How to Research Pre-Owned Cars

If you’re checking out pre-owned cars in Panama City, FL, take it from our local Mazda dealers: a little research goes a long way. Before settling on a car and taking a test drive, there are some things you should do first that will make the entire shopping experience more rewarding.

Set Your Budget

The first step of the research process is to set your budget. After all, there’s no sense in spending time looking at cars you can’t afford. Determine how much you can afford for your monthly payments and down payment, and make sure to factor in additional fees such as gas, insurance, and regular maintenance.

Create a “Wish List” of Cars

Now that you have a budget, you can begin making a list of cars that fit your financials. Consider your lifestyle as you create this list. For example, if you’re thinking about starting a family, an SUV would be a wise choice. On the other hand, if you’re a recent empty nester, a sedan or hatchback might make more sense.

Visit the John Lee Mazda online pre-owned car inventory and you’ll be able to search for your next automobile via a variety of parameters, such as cost, model, and color.

Get an Estimate for Your Trade-In Vehicle

Another important component of pre-owned car research is getting an estimate for your trade-in vehicle. Our Mazda finance team makes this easy with our “KBB Instant Cash Offer”, where you provide us with some details about your current car, and in a matter of minutes, we provide you with a fair market price that we’ll pay for your trade-in. You can then put the money you make towards your next pre-owned or Mazda Certified Pre-Owned car.

Start Researching Pre-Owned MAZDA Cars Today

Now that you have a good idea of what pre-owned car research consists of, you’re ready to hit the ground running. Set a budget, make a list of cars you like, and get an estimate for your trade-in. And if you have any questions along the way, give our Mazda dealership in Panama City, FL, a call.