Buying a Used Sport-Utility Vehicle

What enables people to get a great view of the road ahead? What machine do many people get to know as if it were almost a member of the family? What enables drivers to pull a boat, pound through deep snow or just plain venture where other vehicles won't? Of course, what else but a sport utility vehicle.

More and more people are realizing that the cost of new sport utility vehicles can really throw a budget into reverse. In many instances, today's new sport utility vehicle prices compare to the cost of a new home just a generation ago. What is the driver who needs to go off road to do? Well, a two to four year old used SUV can be purchased at a savings of 25 to 50 percent as compared to its cost when new. Additionally, the number of well built, dependable SUVs have increased during the past decade. When well maintained, these vehicles can be driven for many miles, and they are now available at substantial savings.

The purchase of a dependable, reasonably priced used SUV is not a matter of chance or luck, but rather, it is a matter of knowledge and understanding. Doing some investigative research is one of the most important factors in successfully purchasing a dependable used SUV at the best price.

Gathering Information: Variety is the spice of life. Certainly, the number of sport utility vehicles has increased during the last five years. Since the bottom line for buying a used SUV is to save money, realize that information and knowledge translate into purchasing power. Therefore, it is worthwhile to gather information.

In order to get the best sport utility for the driving at hand, consider the following questions:

• How many people will be transported in the vehicle?
• What type of objects and cargo will be transported in the vehicle (size considerations)?
• Will driving be conducted in poor whether conditions and/or off road (shift on the fly, continuous four wheel drive, heavy duty low end transfer case)?
• Is there a preference for an American or a foreign vehicle?
• Is a unit body type frame suitable for intended general highway driving, or is a more rugged full box type frame needed for off road driving?
• What towing capacity should the vehicle have?
• How much will insurance cost to protect the driver and the vehicle (consider obtaining an insurance quote before buying a vehicle)?
• What is the approximate amount of money to be spent on a sport utility vehicle?

If you are not familiar with all of the SUVs that are available, consider visiting a public library to consult the yearly publication or the April magazine issue of Consumer Reports. This source provides technical specifications for SUVs including the size, weight, engine horsepower, optional equipment, and miles per gallon of fuel. Finally, take a look at Consumer Reports' frequency of repair information to help determine which vehicles that will likely need fewer future repairs.

In addition to becoming informed about the strengths of specific sport utility vehicles, it is worthwhile to learn the approximate prices for vehicles of interest. To obtain a general idea of SUV prices, consult the current monthly edition of the N.A.D.A. price guide at a public library, bank, or a truck dealership. Sport utility vehicle price information can also be obtained by consulting the SUV and truck classified sections of major newspapers at a public library. This is a way to get a read on future prices, because vehicle price trends usually begin in major cities and then progress to other areas of the country. The bottom line on becoming informed about SUVs and their prices is to obtain a used vehicle that is in excellent condition, that can tackle the job at hand, and at a substantial savings.

Used Vehicle Sources: There are a number of possible used SUV sources from which to choose. When hunting for a vehicle, be certain to let each source know that you are also considering the other sources.

Some of the sources to consider when buying a sport utility vehicle include:

• The Internet (Investigate if the source is reputable)
• Used truck lots (buyer beware)
• Rental car companies (some rent SUVs and trucks)
• Company vehicles
• New truck dealerships (investigate if the dealer is reputable)
• Private owners

Contacting a used vehicle source by telephone and obtaining specific information can help to reduce unnecessary legwork. The telephone inquiry will enable you to determine if a sport utility is worth your time to inspect.

Some questions to ask about a used sport utility vehicle include:

• How many miles has the vehicle been driven (the average is about 12,000 to 14,000 miles per year)?
• Is the transmission an automatic or a manual? Does it have a low range? If the transmission is not what you want, there is no need to ask further questions.
• What is the condition of the vehicle's body? Is there any rust?
• Has the vehicle been repainted and if so, why? Avoid repainted SUVs. It is better to see the original paint even if a few small stone chips need to be touched up.
• Has the vehicle been involved in any accidents? Avoid SUVs that have been involved in accidents.
• When are the next state inspection and emissions standard test due? The SUV should have a minimum of at least six months remaining until the next required state inspection and emissions test.
• How often were the engine oil and the oil filter changed, and who performed the service? An acceptable answer would be every 3,000 to 3,500 miles.
• Are you the original owner of the vehicle? Original owners tend to take better care of their SUVs.
• What is the reason that the vehicle is being sold? It is worthwhile to look for a situation where an individual is the original owner and he or she is planning to again buy the same make of SUV.
• Are parts readily available for the vehicle? Where can parts be obtained? Avoid buying a SUV if parts are not readily available.
• Has the vehicle had any recent repairs (new brakes, tires, exhaust, battery) or service and if so, what garage performed the repairs or service?
• What price are you asking for the SUV?

The interior and exterior inspections and the vehicle test drive are used to verify the information obtained during the telephone inquiry.

About The Author:

Adapted from "Drive the Best..." © 2002 by Kyle Busch

For More Information:
Kyle Busch is the author of Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money. He has over 300,000 miles on his 1986 Volkswagen Jetta - a used vehicle that he bought in 1991 for $2,600. For more information about the author, call:1 800 839-8640 or visit: www.drivethebestbook.com. The web site accepts readers' transportation questions.

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