Published by Programme B
The Honda Civic is one of the best-selling cars in all of North America and you can head to used cars Minnesota for great deals, known for its reliability, low maintenance, and fuel efficiency. Even used, a Civic promises to be a solid investment for years to come.
That said, you can’t exactly pick a Civic at random if you want one that lives up to its reputation, which is why you should be picky about where, how, and when you buy it. Here are five tips to help you buy the best used Honda Civic in your area.
1. Find the Right Model
You can trace the very first Civic back to 1972. Since then, it’s undergone a huge facelift, not to mention several key changes under the hood. Features, recalls, and other important details fluctuate year to year, so you’ll want to know what each year entails before picking your top three (or more) favorites.
2. Search for Local Auto Dealers
If you aren’t certain which years have the best balance of features to price, go to an experienced auto dealer. Their knowledgeable sales staff can provide invaluable guidance at any step of the used car buying process — from the initial window-shopping stages to finalizing your financing paperwork.
An established used auto dealership often trumps a private seller for this very reason. Not only will they help you hunt down the best possible interest rate if you need used car financing, but they can also coordinate an extended warranty on your behalf.
To find one, simply start a Google search, remembering to specify where you live when you do.
Let’s say you live in Toronto, where you can find several Hondas zipping around city streets and highways alike. You’ll want to type the following into your search bar: used Honda Civic Toronto.
Don’t worry if Toronto is a considerable road trip away. You can swap out any city at the end of this search to narrow down your local auto dealer.
3. Ask for a Full Inspection
This next tip isn’t exclusive to the Honda Civic. You should inspect any used vehicle to ensure it’s in good shape by looking at the tires, brakes, and overall condition.
If you’re shopping through a reputable auto dealership, they’ll only offer cars that pass a 100-point inspection.
Also known as a bumper-to-bumper inspection, this diagnostic checklist helps your dealer spot any issues with the following parts of the car:
- Accessories
- Body and frame
- Brakes
- Engine
- Fuel system
- Interior
- Tires
- Transmission
4. Insist on Seeing a Vehicle History Report
A Civic can lead a long life before it winds up in your driveway. To make sure it hasn’t seen too much of the road, you’ll want to check the vehicle history report. A vehicle history report allows you to peek into its past.
This report may contain any of the following details relating to the car:
- Collisions
- Insurance or warranty claims
- Odometer discrepancies
- Ownership and import records
- Recall campaigns
- Title status changes
5. Give it a Test Drive
An inspection and vehicle history report won’t mean much if it ends up feeling sluggish going from inner-city roads to the highway.
Test driving takes a vehicle’s history off the page and onto the road, so make sure you give it a spin. After doing your homework, this is the last puzzle piece needed before you can call yourself the proud new owner of a Honda Civic.
Credit: diana.grytsku via FreePik