First Time Used Truck Buyers: 5 Buying Mistakes to Avoid
At first blush, you might think there isn't much difference between buying a pre-owned car and a used truck. Actually, there is!
Consider the many special uses that pickups have as well as the ever-growing number of styles and options. It's easy to get lost with all the choices. And that's the challenge, especially for first time used truck buyers!
In the excitement of buying a truck, it's easy to forget all the options available to you. And that you need to have a very good idea of what you need the truck to do.
Here are 5 questions you need to ask before buying your used truck.
How much power do you need?
If you're going to pull a 30-foot fully trailer, then you'll probably need a one-ton truck. On the other hand, if you'll carry light loads, a compact model is probably best.
How much will you be carrying?
If you're pulling a trailer, you'll need to know the total payload weight as well as the maximum trail weight.
2WD or 4WD?
Will you be driving on unpaved, muddy back roads or the city streets? For off-roading or slippery conditions, four-wheel drive is a good option here. Otherwise, two-wheel drive works nicely. A 2WD truck is cheaper to buy and easier on gas.
How many passengers will you carry?
Are you riding solo with your dog or will you be carrying your family or crew? That's important to determine the type of seats that work best for you. Buckets seats for three, extended cabs have jump or bench seats, and a crew cab has a full second row of seats.
Long or short bed?
The type of cargo you'll carry determines the bed length. Ranges for truck bed lengths are five feet (short) to six feet(standard) to eight feet (long).
Manual or automatic?
This is a personal choice because most trucks come with both manual and standard transmissions.
Financing Your Used Truck
When it comes to buying a used truck, the rules are pretty much the same as buying any other pre-owned vehicle. The big thing is always your credit.
Make sure you know your credit score before you begin the financial application. The higher your credit score, the better your chances are for getting a lower interest rate. You can estimate your here.
It's also good to get pre-qualified and Joe Bowman Auto Plaza can help you with that, too. In fact, you can get a truck loan through our Harrisonburg dealership. And you may be surprised to know that the interest rates on our car and truck loans are as competitive as your local bank!
Plus, loan approval is generally quicker because everything is in-house. However, if you prefer to work with your own lender, we can accommodate you as well.
Recovering from Bad Credit?
Having bad credit doesn't prevent you from buying a used truck. Here at the dealership, we have a program called 2nd Chance Credit. It helps people to re-establish their good credit with affordable payments that also build equity.
If you're ready to re-build your credit, we're here to help!
When you're ready to buy a quality pre-owned truck, stop in and talk with us. Or, browse our used truck inventory online. Then come see us!
We'll work with you to get you into the pickup of your choice.
