How to Select a Used Honda Vehicle

Today's consumers are doing their homework when it comes to car purchases. Everyone wants reliability and value...both are found in used Hondas. The thing is, these cars can be hard to find at a decent price. Once you've owned a Honda, you will never go back to a domestic brand again (by the way, all Hondas are now made in USA)

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Access to Internet
• KBB.com (Kelly Blue Book
• Intellichoice.com
• Open minded approach

1. 
   Determine needs, not wants

   DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS...This step is important because you can logically determine what type of vehicle best suits your needs. Remember, what best suits your needs, not what best suits your wants...is important. Do you want a vehicle that is sporty? fuel efficient? can accommodate many passengers? These are questions you have to ask yourself and be honest with your answers. Here's an acronym to remember: SPACED: Safety,Performance,Affordability,Comfort,Economy,Dependability.

2. 
   Doing your homework may save you thousands

   HOMEWORK...The internet is such a great tool for this. You can find anything and everything about any car out there. Honda is no exception. Consumer Reports can be a valuable tool to let you know what years were the best or worst. Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com) will give you an un-biased estimation of what used Honda are selling for. They get their numbers from nationwide averages and update every 2 to 3 weeks. Folks, this information was not available at a stroke of the keyboard 5 or 10 years ago. Dealerships hate an educated customer. Let them know you have done your homework.

3. 
   Your perfect car is out there...just take your time.

   VEHICLE INSPECTION...Once you have an idea of the best suited vehicle, its time for locating one and inspection. Dealerships are a good place to start, but be prepared for the negotiation Nazis. Most dealerships have their inventory online, so you can leisurely inspect at your own pace. Private owners are a great source as well (especially if they kept good maintenance records..a sign of good vehicle upkeep).

Tips & Warnings

• Remember the SPACED acronym: Safety,Performance,Affordability,Comfort,Economy(fuel)Dependability
• Don't be disappointed if you find a Honda with high miles (100,000+) These are considered just getting "broken in". Properly maintained, Hondas will last upwards to 300-400,000 miles...and still have monetary worth!
• Carfax.com is a great source to determine if your newly found vehicle has ever been in an accident, how many owners it's had, and where it was originally purchased....excellent tool.