Buy Used?
Driver's Digest 2 COver stOrY USED TRUCK It's a GOOD TIME to buy a B usinesses everywhere are struggling to make ends meet. So what is a smaller truck operator to do? Pick a shiny new truck, or a shiny used one? Many business owners don't consider buying used trucks because they fear troubles down the road, which may cost even more money. What many people don't know however, is that because a truck is used does not mean it is lower in quality or value. And today there is a good supply of used trucks at great prices. Below are tips to finding the right used truck for you. 1. Determine the primary purpose of your truck. What will you haul? What terrain will you typically drive? How far will you drive each week and will overnight stays be required? Consider what it is that you are look-ing for in a used truck. Do you have a particular make and model in mind? What features are important to you? It is a good idea to look up information about specific models of used trucks. Some truck models are well known to be long lasting vehicles no matter how many miles are on them. 2. Set your budget. Have a good idea of how much money you can afford to spend on a monthly basis, and remember the truck payment is just one of your monthly costs. Fuel, maintenance, and insurance are just a few of the additional operating costs for which to plan. Having a set amount in mind that you are firm about wanting to spend will prevent you from buying a used truck that you love but realistically can't afford. Loans are typically avail-able for used trucks that are less than 10 years old. The fact that you can finance a good quality used truck with potentially low payments is also something to explore. Again, just make sure that what you agree to pay easily fits in your budget. 3. Determine which truck makes you happy when you drive it. Today's trucks are made of good quality materials and, with the proper care, will remain service-able for years to come. Make sure you are genuinely happy with your choice so you look forward to working with it down the road. 4. Test drive. Buying your next truck should not oc-cur after a couple of hours but should take place only after much research and careful consideration. After investing your time to steps 1, 2 and 3 above, come up with your short list of truck potentials and spend time test driving each one. This will give you a good idea of what you like. Then have your favorite truck looked over. Make sure to have the major systems checked -brakes, exhaust, suspension, and steering. The cost of wear-and-tear items like tires can add up. Also, make sure the entire interior and exterior lights and controls work. Check all the fluids under the hood and make sure they are topped off. Check for signs of leakage on the engine and under the truck. On the road, make sure the truck tracks straight with your hands off the wheel and the wheel sits straight. Make sure the truck brakes for you in a straight line. Listen for odd noises and make sure the transmission shifts smoothly through all gears. If you are uncomfortable with inspecting these things yourself, a mechanic can do it for you. After test driving, you can determine the book value on that particular truck with the features, condition, and mile-age taken into consideration. 5. Find a great dealership to work with. It is es-sential to find a dealership you can trust. Spend some time exploring the reputation of the dealership you're considering by talking with friends and co-workers.