Choosing a Used Car That's Good on Gas

Buying a car is a major commitment, both for financial and environmental reasons. If you are like many people nowadays, you are searching for ways to save money on weekly purchases like groceries, transportation and gas. You may be searching for a used car that's good on gas, but you are not sure what kind of car to choose. Here are some tips to help you select a used car that's economical on fuel:

Look for enough car for your average daily needs.

When choosing a used car, it's important to keep in mind what you will be using the car for on a daily basis. Will you be transporting just yourself to and from work or will this be a family vehicle that requires more room for passengers? If you use your vehicle for your business or you need to be able to carry special equipment around such as for your job or a handicapped member of your family, what kind of vehicle can accommodate these needs? You wouldn't buy a two door sedan instead of a mid-size car just because it was better on gas, then attempt to cram your family of five inside would you? This gives you a good place to start when evaluating used cars for usefulness and economy. Choose a car that will give you maximum usage in an engine and body size that works for your average needs.

Consider the savings now or later.

Before you select a car for your family needs, you may want to consider how saving money on a purchase based on the age of the car versus the longer-term fuel and environmental savings that newer models may have. For example, if you were able to save $5,000 USD now on a used car that's five years old, but that didn't have the features that a one year old used car may have, such as a hybrid engine or a higher mileage rating, is it more important for you to have the immediate savings now or enjoy a greater savings over time? Because you will probably be driving your more economical used car for a few years, you may want to think about the savings over that time period instead of just buying it to save a little money now.

Read the reviews and get more information about the used car.

When you start looking at used cars, you may find that you are overwhelmed with all the features and benefits of the cars themselves. It may be difficult to know which one to choose. One great way to make your decision easier is by reading automotive reviews about the cars that you are considering. Evaluate the different models based on the quality of the materials used to manufacture the car, the user reviews and ratings and then the gas mileage ratings. Just because you can buy a used car with better gas mileage for a lower price, doesn't mean it's a better value. You can save yourself a considerable amount of money if you carefully consider any mechanical or user issues each car may have.
Author:Amy Nutt