ shop. Our highly trained technicians utilize the latest in diagnostic technology, they are passionate about quality auto repairs and they will get you back on the road safely and quickly.

Give us a call at: 480.446.0484 and let’s add you to our long list of satisfied customers. While we take care of your vehicle you are welcome to relax in our comfortable and updated waiting room.