If you're in the market for a pre-owned vehicle, you need to know what you're looking for before you begin shopping. Make a list of your needs and wants so that when you browse used car lots you can filter through and find the one that's right for you. Whether you're looking for used cars for sale or need something bigger like a used truck or SUV, you have plenty of options here at InstaCar. There are four tips below that will help you get ready to start shopping for your used vehicle.

1. Define Your Budget

You must determine your budget before going into the dealership. You'll be much better off if you have a number in mind and don't stray from that amount because it will help focus your search. You can use your budget to your advantage, and the sales associate may even drop several thousand off an over-priced vehicle just to lock in the sale.

2. Used Cars for Sale or Used Trucks for Sale or Used SUVs?

Used cars, used trucks, and used SUVs all make excellent vehicles. The trick is to make the choice on body style before coming to the used car lot. You should try and decide on what you're looking for ahead of time so you can walk into the dealership and narrow your search. You'll save yourself time, energy, and confusion by determining what kind of vehicle is right for your lifestyle. How many seats do you need? How much cargo room? Fuel efficiency? Having answers to all of these ahead of time is a great help.

3. Read Reviews

When you think you've found your dream car, be sure to read dealership or car lot reviews. You certainly can't trust every review you find online, but if most of the reviews are written by people expressing their satisfaction with the dealership, you can trust the sales associates and team members are there to help you. A high percentage of negative reviews may indicate that negative experiences outnumber positive ones, so you'll be better off shopping elsewhere. Look for things like community involvement, charitable work, and buyer incentives that signal the dealership you’re looking at has earned a positive reputation. That’s a good starting place.

4. Calculate Your Trade-In

Use an online trade-in calculator to calculate the value of your trade-in before going into the dealership. If possible, bring a copy with you so you can present it to the sales team at the time of purchase. A quality dealership will value your trade-in and ensure you get what you deserve, and not a penny less.

Buy Your Next Used Car in Charlotte with InstaCar

If you're looking for a quality dealership with a team you can trust, we’re here for you. Visit us today at InstaCar to browse our extensive inventory of quality pre-owned cars, trucks, and SUVs.

If you are looking to sell your car in Charlotte, NC or the surrounding area, you want to make sure everything is done correctly. There are many different options available for selling your car including using it as a trade-in, selling it to a dealership, and selling it to a private party. Taking the time to make sure you handle this process correctly will not only make it easier to sell your car, but it will also help ensure you are able to sell it for the most money possible.

Know the Value of Your Vehicle

One of the most important things you can do when it comes to selling your car is learning about how much it is worth. There are a variety of tools to help you value your trade available, and they can give you a good estimate so you know about how much it will sell for. There are many factors that go into determining the value of a vehicle including its make, model, year, trim package, condition of the vehicle, prior maintenance done, and more.

Setting Your Price Point

Whether you are selling your car to a private party or you are selling it to an experienced auto buyer or dealer, you want to know how much you will accept for it. Using the information gathered from researching the value of your car, you can set your price point.

Clean Up Your Car

Whenever you are selling something, you want to make it look as nice as possible. People are often surprised at just how much nicer a car can look after it is washed, vacuumed, and cleaned out. In many cases, spending a few hours cleaning your car can help it to sell for hundreds of dollars more than it otherwise would.

Finding a Buyer You Can Trust

When you buy a car, you want to make sure you are purchasing it from a reputable person or company. The same is true when you are trying to sell your car. If you sell it to a trusted company like InstaCar, you can be confident that you will get the money you are owed, and the process will go smoothly. No matter how you decide to sell your vehicle in the end, it just makes sense to at least get an offer from a company that buys and sells a huge number of vehicles each year. If you are in Gastonia, Concord, or Charlotte, NC make sure you give us a call at (704) 532-3748 to get an offer today.

If you have a teenager who is ready to start driving, you will undoubtedly have a lot on your mind. Finding the right vehicle for them is going to be one of the most important decisions you need to make. For most people, a good used car is the perfect option for teen drivers. Learn why used cars in Charlotte can be a great option for your young driver.

Proven Safety Records

While all cars today are designed with safety in mind, used cars have been on the road for some time and will have proven safety records. With thousands of cars and millions of miles driven, you will be able to look up the specific information about the safety of a used car before you purchase it. This can give you the confidence that you need to know that your teen driver is as safe as possible.

Saving Money

Of course, one of the biggest benefits to choosing a used car over a new one is saving money. When purchasing the car, you can save thousands of dollars by selecting a nice used car for sale. On top of that, your insurance premiums will be lower on a used car than they would be on something new.

Huge Selection

There are thousands of different used cars in Charlotte that you can choose from. Since you can pick a used car from multiple different model years, you will have a much larger selection than you would if you were buying new. This means that you can get a car that you approve of, but also one that your teen driver will love, without any trouble.

Find the Best Used Cars in Charlotte

At InstaCar, we have a large selection of used cars for sale that are affordable. Our sales representatives will gladly assist you in determining the best option for your teen driver. If you have any further questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us at (704) 532-3748 at your earliest convenience.

Most car buyers know that there are “peak” seasons to shop for new vehicles. However, did you know that there are ideal seasons for trading in or selling your car as well? Before you head over to the dealership, you’ll want to ensure that now is the time to trade in your car. Read on to learn more.

When Should You Trade In Your Car?

If you want to get the best possible deal for your trade-in, here are a few times when we recommend you consider unloading your car.

When Repair Costs Exceed Loan Payments

After a while, your car may start needing regular maintenance and repairs. These bills can add up quickly. That money you’re spending on service could be going towards a new car payment. It’s a good idea to seriously consider trading in your car when your monthly repair costs are getting too high.

When You’re Not in Need of a New Car

A lot of people make the mistake of waiting to trade or sell their car when they’re in desperate need of a new one. It’s actually a much wiser option to unload your car when you’re under no pressure. That means you won’t make any quick or rash decisions and take the first offer from a dealership just so you can get rid of your car quickly. Trading in your vehicle while it’s still in good condition can save you a lot of stress.

When the Weather is Nice

Once the weather gets nicer, people are more likely to go car shopping. If you want to get a good deal on your car, then consider going to the local dealership during the spring or summer months, especially if your trade-in is a classic model or a sports car.

Check Out Our Used Cars for Sale

When shopping around for a new car, the tricky part is finding the one that perfectly matches your lifestyle and budget. For many people, the first question that needs to be answered is whether to buy new or go with a used car. 

It’s important to remember that buying a new car isn’t the only way to get innovative modern features and options. A huge range of used cars still boast these advanced features. Let’s explore some of the other key reasons you should consider buying a used car.

Attractive Savings

One of the biggest reasons people buy used cars is the straightforward cost savings. Depending on what make and model year vehicle you choose, you could save thousands of dollars on the price without having to compromise much in terms of features, miles, or overall quality. For many people, this is going to be the best balance between price and performance.

Proven Quality

When a new model  line of cars rolls off the line at the manufacturer there is no way to know whether that model is likely to run into issues further down the road. When you buy used, however, you can look at thousands of reviews and reports on that make and model and year to see if it has any history of issues or recalls. This is a very useful tool when researching your options. Fewer surprises means fewer expensive pit stops.
 

Great Selection

You’ll have a lot more options when buying a used car, rather than being limited to a new car from a specific manufacturer and year. This is because you can shop for multiple different makes, models, and years to find exactly what you want. Maybe the options you’re looking for in your next vehicle were only available for a model 2-3 years ago. Providing a wide range of choices is key to finding just the right fit.

Lower Insurance Premiums

Plenty of factors are considered by insurance companies regarding your vehicle’s premium, and one of them is cost. Due to the lower price of used vehicles you will typically be able to enjoy reduced insurance premiums as well. Insurance companies know that the cost to repair or replace a used car is lower than that of a new one, so they can pass those savings on to you.

Contact InstaCar for Your Used Car Options

If you were already in the market for a used car, now there’s even greater incentive to shop used. Feel free to contact us at (704) 532-3748 to get pre-approved, sell/trade your current used car, and more. We look forward to helping you soon.