Yahoo Autos How Can I Save Money on a Used Car during the Pandemic?
Buying a used car during a pandemic seems like a daunting task, but it's still possible—but put it off if you can't pull off appropriate social distancing.
Right now might actually be the best time to get a great deal due to the economic uncertainty.
Online car shopping sites such as Carvana are great places to start for contactless used-car buying, but local dealerships may also be willing to come to you.
With the economy in crisis and the government uncertain when things might return to normal, you may be wisely considering buying a used car–or a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle—instead of a brand-new one as a way to save money. Whether you were already car shopping before the start of the global coronavirus pandemic or your circumstances have changed in the past few weeks and you're suddenly in dire need of a car, you need to know what your options are and how to go about doing business right now, safely. We're here to help with the answers.
Is Now a Good Time to Buy a Used Car?
Actually, it is. With most businesses shuttered and consumers stuck at home, dealerships and car-buying websites find themselves desperate to move the metal. That could mean big savings for buyers at first, but the longer the economic conditions remain suppressed, the fewer decent used cars will remain on the market.
Where Can I Buy a Used Car?
While it's true that some states have ordered dealerships' sales departments to close or restrict hours, many of them have pivoted to an online-selling model. Many dealerships already had an internet sales department, which should be accessible via their website or over the phone. They may even have salespeople willing to meet you at your home (or wherever you're sheltering in place) to finalize a deal—if that's a chance you're willing to take. Full disclosure: We're not. In any case, check your state's guidelines to determine if dealership sales departments have been deemed essential businesses, or reach out directly to a dealership near you to see if they're taking customers.
Other options include online car retailers such as Carvana or Vroom, both of which have been selling cars in a socially distant manner long before any governor's order to do so. In fact, Carvana is offering to delay the first-payment due date for 90 days to give buyers an extra cushion. Normally you also shouldn't rule out old standbys such as Craigslist, Cars.com, Auto Trader, or even Facebook Marketplace to find cars for sale by owner right in your neighborhood. But not right now. Most of the transactions that take place through these sites involve face-to-face interaction, and that poses a potentially life-threatening risk in the current environment.
