Archive for March, 2010
When seeing advertisements involving cars for sale by the owner, you dont have to automatically suspect. If youre a smart customer, youll read the whole advertisement and decide for yourself whether or not the owner is a legitimate seller selling a viable vehicle. Some advertisements will reveal themselves as just nonsense; others will involve the sale of used automobiles by dealers. Still others will be legitimate advertisements for cars offered by owners who are giving you a great deal for their used vehicle. Again, reading carefully makes all the difference.
For example, I recently was in the market for a used automobile and decided to go for one that was for sale by an owner, feeling this to be the most effective way to get a used car at a reasonable price. I found a selection of advertisements on Craigs List, an online community bulletin board. Amazingly, there were many choices for me, some of which looked great but werent in my budget, some of which were very affordable but lacked all the necessary parts (like the engine) and some that looked great enough to actually contact the owners and test drive the vehicles. Unfortunately, I was unable to get any response back from the owners, even after I called back and left an offer.
Unfortunately, I found ads on that site that really werent those for cars selling by owner but were ads that clearly came from dealers. Even the dealers information was listed in the ad. I didnt think this would be a problem, however, the information listed four contact numbers, misspelled information and the same information showed up in ads for more than one vehicle. I was looking for a 1970s Chevy truck and, in a search of over 1000 vehicles, it became obvious that the same dealer was selling many more than just one car. The same contact phone numbers and misspelled words were in each and every ad.
Personally, I think that dealer was a fraud. While the vehicles probably really existed the photos and information were in the ad but I could tell from the background in the photos in which the cars were shown were taken in the same place and that, unless this was a guy with a lot of vehicles, I was looking at a dealer and not just an owner trying to sell a car. This was more likely a person trying to avoid paying dealers taxes by passing himself off as an owner. The guy wasnt going about it in a terribly sneaky way using the same contact information and putting all the vehicles in the same category where they would likely get picked up by skilled and attentive buyers. As one of those buyers, I felt like he was wasting not only my time, but the time of serious buyers out there, trying to get a good deal on a car. Such behavior only serves to make the whole used car business look bad and its not good for those legitimate sellers out there just trying to sell a decent car.
Tags: 1970s, Ads, Advertisement, Advertisements, Automobile, Automobiles, Budget, Buying Cars, Buying Used Cars, Cars For Sale, Cars Sale, Chevy Truck, Choices, Community Bulletin Board, Contact Numbers, Fraud, Misspelled Words, Phone Numbers, Smart Customer, Viable VehicleRelated posts
If you planed to buy an used car, it is important not only to find the car you like but you may also need to take some precautions like checking the car history, taking a test drive, knowing its book value or taking an extended warranty.
Check the cars history
An essential factor when car browsing is to learn the cars history. This entails finding a reliable source as to whether the automobile has ever been flooded or involved in an automobile accident. Before agreeing to buy used cars, consumers may obtain a CarFax report at www.carfax.com or by requesting that their local dealer provide a copy. There is a minimal fee involved in acquiring the report, but the findings are invaluable. For instance, the number of owners and the title status are both included in a CarFax report.
Take a drive test
Generally, used cars buyers will be permitted to take a test drive and also may think about requesting permission to take the automobile to a trusted mechanic for an additional inspection. The best way to confirm that the automobile is in the condition as stated is to take it to a mechanic, who can properly inspect used cars and locate any underlying problems. Even if most used cars are exactly as stated, when auto safety and any amount of money is involved, there is no room for error in judgment.
Know the car value
Before buying any used car, it is important to be familiar with the value of the vehicle. One way to determine an accurate value is through the use of Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com) and their extensive pricing system. By entering specific information about an automobile, consumers will receive instant value estimates online. In order to get an accurate value, consumers must know the make and model of the automobile, current mileage, additional features and overall condition.
Ask for an extended warranty
It may also be possible to purchase an extended warranty when you buy an used car. Because the original warranty has already expired on most previously owned vehicles, this option is available for the consumer who wants to make sure their purchase is covered. It is important to realize that the warranty is not automatically included in the sticker. In fact, the consumer should ask the dealer specifically about purchasing an extended warranty. More often than not, an extended warranty can be added into the total cost and may even be included in the financing.
Tags: Accurate Value, Amount Of Money, Auto Safety, Automobile Accident, Buy Used Cars, Buying Used Cars, Car History, Car Value, Carfax Report, Cars History, Drive Test, Error In Judgment, Extended Warranty, Kelly Blue Book, Mechanic, Mileage, Minimal Fee, Test Drive, Value Consumers, WarrantyRelated posts
If you are considering whether to buy or perhaps lease your next car and which would afford you the best deal, most consumer experts agree that from a purely financial aspect you will be better off in buying your next car.
Of course paying cash in full is the best possible scenario since with this option you would avoid any type of finance charge. But for the vast majority of us and for the scope of this article well take a look those purchases or leases that involve financing.
In the short term leasing may look attractive to you because monthly lease payments will more than likely be less than the monthly payments of a purchase agreement. Why? Because with a lease you are essentially only paying for the part of the car you are going to use. Its kind of like splitting the cost of a pizza with someone. You are only paying for the pieces that you are going to eat. In car terminology the part that is left over in a lease is called the residual value of the car. The higher the residual value of the car the less of the car you will use during the lease so you payments for the part that you do use (the lease) will be lower.
Typically lease durations are 24, 36, or 48 months. Do not sign up for a lease beyond 48 months. Actually anything beyond 36 months is pushing the value of the lease. Dont let the car salesman get you into a longer lease just because they make your monthly payments look more attractive. Remember time costs you money and the cars residual value will plummet and you loose all the advantages of leasing and still be left with nothing in the end.
For some drivers the car buying decision isnt based purely on bottom line numbers. And this is fine. Its strictly personal. Leasing does afford you the ability to always be driving a new car. A car that is within a few years of the latest body style and technology. A car that is always under the factory warranty. For the person that has accepted the fact that they enjoy being in a newer car and that car payments is just another monthly expense, then why not get the most car for the money? Then leasing could be a good alternative.
If this is your personal preference the other two questions you must answer are how many miles a year do I drive and how hard on cars am I? The mileage question can really come back to haunt you if you are not careful. People who are in new cars and thus enjoy driving them and showing them off more will have a tendency to drive them more. Be very careful with you mileage. Going over your allotted mileage on your lease could end up costing anywhere from 15 to 30 cents per mile beyond the lease mileage allowance and this can get painful in a hurry. In most leases you can purchase additional mileage up front at the time of the lease but keep in mind if at the end of your lease you havent used all of your miles, you dont get that money refunded back to you.
I mentioned a bit earlier you need to consider how well you treat your cars. Only you will know this and you need to be honest with this one. Dont think that you can turn your lease car in at the end of the lease with the car in sub par condition. If you do, you may be assessed reconditioning fees that could become rather hefty.
In summary, from a purely financial perspective buying your next new car is the best over the long haul. But, car with car ownership, so much personal preference, and personal priorities come into play. If you think leases look attractive, be absolutely certain about your mileage you will drive. Take good care of the car. And finally check with your insurance agent first to make sure that you dont give back the money you save in monthly payments to your insurance company.
Tags: Body Style, Bottom Line, Buying Versus Leasing A Car, Car Buying, Car Payments, Car Salesman, Factory Warranty, Finance Charge, Financial Aspect, Lease Payments, Leases, Leasing A Car, Line Numbers, New Car, Personal Leasing, Pizza, Purchase Agreement, Residual Value, Short Term Leasing, Time CostsRelated posts
Sometimes, just as luck would have it, the vehicle and the dream machine that you are looking for is entirely perfect. Except for one thing: you can only buy it in Europe. Of course, to do that, you still would have to import it back to the United States. And doing such an act could be quite complicated.
Now, before important a European vehicle, try to ask first the Department of Motor Vehicles about any specific requirements. These requirements could include emissions, temporary plates, and special documentation from customs. Also, it would help if you made sure that the sales contract you have verifies that the car has been built so as to match vehicle standards in the US. This manufacturers certification label could be actually found attached to the vehicle near the drivers door.
Traveling your car to the US would require you to first clean it with any kind of foreign soil. The reason for this is that the U.S. Department of Agriculture would like to keep any harmful pests away from US soil.
Upon arriving at customs, show them the shippers original bill of lading, your bill of sale, foreign registration, and other needed documents. You also would have to complete the EPA Form 3520-1 and the DOT Form HS-7.
In a nutshell, if you are buying or thinking of importing a European vehicle, you should keep in mind that the vehicle must comply with the requirements of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If they do not comply, they must be modified. You should also see if the vehicle complies with the vehicle standards in the United States. It should also have a thorough cleaning. You should also have a title and bill of sale. These pieces of information are actually proof that you do own the vehicle. Make sure that you do have a foreign registration as well as other vehicle documents. Do not forget to fill out the EPA and the DOT forms.
Tags: Bill Of Lading, Bill Of Sale, Customs, Department Of Agriculture, Department Of Motor Vehicles, Department Of Transportation, Dream Machine, Emissions, Environmental Protection Agency, Europe, Form 3520, Harmful Pests, Nutshell, Sales Contract, Shippers, Soil, Transportation Dot, U S Department, United States Department, United States Department Of TransportationRelated posts
For most people, owning classic or vintage cars is a dream-come true. Owning classic cars are considered a luxury. It is very expensive and most people cannot afford to buy one, much more to restore one.
If you are considering buying a classic car, you should first think about your budget, how much are you willing to spend on these antique machines? There are some people who spend their saving just to own one.
Vintage cars can also be an investment. After you restore one, the market value of the car would be better than you imagined. Depending on its model and condition, classic cars can be a potential profit maker.
These classics are usually sold in auctions and there are many classic car enthusiasts out there willing to spend a fortune on these cars.
However, before buying one you should consider the following:
Keep in mind that what you want to buy would be described as a collector car.
Decide what car fits your budget. This will probably eliminate those vintages you drool about in major car shows, unless you are very rich. Just one of those cars you see in major car shows can cost you at least hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Researching on where to buy classic cars is not easy. You have to spend a lot of time and effort just by searching one of these cars. Remember that these cars are not manufactured anymore and you do not often see these on your regular used car dealership.
You would probably find one on junk yards or on old peoples houses that do sell or throw these classics away. You can even get them with a bargain price. However, these cars are probably covered with rust already and have engines that are in bad shape.
Another good way to look for a classic car is by going to auctions. If you can afford to travel, take time to go to car auctions in different places.
This will give you a chance to offer a bargain for it. You can also opt for a classic car that is in good condition and less restoration will be required.
If you found what you were looking for, compare them. If you are a mechanic you can probably do the comparison yourself, if not, try to bring your trusted mechanic along to help you decide which one to buy. Always remember that the less restoration required the better.
After purchasing the car, the next step would be restoring it. Be prepared to spend a lot of time and money on this phase, since good car parts for classic cars are hard to come by and are usually very expensive to manufacture.
Obtaining the car parts necessary for restoration will be very time consuming and will require you to make many calls in shops that sells antique car parts. One way of easily obtaining classic car parts is by searching in the Internet.
Here, you can obtain hard-to-find parts for the model of your car.
If you do not find one, you can ask a machine shop to manufacture one for you. All you have to do is bring the old part to the shop and they will do the rest.
If you dont know much about repairing cars, much more restoring it, it is probably best if you hire a mechanic to do the restoration or go to one of those classic car restoration shops. These kinds of shops are usually very expensive and not recommended if you bought the car for investment purposes.
This is because some classic cars restored are valued less than what it costs to do the restoration.
After the restoration and paying huge bills for the mechanic or restoration shops, you can now fully enjoy your vintage car for years to come.
Tags: Antique Machines, Bad Shape, Bargain Price, Buy Cars, Car Auctions, Car Dealership, Classic Car Enthusiasts, Classic Cars, Collector Car, Different Places, Drool, Fortune, Hundreds Of Thousands, Junk Yards, Model Cars, Profit Maker, Rust, Thousands Of Dollars, Vintage Cars, VintagesRelated posts
When quoting the car insurance there are various factors which will be taken in to the consideration such as registration number, the vehicle condition, which type of vehicle, how old is the vehicle like this their will be various factors which will be taken in to consideration, there are also so many sites given online which will give you the information on the quotes.
While taking the quote there are many conditions which will taken in to consideration such as who will drive the vehicle, have you claim the insurance while met with an accidents, on what factors you are insuraning the vehicle like this there are many factors which taken in to consideration.
Now a days there are consultancies are also providing the insurance quotes. At first their are only insurance companies which will provide the car insurance quote but now there are consultancies who also provide the quotes. After deciding the best car quote you have to fill one of the form and then the agent will calculate the car insurance policy and will give you the car insurance quotes. According to various resources the car insurance quote will vary.
When you want to go ahead and get the Car insurance, you will first think of selecting a company which can provide an insurance to your car, however, selecting the right company for your car insurance some times becomes a herculean task for you, very first step is to decide what type of car insurance plan you are looking forward then you can goahead with, however after selecting the right insurance plan for your car insurance the next big thing comes is getting the car insurance quotes so that you can select the ritht company which can suit both your needs and budget.
Getting Car insurance quotes is not a big hassle for an individual as you can find the insurance quotes very easily, you have to be very catious while getting the insurance quotes, basically the car insurance quotes depends on the information which your provide while filling an online application form which gives you instant updated online quotes. It requires basic information from you. There are other means by which you can easily get the car insurance quotes like advertisments and getting information from magazines. However, the best, cheap and the easiest way to get the car insurance quotes is by going online.
When you go online for getting car insurance quotes, some online companies will not only provide you information for one company but from three to four different companies wherein by comparing the quotes given by different companies you always have a chance of comparing the quotes and selecting one which suits your needs and budget. Car insruance quotes also depends on other factors like type of engine, model of the car, if you have any extra devices atttached for which you want to insure your car.
Most importantly the car insurance quotes depends on many other factors apart from this like the number of speeding up tickets your have, the number of accidents you have involved with, your age, your sex, your occupation, the car you are insuring is used for the business purpose or personal use. Many other factors apart from this are considered while you buy the car insurance for your vehicle. However, going online to get car insurance quotes are considered to be the best and the easiest way for getting a car insurance quote.
Tags: Accidents, Best Car, Big Hassle, Budget Car, Budget Insurance, Car Insurance Policy, Car Insurance Quote, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Quote, Car Quotes, Company Insurance, Consultancies, Find Quotes, Herculean Task, Insurance, Insurance Car, Insurance Companies, Insurance Plan, Registration Number, Right InsuranceRelated posts
Car Audio – What To Know Before You Buy Used Car Audio Systems
If you are looking for a car audio system and would love to save a little money when purchasing, you should consider buying a used system. Many people think you can only get quality sound from new equipment, but that is not true. You can find great packages that are sold directly from another consumer if you know what you are looking for. There are a few things to remember before making a purchase however. If you are considering buying a used system, think about these things before you throw down any cash.
The first thing to consider is what you need. You should always be aware of what your automobile can handle before purchasing a used system. When you go to a store to purchase new equipment, the salesperson usually assists you on knowing what you need. When you are purchasing from a consumer however, you may not be getting correct information. Since most consumers wont offer a refund policy, you will need to know that the equipment will work on your car before buying it.
The best way to figure out what you need is to go your research. Go to a salesperson or a audio specialist and ask them about the specific equipment you are looking at. Ask them if it will work in your car. You may even have to let them inspect your car, but they can likely tell you whether or not it will work over the phone. After you know that the equipment will work for your car, you will need to make sure the equipment works as it should. Ask to test the equipment, if it is not in a car at the time.
If you cannot test the equipment, you might not want to purchase it. Even though someone might tell you it works fine, they may not be as honest as you would like to think. Most sellers are honest, but there are a few who will try to trick you and you dont want to be their next victim. So, be sure that you know what you need for your current automobile and be sure the car audio system you are looking at is still usable. If you do these two things, you will be able to save yourself a lot of money by purchasing used quality equipment. It is always great to save money, but you only want to purchase used equipment that will work for you. If you dont, then you really havent saved anything at all.
Tags: Audio Specialist, Automobile Purchasing, Buy Car, Buy Used Car, Car Audio System, Car Audio Systems, Car Buying, Car System, Car Systems, Consumers, Love, Many People, Money, Quality Sound, Refund Policy, Salesperson, Specific Equipment, Test EquipmentRelated posts
When it comes to negotiating your best deal on the car youve got your eye on, first and foremost you have to do your research and homework on all the various parts of putting a car deal together.
At a high level, this is all the pricing, rebate, and dealer incentive numbers you can find on your perspective car. Youve lined up your financing so you know what you qualify for, how much you qualify for, how long you can finance, and what your monthly payments will be based on a few different financing scenarios. And (if applicable) you know the actual cash value, and retail value of your trade-in.
If you dont have a firm grasp on the aforementioned, proceed no further (dont show up at a dealership) until you do.
But if you have, and you feel confident, lets talk a bit further about negotiating.
Rule number one when it comes to negotiating and car deals.
Never negotiate from the MSRP down Youll never get to the price you want.
Always negotiate from invoice price or dealer cost up.
Since youve done your homework, go to the dealership with your opening offer in mind. Be confident in yourself and the fact that although you certainly arent going to offer sticker price, your number will be fair and not ridiculous. If you offer up something totally ridiculous for the selling price from the dealer, youve wasted your time and havent really opened the negotiating process because your offer wont even be viewed as serious. Keep your offer within the win-win window.
When you know your numbers and you come across as confident (because you are) the sales people and the others at the dealership will be aware of this and will spend less time trying to work you.
Give yourself room to eventually feel good. By this I mean, dont table your first offer with the price you have in mind that you are willing to pay. Think about it for a moment; by definition there is going to be some negotiating going on here, so you certainly dont want to begin at the price you want to be and simply hold firm. This may sound easy but this is truly a point where many miss the mark. Many people feel uncomfortable about starting below their target price, but it is an absolute must when it comes to successfully coming close to or hitting your pricing goal.
If the salesperson or the dealership is the first to offer up a number to get things going, rather than you countering with an actual dollar amount simply let the salesperson know that his number simple not within your budget and they need to come back with a better offer. By doing this, your goal is to get an even better opening price without tipping your hand.
Remember, a dealership is always going to take a couple shots at maximizing the deal for their side first.
Keep in mind that negotiating is just that negotiating. It isnt a one-way street where you get everything you want and the dealership simply acquiesces. There is plenty of give and take and it may not (actually hardly ever is) limited to just the price of the car. In other words, if you feel like you have to come up a bit off your offer or counter offer, see if you can get some return value for your effort such as some complimentary maintenance, even floor mats or something.
When you do this it keeps the negotiation alive and lets the dealer know that you are serious about putting together that win-win deal that works for both parties.
Stay open minded during the process and treat the entire car buying process as a negotiation package. There are numerous avenues that you can probe for negotiation during the car buying process. Its not just the price. However, dont agree on the price and then start trying to negotiate other items. Once youve said yes to the price, you lose your leverage. Remember its the entire package.
Finally, always keep in mind that without you there is no deal for the dealer. If you reach an impasse if you have to walk. Dont rationalize giving in against your better judgment because you really want the car, or that youve spent the better part of your day at the dealership. Remember the dealer and the salesperson have their time invested as well and dont want the deal to fall through either. Be patient, keep the negotiation communication lines open and chances are youll be rewarded with a new car at a price you feel good about paying.
Tags: Actual Cash Value, Car Buying, Car Deal, Car Deals, Dealer Incentive, Fir, Grasp, Homework, Invoice Price, Msrp, Perspective, Retail Value, Rule Number One, Sales People, Scenarios, Sticker Price, Win WinRelated posts
Must Read before Buying a Car
Purchasing a car can be an exciting experience for anyone. It doesn’t matter if the vehicle you are purchasing is a car, truck, SUV, band, or even motorcycle, the thrill of purchasing an automobile gives the buyer a feeling of being free. However, that feeling of being free can fade almost as soon as it comes if you are tied to auto financing that isn’t the best option for your situation. Car buyers can save themselves a lot of headache and hassle if they know what they need for they begin the car buying process.
Determine your needs and wants before you begin learning about getting appropriate financing for the car. If you find that you have been looking for more financing in the car that you need requires the news wasted valuable time that you can be spending on looking for your next vehicle. Once you’ve selected a vehicle that you are comfortable with to some background investigation on the car.
Research consumer report websites, as well as get other user feedback on the vehicle if at all possible. Don’t forget research on any factory recalls that may have been implemented on the vehicle. Finally, when you have decided on your vehicle, be sure that you are comfortable behind the wheel of the car and driving. A car is a large investment and you want to make sure that you will be comfortable in the years ahead while driving it.
It doesn’t matter if you are purchasing a new car, truck, SUV, van or motorcycle the act of getting a new vehicle is an exciting experience. A new vehicle can mean freedom to the owner as long as the vehicle that they did meets their needs and wants.
Before you go to purchase your next vehicle, be sure to get a few preliminary things out of the way first. That can help you avoid hassles and headaches down the road. One of the first things car buyers should do is to make sure that the car that they shop for is one that will meet their needs for the next several years. This includes making sure that they are comfortable in the vehicle and can properly handle the controls.
Never rush to test drive process as it is very imperative that you fully acclimate yourself to your new car and make sure it is one that you will be comfortable driving for the next few years. Next, research your new car as much as possible, online and by asking owners that have the car if they have any problems and how much they like having the car.
Finally, make sure all of your financing is in order before you go searching for new car. You don’t want to form an emotional attachment to a vehicle, only to find out that you will not be able to afford it later.
Be sure that your financing options are in order before selecting the car of your dreams. You don’t want to form an emotional bond to a vehicle and then find out that you will not be able to afford it. A vehicle purchase can be an exciting endeavor for anyone. However, make your next vehicle purchasing experience exciting as well is responsible by utilizing the tips above.
Tags: Adviser, Auto Financing, Automobile, Background Investigation, Car Buyers, Car Buying, Car Research, Car Truck, Consumer Report, Driving A Car, Freedom, Hassle, Hassles, Headache, Headaches, Motorcycle, New Suv, Purchasing A Car, Purchasing A New Car, WheelRelated posts
Buying a car can be hard enough; do I want a hatchback, saloon, 4-door, 2-door, convertible, four-wheel drive? How much can I afford to pay for insurance? Furthermore, being given the hard sell in the dealership showroom can add more pressure. However, do we need the hard sell or have we already subconsciously made a decision on the car we would like to buy?
Studies have shown that many customers do not need the hard sell, but instead just a picture to show off the features of the car. Weve all probably seen an advert on television or a picture in a magazine or newspaper, which has made us look at the car and want to have one on the spot! Obviously, it aids the customer if the picture is of something sleek and stylish rather than a rust-bucket, which is why the desirability of vehicles such as a sporty hatchback is high.
Manufacturers are clever in the way that theyll do this. Youll notice on more occasions than not with car adverts that the price provided is not for the car you are seeing. The picture of the car will be the top of the range version with all of the possible extras, but in fact the price youll be told is the starting from price for the lowest car in its range. The price for the actual car you are viewing will usually be in small print at the bottom of the advert.
Do, however, the roles of celebrities come into play in persuading us to purchase a certain make or type of car? I believe that they do.
Take a look at the BMW X5 for example. Since the release of this car, every celebrity and their dog have one. I believe as a consequence of this, the amount of non-celebrities driving this car has risen dramatically. The same can be said for a few cars, which brings the assumption that we, to some extent, base our lifestyles on celebrities, who influence us to purchase cars that are deemed fashionable and popular by them.
The bases for buying a certain car by many will be will my friends laugh at me? and will I look cool in it?. After all, the technological strides of manufacturers recently have meant that the reliability and performance of vehicles is very good, and certainly more than adequate for most drivers using city and country roads. So what else can there be to influence the decision of car buyers other than the cool factor?
Maybe, the running costs and fuel consumption is prominent somewhat; especially for the four-wheel drive and high performance vehicles. However, the celebrity power has certainly persuaded many in their car buying decisions, and will almost definitely continue to do so.
Tags: Advert, Aids, Assumption, Behaviours, Bmw, Bmw X5, Car Adverts, Car Buying, Car Price, Cars, Celebrities, Celebrity, Consequence, Extent, Four Wheel Drive, Insurance, Lifestyles, Occasions, Rust Bucket, Wheel