Okay so I am a woman and I admit I don’t know that much about the inner workings of a car but I do know about saving money and this review is about both.
Talk to a man you know or do some research and when you go to buy a used car, act like you know what your doing even if you don’t because otherwise the salesman will try and sell you a heap of junk.
I crawl under a car, mind you I haven’t a clue what I am looking for, but check for wet spots and beside they have no clue what I am doing there. I bounce the car to test the shocks, kick the tires, and most of all look under a hood. I do know if anything is wet on the motor you can bet some thing is leaking and you don’t want a bunch of problems.
Ask questions about gas mileage, the size of the motor, never mind it won’t mean anything to you. Just remember they don’t know that.
Now for saving money on a new car. Cash talks and the mark up on a new car is considerable and if you dicker you can get a lesser price.
I suggest going to the bank first and taking the loan for the amount you can afford to pay on and take cash with you when you go. When you see the sticker price ask what the cash price is and let them know you have the cash to buy it right then and there which saves them a lot of paper work and they know they will make the sale.
You need to dicker. For example if the car is twenty thousand tell them you will give them ten thousand and they will look at you like you are crazy but they will come back with a counter offer and you can go back and forth. When you get to the amount you have if they say no, thank them and tell them you will take your business elsewhere.
They may tell you okay to leave and if so then go elsewhere. But chances are they will offer you a good deal.