You can get some great deals if you try to buy vehicles second hand, especially in the SUV market. Whether you’re looking for a vehicle to carry you around town with some weight, or an off road vehicle that can take you places any normal car can’t, an SUV is a super fun vehicle with a lot of perks.
There are of course some pitfalls when buying any used vehicle, but we want to take a look at specific problems you might run into when buying a used SUV.
Follow these tips to track down an SUV that will not only match your price but suit your family as well:
1. Search for the right brand.
It’s no secret that certain SUVs are designed for longevity while others’ strong points are classy appointments or high-tech features. In an SUV, you’ll want enough space to fit your family, 4-wheel drive, stylish looks and interior comfort. This boils down to versatility, light off-road capability (towing is a nice addition) and affordability, too. The Ford Escape and larger Ford Expedition, for example, neatly fit these categories.
Really think about what you want in an SUV and research each brand to find the best qualities you’re looking for.
2. Pick the right generation.
When checking used SUV listings, you’ll see vehicles from a wide range of model years. The first generation Ford Escape was released in 2001 and redesigned in 2008, with an upgraded 171-horsepower four cylinder V6, new transmission and new-look cabin adopted in the second-gen to conform with other Ford ranges. Rather than only checking mileage, maintenance and costs, in other words, consider when the vehicle was released and with the benefit of hindsight, consider how it fared.
One generation up or down can change the dynamics of the vehicle drastically, so double check gas mileage, reliability and engine sizes.
If you’re looking for a fuel efficient vehicle buying one year newer or older might make a huge difference.
3. Get down to the nitty gritty.
Do your due diligence once you’ve settled on the SUV that meets your requirements. Request the vehicle’s service history and check its reliability record among auto reviewers. Ask the folks over at Toyota of Fort Worth about more of this information. Before you part with your cash, make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for.
4. Get your vehicle checked out.
It’s always a good idea to get a used vehicle checked out by a licensed mechanic. They can give you an idea of what you will need to fix in the future, what is wrong with the vehicle now, and what possible changes will need to be made to keep your vehicle road worthy. You’d be surprised at just how many times there is a small “deal breaker” problem with a vehicle that you wouldn’t have noticed without a mechanic taking a look.
Had an experience with purchasing a used SUV? Let us know in the comments below.
Before buying the used car we have to be more careful.
We have to select right car, i.e right model,brand,its condition,its date of purchase every thing we have to take into consideration.
What you will find in most of the used second hand SUV’s is the poor suspension and transmission issues, never forget to check such things.