Heed this advice from OnStar and Autotrader.com when
buying a used vehicle
DETROIT – As a
leader in vehicle connectivity, OnStar provides valuable services to not only
owners of new General Motors vehicles, but to owners of used vehicles as well.
Approximately 3.3 used cars are sold
for every one new car sold, which makes understanding the buying process an important
skill.
Mindful of the difficulties that many
drivers face when purchasing a used vehicle, OnStar teamed up with AutoTrader.com to make buying pre-owned vehicles a little
easier.
Below are few tips from AutoTrader.com
and OnStar about what to know and do, when shopping for a used car:
·
Consider purchasing a certified pre-owned
vehicle: Certified pre-owned vehicles usually
come with extended warranties and have been thoroughly inspected before being
sold.
·
Make sure the potential vehicle is
functional for everyone who will be traveling in it: If searching for a used family vehicle, bring the
whole family on an extended test drive to make sure everyone is comfortable with
the vehicle. If you have small children,
use this time to make sure child safety seats fit and can easily be installed
in the vehicle.
·
Purchase a vehicle history report and have
the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic: Taking both of these actions can reduce the chance of unexpected issues
later.
·
Ask about promotional programs: Many manufactures offer incentives to purchase their
used vehicles. For instance, buyers of used GM vehicles equipped with OnStar
are eligible to receive a three-month free trial of OnStar’s Directions &
Connections package, which includes Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Automatic Crash
Response, Remote Door Unlock, Hands-Free Calling and more.
·
Secure your financing in advance: Because used vehicle loans can vary when it comes
to interest rates, visit your local bank or credit union before making a final decision
so you can be sure you're receiving the best interest rate.
·
Don’t negotiate price based on what you want
your monthly payment to be: Monthly payments
can always be lowered to fit your budget by extending the length of the loan. But
extending the length of the loan makes the car more expensive. Negotiations
should be made based on the price of the car, rather that the monthly payment.
·
Remember the sale process continues past
the acceptance of an offer: After both
parties agree upon an appropriate price, dealers usually will offer extra
accessories and services you might not be interested in. Be sure to stand firm
and make it clear that you are not interested in paying more than the
previously agreed upon price.
Purchasers of used GM vehicles (2006 model year and newer)
are eligible to receive a three-month free trial of OnStar’s Directions &
Connections package, which includes Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Automatic Crash
Response, Remote Door Unlock, Hands-Free Calling and more.
About OnStar
OnStar,
a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, is the global leading provider of
connected safety, security and mobility solutions and advanced information
technology. With more than 6 million subscribers in the U.S, Canada and China,
OnStar is currently available on more than 45 MY 2012 GM models, as well as
available for installation on most other vehicles already on the road with
OnStar FMV. More information about OnStar can be found at www.onstar.com.
About AutoTrader.com
Created
in 1997, Atlanta-based AutoTrader.com is the Internet's ultimate automotive
marketplace. As a leading resource for car shoppers and sellers, AutoTrader.com
aggregates millions of new, used and certified pre-owned cars from thousands of
dealers and private sellers and provides expert articles and reviews.
AutoTrader.com, which also operates the AutoTraderClassics.com auto marketing
brand, is wholly owned by AutoTrader Group. Additionally, AutoTrader Group owns
Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) as well as three other companies that provide a full
suite of software tools that help dealers and manufacturers manage their
inventory and advertising online: vAuto, HomeNet Automotive and
VinSolutions. AutoTrader Group is a majority-owned
subsidiary of Cox Enterprises. Providence Equity Partners is a 25 percent owner
of the company and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers is also an investor.
For more information, please visit www.autotrader.com.
