7 Ways to Save Money on a Used Car

When you buy a car, you want to save money. As much as possible. 💲

From Folsom Lake to Discovery Park near downtown Sacramento, and beyond our tree-filled state capitol, we want quality and affordability.

We’re all about saving money at Capital City Auto Auctions. We’re a dealer-only auction, and dealers want to save money. But, everybody who buys cars wants to save money, so it begins here at our Rancho Cordova lot, passing the savings on from dealer to dealer, and from driver to driver.

Here are 7 ways you can save money on a used car.

Obviously, buying a used car vs. a new one saves you money! The fact that you’re reading this makes you smart. 🎓

Up front, be advised that cars at Capital City are sold “as is”. Basically, that means that whether they start, have exterior or hidden problems, or come with false odometers, you bid on its current condition. We’re not hiding anything from you, on the contrary, transparency means a better bid and purchase. 👍

1. ☝️ Buy a Used Car at Capital City Auto Auction

Well, of course we’d say this. 😅 A new car will cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Even used cars can be expensive. But, we’re a wholesale auction and you will save hundreds if not thousands on average!  

And we sell everything! We have cars from the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 10s.

2. 🚘 Buy Only the Best Used Cars

Do your research! Only bid on the best makes and models. We’ve made some of that easier for you by writing up reviews of car lifespans and the most reliable brands.

It’s hard to go wrong with old indestructible Toyota’s, Honda’s, Ford’s, Chevrolet’s, etc. 👌

3. 🔧 Inspect the Car Before You Buy

This might be a no-brainer when you read it in an article, but realistically we’re often in a rush and miss the details. We provide a condition report with every vehicle, including:

1. Is it running?
2. Scratches, dents, etc. on the body
3. Is the interior dirty, stained, etc.
4. Battery health
5. Any electrical issues

But, this doesn’t mean we know everything going on with the car!

You are welcome to schedule an appointment to inspect each vehicle you are interested in. Read more in our FAQs!

4. 💵 Set a Budget and Stick to It!

It’s easy to get carried away and think that because you’re bidding, you are guaranteed to win a car at a low price. That can happen, but it’s NOT a guarantee.

Some cars are “if-sales”. That means the minimum price hasn’t been met.

Bidding can get fierce, so if a popular make and model is climbing in price, have the discipline to bail out. 🏃

5. 💪 Persevere

Your dream car may come and go, or it may take a while for it to show up on the lot. Be patient.

6. 🤔 What about Fees?

No hidden fees here! The fees are on a sliding scale based on the selling price of the vehicle. Our fees are posted on our website. You can see them once you are logged in. Depending on where you live there may be additional fees for tax, tags, and other additional fees.

7. 😀 Relationships

Building relationships with auction staff and sellers can provide insights into the history and condition of specific vehicles. Networking may also open up opportunities for pre-auction deals or access to additional information that can help you make more informed decisions.

Mark your calendar. Open to dealers only!

The Best Used Car Deals

Deals are easy at Capital City Auto Auction. It's getting the right deal on the car you want in a condition that is acceptable to you that’s the trick.

We stand behind the fact that you’ll spend less money here than at a dealership, and if you inspect the car you want, you can spend the right amount of money on the car you need.

We’ll see you on the lot! 👋