Purchasing Your Nissan Altima: Is A Dealer or A Private Seller the Way To Go?

When you’re searching for a Nissan Altima for sale, you’re likely to come across different options. One of the biggest choices you’ll need to make is whether to buy through a dealership or a private seller. Both processes have their ups and downs, and it’s important to consider which option makes the most sense for your needs. Let’s look at the main differences between the two.

Financing

When it comes to paying for your car, it’s likely that you’re interested in utilizing either a trade in or financing. Many banks will only finance with reputable dealers. Some banks aren’t interested in providing auto loans for people purchasing cars from private sellers. Unless you’re paying in full, in cash, you’re better off working with a dealership for financing.

Reliability

Private sellers may seem trustworthy when you talk with them over the phone. It’s important to remember that they do not have as much at stake when it comes to their reputation. A dealership’s business depends on positive reviews and word of mouth. It’s important to them to be honest with their customers. A private seller doesn’t have this concern. Dealerships know that you’ll share your experience with friends and family. They have incentive to make sure you are completely satisfied with your car purchase process.

Warranty

When you buy a car through a dealership, you’ll get a warranty. If something goes wrong with your car within the warranty period, you’re able to return to the dealership. This is not an option with a private seller. If something goes wrong with a car acquired from a private seller, it’s completely up to the seller whether to fix the car, refund your money, or do nothing.

Safety

When you buy a car from a private seller, you’re relying on the seller’s knowledge of the workings of the car. It’s not likely that the car will have undergone a thorough inspection by a qualified mechanic to ensure that it’s safe to hit the road. When you purchase from a dealership, you know that the car has passed inspection and been tested and is ready to be safely driven by a new owner.

Most car buyers find that they prefer the car purchasing experience the get from a dealer to the experience of working with a private seller. While both processes have their ups and downs, it’s hard to beat working with a company that is dependent on providing positive customer experiences to ensure their future business success.