Steps for Buying a Used Car

When beginning your car-shopping adventure, it can help to have a guide. Before you start searching around the Zanesville, Cambridge, Coshocton, and Newark, OH, areas, for the vehicle of your dreams, you need to get prepared.

That’s why we at Zanesville Toyota put together this guide to the steps for buying a used car:

1. Research what features you need
2. Find potential vehicles
3. Determine a payment plan
4. Meet with the financing department
5. Purchase your new-to-you vehicle

Where Do You Start?

Since you’re here, you probably already know that research is the best first step when shopping for any vehicle. From deciding what make, model, and features you want, to figuring out your payment options, ironing out these details early on will make the whole process run smoothly.

So, start with deciding what you are looking for. Be prepared to be flexible on certain aspects like the color of the vehicle, but make sure to determine what you need in your next ride. Then, take a look at our online used inventory to find a vehicle that matches your needs.

You might also want to look into certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, since they’ve passed a 160-point quality assurance inspection. These are a great option for used car shoppers not only because you can be sure they are in top condition, but because they come with:

• 12-month/12,000-mile Limited Comprehensive Warranty
• 7-year/100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty
• One year of Roadside Assistance

Once you know what you want, you should start to think about purchasing options. You can use our online payment calculator to work out the potential monthly payment for the vehicle you are looking at to make sure it’s in line with what you need.

Financing a Used Car

If you don’t plan to buy it up front, you can finance your chosen used car. Overall, the process is very similar to financing a new car. You’ll sit down with a member of our financing team to decide on your payment plan, and find a local bank or lender with ideal rates.

Before you get to our financing department, it’s a good idea to take a few steps to prepare:

• Be aware of your credit score
• Have an estimated monthly payment in mind
• Get pre-approved online

If you get a head start by getting pre-approved with our online financing application, our team can prepare your financing options before we even meet in person. This way, you can start on the same page.

Leasing a Used Car

Not everyone knows that leasing is also an option for used car shoppers. Used vehicles eligible for leasing will meet these standards:

• Certified Pre-Owned
• Less than four years old
• Less than 48,000 miles on it

Used car leases are also generally similar to a new car lease. Your monthly payment will be determined by the sales price and the rate of depreciation. However, since this is a used vehicle, both will be lower than a new model. You’ll also have the option to buy your vehicle at the end of the lease.

Take the Next Step In Buying a Used Car

Used car shoppers like you around the areas of Zanesville, Cambridge, Coshocton, and Newark, Ohio, can always reach out to us during their car-shopping journey. Whether you have questions about a vehicle on our lot, want to know more about potential financing options, or are ready to take the next step, we are here to help.

Contact us at Zanesville Toyota to learn more!