As the economy declines, more and more people are opting to buy a used car rather than a new one. The obvious reason for this is because buying a used car, as opposed to a new one, is a great way to save money. However, there are even better ways to save money when shopping for a car.
One such way is to shop for damaged cars along with the used cars that you are looking at. Slightly damaged cars that you can fix up yourself or have repaired cheaply are the way to go if you are looking for cheap cars. A damaged car is a great car to get for a teenager who is just starting off driving. Even if you put a thousand or more dollars into the machine, you will still save a lot of money in the long run and if your teen wrecks the car it is not as big of a loss. Damaged repairable cars, along with the parts to repair them, can be found in almost every junkyard.
Finding just the right car can sometimes be a hassle, however with a little diligence it is possible to save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. An important tip if you decide to shop for repairable or salvage cars is to take a mechanic with you. By taking a mechanic, you will have someone there that can help you find a repairable car that he believes can be fixed up for a small price. Be sure to pay the mechanic for his time, even if he is a family friend. If it saves you thousands of dollars in the long run, it is the least you could do.
Another cheap alternative to damaged repairable cars are repossessed cars. Repossessed cars are taken to pay off debt and often are sold at a fraction of their market value. Because of this, it is sometimes possible to finds a great deal on a good car without having to pour extra money into fixing it up and putting it in working condition. Again, taking a mechanic with you when shopping for a decent repossessed car might not be such a bad idea. While shopping for a repossessed car, damaged repairable car, or even just a decent used car might be difficult and time consuming, there is no doubt that the savings are rewarding. With just a little bit of time and effort, it is possible to save thousands of dollars and still come home with a decent enough car.