The car is the main means of transportation for Americans. In the US, supply is plentiful and car prices are very attractive. If you decide to purchase a car in America, you need to know some basic information. What type of vehicle do you prefer? New or used? Where to buy it? What is a smog and VIN check?
For fans of big cars, Dodge pickups or GMTs, the US is a real goldmine. But before you start looking for your future car, you need to determine your needs, funds and how you will use the car.
Also think about your budget. You can find anything and everything by looking for cars without a certain price threshold. Also, depending on your budget, you can choose a new or used car. To give you an idea, you can buy a car in the US for $3,000. But it has already been ridden a lot, and it will no longer shine like new. If you are determined to stay in the US, you can invest over $6,000 to have a used but almost new car.
Where to find a car in the USA?
After all the criteria for your car are determined, you need to choose the place of purchase. In the United States, you have 2 options for buying a car: go to a professional dealer or through a private person. The advantage of visiting a car dealership is that the car sold to you is guaranteed to be in very good working order. This avoids the need for evaluation. On the other hand, this option is necessarily more expensive than through an individual.
If you have the technical knowledge and are not afraid of car mechanics, then buying a used car directly from a private individual will save you a good amount of money. You should know that it will be easier for you to negotiate with a private person than with a car dealer. More competitive price, but with some risks.
Checking the check Smog for the serviceability of the car
Tip: Before buying a car in the US, ask the seller to issue you a Smog check. This is a document that comes from a specialized garage and certifies that the car has been inspected and tested. It’s a bit like technical control in Europe, except that only electronic sensors are controlled there, connecting to the onboard computer.
Therefore, this smog check must be performed by the seller before the sale and is required depending on the age of the vehicle. Sellers on classified ad sites are often dishonest and take advantage of your ignorance of the American system to sell you a broken car. So be careful.
What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
The VIN is a unique number that is found on all vehicles sold in the US and is usually highly visible, often located in the corner of the windshield. Once known, one can consult the history of the car on the Internet. By the way, the site vincheck.info allows anyone to get this information for free. In this way, buyers can learn about the various maintenance operations that the car has been subjected to, as well as possible accidents.
How is a deal to buy a car in the US?
Now you have to deal with the “paperwork”. Starting with car insurance. In the US, car insurance is mandatory and quite expensive. To be able to save a little on the cost of insurance, it is recommended to obtain an American license. As for the price, it is almost impossible to give you an idea of the average cost of insurance for the simple reason that it depends on the car model, its history and its age…
Keep in mind that if you choose to make a person-to-person purchase, you will need to contact your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to register the vehicle in your name and obtain a special certificate of ownership for your future purchase. This document certifies that you are the owner of the vehicle and allows you to obtain license plates.
Buying a car from a professional is much easier than buying a car from a private person, as you don’t have to do much, American dealers take care of everything. Again, this very practical service comes at a cost.
The best sites to buy a car in the USA
The sites of ads for the sale of cars really have everything for every taste and budget. These online resources save time and provide valuable vehicle information.
Here is a selection of websites that are popular with American consumers and expats in the US:
autotrader.com
Autotrader offers an online solution for buying and selling new, certified and used vehicles. The site is designed to give you more control over the buying process and make finding a car easier than ever. The offer is very plentiful and, as the site’s slogan proudly states: “If you can’t find a car on Autotrader, you won’t find it anywhere.”
cargurus.com
It is the most visited free online automotive marketplace site on American soil. People come to it to buy used and new cars, as well as sell their own cars, find out the price of a car.
The site offers key information such as: dealer ratings, market value, price cuts and days on the market. Its powerful search engine allows you to refine and personalize your search. This way you will only see the cars and options you are interested in.
cars.com
Every day, 50,000 car offers are added to the site. This site is a market leader and solution provider for the automotive industry. It connects car buyers with sellers very effectively thanks to its incredibly smart search engine.
Founded in 1998 and based in Chicago, the company provides shoppers with the data, resources and digital tools they need to make informed buying decisions and seamlessly interact with automotive retailers. The site also allows you to put your car up for sale.
Advice. Motorhomes (campers) are very popular in the US right now, and they can even come with showers. Many Americans live in them and at the same time travel around their large country, viewing its beautiful landscapes and sights.
