It can be exciting to rush to your local dealer but knowing the steps of how to buy a used truck are vital before making any major purchases. Just like any other vehicle, a used truck has certain aspects that you’ll want to pay attention to, especially if you only have a few dream options in mind. If you overlook any red flags, you can easily end up spending much more than you originally had planned. Below are some of our best kept tips on how to buy a used truck if you’re in the market for one.
Consider Automatic or Manual Transmissions
A pickup truck is a fun vehicle for anyone, but before buying one, you’ll want to consider whether you want an automatic or manual transmission. Remember: a truck is hefty, which means that it’s already a bit more difficult to handle than a smaller car, such as a sedan. With an automatic transmission, the truck does all the work for you and you can just focus on getting used to the feel of driving a bigger car around.
With a manual transmission, there might be more of a learning curve for anyone who hasn’t handled a manual truck before. With this transmission, not only will you have to get used to the size and feel of the pickup truck, but you will also have to become accustomed to using the clutch and shift. If you invest in a manual transmission and haven’t driven one much previously, don’t be surprised to have a lot of jerking and stalling involved while you learn.
Is the Pickup Truck for Work or Leisure?
While a pickup truck can still be used for both, picking a model for specifically work or leisure can help you narrow down your options to get the best deal. If you know you’re going to be doing a lot of loading and transporting for work, finding a truck that isn’t too old in age and that has a great towing capacity with efficient fuel economy would be great. On the flip side, if you are going to purchase a truck purely for leisure, you’ll want to look for options that align with your own aesthetic expectations and budget.
Because a truck is still an investment item, you’ll want to think about what you really want to do with it and how the age, type, and features will affect your life with it in the future.
Are Customizations Important to You?
There are many used trucks on the market that are being sold with extensive customizations. This is perfect for someone who wants that great looking truck but doesn’t want to wait to get all the alterations they want. Before going to your local dealer, compile a list of the customizations that you’d love on your own truck, such as bigger tires, a different exhaust pipe, and more. More than likely, your dealer will have something that fits your preference.
If customizations aren’t important to you, you can start your list with some of the makes and models you could see yourself in. Whether it’s a Ford F-150 or a
Test-Drive your Potential Truck
With any used car, you will want to test-drive it enough to get a real feel of how the previous owner treated it, and to see how driving a truck might be different for you! Any concerning sounds or feelings you’re able to detect early on will tell you whether it was used in heavy work, if it was driven roughly, or if the owner never maintained it. You’ll also want to check underneath to see if there are any rusted or broken parts that were hidden.
Don’t Forget About the Truck’s Age
There are people who swear on brand new trucks while others won’t buy one that’s less than 5-10 years old. If the used truck you’re looking to buy is newer, it’s important to know that it will likely be more expensive as it will be current with the newest features, lower gas mileage, and a great service report. A newer truck will have to be compared to your budget and how the bill will affect you for the years you plan to have it.
An older truck will be different as the features will more than likely be outdated along with it having higher mileage and other issues. If the older features and possible maintenance points don’t concern you, an older truck’s price can easily be negotiated to where you get the vehicle and some money left over!
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