It seems like an impossible task to use classified ads to find a quality used car in Cincinnati, OH. This is often because most of the mainstream classified ad options are all predominantly used by car dealerships. If used correctly, classified ads is the number one way to find a great deal on a used car that is for sale by the owner, not a dealership. However, in order to do this, there are some simple rules that you need to keep in mind.
A quick guide for Used Car Classifieds in Cincinnati Ohio
1. Stay Away From Mainstream Classified Ads
The two most common places that people search for used cars is the newspaper classifieds and Craigslist. Because of this, both of these sources are largely only used by car dealerships. If you are looking for a great deal on a used car, then stear clear of mainstream classified ad sources. If you don’t, you will be spending more time calling used car dealerships than doing anything else.
2. Automotive.com
Automotive.com is one of the best classified ad networks that serves the Cincinnati area. You have the option to sort the listings by year, make, model, price, mileage, and distance (from you). This website is used primarily by private sellers and rental car companies. This means that finding a great deal is amazingly simple. Additionally, since rental car companies use Automotive.com, you can often find cars that are only 1 or 2 years old.
3. Ziply.com
Ziply is another great online classified ad network that always seems to have a lot of great deals on used cars. On this websites you will be given the following information about each listing: Date (that it was first listed), make, miles, condition, location, price, type, year, and if a picture is available. Ziply is used almost exclusively by private sellers, which means that there is a good chnace that you will find a great deal.
4. If You Must
If you search through the local classified ad networks and still have not been able to find the car that is just right for you, then using the mainstream classified ads is the only option left (aside from dealing with a used car dealership). When this is the case, Craigslist is normally going to be a better option than the newspaper. When using Craigslist, try to keep an eye out for “less professional” classified ads. This is a good indicator that it is a private seller. Additionally, dealerships will almost always have their logo in the ad somewhere, so that you will quickly be able to see if it is private seller or not.
Cincinnati always has a consistently solid used car market and searching through the classified ads is always a good option. As long as you follow the tips provided in this quick guide, finding a great deal can be easy. Just remember to stay away from mainstream classified ad networks when possible and when you do have to use them, try to keep an eye out for dealership logos, so that you know which ads to ignore.
