Car Buyer Tips
1. Do your homework.
Start with the best selling books Lemon-Aid guides and www.lemonaidcars.com as well as Consumer Reports
books and www.consumerreports.org. You can also find good information from the APA (www.apa.ca). Go to
the library, read consumer literature and surf the Internet for used-car websites.
2. Set a price range.
As for how much to pay, you can find out what the going rate is by checking the Canadian
Red Book Vehicle Valuation Guide, a volume the insurance industry uses to determine used-car prices. Order
a Red Book ($16.95) at www.canadianredbook.com or ask for it at your local large bookstore.
3. Choose your seller.
Plan to spend enough time looking at cars to allow you to test-drive at least three.
Consider reputable new-car dealers who also sell used models, or a private sale. As for the corner used-car
lot, it's probably a good idea to give it a miss unless you live in a small town where everybody knows
everybody, says Edmonston, because there, the dealer won't want to damage his reputation by selling you a
lemon. Regina Chan, executive director of AutoNerve Communications Inc., says you'll do better on the price
if you buy from a classified ad rather than paying a dealer's markup. Bring someone along if you're going
to a stranger's home.
4. Research the car.
Your first line of defence to avoid a ripoff is to ask to see the vehicle's maintenance record.
Ask to see it for the whole time the seller owned the car. Write down the vehicle information number (VIN),
which is the long serial number inside the car around the bottom of the driver's side of the windshield.
Phone it in to the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), if you are a member; a local automobile protection agency;
the provincial transport office; or a third party vehicle proof service company. You will be able to find the
vehicle's claims history and if a lien exists against the car. Confirm the VIN matches the vehicle registration form.
5. Take a look.
Beware of a car that's too clean, says Lisa Christensen, an automotive diagnostic specialist
and radio host. Never buy a car in the rain, when all cars look great, or at night, when you can't see what
you're buying. Give the car a good visual once-over, advises Christensen. Step back a few metres to make sure
all the wheels look aligned and face forward. Do the tires match? Are their sidewalls worn from repeated bumping
up against curbs? Check the wipers, horn and lights. Bumps and scratches are OK, but major cosmetic
problems show the car wasn't well cared for.
6. Give it a whirl.
Take the car for a thorough test-drive. Take it on the highway and see how it reacts.
If the car pulls or chatters, you want to know. "Keep the radio off and don't let the seller talk in
your ear; you need to listen to the car," says Christensen..
7. Seek an expert opinion.
"Absolutely have the car inspected," says Christensen. "If a buyer doesn't, she can end up
with a car that looks good and needs a new transmission in 30 days." Take it to a qualified mechanic, such as
a CAA master mechanic, for a full inspection; even better if it's also a body shop. A full inspection through
CAA takes about two hours and costs about $150..
8. Negotiate.
Buy with your head, not your heart. Be prepared to walk away during negotiations.
A dealer will never sell a car at a loss, so drive that price as low as it'll go. |
Whatever the Situation!
Bad Credit
No Credit
Slow Credit
Self Employed
Get Paid In Cash
Bankruptcy
Consumer Proposal
Poor Credit
Previous Repossession
Divorced
Fixed Income
Collections
Disability
Students
Retired
New CitizensWhat We Offer
Fast and Easy Approval
Lowest rates in Canada
Bad Credit Auto Loans
Slow Credit Car Loans
Bankruptcy Vehicle Loans
Self Employed Car Loans
Applying is 100% Free
Driving in 48 Hours or Less!
What Past Clients Think
- After several unsuccessful attempts at getting a loan from various banks, I succeeded in getting a
loan through Applythendrive.com. Now I can focus on rebuilding my credit.
Charles N., Toronto, ON.
- With the credit problems I had in the past, I never thought I would be able to purchase a vehicle again. Thanks to Apply Then Drive they obtained the financing
I needed to get driving again.
John B., Calgary, AB.
- I found their website while searching for bad credit car loans. My credit was not so good, but I got the financing and the car I wanted. 1..2..3 Simple steps
just like they said.
Shelly K., Kelowna, B.C.
- Thanks for helping us lift a ton of weight off of our shoulders. You guys did a great job in getting us the Van our family needed.
Mike & Amy D., Hamilton, ON
- I refer ALL of my friends to applythendrive.com whenever they are looking for a vehicle loan. Trust me, I would never refer a friend if I did not receive the
best service. Thanks.
Mark W., Halifax, N.S.
|