Finding the Best Used Cars for Sale in Racine, WI

Posted Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021

Are you a Racine WI resident that's looking to purchase a new car? Are you afraid of purchasing a new car due to the significant depreciation when you drive it off the lot? If so, then you need to find the best used cars for sale in Racine WI.

Doing so can help you get the highest return on your investment. You can find a dealer who connects you to a used car that's fresh off a lease and ready for its forever owner.

See below for an in-depth guide on finding the best-preowned cars in Racine and what to look for in the used car dealer you entrust.

1. Find a Reputable Dealer

There are many common mistakes that people make when looking for used cars or used trucks for sale in Wisconsin. 

First, they may attempt to purchase a car from a private seller to try and find the cheapest price on a certain model. But in doing so, you risk getting what you paid for: a cheap car.

Private sellers are notorious for hiding valuable information in the car. They'll try to entice you with a lower price to skip you requesting a car history report or even having the car inspected by a mechanic. The result could be you investing thousands of dollars into a car with major repair needs.

Second, many customers turn to a "new and used" dealership expecting to be pointed towards the best value for them. Here's one thing we can promise you: 99-percent of the time, those salesmen or saleswomen will try to push you towards a new car. Why? It's more money for them!

For that reason, we recommend that you look at a used car showroom such as Gates Auto. We only offer pre-owned vehicles that are of top quality. When you shop with us, you're guaranteed to find a car that can give you high performance at a cost-efficient price.

2. Create a Practical Budget

We bet you weren't expecting this to be mentioned in this article! As we said before, Gates Auto takes tremendous pride in giving you the highest return on your investment. Part of that is knowing that you've made an investment that suits your financial needs.

Start this entire process by creating a practical budget for your next vehicle purchase. What makes a car budget "practical"? Ensuring that it:

  1. Fits in with your monthly income
  2. Is a realistic amount for the type of car or truck that you're interested in

For example, while you might only have room for a $17,000 car in your current budget, you shouldn't expect to find a high-quality truck for that amount. Do some research on the going rate for your ideal car/truck, then cater your budget accordingly.

Having a budget will hold you accountable as you find your next car. You can also get pre-qualified for financing on our site, which will help you find your ideal vehicle. 

Once you have that budget in your pocket, you'll find that the entire car purchasing process is much less intimidating. You'll be able to filter down your options and focus on getting the most quality for the price.

3. Find a Larger Inventory

Every Wisconsin fisherman/fisherwoman knows that to find the bigger fish, you need to find a bigger lake. You can't expect to catch big bass in a tiny pond.

However, if you're shopping at a used car dealer with a small inventory, that's the same kind of self-inflicting damage that you're doing. Fewer cars in their inventory equal a lower chance for you to find your ideal car.

Here at Gates Auto, we can offer you the state of Wisconsin's largest indoor showroom. We purchase used cars fresh off of their lease, giving you a veritable pick of high-quality sedans, trucks, vans, SUVs, and more. 

The larger the inventory, the more selective you can be. You can use many different filters and still have four or five credible options for your next vehicle.

4. Consider the Trim Level

Have you ever purchased a new car based on a car commercial, then been disappointed by its lack of features? Many people fall victim to this form of false advertising from car manufacturers and sketchy dealerships.

They list the top-tier benefits, but they don't specify which trim level does or does not offer those benefits.

Once you have two or three credible options from Gates Auto's inventory, do some research on the trim level specifically. That way, you can get insight into the features that it contains.

5. Learn the Background of the Used Car Fleet

You've found a used car dealership with a large inventory, but can you say with complete confidence that you know where the used cars came from? If not, that's a big problem!

Gates Auto capitalizes on having great business relationships with all the best dealers in the entire industry. Those relationships give us access to a vast array of lease returns and new car trades.

The result? You're getting top-quality options for your next car. Even though the car is used, it will have been treated with the utmost importance, since the driver had a lease to abide by.

Invest in the Best Used Cars for Sale in Racine WI

Now that you have seen an in-depth guide on finding the best used cars for sale in Racine WI, be sure to use this information to your advantage.

If you're looking for your next family car, then be sure to read this article on how to find the right used SUV in Madison WI. To get started, please feel free to contact us directly at 920-463-3100 and we will be happy to assist you further.