Used cars are not as risky a purchase as they used to be. Thanks to certification programs, the industry is changing for the better, and more Americans are turning to used cars for better value.
Certification offers a way to weed out unscrupulous used car dealers who might sell damaged cars. The nearly 600,000 vehicles damaged by floodwaters from last year’s storms are prime candidates to end up as part of such scams.
As more car buyers turn to certified vehicles, the number sold this year is expected to increase significantly from the 1.6 million purchased in 2005. Besides costing less than their new-car counterparts, certified vehicles also come with many of the same benefits, eliminating much of the guesswork associated with buying used.
Be wary, however, because not all certification programs are created equal. To help sort out the best from the worthless, used-car experts offer the following tips:
Certified by whom? Make sure you know who sets the standards for the certification program and who makes certain they’re being enforced. Look for a manufacturer-backed program-the best people to certify a car are the ones who built it and specialize in that make. Most manufacturers will offer a limited warranty in addition to honoring the car’s original warranty.
Do your homework. Research the makes and models that make sense for your driving needs. Check safety and reliability reports published online and prices from your whole area.
How was the car certified? At a minimum, a car should have a detailed mechanical inspection and a vehicle history report. Carfax Vehicle History Reports are a mandatory part of the certification process for 80 percent of today’s manufacturer-certified programs.
What does it get you? The certified used car you’re buying probably comes with an extended warranty. Make sure you know exactly what this covers and for how long. You can always add additional coverage.
Ask for more. If you want roadside assistance, options added to the car, free oil changes or anything else, don’t be afraid to ask.
Tags: Assistance Options, Car Buyers, Car Experts, Certified Used Cars, Check Safety, Counterparts, Expert Tips, Extended Warranty, Floodwaters, Guesswork, Homework Research, Makes And Models, Mechanical Inspection, Prime Candidates, Reliability Reports, Roadside Assistance, Safety And Reliability, Scams, Vehicle History Report, Vehicle History ReportsRelated posts
What You Need To Consider When Buying Cool Cars
If you are one of those people who are planning to buy cool cars, you should make it a point to do your homework first before you head for the car dealers place. Always remember that cool cars can be quite expensive and if you are not careful with your choices, you could end up with something that is not really worth your hard earned money. To help you choose the right cool car, here are some tips for you.
Brand New Versus Used Cars
The first thing that you need to do if you want to buy cool cars is to decide whether you want a brand new one or a used one. Both brand new and used cars have their own advantages and disadvantages so you should be able to look closely into these things before you attempt to buy your dream car. Always remember that comparing the advantages and disadvantages of brand new and used cars will help you make an intelligent decision as to which one you will buy.
Consult Your Budget
Since money plays a vital role in your selection for cool cars, you will need to take into consideration your budget. Note that brand new cool cars can cost considerably higher than their used counterparts. However, the good news about brand new cars is that brand new cars have lesser maintenance cost compared to the used cars so if you are very much concerned about your future maintenance expenses, getting a brand new cool car may be a better option for you. On the other hand, if you are more concerned about saving money on the purchase cost of your cool car, a used car which is in good running condition may be more appropriate for you.
Select A Good Brand
Once you have made up your mind whether to buy a used car or a brand new car, the next step would be to study the different brands of cars. Note that different brands of cool cars have their own special features so it would be wise to determine first what features you want in your car and then select a car brand that can give you the utmost satisfaction. To help you select the right car brand, go to the websites of these companies. You may also read reviews about the products of these companies. The good thing about reading reviews about different brands of cool cars is that you will be able to easily compare these brands.
Tags: Brand New Car, Brand New Cars, Brands Of Cars, Buy Cars, Buying Cars, Car Brand, Car Dealers, Choices, Cool Car, Cool Cars, Counterparts, Dream Car, Hard Earned Money, Homework, Intelligent Decision, Maintenance Cost, Maintenance Expenses, New And Used Cars, Saving Money, Special Features