If you're looking for a vehicle that offers you cargo space, towing ability, and potential off-roading capabilities, a truck may be the perfect choice for you. Buying a brand-new truck can be expensive, and used trucks often have all the same great features at a fraction of the cost. Purchasing a used truck can be tricky, but when you know what to look out for, you can make sure you get the right vehicle for you at the best price. Here's everything you need to know about buying a used truck.
Does It Fit Within Your Budget?
One of the biggest benefits you'll experience when purchasing a used truck is the money that stays in your pocket. Rather than spending a premium for a new truck and watching it depreciate heavily in your first year on the road, a used truck holds more of its value and gives you the financial freedom to use your money elsewhere. Before determining anything about the used truck you want to purchase, it's important for you to understand your budget. You can use that to determine your budget if you have money saved. You can also get pre-approved for a loan to determine how much financing you can get for a used vehicle.
The price of the truth itself isn't the only aspect to consider during the budgeting step. Think about fuel economy, insurance, and potential mechanical costs. Choosing the truck that's right for you means you'll be spending money and getting the full value back. Purchasing a truck from a reputable dealer, like Gibson Truck World, can help you save money by ensuring the truck you purchase is in the best shape and not at high risk for major mechanical issues.
Make, Model, and Year
One of the first steps to take when looking for a used truck is to determine what make, model, and year you'd like to purchase. Some of these may be a range rather than an exact requirement. For example, you may want a Ford F-150 from 2015 to 2020, or you may determine a Chevy Silverado no older than 2020 is right for you. You can always stop by to speak with one of our experts about which truck may best fit your needs.
During this step, be sure to do some research about the generations for each make and model. This can help you learn more about the common mechanical issues and mistakes made with each one. For example, a certain make, model, and generation of the truck may have frequent problems with transmission issues, leaving you to avoid that during your used truck search. If they're important to you, you can also consider cosmetic preferences. Do you have a color preference? Or will any color do, as long as it's the make, model, and year you have in mind?
Used Truck Buying Checklist
The next thing to consider after you've narrowed down your make, model, and year is the extra features on the truck. Do some research online and learn about the trims offered for the make and model you're looking for. This can help you develop a better idea of what a good price for that truck might look like, and it can help you come up with a list of features you're looking for. For example, these might be some things you prefer for your used truck:
- Sunroof or moon roof.
- Auto-dimming lights.
- Powerful sound system.
- Towing or hauling packages.
- Four-wheel drive.
- Seating capacity for four.
The Truck's Condition
Whether you're buying a used truck from a private seller or a dealer, learning more about the truck's condition is an important part of ensuring you're getting value for your money. One of the first pieces of information that can help you understand more about the truck is its mileage. Usually, the lower the mileage on the truck, the more value you'll get from it. Consider avoiding trucks with over 100,000 miles for a gasoline engine and 200,000 miles for a diesel engine. These are some other things to check for when assessing the condition of a used truck:
- Rust on body or frame.
- Collision and maintenance history.
- Interior rips, stains, and smells.
- Dents and scratches on the paint.
- Slipping transmission or loud engine noises.
Choosing Gibson Truck World
Here at Gibson Truck World, we offer the highest quality trucks at the lowest prices. We know the used truck buying process can be challenging, and we're here to help you through every step of the way. We serve everyone in the Sanford area, whether you're from Orlando or Lake Mary. Before making a decision about the used truck that's right for you, come over to Truck World to test drive a few models and learn more about them. We only sell the highest-quality trucks, which is evident in the fact that we reject eight to 10 used trucks each week.
Do you have your eye on the used truck that's perfect for you? Our financing team can help you secure the financing you need to purchase it. From valuing your trade to creating the monthly payment plan that best fits your needs, our experts are dedicated to ensuring you leave Gibson Truck World with the truck of your dreams.
Not only do we offer one of the largest selections of trucks in the Sanford area, but we also have additional services to assist our clients. After test driving and purchasing a used truck from us, you can bring it back to the service center to keep it in great shape. From oil changes to tire rotations, our friendly and dedicated technicians help you care for your new truck. These are some of our services:
- Air filter swaps.
- Transmission fluid changes.
- Oil changes.
- Brake checks.
- Coolant flushes.
- Serpentine belt replacements.
- Multi-point inspections.
We hope this guide has been helpful if you're looking for a used truck to fit all your towing, hauling, and driving needs. To stay under budget, check out our trucks under $30,000, or check out the new arrivals if you want a fresh catch. As the king of trucks, we have everything you need to find the perfect truck for your preferences. With a wide variety of makes, models, and prices, we can help you through every step of the truck buying process. To learn more, contact one of our dedicated truck enthusiasts today.
Image by Vivek MV is licensed with Unsplash License