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
Everyone wants to buy a new car apart from providing pleasure it also improves the standard of living of a person. The growing models of new cars are making more and more difficult for a person to choose the best of the lot. Firstly understand which one is better for you leasing or buying. If you are planning to buy a new car soon update yourself with the automated information available on the internet. It would be a better option if you purchase your car through a new car dealer.
The best time to buy a new car would probably be September and October this is the time when the new models cars arrive. Even if you have already decided the type of vehicle you will buy, make yourself 100% confident about the vehicle. A buyer is said to be in a key position during the entire buying process. Hence it is very important to be well informed about the product even before entering into dealership. You need to keep in mind certain points before you buy the car from a new car dealer.
The following tips will help you to take proper decision before you buy your dream car.
1) How much can you afford: This is the most important decision you need to make even before selecting the vehicle. Money plays a very important role hence analyzing your budget is very important.
2) Shop and get the best rates and models from different dealers and compare them to find out the best which suits you. Also check out for information on the internet regarding the features and the prices of new vehicles.
3) Find out whether the amounts quoted are before or after the rebate is deducted.
4) Order a new car if you are not happy with the dealers lot. Make sure you make the best decision even though there is a delay. You can also bargain by 10% to 20% as dealers usually tend to add his incentives in the invoice price. Always remember that the dealer pays the factory invoice price to the manufacturer.
5) While purchasing a new car always consider an alternative fuel vehicle as your main commuting car. Another important consideration would be to check how much of the vehicle can be recycled once it has lived its usefulness.
6) Always be cautious about the add-ons the dealer might force you to buy. They are specially designed by the dealers to earn that extra income.
7) Always remember that the manufacturer usually offers a guarantee of 36 months with the automobile. However the dealer might defraud you to buy the warranty you already have.
Finally remember that all new car dealers are not scammers. Out of one million people who work for dealership most of them are honest, hardworking and reliable. You need to do a little car research if you want to get the best possible car at a reasonable price. If you are not happy with the dealers lot you are free to walk away.
Did u know?
According to Consumer Reports, only 69 percent of women thoroughly research car prices before they buy, compared to 86 percent of men.
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North American motorists have gotten used to paying $20-$25,000 or more for their new vehicles. Long gone are the days when sub $10,000 cars ruled the highways, with few cars available for under $15,000 these days. All of that will be changing as the pending introduction of cheap cars from China as well as imports from Mexico and other third world nations will reshape the automotive landscape. Will you buy one of these bargain brands or will you stick with one of the trusted names? Lets step forward a few years to look at a radically changed automotive market and just what it may have to offer to you, the value conscious consumer.
If you follow automotive press reports then likely you have heard talk of cheaply priced cars from China being imported to the US and Canadian markets. At prices reported to be as low as US$ 6500, these cars have created a lot of buzz and have raised concern about the entire automotive industry, domestic and foreign. One big question asked includes this: how will domestic manufacturers be able to compete price wise? Well, prices wont be quite as low as first reported once certain safety and anti-pollution measures are added in; instead the final starting price will likely be in the neighborhood of US$ 8500.
Regardless of exactly where the final starting prices are set, an economic tsunami could hit in short order.
Two of Chinas top brands, Chery and Geely, are reportedly preparing to export cars to the US in 2008. Both manufacturers produce several lines of vehicles, but current manufacturing output is limited. Expect no more than 200,000 of these vehicles for the first few years, but maybe millions more once additional capacity has been brought online.
In India, several manufacturers have been quietly expanding capacity to serve the burgeoning Indian market. One manufacturer, Tata Motors, even has pledged to build a car starting at US$ 2000. Thats no typo two thousand dollars for a new car! The last car that sold at this price in the US was the VW Beetle. Of course, you have to go back to the late 1960s to find a new Beetle at that price.
Will Tata and other Indian automakers export their cars to the U.S.? Given the current state of the Indian auto industry, likely this will not happen for some time. Capacity is expanding, but it is barely keeping up with domestic demand. Plus, each model would have to undergo extensive upgrades in order to conform to strict U.S. emissions, safety, and quality standards. Yet, the possibility of a car that will greatly undercut Chinese models in price is intriguing.
Dont think for a moment that leading world automakers will take these challenges lying down. Ford is proposing to build a sub-$10,000 vehicle in Mexico; GM is tapping its South Korean arm Daewoo for additional low cost models; and DaimlerChrysler is shopping around for a partner to help build it own super cheap people mover for around the same price.
Toyota, Honda, and several other Asian manufacturers will be sure to respond. With factories scattered across the globe, each company can pull a model from one factory and ship it to the U.S. to compete. Already, Honda and Toyota are offering cars at around $12,000 or less and each of these models could retail for much less if they are built in countries where wage levels are very low.
So, what does all of this mean for consumers? Well, you arent likely to see an across the board drop in automobile prices, but you probably will see the end to sticker shock the phenomenon that has stunned new car buyers for the past generation. What you may find is this: $60,000 Lexus and $6000 Scions being sold side by side. A huge difference in price, but something that the North American auto enthusiast may find to be commonplace.
Tags: American Motorists, Automotive Industry, Automotive Market, Buzz, Canadian Markets, Cheap Cars, Chery, Conscious Consumer, Domestic Manufacturers, First Few Years, Geely, Highways, Last Car, Low Priced Cars, New Car, New Vehicles, Pollution, Tata Motors, Third World Nations, Two Thousand Dollars