Buying a used car is uncharted territory for many women, but it doesn't have to be. "Women understand that the important thing is not how fast the car goes from 0 to 100 kilometres per hour, but how fast it goes from 100 to 0," says Phil Edmonston, founder and past-president of the Automobile Protection Association (APA). "Without a doubt, women are better used-car buyers than men." Here's what you need to know.
1. Do your homework.
Start with the Lemon-Aid guides and www.lemonaidcars.com as well as Consumer Reports books and www.consumerreports.org. You can also find good information from the APA (www.apa.ca). Go to the library, read consumer literature and surf the Internet for used-car websites.
2. Set a price range.
As for how much to pay, you can find out what the going rate is by checking the Canadian Red Book Vehicle Valuation Guide, a volume the insurance industry uses to determine used-car prices. Order a Red Book ($16.95) at www.canadianredbook.com or ask for it at your local large bookstore.
3. Choose your seller.
Plan to spend enough time looking at cars to allow you to test-drive at least three. Consider reputable new-car dealers who also sell used models, or a private sale. As for the corner used-car lot, it's probably a good idea to give it a miss unless you live in a small town where everybody knows everybody, says Edmonston, because there, the dealer won't want to damage his reputation by selling you a lemon. Regina Chan, executive director of AutoNerve Communications Inc., says you'll do better on the price if you buy from a classified ad rather than paying a dealer's markup. Bring someone along if you're going to a stranger's home.
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