ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

8 tips to consider when buying a used car

Buying a used car is an exciting process. It can help one save money on insurance, registration, taxes, and depreciation. However, it is still an expensive purchase, with buyers spending around $28,000 on used cars on average. Moreover, buying the wrong car may also add to one’s expenses with repairs and maintenance charges. To save money and avoid any pitfalls during this process, here are some used-car-buying tips that one must consider.

Set a budget
Buying a used car can be a large purchase. Before beginning this process, it is important to set a realistic budget. To calculate the total cost of ownership of the car, one needs to consider factors such as monthly loan repayments, cost of interest on the car loan, insurance, parking, and maintenance costs. While one may receive a lower buying rate with older models, they may come with additional repair costs or reliability issues. Be sure to contemplate these issues before making a decision.

Make a list of required features
When buying any car, it is important to know what one wants. Begin by making two lists of features – requirements and desires. This will help narrow down options during research. For instance, those with a family may be interested in looking for cars that can seat everyone comfortably and offer enough cargo space and safety features. Considering this, one can create a short list of models to choose from.

Explore different auto retailers
The next step is to begin looking for cars. With so many outlets to buy from, this can feel a bit overwhelming. Simplify the process by checking out these car buying retailers –

Online marketplaces
Many online marketplaces present aggregate listings from various used car retailers and dealerships across the country.
Online retailers
The full process for purchasing a used car can easily be carried out online via retailers. These retailers own the inventory and may offer attractive deals, warranties, or return policies on the purchase.
Traditional private-party sales platforms
Used cars can also be purchased from private parties on certain online sales platforms. These sellers are often looking to make a quick sale, so it’s a great way to get a bigger discount.
Used car dealers
One can check their local used car superstores and dealerships for vehicles to buy. For reliability, be sure to check with the local Better Business Bureau (BBB) or consumer advocacy groups before finalizing the purchase.

Consider a CPO car
An assured way of buying a reliable used car is by looking for a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle. These are specially inspected and approved by the manufacturer, and can be found at used car dealerships and rental companies. A CPO certification guarantees that the car will have low mileage, good parts, proper maintenance, and an accident-free history. Sellers may also offer additional vehicle warranties on these purchases.

Explore financing options
Most people require a loan to make large purchases, such as cars. There are several financing options to turn to, such as large national banks, credit unions, community banks, online banks, finance companies, and car dealerships. One can also use a loan comparison website to contact multiple lenders and find out the best financing options. Run a detailed analysis of these offers before finalizing one. Moreover, when applying for financing, having a loan pre-approval may help.

Get a vehicle history report
A vehicle history report is a document that contains important information about the car’s past, such as title information, flood, fire, or other damage, ownership history, sales information, recalls, registration and inspection information, major accidents, past owners, mileage, and much more. It also maintains records of the car’s maintenance services. Generally, online listings include free vehicle history reports. If not, they can be requested via trusted third-party service providers. They can help one form a realistic estimate of how reliable the car will be in the future.

Conduct a car inspection
A vehicle history report alone is not enough to ensure reliability. Buyers must take the car for a test drive to check the car’s condition. Begin by adjusting the seats, steering wheels, and mirrors, and ensure that one can reach all controls comfortably. Further, check the fan and heater speeds, stereo, and other equipment. Make note of any issues that may arise, and use these to negotiate a lower price. After the test drive, insist on conducting an independent car inspection to check for any mechanical and safety problems in the vehicle. A pre-purchase mechanical inspection may cost anywhere between $100 and $200, and may help buyers save on repair costs in future.

Negotiate the best price
Don’t settle for the first offer from the seller! Use these tips to negotiate the price of the vehicle –

Compare the seller’s asking price to the average market price.
Negotiate on the price of the car, not on the price of the monthly payment.
Make an enticing offer on the lower end and then improve the offer in small increments.
Confirm if the negotiations are on the overall price of the car (including fees and taxes) or only on the sales price.
Spoken promises may be difficult to enforce, so be sure to get out-the-door offers in writing from the salesperson.
Ask for a breakdown of any fees that may be levied on the sale.

Popular Reads

11 useful tips for anxiety management

Nearly 84% of participants in a particular mental health survey were said to have some form of anxiety. The severity of symptoms did vary from person to person, but the fact remains that we live in a world where almost everything is a potential trigger for anxiety. And living in denial about having a psychological trigger only worsens the problem. Luckily, it is possible to manage anxiety by following the suggestions recommended by experts. Identify the triggers Anxiety is mainly triggered due to an event or episode where one finds themselves in a difficult position. It could be something that puts a person out of their comfort zone. Doctors advise people to identify these triggers and avoid them. Any comment, action, or situation that did not work out in favor triggers anxiety. So, make a list of such events and instances and ignore them the next time something happens related to that event. At the same time, try to remain positive as it can help strengthen the mind to manage anxiety better. Keep busy Distraction is one of the simplest ways to prevent a panic or anxiety attack. You can perform simple chores or indulge in a favorite task to stay physically and mentally occupied for a few hours. When the mind is occupied, there is hardly any scope for negative thoughts to trigger unnecessary overthinking. Some creative activities to boost cognitive performance include taking a walk, painting, drawing, listening to music, meditating, praying, and reading. You can opt for any of these to stay busy. Try mindfulness techniques Deep breathing and mindfulness techniques have helped thousands overcome their fear or anxiety time and again. Focused deep breathing is a method where one inhales for four counts and exhales for the same duration; this is practiced for minutes. It helps lower heart rate, which, in turn, calms the mind and body.

Atrial fibrillation – Causes, symptoms, and management tips

The human heart is susceptible to several health complications, including atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition is the most common type of treated heart arrhythmia, which is a term describing when the heart beats unusually slowly, fast, or irregularly. AFib is estimated to affect between 2.7 million to 6.1 million individuals in the country. An individual with the complication experiences irregular beating in the heart’s upper chambers, affecting blood flow, leading to health complications. Causes Irregularities in the structure of the heart are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Sometimes people may develop the condition without any known heart damage or problems. Risk factors like age may also contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation. Other potential causes of the phenomenon include a heart attack, sick sinus syndrome – issues with the heart’s natural pacemaker, coronary artery disease, congenital heart defect – A heart defect that an individual might be born with, high blood pressure, lung diseases, heart valve problems, use of stimulants, including certain prescriptions and caffeine, physical stress caused due to pneumonia, other illnesses, and also surgery, sleep apnea, overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), metabolic imbalances, viral infections, and complications due to earlier heart surgery. Symptoms A person who develops atrial fibrillation may not notice symptoms, and the condition is detected only after a physical examination. But some people experience signs and symptoms before a diagnosis. A few common symptoms of AFib include being unable to exercise to one’s full potential, feelings of weakness, throbbing pain in the chest, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations and sensations of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat, and feeling extremely fatigued. Therefore, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation differ from one person to the other. Occasional symptoms (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) Here, a person may experience something that lasts from a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Macular degeneration – Types, causes, and remedies

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects a person’s vision and develops as people age. This progressive eye disorder involves the deterioration of the macula, which is a part of the eye’s retina. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and may develop in one or both eyes. This condition is of two main types – dry and wet. Read further to learn about the disorder, its causes, and its types. Dry macular degeneration People are more likely to have dry macular degeneration than wet form. It is also less severe and develops when tiny yellow protein deposits under the macula. These deposits dry and thin the macula, causing gradual central vision loss while the peripheral vision remains intact. In the advanced stages, the dry form can progress to the wet form. People with dry macular degeneration need to test their eyes daily at home using an Amsler grid. One must consult a health expert immediately if any vision changes are observed. Wet macular degeneration In this condition, the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and macula and cause blood and fluid to leak into the retina. This build-up of fluid results in scarring, leading to permanent loss of central vision. The wet form can cause a sudden change in eyesight resulting in a severe loss of centralized vision when left untreated. People with wet macular degeneration may require repeated treatments. Symptoms Macular degeneration may not cause any symptoms during the early stages. However, as the condition progresses, it can cause distortion and blurry vision. It can result in difficulty reading, driving, and identifying colors. Macular degeneration occurs mainly in people aged over 50. Blurred vision Dark, blurry areas appear in the center of the vision, leading to increased blurriness in reading printed words. Visual distortion The person may experience visual distortions, such as straight lines that look wavy or crooked, and objects may appear distorted.