Used Car Buying Tips for Grads

Top Five New Grad Used Car Buying Tips!

Whether your child is graduating from high school or from college, used car buying tips can be helpful when choosing just the right pre-owned car for your new grad!

First and most important is to get some input from your grad-to-be.  Just like buying a pet for a significant other, it’s good to know if you’re buying for a cat-lover or a cat-hater before you bring it home with a bow!

If you want it to be a surprise, there are ways to get the info you need: point out cars the next time you’re on a drive with comments like “That Honda looks pretty good…what do you think?” or “If you were going to buy another car, what would it be?”

Second, once you’ve narrowed your choices, start ranking them in terms of safety – focusing on those that have high crash ratings and safety marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

Third, check out Consumer Reports, Edmunds, and other reviews for information about the reliability of the used car.  This is definitely something worth checking, especially for college-bound graduates who are moving away from home.

Fourth, look for a fuel-efficient vehicle.  Even though gas prices have fallen over the last year, one hiccup in the Middle East can change that overnight. Bear in mind that four-cylinder engines typically (but not always) offer the best fuel economy.

Fifth, check insurance rates on the models you’re considering.  Whether you’re picking up the insurance tab or they are, it’s good to know before you buy.

At Auction Direct USA, we have a great selection of pre-owned vehicles – and all go through an 85-point safety check before they ever reach our lot.  We’re excited about your graduate – and hope you’ll trust Auction Direct USA with the used car purchase for your new grad!