INSIDE/OUT MISSOURI TIPS on Buying a New or Used vehicle in Springfield Missouri

 Annie and I recently had to start looking for a vehicle to purchase. It started when Annie got rear ended and the insurance totaled out our 2007 Toyota Camary. Lucky we did not look to far because our oldest daughter Sarah had a 2005 Danli that her family had purchased in 1999. It had been sitting for nearly 2 years without being driven. We made a deal with our daughter and ended up with the Danli.

However just about the time we got the Danli my 2008 HHR decided that the engine was done at 230,000 miles. Though we could probably get away with 1 vehicle we like having 2. Also though the Danli is very nice and we love it the vehicle does have bad gas mileage. Therefore we wanted to find a second vehicle we could drive around town and use as the main vehicle of transportation.

Annie and I have been lucky in the fact we have not searched for a vehicle in a long while but I hope that if like us you are searching and wanting to buy a vehicle that this article from our experience will help you find the right vehicle for you,

We did not want to finance a car and had gotten some money from the totaling of the Camary. We wanted to stay under five thousand dollars in the purchase of the vehicle we wanted. 

Here are some tips and warnings we found from our experience in looking for a vehicle.

So here are some recommended places to start looking for a vehicle:

FACEBOOK MARKET PLACE

CRAIGSLIST

CARGURU

EDMUNDS

AUTOTRADER

CARFAX

CARS.COM

Also we found many smaller dealerships just by driving around the city and looking online.

So lets discuss FACEBOOK MARKET PLACE and GRAIGSLIST:

RED FLAGS:

We ran into several scams on Facebook and Graigslist. 

#1 SCAM  So one of the scams involves people posting a vehicle and then asking you to email them. Once you email them they give you a story of how they are in the military or a relative died, or whatever the story may be.They will tell you the vehicle is in great shape but not located in your area. Also the prices on these vehicles usually are a good indication that it is a scam.

#2 SCAM Though people do sell items for other people this is another scam to be warned about. We ran into several of these and even went as far to investigate the person selling the vehicle. 

SALVAGED OR REBUILT TITLES:

A salvaged title means a vehicle was totaled by the insurance deeming it unworthy to be driven on the roads.. However many States including Missouri allow cars to be fixed and filed under a rebuilt title meaning the damage was repaired enough to pass the State Requirements and Inspections. These types of vehicles are hard to get insured as many insurance companies will not insure a rebuilt title. Also if you ever plan to resell the vehicle it will be worth much less with this type of title.

READ THE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE AD and RESEARCH THE VEHICLE HISTORY:

In Missouri it is a law that the seller must disclose a Salvage or Rebuilt Title. It seems in our experience many people are deceptive about selling a vehicle. We found sellers do not want to disclose all the issues with a vehicle as we had several break down on test drives or failed inspections. Here in Missouri cars must pass a State Inspection to get registered. Getting the VIN NUMBER you can research the history of a vehicle. The VIN NUMBER will be located on the driver side on the lower part of the window. You can find places online that research the history of a vehicle using the VIN NUMBER.

RESEARCH THE SELLER:

It does not matter if you buy from a private person or dealer it is a good idea to research the person or dealership. In today's world people seem to leave more reviews on the experience they had with buying something like a vehicle. This research may save you a lot of headaches.

GET THE CAR INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC:

It may cost you a little $$$ but it may prove to be in your best interest to get the car inspected by a  mechanic.

SET A BUDGET FOR YOUR PURCHASE:

If you're planning to purchase with cash or getting a loan it is a good idea to make sure you're within your budget.

NEGOTIATE ON THE PRICE:

Face it everything is open to offers and negotiations in the vehicle market. It never hurts to attempt to get a better price.

BE READY FOR INSURANCE AND TITLE AND REGISTRATION FEES:

In your budget plans do not forget insurance and fees to title and register the vehicle. Here in Missouri there is also property tax on vehicles and 4.99 percent sales tax. Also in Missouri vehicles must pass a State inspection.

I hope these tips help you in the purchase of a new vehicle.