Did You Fall In Love With That Truck?
We know the feeling.
It could be as simple as finding a truck that you like and handing over your hard-earned cash but, as anyone who's ever bought a used car will tell you, it's never quite that simple. Obviously it needs to fit your budget but more importantly it has to meet your needs
What are you going to be using your truck for?
Towing and Hauling
Off-Road Use
Business Use
A Daily Driver
The mileage of the truck is going to be a big factor when deciding on which truck to purchase. You may not know the full history of the truck but if you can ask the dealership or prior owner what they used it for. It they used it for anything other than a daily driver then mileage may not be as big of a factor.
If you don't have direct knowledge of how the truck was used, then you will have to put more emphasis on a mechanical inspection. Cars that have been used to tow or haul will show signs of a well-worn tow hitch, a severely bent rear license plate or a cable for wiring trailer
Do You Like To Go Off-Roading?
The previous own may have too! There will be tell tell signs of an off-roading enthusiast. Muddy or sand filled floorboards, a missing or bent front license plate, and large tires are all good indicators that this truck was taken off the beaten path.
You should also check for any damage to the undercarriage. Any dents, scratches, or cracks in the frame can mean that the truck wasn't properly taken care of or worse, it was in an accident.
Will You Use It For Business Use?
If you plan on using your truck for business purposes, then you'll want to make sure that the truck has been properly maintained. A well-maintained truck will have all of its service records. This way you can see if it has had regular oil changes, tune-ups and other required maintence.
Is It A Daily Driver?
If you're looking for a truck to be your daily driver, then you'll want to find one that is comfortable and has all the features that you're looking for like heated seats, Bluetooth, an infotainment system, etc. You should also take into account how often you'll be driving in stop-and-go traffic. This type of driving will make your fuel economy suffer, so you'll want to find a truck with good fuel economy.
A truck with a manual transmission may not be the best choice if you're going to be sitting in traffic everyday.
The bottom line is that you need to decide what you're going to use your truck for before you start shopping. This way you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect truck for you.
