Archive for October, 2007

If you are planning to sell your used car to a vehicle dealer, you should be aware of the basic process in determining the worth of your car. This would ensure you would not be scammed and taken for granted by car dealer experts.

* What is the Blue Book value?

The Blue Book value is a basic term used in the car-buying business. It means the worth or cost of a vehicle. This vital book determines the price of what dealers are willing to pay for a used car.

* Where could you find the Blue Book value?

There are several resources responsible for determining the value of your car. The two most popular is the Kelley Blue Book and the N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides.

The Kelley Blue Book, which invented the term Blue Book, is a principal source for determining the loan value on used cars. It has been providing information for 75 years.

The N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides, which was established in 1933, is another helpful Blue Book that provides car buyers to review the car’s worth.

* How does the Blue Book determine the value of a used car?

The Blue Book calculates the value of your car based on the make, the model and year. The book also considers factors such as conditions of the used-cars, mileage and other options. The majority of the popular Blue Books are free for public use in their respective web sites. They provide user-friendly worksheets to help determine the appropriate value of a used car. Being aware of the Blue Book value of your car would help you search for a fair deal.

* How do you determine the amount you wish to spend on buying a use car?

If you’re planning to buy a used car, you should determine how much money you are willing to spend. Consider the additional expenses such as the tags when applying for a car loan, extra tax, and purchasing of the car title.

* How does the Blue Book determine the final values?

Many organizations and individuals make use of the Blue Book. Car auctions, private owners, rentals and fleets, franchised and independent dealers all use the Blue Book to determine the final value.

Used car values are determined by a respectable editorial process. Each process starts with an analysis of the collected data which include the current economic conditions, the historical trends, seasonality, location and industry developments. The final value reflects the most current representation of the changing car marketplace.

Be a wise used-car shopper and avoid bad deals and investments. Check with the Blue Book to find helpful guidelines in your used-car purchase

Selling your used car rather than trading it in gives you the chance of earning money. Car listings have become popular as a method for car sellers to advertise their vehicles to the public.

Rather than searching for car dealers to sell the used car for you, why don’t you sell it yourself?

Here are the steps for your successful used car listing:

1) Set the price – Determine a competitive market value of your used car. Second-hand car values could be found on your local classified ads for similar cars being sold and on certified used car dealership online.

Determine the minimum price you would accept for possible negotiations. Be aware that buyers do their research and having a lower price than others would generate more inquiries.

When your price has been set, consider the most attractive ad to publicize.

2) Groom the vehicle – For buyers, appearance is everything. Make sure that before you place an advertisement; inspect your used car inside and out. To make the most profit, take care of minor and major maintenance issues of the vehicle.

3) Prepare vehicle record – Presenting the buyers with complete maintenance logs and receipts is a powerful selling tool. Prepare paperwork of services done such as oil change, tire and battery replacement and warranties for each.

4) Obtain a car history report – To show that the used car has a clean record with the law and past accidents, purchase a car report from your local department of motor vehicles. The biggest fear of buyers is purchasing a used-car that has been in a wreck. The car history report would reveal if the vehicle has been in a major collision in the past.

5) The advertisement – Ad options include newspaper classifieds, magazines or online listings. However, the most cost-effective and useful tool for marketing is by placing an online ad.

* Photo: Although majority of car listings online do not require photos, eighty-five percent of used car buyers search for car listing with photos.

* Details: Provide a complete description of your car even if you have uploaded a photo. Use extra details and words that would grab the buyers’ attention. Do not forget to place a contact number to be reached.

6) Sell – Since you know your car’s worth, negotiate a fair price. To finalize the sale, you should have two copies of the bill of sale, a receipt that transfers ownership of the car, for you and the buyer.

Once you sold your used car, you’ll be glad you made the most out of your car listing since there was no car dealer involved and all the profit is yours.

Buying used cars is a more practical way of avoiding a public mass transportation commute. However, with the industry’s numerous car dealer options, lack of education could lead you straight into a bad car deal.

So how do you know who to trust? Which car dealer is best to transact business? Here is some useful information on searching for the best used-car dealer.

1) Reputation: This is the most vital in choosing car dealers. Making business deals with fair, honest and accommodating car dealers is easy as long as you find a reputable dealership. You should check with the local Better Business Bureau for car dealers reliability report and you could ask relatives and friends for past car dealers they dealt with that guarantee satisfaction.

2) Services: Finding the best car dealers should not be the only factor to consider. Make sure the services the car dealers provide are appropriate. These services include:

* Check and check out – Most car dealers provide express maintenance and service appointments to its customers.

* Car loans - Some extend their services by handling or providing assistance with your financial needs.

* Service rates - Each car dealership has various service discounts. Service rates may vary depending on the name, location, other benefits, and negotiations.

* Warranty – Some car dealers offer free extended car warranties when you purchase used cars or service and examine vehicles from them.

3) Price range: Most people assume that the price you pay is for the whole vehicle. This is not the case when doing business with car dealers.

Majority of dealerships include “add-ons” that may include window tinting, car accessories, CD changers, paint protector products, undercarriage coatings, car interior accessories and many more. Some dealers may try and force the customers into purchasing them usually install the add-ons.

If these additional accessories would be an advantage for you, it might be a blessing. However, if you prefer to purchase the car alone, check to see the car you wish to buy if it includes add-ons refrain from paying additional for each.

Extra fees such as dealer handling and dock fees are charged to set up a used car for sale, maintaining the car and preparing needed documents for the car sale. These extra fees could be negotiated since all of these services would only provide additional profit for the dealer.

Aside from a respectful, dignified and honest dealer, consider these factors in choosing the best car dealer. You may be purchasing a used car, but by looking for the best person to assist you, it will lead to a good investment.

Buying a new car is a long term investment. It is usually the second only to a home as the most expensive thing ever bought. The person has to shell out a vast sum of money later on not only for gas but its proper maintenance as well.

To some who can’t afford to buy a new car, these people have to do the next best thing and settle for a second hand car.

According to consumer reports, a new car depreciates in value once it leaves the lot. This goes as high as 20% annually which makes it easy for someone to buy a fairly new car at almost half the price of a new one.

In addition, it can enable you to even buy a higher end model that has better performance, safety and other features than a new model. This saves you money which can be used for other things.

Before buying a car, it is best to think about the kind of car you is willing to spend for and the options that come with it. By doing some research and checking out various dealers, you will be able to pick the right car and get the best deal.

You can buy a used car either from a dealer or from a private person. Before spending money on a used car, these are a few tips you must be aware of.

• You should check if the dealer or the individual who wants to sell the car has a good reputation.

• Just looking at the car will not give information if the car is in good condition. It should be test driven in various road conditions such as the highway or in traffic.

• Most cars have a maintenance record. The buyer must ask if it from the dealer or the individual and if it not available, then you should contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done.

• Since most people are not that knowledgeable about cars, it is advisable to bring the car to a reliable mechanic for proper inspection.

• There are many dealers available. You should also visit other dealers and check if the dealer or the individual who sells the used car has a good reputation. If the car of choice is not available, then you should inform the dealer about it and inform how much you are willing to pay. The dealer may either find that car or offer another model that is very similar to the vehicle you desire.

There are many challenges you will face when buying either a new or used car. It depends on the model that you want, how much is the budget, the size of your family and the options that go with it.

If you have an idea on the right car, then a little research on the value of the car in the market to date will be able to help the you when approaching a dealer.

This can be done by checking the internet or looking through the local newspaper before going to the various dealers in the area to make comparisons.

If the ideal car is not available on the lot, the if you tell the dealer about it these people can help by looking for that particular model or offer a similar car similar to your choice.

Since dealers often want to get rid of the cars quickly, it is also possible to get a good deal on what is available as long as it meets your requirements.

Most cars have a maintenance record. The buyer must ask the dealer to see it and if it is not available, then you should contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done.

The buyer has the right to see a copy of the dealer’s warranty. To be safe, you can also ask if a service contract is provided in buying the used car. This contract that is offered by the dealer may or may not provide coverage that is in the manufacturer’s warranty which may cost extra.

Since the warranty usually comes when buying a car and the service contract does not, it is best to ask if you need to avail of by answering some questions;

• What are the differences between the coverage of the warranty and the service contract?

• What repairs are covered?

• Is routine maintenance covered?

• Who will pay for labor and parts if brought to the shop?

• Who is authorized to perform the repairs and where?

• How long does the service contract last?

• What are the cancellation and refund policies?

Just looking at the car will not give information if the car is in good condition. It should be test driven under various road conditions such as the highway or in traffic.

Since most people are not that knowledgeable about cars, it is advisable to bring the car to a reliable mechanic for proper inspection.

Proper maintenance of a vehicle either new or old is the same. The engine has to be checked from time to time, the oil has to be changed and spark plugs need to be replaced. Any product wears down in time and the best thing to do if you are on a budget is to buy cheap, good quality used car parts.

Acquiring used car parts is the same as looking around for a second hand car. You can either look for it in the classified ads, go around the neighborhood checking out the various shops that do sell these parts or you can surf the net saving some time and effort and search for the parts that are needed.

There was time that such parts could only be found in dealerships and in the shops of local mechanics. This made it a challenge for those who needed it badly especially since there was no guarantee that the part if found, would fit the requirements and the seller would usually jack up the price giving the buyer no choice but to pay what was demanded.

Searching for cheap used car parts does not have to be that difficult anymore as long as you remember a few things before looking for it;

• By knowing exactly what is needed depending on the make and model of the car you have, it will make it easier for the person to go around looking for the exact car part

• After having the specific part in mind, you can then check how much you are willing to spend to acquire that item.

• Some parts that are needed don’t have to be the original. There are some parts that can be bought at surplus or a compatible part from another car make and model enabling can be used making a person save money for other things.

• After getting the proper information, you can start by checking out either the local shops or dealers. If these people don’t have it, perhaps another dealer can be recommended to assist in the procurement. Another place you can go to are the local junkyards since a lot of parts there can be reused. Asking the local auto club for help and browsing through the Internet are also other options a person has to help in the search for other hard to find parts which can be ordered and delivered in a few days time.

Buying a car is a huge investment. Whether a brand new or a second hand car, you still have to shell out a tidy sum to hopefully get the car that meets your specifications.

Second hand cars can be purchased by going to the local dealer, looking at the classified ads or checking out the various websites that allow a person to search and buy a car online.

There are two reasons why used cars are cheaper. The first is that cars once purchased and driven off a lot immediately depreciate. Annually, these cars lose about 20% in value making it easy for you to buy a second hand car almost at half the original price.

Another reason is that it is hard to buy a car and pay the full payment up front. By acquiring the services of a financial institution such as a bank, a person can pay off the loan through monthly installments. Unfortunately, some people have failed to honor that commitment which leaves the financial institutions no choice but to have the car repossessed.

For the bank to avoid storing the many cars that have been repossessed and make up for the lost money, these cars are auctioned off immediately which make it easy for some lucky people to buy fairly new cars and prevent being taken advantage of by car dealers.

Before buying a car, it is best to think about the kind of car you are willing to spend for and the options that come with it. By doing some research and checking out various dealers, you will be able to pick the right car and get the best deal.

You should also check the history of the car. This can be checked by going online and typing in the vehicle identification number or VIN. This can help verify the accidents the car has been in, if the car was reported stolen and the previous owner of the vehicle. It can also check if the mileage was rolled back.

Most cars have a maintenance record. The buyer must ask the dealer to see it and if it is not available, then you should contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the work was done.

The car should also be test driven on the road at various conditions and checked by a trusted and reputable mechanic just to be safe that the car you will buy is road worthy.

Most important of all, you should ask about the warranty. If there are some things not covered by it, it is best to get a service contract to be safe.

Scouting for price-cuts is a smart habit. And buying used cars is no exception.

No wonder why many people are enticed to buy used cars. In fact, statistics show that the number of people who buy used cars is three times more than the number of people who buy new cars.

But then again, not all used cars are maintained equally by their previous owners. Hence, it is important for those who wish to purchase used cars to consider the different factors that might affect the performance and the condition of the car.

Here is a list of some tips that will help buyers in choosing their used cars.

1. Safety features should not be taken for granted.

Being old is not an excuse to justify the used car’s lack of safety features. Every car, whether old or new should have safety features in order to prevent some possible accident while driving.

Every used car should still have its anti-lock brakes working properly and airbags that are still intact (for cars made after this requirement).

2. The mileage is important

This is because the amount of mileage reflects the way the car has been used by the previous owner. Moreover, the mileage will denote the used car’s age.

Normally, an average driver will drive 12, 000 to 15, 000 miles in a year. In this way, the buyer will be able to estimate how old the car is.

3. Over-all check up is important

Before buying the car, the buyer should first conduct an over-all check up on the condition of the car, from its exterior parts up to the very detail of its interior portion.

Being old does not mean any signs of wear and tear will be an excused. Hence, people should be aware what they are paying for.

4. Test drive

There is no better way to know the condition of the car until it has been test-driven. Hence, a buyer should make all the effort to do a test drive first before he or she jumps into conclusion.

5. If possible, the over all service history of the car should be checked.

This will provide the buyer solid information regarding the true condition of the car. Here, the buyer can detect if the car has so many technical problems before, if it has been into an accident already, or if the owner was good enough to provide the proper maintenance for the car.

Knowing these things is extremely important to avoid possible risks in the future.

Boiled down, inspection is mportant especially if the transaction concerns money. Cheap is no substitute for being a smart buyer.

Today, buying a used car is as important as buying a new car. This is because the growing necessity and demand for cars is extremely important in an individual’s everyday life, especially if the daily activities require a lot of commuting and traveling.

So, buying used cars can be very feasible especially to those who have limited budgets. Actually, buying a used car, say, 2 to 4-year old cars will definitely save an individual as much as 25% to 50% when compared to buying a new one.

But, used cars are not created equal or they are not being maintained on the same level. Hence, it is important to know the proper way to choose used cars and the details to look for when buying one.

With all the many tips that are being offered these days, checking the condition of the used car is the best tip ever.

Here’s a list of the things to be checked before getting the car:

1. Exterior check

Buyers should check on the exterior portion of the car like the paint. Buyers should take note if there are any rusty places present on the exterior body.

Buyers should also make certain that the car is level when inspecting it. It should not sag to one side. If it does that is an indication of frame or spring damage. The tires should be well inflated and the lights should be in good condition.

Buyers should also check the other outer parts of the car like the disc brakes, the glass, the wheel rims, etc.

2. Interior check

It is best if the buyer inspects the interior portion of the car for things like its odor, the controls, the seats and the seat covers, and the pedal rubber. Everything should still be workable.

3. The air-conditioning unit of the car should be working well.

4. Trunk check

The trunk is the most neglected part of the car. Hence, it is important to know if the used car’s trunk area is still in good condition. It should never show any sign of rust accumulation and water entry due to holes and cracks.

5. The under hood test

The buyer of the used car should be aware of the wirings, fluids, belts, hoses, battery, and radiator of his car-to-be. It should not show any signs of damage, rust, or dents.

Best of all, before an individual finally decides on buying a particular used car, it is best if he or she will do a test drive first. In fact, it is one of the most important check-up in order to ensure the efficiency of the used car.

Nowadays, more and more people are enticed to buy used cars. With so many financial choices available and cars “living longer,” many people just opt to buy used cars.

In fact, many smart consumers contend that buying used cars is just the same as buying new ones if the buyer knows how to buy used cars.

So, to help those who wish to buy a car but cannot afford a new one, here are some of the best tips that can be implemented when buying a used car.

1. Research

It is extremely important for an individual to conduct some research when buying used cars. In this way, the buyer will be able to know the ideal make and model to buy, the kind of performance to seeks, and the prices of used cars in the market.

Moreover, the risk of buying used cars is lessened if the buyer knows the important details to consider when buying used cars.

2. Check the cars history

The car’s history will definitely provide the buyer some solid information regarding the performances, repairs, and problems of the car. So if you CAN discover some history it would be to your advantage. In this way, the buyer will be able to compare and differentiate one car from the other. There are instances wherein used cars are being sold because of some past accidents or negative experiences. Buyers might consider more if the car he or she is about to buy has a history like this one.

3. Check the safety features

What more can you expect with a used car but it does not necessarily mean that the buyer will neglect the availability of safety features in the car.

By all means, an ideal car must possess safety features, whether it is old or new. According to some reports, almost 80% of the accidents are heightened because safety features are not available in the car.

4. Buyers should be wary about the documents that are included when buying used cars.

Buyers should be sure that the car is not stolen, there are no liens on the vehicle, and that the one who signed on the “Bill of Sale” is the true vendor and the possessor of the property.

5. Before buying a used car, it is best to meticulously inspect the overall condition of the car first. Buyers should be wary of any rust or damage; the tires should be checked, etc.

Indeed, buying a used car can be very tedious. Nevertheless, it will give the buyer some satisfaction and assurance that what he or she has bought is a good buy.