Looking for used pickup trucks? Don’t even think about buying a used pickup truck until you read this in-depth article on how to get the absolute best deals. Save thousands of dollars by locating used trucks for sale offered by private sales only.
If you’re in the market to buy a used pickup truck (or any vehicle for that matter) you’re in luck. There are a lot of truck owners who are realizing that the fuel costs just aren’t worth it for hauling capabilities that they rarely use. That’s a boon for those of us who do need, or simply want, a used truck. It’s a buyers market, which means you hold the power.
Whether you’re looking or old classic pickups for sale good condition used work trucks and vans, learn what you need to in order to get the best deal possible. Put a lot of thought and effort into this. Think of it as a contract job. Isn’t a couple thousand dollars is savings worth a fair chunk of your time?
Getting a great deal involves three major steps:
1. Consider Your Needs, Your Wants, and Your Resources
First off, think power and size (in and out, cab and bed) Do you need enough horsepower to haul a boat? Do you need a bed big enough to carry a bed? Is your family going to be riding in the cab? These considerations should create guidelines and narrow down the makes and models on your shortlist.
Secondly, think about features and options. Are heated seats important? Are you a sound hound who needs a nice stereo system? Does the color really matter? Prioritize these and understand that you may not be able to have all of them in the deal that you eventually find.
Finally, be realistic about your money. Think about the total cash outlay that you can afford. This will include not only the purchase price, but also the cost of initial repairs and insurance. If you think you’re looking for used pickup trucks for 500 to 1000 dollars, you must realize that the real cost range is twice that.
2. Do Your Homework
Narrowing your needs, wants and resources will produce a general truck profile. You might have a certain make, model and year in mind. Investigate all the possible options based on your profile.
There are many good websites that give used pickup comparisons. Take the time to read through these very carefully so you know what the strengths and weaknesses of each truck are.
Consult the Blue Book for used pickup pricing, which lists prices according to excellent, good, fair and poor condition. The Blue Book is a good reference guide, but it’s not an arbiter during negotiations, so don’t consider those prices written in stone. There are many factors that go into used trucks valuation and it may depend on the area in which you live.
3. Search Far and Wide for Trucks that Match Your Profile
You can find good used pickup trucks along several different avenues. Go to used car lots to get an idea of what’s out there and to test drive some of the vehicles on your short list. Remember, however, that buying from a car lot usually costs more because there’s a middle man to feed. If you do find something at a used car lot, it’s best to negotiate near the end of the month when the salespeople are struggling to meet quotas or earn bonuses.
You can also find cheap pickup trucks for sale at state and county auctions, where the vehicles might have a lot of miles but are well-maintained and inexpensive. If you’ve got the time you may also find some spectacular bargains at police auctions.
Still, your best chance of negotiating an excellent price is if you can find a good used pickup for sale by owner and you arrive on the scene with solid knowledge of the make, model and local prices. Search in your local newspaper’s classified ads, local auto magazines, as well as on Craigslist and eBay. Broaden your search to include outlying areas and even neighboring states. Again, your time is worth considerable savings.
Where to Look for Used Pickup Trucks?
By far our favorite resouce for finding quality used pickups is eBay Motors. eBay Motors has the one of the largest selections of pickup trucks on the planet, and with their powerful search tools, you can easily find pickups in your area.
If you take the time to follow these steps thoroughly, you can save thousands on a used pickup truck. Whether you’re looking for used trucks in central Florida for getting you to work and back or used diesel pickups for sale in Washington State, you can probably find it at eBay Motors.
From the Blogosphere:
Should You Buy a Used Pickup Truck?
Keith Griffin is About.com’s Guide to Used Cars. He’s put some thought into the current truck downtrend and offers some good reasons why now’s the time to buy a used pickup truck.
Buying Tips When Buying a Used Truck
You want to decide what car will be best for you when you buy a used car online, and this will depend on the following choices: a car, SUV, pickup truck, or minivan.
Things to Look for When Buying a Used Pickup Truck
After deciding what you need to buy, you may want to do a little research first.
Information About Used Pickup Trucks
The selection of used pickup trucks is tremendous, with a number of top performers you should consider.
The good news for those looking to buy a brand new pick up truck is that you could expect the resale value to hold.
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