
Sometimes when you’re in the market for a new car, buying used might be your best option. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to shopping for pre-loved vehicles, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a smooth and rewarding experience. If you know what you’re looking for, you can end up going home with an exceptional vehicle for an exceptional price. Adventure Subaru in Fayetteville, AR is here to make your car shopping process as easy as possible. Keep reading to learn our tips on what to look for in a used vehicle.
Certified Pre-Owned vs. Used: What’s the difference?
If you’ve never shopped for a used car before, you might be confused about the difference between cars labeled ‘Used’ and cars labeled ‘Certified Pre-Owned’, or CPO. Certified Pre-Owned might just sound like a fancier way to say ‘used’, but there’s actually a much bigger difference between the two. In order to earn the CPO label, each car has to meet a specific criteria determined by the manufacturer. Subaru is especially thorough, requiring that every Subaru vehicle go through an extensive 152-point safety inspection. Anything that doesn’t meet Subaru’s high standards is either repaired or replaced. If you’re looking into buying a certified pre-owned Subaru, you can request those reports and review them yourself. That way you can be sure that your Subaru is fully checked, factory-covered and ready to hit the road. If you do decide to go with a CPO Subaru, you’ll get a 7-year 100,000 mile Powertrain plan, no deductible, factory-backed coverage, CARFAX report, and 24/7 roadside assistance.
Deciding between used and CPO might seem like a no-brainer at this point, but since everyone’s budgets and priorities are different, there are still plenty of good reasons to buy used. If the most important thing in your car hunt is the price tag, you might find the best deal in a used vehicle. When you shop at Adventure Subaru, you can feel confident in knowing that we are the preferred used Subaru dealer for drivers in Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville, Arkansas. When you buy one of our used vehicles, you can save money without compromising on quality or safety.
For your own peace of mind, do these things before you buy:
First things first, take the car for a test drive! This is the best possible way to get a feel for the vehicle and weed out any issues right off the bat. Listen for strange noises and watch for leaks. Take a good look at the exterior and the interior, but remember that it’s what’s under the hood that really counts. Buying a used car with minor cosmetic issues won’t require an immediate fix, and it can actually save you money.
If you’re not buying a certified pre-owned vehicle, it’s never a bad idea to have a mechanic inspect the car before you purchase it. That way you’ll know exactly what you’re getting into, and you can avoid any buyer’s remorse later on.
If you’re buying a used Subaru, you should feel pretty good about how dependable the brand is. If you’re considering buying a different used vehicle, though, it’s smart to do some research on the make and model, and read reviews by owners of that particular vehicle. This might give you some insight into common problems that could surface.
Whatever you do, take your time and ask questions! Our salespeople at Adventure Subaru are always happy to talk you through your options and answer any and all questions you may have. We know how important this decision is to you, so don’t hold back!
The final step in your vehicle buying process is to talk money and negotiate a deal. Once you know what your priorities are and whether or not the vehicle checks all the right boxes, you can work with your sales associate to figure out a fair price that you can feel good about.
To start your pre-loved car hunt now, browse through our online inventory of used vehicles. If you see one you like, give us a call or swing by for a test drive!
Click here to see our online inventory of used vehicles.
Click here to get directions to Adventure Subaru.





