Buying a new or used car is a huge decision. Most people take the time to research the type of car they want, what the car' features are and the price range they need to stick with. With a new car it' almost a given that you will have some sort of car payment. However, when you set out to purchase a used vehicle, there are a lot of things to consider.

The most important thing you need to decide is whether or not you want to have a car payment every month. If you can afford to purchase a used vehicle without a loan, then you will end up saving a lot of money in the long run. Interest adds up each month, and the last thing you want is to end up paying more than you have to.

You also have to check to make sure the vehicle mileage is within a good range for a used vehicle. To determine if the mileage is appropriate and the car hasn' been over used, calculate approximately 15 thousand miles for each year. For example, if you are looking at a car that is two years old, ideally you would want it to have 30,000 miles or less.

Don't forget to test drive the car, and listen to how it sounds when it' running. You'll also want to check the tires. A lot of dealers will either take money off the price of the car or fix small things before you take ownership of the vehicle. Therefore there' no reason you should take procession of a car that has minor problems to it, or at least not pay full price for one.

Anytime you make a major purchase, like buying a vehicle, you should make sure you get a bill of sale receipt. You'll retain this receipt for your records to prove ownership of the vehicle until your title comes in the mail. You will need this receipt for the Department of Motor Vehicles, and to prove that you paid for the vehicle if any disputes arise. Even if you happen to get pulled over, you need to be able to prove the car is yours, your receipt will do that until you get your title