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First, you must figure out a monthly payment you can afford, but there’s more to consider. You also have to account for your automobile insurance. In most cases, you’ll be buying a newer model, which costs more money to insure, so you want to make sure you can afford the insurance.
You might need to factor the fuel costs of your new SUV into your budget, especially if you own a smaller vehicle. SUVs have larger chassis and need bigger engines to operate systems such as all-wheel-drive. A larger powertrain consumes more gasoline than smaller vehicles.
Used vehicles require more maintenance than new vehicles. Of course, you’ll need oil changes, tire rotations, and brake pad replacement, but you’ll also need milestone services to keep your used SUV running in tip-top shape. Most manufacturers publish regular maintenance schedules for these services. Do a little research on the SUV you want to buy and learn the upcoming services and what they’ll cost.
Knowing the proper SUV to buy comes down to knowing yourself. Experts recommend creating a list of features you need. For instance, you’ll need passenger volume if you have a family. You might also want cargo space if you enjoy road trips and family vacations. Perhaps you have a boat you need to tow. In that case, you want an SUV with the towing capacity to handle the load.
Then, create a list of those features you want, but could live without. This list usually includes upgraded technology features such as infotainment, premium audio, and driver-assist systems. While you know they’d be nice to have, you can live without them if necessary. In some cases, you might want the all-wheel-drive to help you through those Michigan winters. However, if you don’t drive off-road, a capable front-wheel-drive powertrain will handle wintry weather just fine.
Finally, draw up a list of those features you don’t want or need. This final list will keep you from paying for features you’ll never use, thus saving you money. This category typically includes features you’ll never use. For example, you might need an SUV to carry cargo, but don’t ever plan on off-road adventuring. That 4×4 system can cost up to $10,000 more than a two-wheel-drive model. Why spend the money on a system you’ll never use?
While it’s true, certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles cost more, buying a CPO vehicle has many advantages. First, you get an SUV with one previous owner, usually a lease trade-in. As a result, the SUV has low miles, and the previous owner took the time to maintain the vehicle. In addition, you get the full manufacturer’s warranty, which translates to reliability.
At Applegate Chevrolet, all our CPO vehicles undergo a thorough multi-point inspection to ensure quality and dependability. So when you buy an Applegate Chevrolet CPO vehicle, you’ll get a car you can rely on.
We suggest starting with your bank or credit union when shopping for a used car loan. Next, explore loan options online. Many national banks offer great rates that local lenders can’t match. When you’ve found a loan you like, we invite you to check our loan rates to compare. We’ve nurtured relationships with local and national lending institutions, and our finance managers are experts at finding the perfect loan to fit any budget.
If you made a list of must-have features, you have a pretty good idea of what you want, which often leads you to certain dealerships. Do a little research into the dealership’s customer satisfaction ratings. Ask around town to see what other people have experienced with them. At Applegate Chevrolet, we take pride in serving our Flint customers, and you’ll see this reflected in our customer satisfaction ratings. You aren’t just buying a used SUV. You’re also buying the support of the dealership.
As one of the largest Chevrolet dealerships in the region, we have an expansive inventory of used vehicles across all brands. As a result, we probably have the car you’re searching for on our lot. Due to our large sales volume, our inventory constantly changes, so we encourage you to check back often.
Although you should have completed all your research by the time you select a vehicle, you still want to test drive the vehicle to ensure you like how it handles and everything works properly. In addition, having a professional mechanic inspect the car adds more protection against buying a lemon.
You’ve found a great used SUV, so now you have to make the deal and execute the purchase agreement. At Applegate Chevrolet, we price our vehicles at a low, fair price, eliminating the need for haggling. In addition, transferring titles, registering the vehicle, paying sales tax, and more gets complicated in private sales. At Applegate Chevrolet, you get a quality used car at a great price, and we handle all the paperwork for you.
In some cases, purchasing extended warranties, accessories, and gap insurance at the time of sale makes more sense than paying for these items afterward. We can wrap these costs into your monthly payment, making them more affordable.
We hope you found this article helpful. If you’re ready to explore your used SUV options in Flint, we invite you to browse our inventory online. However, if you prefer a more personalized experience, you can visit us on Saginaw Street, and one of our staff will show you around and answer all of your questions.
