With the price of a new car getting higher and higher each year, many buyers choose to buy used cars instead. The price of a new car can easily equal a year’s pay for many people, so buying a used car makes sense. But there are risks associated with buying a pre-owned vehicle. What if is defective? What if it is a lemon law buyback? Once should always be a bit suspicious of a used vehicle. After all, if it is a great buy, then why did the original owner choose to part with it?
To resolve some of these issues, as well as to compete with volume dealers of used cars such as Carmax, the major auto manufacturers have introduced the concept of a “certified used car.” These cars are inspected for problems, repaired if necessary, and offered for sale with a warranty that is better than the one typically offered with sales of used cars. In exchange for this added peace of mind, the buyer pays a higher price than he or she otherwise might.
This program is good for dealers, who find the cars easier to sell, and for the manufacturers, who get a fee from the dealers in exchange for certifying the vehicles. The problem for the consumer is that there are cars being sold as certified used cars that may not really be certified. Worse, some of these cars have problems that are so severe that they possibly shouldn’t be sold at all.
Some states have rigid laws that prevent cars with certain types of damage, such as from fire, flood, or a severe accident, from being sold within that state under any circumstances. And yet there are reports of such vehicles having been transported to neighboring states, where their titles can be “laundered.” Some of these cars have then been sold as certified used cars.
There are several lawsuits pending in California over the sale of such cars, and the problem will continue to exist as long as there is no national standard regarding the sale of used cars. Does this mean that buyers should steer clear of certified used cars? Of course not. What it does mean is that buyers should exercise caution when they shop for a used vehicle, whether it is certified or not. And that is just plain common sense.
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Are you hunting for used car? Buying a used car is not a headache like previously it was. Now-a-days one can easily find a used car for which he is looking for. Let us see some pint which one should keep in mind before purchasing a use car.
What do you look out for?
A good car is never old. First make your mind that which model are you looking for and is it in your budget and from where you want to buy from auto dealer or online. All this will definitely help you to make a proper decision.
Selecting your car
One way to select your dream car is to first identify the car which you are indent to buy. Make sure are you looking for a family car or not. You can get used car of your choice in a very attractive price from any auto dealer.
Appearance of your selected car
Make sure that the car appearance is good and no where hidden rusting is there. Sometimes many auto dealers apply a fresh coat of paint to get hide all the rust. Check whether any major accident marks are there or not.
Paperwork
You have selected your car. Now for your facility check all the legal paperwork Number of previous owners, their antecedents, registration details, one-time tax entry and insurance papers – all need to be cross-checked. Once the above is done and your apprehensions are solved, get ready for the most important aspect of the buying process.
Test Drive
For a good deal never buy a second-hand car without first driving it. Sometimes old engines need to be warm up. A low battery and bald tyres gives you opportunity to bargain more.
Finalizing the deal
As now all the things have be done, ask auto dealer to transform all the legal car document on your name, legally. Remember to get all the legal formalities you complete before you take the car key in your hand.
All this guidelines will help you to make a good and healthy deal and to get your dream car in your hand.
Anna Josephs is a freelance journalist having experience of many years writing articles and news releases on various topics such as pet health, automobile and social issues. She also has great interest in poetry and paintings, hence she likes to write on these subjects as well. Currently writing for this website Best Cheap Used Car . For more details please contact at annajosephs@gmail.com
Tags: Apprehensions, Attractive Price, Buying A Used Car, Car Key, Car One, Coat Of Paint, Dream Car, Freelance Journalist, Fresh Coat Of Paint, Good Car, Insurance Papers, Legal Car, Legal Formalities, Legal Paperwork, Major Accident, Old Engines, Proper Decision, Rust Check, Second Hand Car, Use CarRelated posts
Each year hundreds of thousands of used cars change hands. Some deals are great buys; others are not so good. Follow these tips for buying a used car to help you get the best value for your money.
It is always better to find out whats wrong with a used car before you buy it rather than after you own it. Carfax vehicle history reports are a great way to get this information. Carfax collects information from around 5,000 different sources. But, remember the report is only as good as the information reported. If the car is in an accident but the accident is not reported, the information isnt going to be in Carfax. Thats why you still should have the vehicle inspected before purchasing it.
A mechanical inspection is the surest way to find obvious problems with the vehicle. The mechanic will easily be able to tell if there are leaks, corrosion, frame damage, hidden damage, brake or suspension problems, engine problems, and other obvious mechanical issues. The mechanics report however, will not tell you anything about the history of the car such as whether it has been in an accident.
Always take the car for a test drive. Make sure you dont just drive it on city roads. Take it out on the highway and get up to highway speeds to make sure you like the ride, how quiet the car runs, steering, and other elements like how good your visibility is and blind spots. Decide whether you are comfortable driving the car. If you arent comfortable, then its not the car for you.
You can save a great deal of money on your used car by shopping around for good financing. Some lending institutes offer better rates than others. There are many institutes that offer a hassle free online service thats as simple as filling out an online application. Once your financing is approved, they will send you the check to take to the dealer.
If you have the opportunity to purchase an extended warranty for your car, it can be a good investment. An extended warranty can protect you from breakdowns and save your pocketbook from some serious strain.
There are two types of coverage; bumper to bumper and powertrain. Bumper to bumper covers almost everything, while a powertrain warranty covers major breakdowns like engine and transmission. The cost between the two types of coverage can be significant, but depending on the age of the car and type of car bumper to bumper coverage can be worth the extra money.
There are several good website resources for finding out what a vehicle is worth. You can search by category, make, model, and price. If you do an Internet search for used vehicle prices, youll find several good resources.
If you cant find the car you want locally, buying a car online is another option. Just do your research to make sure the dealer is reputable. Its always a good idea to only put a deposit down and then pay the balance once youve inspected the car and it meets your expectations.
These tips for buying a used car will keep you stress free and help you make the best buy possible.
Tags: Blind Spots, Breakdowns, Buying A Used Car, Carfax Vehicle History Reports, Change Hands, City Roads, Extended Warranty, Frame Damage, Helpful Tips, Highway Speeds, History Of The Car, Hundreds Of Thousands, Leaks, Mechanic, Mechanical Inspection, Mechanical Issues, Suspension Problems, Test Drive, Tips For Buying A Used Car, Vehicle History ReportsRelated posts
The used car market continues to grow and, as with increased inflation in the form of higher house rentals, school fees and food prices, the demand for good quality used cars is likely to become an increasingly attractive proposition for many people who would have bought brand new vehicles in the past.
If you buy for the first time a used car, you need some tips. You may buy it from a dealer or from a private seller. Dealerships are usually a safer choice because they offer you a guarantee on what they sell. The disadvantage is that a dealer may offer a higher price than a private seller.
A dealer should provide to the seller a buyers guide, which must contain the following information:- The car has a warranty or not- How much of the repair costs the warranty covers- The major systems on the car to look out for- Reminders to have the car inspected by an independent mechanic
It is recommended not to buy a used car as it is, if you dont trust the seller and you dont a CARFAX Report.
Irrespective of the way of purchasing the car, you have to know who the owner was or who the owners were, why the previous owner wants to sell it. Besides, you have to know what was it being used for and if it has been in any accidents. In addition, you have to know what problems it has had in the past and when it got a tune-up for the last time.
You should read a car history report, but most of the times this report is not reliable. You should ask a good mechanic if there is a proof of an accident.
Obviously, you should know the particular model you are interested in. You may give the car an overall inspection yourself, or a person who is familiarized with cars. Check the doors first as they mustnt be flush with the body, and check as well curious patches of paint. If you smell mildew, somewhere inside there is a sign of water damage.
When you close the deal, make sure to get all the promises in writing. Warranty information shouldnt be omitted. If you buy the car from a dealer, dont lose your buyers guide, for future reference.
Remember, your used car wont have the shiny appearance of a brand new one. This can be fixed with paint and restoration, if it is in good running condition. Even a good wax job can return the shine. Dont forget the headlights when you are restoring the exterior finish.
There is a great product called New Lite Headlight Cleaner and Restorer that returns headlights to their original condition. Cloudy headlights are a safety concern, as they wont work as well.
Take the automobile on the roads you typically travel to get a feel for how it will handle under your normal driving conditions.
My last bit of advice is to go to Kelly Blue Book’s website, www.kbb.com to estimate the used car’s value. Happy Car Hunting!
Tags: Accidents, Attractive Proposition, Buyers Guide, Buying A Used Car, Car History Report, Car Market, Car Warranty, Carfax Report, Deale, Food Prices, Independent Mechanic, Inflation, Insider Secrets, Last Time, Mildew, New Vehicles, Private Seller, Quality Used Cars, Reminders, Water DamageRelated posts
Key Points to be Considered While Buying Cheap Used Cars
Everyone would like to get a cheap used car at a good condition, but before doing so there are many things to consider. First and foremost thing is to ensure that if the car can be used for long travels daily, all the members of the family, as the needs and requirements differ from person to person.
Once the used car selected satisfies the requirements, the search is further more narrowed down to the category of the car like the features, colors and brands. If the person is not very choosy, he will end up buying a cheap used car easily, but if he is choosy it may take time to get such a car. The safety and reliability features should not be overlooked at any cost as the safety of the person and the whole family is at stake. It is good to check the safety aspect in various ways and with varied collision situations before buying a cheap used car.
Once all the requirements of the person get fulfilled in choosing a cheap used car, the next important aspect to be seen if it is in a good working condition, this aspect is not checked it can cost more on maintenance and repairs. There are certain techniques to check the quality of the car. The used car can be checked with the help of the vehicles history or a personal inspection of vehicle to see if any of the parts are damaged, if it had been repainted, if it has any bend or corrosion, if the engine oil is in a good condition, if there is a blown gasket, wear and tear of all the tires etc. The important things the person buying a used car has to check one if the car he is purchasing has met with any kind of accidents or if the car is reported as stolen, all the details about the previous owner, if the mileage is rolled back or not etc.
Cheap used cars buying sources:
Cheap used cars in good condition can be purchased from car dealers who sell used cars or from government auctions or from police used car auctions etc. People who buy new cars dispose their old ones with the car dealers and these car dealers in turn sell the old used cars to people who are looking for cheap used cars. Before buying cars from the dealers it is good to research a little bit on the car values and offers so that the cars can be bought at a fairly cheaper price.
Some people buy cars using car loans and for some reasons do not make payments on the right time. The financial institutions repossess the cars for the money over due from persons, who got the loan. In such cases, the car may even be a brand new one. This can be utilized by the person who is looking for cheap and good used cars. Some may even opt for used police cars, as they may be in very good condition.
Tags: Accidents, Buying A Used Car, Car Auctions, Car Dealers, Cheap Used Cars, Corrosion, Engine Oil, Gasket, Government Auctions, Important Things, Many Things, Members Of The Family, Mileage, Person To Person, Personal Inspection, Reliability Features, Safety And Reliability, Safety Aspect, Stake, Wear And TearRelated posts
Each year, out of all the vehicles bought in the U.S., 41 million are used cars compared to only 16 million new car purchases.
Since purchasing a car is the next financial investment made by US citizen other than housing, it is important to determine if buying a used car is worth your money.
1) CONS – Here is a list of the disadvantages of used-car buying:
* The options of cars are limited, so the search for the right vehicle could be lengthy.
* The buyers have no idea if the car was treated. Used cars usually have worn consumables such as hoses, tires, shocks, filters, fans and clutch.
* Although used car dealers provide a warranty, it is only limited to a couple of months unlike purchasing a new car with full warranty. Certain maintenance on your purchased second-hand car could be more expensive.
* Purchasing a second-hand vehicle would offer you a lower trade-in value.
* The main disadvantage of purchasing old cars is that it has an unknown quantity. Whether the dealer has worked the vehicle to make it attractive for the test drive, the buyers are still unaware of the repair bills, economical issues, and its reliable transportation.
* It is difficult to negotiate fair financing terms on an older vehicle.
2) PROS – On the other side, buying a used car could benefit the buyer in several ways:
* The original owner of the car received the depreciation hit. The market value of the new car decreases from year to year. An average 30% of its value within three years from the time it was bought, so buying their car would save you a lot of money.
* Unlike purchasing a new vehicle with high insurance fees, you will receive a lower cost of insurance if you choose to buy second-hand cars.
* Although buying new and used cars both provide loans, lease, or money-saving the majority of dealers who sell used cars often have shorter loan terms.
* If your investment is decided based on appearance and gas mileage, choosing a used car would guarantee the value and reliability it has provided over the years.
* A used car would provide your dollar more flexibility. Compared from buying a new car that would eat all your finances, buying a second-hand car would allow you to purchase other accessories such as air conditioning that would cost approximately US$200 to $900 extra.
Buying your used car could waste your money if you fail to do your research, compare dealerships, and be aware of the cars market value. Be a wise used-car buyer.
Tags: Buying A Used Car, Buying Used Cars, Car Purchases, Depreciation, Economical Issues, Financial Investment, Gas Mileage, Hoses, Insurance Fees, Loan Terms, Old Cars, Pros And Cons, Purchasing A Car, Purchasing A New Car, Repair Bills, Second Hand Car, Second Hand Cars, Several Ways, Unknown Quantity, Worth Your MoneyRelated posts
While it is possible to get a great deal and a bargain car at an auction, buying a used car this way isnt always the ideal way to buy a car, there are better ways.
If it is your first time of buying a used car or you know very little about cars, then buying from an auction isnt advisable. Perhaps the biggest problem with purchasing a car from an auction is the fact that that you have very little cover to fall back on if there should be any problem with the car. This is usually due to the auction house issuing a disclaimer, which many do, which states something such as sold as seen.
While many goods are covered by the Sale of Goods Act, some of the cleverer auction houses can get around this by altering the conditions of the sale by taking away the buyers rights under the Act.
If you do wish to purchase a car from an auction then it is advisable to visit an auction house several times before actually deciding to bid on a car. This way you can get used to the terminology used and the way auction houses work. It is also advisable to take someone with you who knows something about cars when you do decide to buy.
Most auction houses will hold preview days where you look at the car up for auction prior to bidding. This will give you a good chance to have a look at the vehicle.
You would be wise to consider having a vehicle data check done, which is a service that checks a vehicles history. It will show up really valuable things such as whether the car has been stolen, or the mileage tampered with etc.
Finally, it is essential that you know your spending limit. Dont ever be tempted to go over that limit no matter how good a deal something may seem.
Tags: Auction Bidding, Auction Car, Auction House, Auction Houses, Bargain, Bid, Buy A Car, Buying A Used Car, Car Auction, Car Buying, Cars, Checks, Good Chance, Ideal, Mileage, Preview Days, Purchasing A Car, Second Hand Car, Several Times, TamperedRelated posts
Should I Buy From A Used Car Dealer Or Privately?
Buying a used car from a dealer or buying it privately, which is the best?
Both have their pros and cons and these should be weighed up against the other before any decision is made.
Firstly, going with a dealer you will have a wider choice over the cars on offer, certainly more than you would by going privately.
When buying from a dealer the car will have been cleaned and any faults will have been corrected and it will come with some sort of warranty. When purchasing privately you will be liable to fix any corrections and have to valet the vehicle yourself, plus you will have no comeback if something serious goes wrong within the first year.
Going with a dealer gives you plenty of time to check the car over in perfect lighting conditions; however you might feel rushed or pressured when looking a car over privately.
A dealer usually wont mind at all if you wish to bring in your own expert to look over the car as they will have nothing to hide. However when going privately it could be harder for you to get an expert to look over the car with you.
Dealers also can offer finance often with high interest charges but this still gives you the option of finance which may be beneficial to you. With a private seller, you will need to pay the money in full.
The downside to buying from a car dealer is that the car could cost you more than by buying privately. Also, you wont be able to interrogate the owner of the car through a dealer however when buying privately you have the opportunity to do so.
It really is all a matter of which you prefer as there are good and bad points either way, but the above tips will hopefully give you a better idea of which way to go when looking for your used car.
Tags: Buy Car, Buying A Used Car, Buying Car, Car Buy, Car Buying, Car Dealer, Car Dealers, Cars, Downside, Faults, Finance, High Interest, Interest Charges, Lighting Conditions, Money, Private Seller, Pros And Cons, Purchasing, Valet, WarrantyRelated posts
Buying a vehicle can be quite an ordeal. You have to find the money in your budget for the new vehicle. Often you have to decide whether you want to sell your existing vehicle outright or trade it in. Then that decision is based on if you buy through a dealer or private party. You have to decide what you like.
Should you buy new or used?
Financial advisors say that the best way to get your money’s worth is to go used. However, the decision isn’t quite so simple. There are a lot of considerations.
Start by looking at your finances. If your only option is buying used, then do it wisely. But if you are choosing a used over a new, you have to remember that there will be no warranty of the vehicle in most cases. If the car needs a lot of maintenance, repairs or other modifications, you could find that your savings by purchasing used aren’t there.
Buying a used car is a gamble sometimes. You have to make sure that the title is clean. There should be proper documentation with the vehicle. Don’t trust anyone who says they will mail it to you. Never pay for a vehicle without a title, you could be in deep trouble later.
If you test drive the car and aren’t sold on it, you should keep looking. If you aren’t comfortable with the car, used or new, after driving it, it wouldn’t be a good deal for you. Don’t just buy the only car in your price range. Keep looking for one that will fit your budget and your needs.
When you buy used, you should take the car to a mechanic and have it checked out. This doesn’t guarantee that there won’t be any problems, it just helps you from buying a junk car. You might also consider doing a online check on the vehicle. You simply need the VIN and around $10. You should get a history of the vehicle. For example, we checked a vehicle out and found out that it was in the gulf when the hurricanes hit. It didn’t say it was damaged, but warned of the potential.
Even if you aren’t choosing to buy used — you have to — you should take the time to consider the purchase just as you would a new car purchase. Test drive several vehicles and shop around. Buy car trader and truck trader magazines and search online to see what other vehicles are bringing. If you are looking at purchasing a car from a dealer that is $5,000 cheaper than you have ever seen one priced for, you should probably be a little curious as to why it is so cheap. Make sure you know what the blue book value is and understand the process of buying.
When you buy a vehicle, you are spending money that you probably will never get back in your pocket. Do it wisely.
Tags: Budget, Buy Car, Buying A Used Car, Car Buying, Car Lot, Car Maintenance, Car Mechanic, Car Price, Deep Trouble, Financial Advisors, Hurricanes, Junk Car, Mail, Maintenance Repairs, Ordeal, Private Party, Proper Documentation, Purchasing, Vin, WarrantyRelated posts
The worst fear when buying that great deal of a used car is to have it break down the moment the sale becomes final. It happens, occasionally, where a buyer gets ripped off when buying a used car. Unfortunately , there are people out there that are just trying to offload their junk on someone else. It may seem like a good deal at the time, but later when you try to get the vehicle to pass a safety inspection you find out you have just ended up with a lemon. To ensure that you are not buying a lemon please read these tips.
Private Sales
Why are you Selling?
The first thing you want to do is ask the seller why they are selling their used car. Why dont they like it anymore? Is it not good enough for them? And for that matter whats so great about their new car? Put them on the defense, this way they will have to come up with a quick answer, if they hesitate they may have something to hide. It is best to ask this in person, so you can judge not only their tone, but also their body language. Most people are terrible liars. Also be wary if the seller tries to close the deal too quickly it could be a good sign they are trying to offload a piece of junk on you.
Known Problems
Ask the seller to point out all known defects and problems. When doing your own inspection if you find obvious problems that the seller did not mention there might be more wrong with the vehicle then they are letting on.
Stains, Leaks & Puddles
Look for stains and leaks in the driveway and garage. Rust colored stains indicate a leaking radiator Black or Brown puddles and stains indicate an oil or transmission fluid leak Purple puddles indicate transmission fluid leaks
Proof-of-Service
Ask for all the maintenance records, proof of oil changes and tune-ups. If they dont have it, for all you know the oil has never been changed.
Rebuilt Junkers
Look at all the seams in the car, the gaps should be the same distance apart at the top of a panel as they are at the bottom. Uneven gaps or small dents can suggest accident damage. The paint should match on all panels, and beware of body-kits and custom paint jobs. They may look cool, but they could be hiding damage to the chassis below. Look for over spray on plastic parts, around lights, mirrors and edges of the engine bay.
Remember taking the used car to get a proper inspection by a mechanic prior to purchasing it is the most effective way of ensuring you wont get stuck with a lemon.
Dealers
Dealers may also be purchasing used vehicles from the U.S., and may even unknowingly be selling a car that has had flood damage. Before you even leave the lot, here are some steps to see if the vehicle has had any flood damage.
Flood Damage
Look for rust on door hinges, spare tire, crowbar, jack, metal holdings under the seats, and any other metal inside the car. If you find any rusting in these places, it may have had extensive water damage and it is best to move on.
If you decide to go through a dealership, which is your best bet when purchasing a use vehicle, remember it is always best to ensure you are buying your used car from a reputable dealer.
Tags: Body Language, Buying A Used Car, Colored Stains, Fluid Leak, Fluid Leaks, Junkers, Leaking Radiator, Liars, Maintenance Records, Oil Changes, Private Sales, Proof Of Service, Purple Puddles, Radiator, Safety Inspection, Seams, Small Dents, Transmission Fluid, Tune Ups, Ups