April 19, 2010

A used car is also known and called as a pre-owned vehicle. This could be a car, an SUV, a pickup truck, or whatever vehicle that has already been owned by a person. However, for some reason that owner has sold it back to a dealership. If you are thinking of buying that one, then you are buying a used car.

Jerry Christopher has been working in the automotive industry for more than two decades. He says even when buying a used car, there are myths that one should be cautious about. After all, he also would like everybody else to get their fair share of the money they are spending on a used vehicle.

One myth that Christopher is talking about is that most people think that they should buy a used car that comes from a brand that has been known for making quality vehicles. However, this automobile expert says that even the best model or best make of cars would not be a good buy if the previous owner did not know how to properly maintain it. Sooner or later, as the buyer, you might be experiencing major problems with it that would only cost you much on your pocket.

Aside from this, another myth that people scouting for a used vehicle believe in is that once the previous owner of the used car has provided them with the vehicles maintenance records, they would be safe from any kind of future problems regarding the vehicles performance. However, Christopher says that there are documents that could be fraudulent and fake. He claims that there are dishonest owners who would falsify their records so as to show that they did take good care of the vehicle even if the vehicle did not receive any kind of maintenance during the period that it was under their ownership.

What is best to be on the alert about any potential signs of dishonesty on the sellers end. Aside from this, you should also be ready by knowing the right amount of information on vehicles and their maintenance.

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March 7, 2010

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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November 19, 2009

Used Car Auctions are the Best Deals Money can Buy

Cars have become a crucial part of life. Many people are found of having different cars in fact for many it has became a style statement. They love to keep as many as models as they can. They even dont mind to buy the used or a pre-owned vehicle. For this purpose the best place to buy used cars is through the General Services Administration (GSA). GSA is a federal agency that offers vehicles in auction. The cars are acquired through Government agencies such as IRS, DEA, FBI and the police departments through seized and foreclosure laws and auctioned off to the general public. These cars are listed and sold at up to 95% off of their original values and sometimes, these auctions may start from $100 only. The cars are sold very quickly as their storage costs are very high.

Now the questioned rose why government sell it own vehicles? And the answer to the question is that the us government sell their own vehicle due to regular change in policies or due to the financial concerns or technological changes, At these times, the vehicles are written off the books by selling out to the general public. Government Vehicles may come from several different sources. Generally, a vehicle can only be sold at a government auction if it is purchased under a federal or state government contract. To appreciate the numbers of vehicles up for the auction in this way, one needs to think of the long list of the different departments and levels of government in the US. Some of the sources of these used vehicles include the Federal Government, State Government, Local Councils organizations, Police Services / departments (incl. Sheriffs/Marshalls Dept.), Fire & Emergency Services, Religious Groups & other Non-profit Organizations, Universities & other Education Organizations, as well as Hospitals & Ambulance Services. Thousands of repossessed and seized vehicles are also auctioned off at these auctions. Moreover, Government and Police auctions are considered more authentic in the country.

A large number of approximately new cars get forfeited or seized by the financial institutions everyday from people who fail to pay their car mortgage or lease costs. These cars are also auctioned off in a hurry, because the rate of accumulating the cars compensates the banks’ ability to get the lost money back (similar to the police auctions, etc.).

These auctions are thus the best place for people with access to straight sources to acquire a used car at offers that look unbelievably cheap to an average car buyer. However, this is real and is taken advantage by many car dealers.

However not everyone can buy cars in this manner as this source of revenue is protected for the majority of car dealerships and not journalized. The general masses might have to go through the dealer or a classified ads routine. However, several organizations have gathered enough information and access rights to be able to let their members enjoy a multitude of the direct sources, whereby one can find their next vehicle with up to 90% savings off the book value price. Buying a car can be a difficult and stressful process but GAS makes it enjoyable and fun experience.

One just needs to go to the police or government department of cheap used car auction. Before setting his maximum bid for sale, it is essential to look at the condition of car and to do the preliminary investigation.

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What The New California Car Buyers Bill of Rights Means To You

Beginning on July 1, 2006, California granted its car-buying residents a new set of protections under the Car Buyers Bill of Rights. Not only will these new rights change the way cars are bought and sold in California, they’re already spreading across the country and being adopted by other states as well.

The protections under the new law apply to vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs) purchased in California for personal use from a dealer/dealership. They do not apply to private sales, out of state purchases, commercial vehicles, RVs and motorcycles.

What are the protections?

1. The Two Day Return

Used car buyers now have the opportunity to protect themselves with a two-day return option. This is designed to help buyers who may not have had the time to have the vehicle properly inspected by a mechanic, for those who are purchasing a car “as is,” or for those car buyers who might have succumbed to the pressure to buy on the spot.

There are a few limits on the two-day return protection. First, the option only applies to used vehicles purchased through a dealership for personal use that cost $40,000 or less. Second, the dealership can charge you for this option (anywhere from $75 to $400, plus a restocking fee, all depending on the price of the vehicle). Additionally, the vehicle must be returned within two days, having been driven fewer than 250 miles, and be in the same condition as when it was purchased.

2. Trade-Ins

With the two-day return option, the dealer is required to hold onto your trade-in until the option expires. If the dealer sells your trade-in early, you’re entitled to the vehicle’s fair market value or the price listed in the cancellation agreement, whichever is more.

3. Certified Used Cars

In the past, any used car that a dealer has had inspected by a mechanic could be advertised as a “certified pre-owned vehicle.” This is no longer the case. Dealers can no longer advertise (or sell) certain problem cars as “certified pre-owned vehicles.”

4. Seller Disclosures

Under the new law, auto dealers must provide the following in writing:

a. The price of the vehicle without extra options and add-ons.

b. The specific price for add-ons, such as anti-theft devices, fabric protection, extended service contracts and “gap” insurance.

c. A copy of your credit score if you’re getting a loan through the dealership. Your credit score will range from 300 to 900, and reflect your credit worthiness as primarily determined by the timeliness of your past loan payments. If your credit score is high enough, you can often benefit from lower interest rates.

5. Limit On Interest Rate Markups

It’s a common practice in the industry for auto lenders to pay dealers an incentive for getting buyers to pay a higher interest rate than they should be paying, according to their credit history. This additional boost in the interest rate is referred to as a “markup.” The new California Car Buyers Bill of Rights limits the markup a dealer can receive from a lender to a maximum of 2.5% for loans up to 60 months and to 2% for longer loans.

The New California Car Buyers Bill of Rights is designed to make it safer for you to purchase your next used vehicle through a dealership without fear that you’re going to get stuck with something you either don’t want or something that doesn’t live up to its advertising. Knowing your rights can save you both months of headaches and significant money, but only if you take advantage of them.

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