Setting: A weekday evening at Sofia's kitchen table. Sofia's old car keeps breaking down, and she wants to buy a used car. Her friend David is helping her make a careful plan before she spends her money. (About 5 minutes of pair speaking practice.)
Sofia: My car is falling apart. I think it's finally time to buy a used one.
David: That's a big purchase. Let's make a smart plan first, before you look at any cars.
Sofia: Good idea. My budget is twelve thousand dollars. Not a dollar more.
David: Okay, that's our limit. Now — what are your must-haves?
Sofia: It must be reliable, good on gas, and have room for the kids' car seats.
David: And your nice-to-haves?
Sofia: A backup camera would be nice. And Bluetooth. But I can live without them.
David: Smart. Knowing the difference between must-have and nice-to-have saves a lot of money.
Sofia: I found three cars online. This one is ten thousand five hundred, with low mileage.
David: Low mileage is good, but let's check the full history. Has it been in any accidents?
Sofia: The ad says “clean title.” What does that mean?
David: It means no serious accidents or damage were reported. But we should verify it ourselves.
Sofia: How do we do that?
David: We can look up the car's history online with its VIN number. And we must inspect the car in person.
Sofia: Can we take it to a mechanic before buying?
David: Yes! A pre-purchase inspection costs about a hundred dollars, but it can save you thousands.
Sofia: What about negotiating the price? I've never done that. It feels rude.
David: It's not rude — it's normal. Sellers expect it. If they ask eleven thousand, you can offer ten.
Sofia: And if they say no?
David: Then you walk away. There are always more cars. Never let anyone pressure you.
Sofia: What about a loan? I can't pay the full price in cash.
David: You'd make a small down payment, then pay the rest in monthly installments. But compare interest rates at two banks first.
Sofia: This is a lot to remember. Will you come with me on Saturday?
David: Of course. We'll test-drive it, inspect it, and negotiate together.
Sofia: Thank you. With a real plan, I feel much less nervous.
David: That's the secret — smart shoppers plan before they pay.