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5 Things to Do When You Buy a Used Car

Buying a car can be stressful and you can forget about important things to do before purchasing.

By Claire PetersPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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When you get a used car, it can take a while for you to feel like it truly belongs to you. Sure, you might own it, but feeling comfortable in a car takes time, especially when it was previously owned by someone else.

Just because you’re not the car’s first owner, however, doesn’t mean that it will stay foreign to you forever. The market for used cars has only grown. Now, more than ever, more and more people are investing once-loved cars for their affordability and countless benefits. After you have transferred the registration and have updated your insurance, there are a few simple tricks to help your new car seem more familiar. The next time you’re searching for cars for sale in Easton PA at carshopper.com, consider these five tips to make a used car feel like new:

Clean it from top to bottom.

Even if the last person who owned the car cleaned it regularly, giving your car a thorough scrubbing is essential. All you need to do is invest in a simple cleaner to get the grime, gunk, and—most importantly—smells out of the upholstery.

This is doubly important if the car’s previous owner was a smoker. These pungent smells have a way of sticking around, no matter how often you drive with the windows rolled down. Before you take your car on its next road trip, steam cleaning the seats will remove the worst of the lingering smells. Ensure that the car dries properly before hitting it with a good-smelling cleaner. Luckily, there are many cleaners that are made with wholesale essential oils for an eco-friendly alternative that is sure to last. If you’re not the best at delivering a thorough cleaning, rely on a detailer to do the hard work for you.

Read the owner’s manual.

One of the worst parts about buying a car is getting to know its quirks. By reading the owner’s manual, you can become acquainted with your new car even faster.

While most of the components are the same from car to car, there are a few hiccups that can prevent you from enjoying your ride. For example, reading the manual can show you how to properly use the cruise control, defrost your windows, and locate your hazard lights. Even though these features are present on just about every model of car, frequent updates have made each car more unique than the last. Don’t struggle to locate your high beams when you’re out on the country roads; stay safe by reading the manual instead. Learning the ins and outs of your new car will make it go from foreign to friendly in an instant.

Gift it a name.

This might seem a little cheesy to some, but giving your car a name is one of the easiest ways to make it seem familiar. Naming objects can humanize them. Suddenly, your car goes from a steel machine into something friendly and inviting. In fact, one study by confused.com notes that almost 25 percent of UK motorists name their vehicles. Try naming it after your favorite song or a reference to your favorite movie to give it a personality.

Decorate it.

While you don’t have to paint a racing stripe on the side of your new car, adding some personal touches can definitely make a car feel more inviting. As an added bonus, decorating your car can also make it more identifiable if you forget your parking space at the grocery store.

Some people are content with a necklace hanging from the rearview mirror. Others load their bumpers with stickers and decals. You can also invest in unique seat covers, get fun, colored floor mats, and invest in a hula dancer for the dash. Whatever you pick, this is a great way to make a foreign car feel friendlier.

Change up the exterior.

Repainting your car might be a little costly, but it’s one of the best ways to personalize your car. While you’re at it, you can also invest in new rims for a look that’s completely unique. While buying a used car is a great choice, it can be hard to make it feel like it’s truly yours. The next time you buy a used car, try these tips to enjoy the ride.

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