| |
Posts Tagged ‘Used Cars’
Wed, September 10, 2008 6:28 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
 Email to a friend
 Are you planning to purchase a car? Decided to buy a used one? Holy Christ; its a smart choice. With the price of gas and the state of the economy, shelling out all that extra cash for a brand new car when a used car can be just as fuel efficient and a much better deal is like tossing your cash into your car’s fuel tank and literally burning that moolah away. But you have to be careful as the few lemons out there will leave you with more than just a sour taste in your mouth. Making a major purchase like a car-even if, or perhaps especially if, it’s a cheap used car-requires that you do all of your homework. Remain in control and no one will be able to pull the wool over your eyes!
Here we give ten questions that you should ask a used car seller before you sign on the dotted line:
1. Can you tell me why you’re selling this car? Used car dealerships might not know (but they may know why the last owner sold it to them), but all private sellers you might find through ought to answer. If possible, observe their facial expressions while answering. This will help in knowing if it is true what they are saying. If they’re moving or can no longer afford payments for the car, the car is more likely to be of higher quality. If it’s because it’s very old or has required many repairs, make sure that the price is fair and understand what you’re getting into.
2. What is the car’s mileage? This should be the next question. Car mileage plays an important part in determining the used car’s value. And remember that used car odometers can be tampered with, which is why you should ask.
3. Will you allow a test drive? No used car dealership will have problem in letting you test drive their used cars for sale around town. Private sellers might be more reticent, but assure them you’ll allow them to accompany you on the trip. Test drives are a must for noticing problems with the car as well as for making sure that the car is the right fit for you. You’ll also be able to notice if the odometer appears to be “stuck” or has problems.
4. Will you allow me to make my own inspection? The reputable, used car dealers and private sellers should have no problem with you bringing the car to a trusted mechanic for a thorough inspection.
5. Is there a warranty on the car? If you’re buying from a used car dealership, go for the certified used cars. A lot of used car dealerships offer 112-point inspections and two-year/20,000 miles warranties on low- to average-mileage used cars. Some used cars for sale may come with existing factory warranties..
6. Has this car ever been refurbished or been in an accident? If the used BMW car that’s caught your eye was once in an accident, there might be more damage underneath that freshly-painted coat than meets the eye.
7. What is the history of the vehicle? Certified used cars and other used cars for sale at used car dealerships ought to come with vehicle history reports.
8. Are you the original owner of this car? If you want quality, it’s best to choose used cars for sale by the original owner-unless each owner of the car used it for a short period of time.
9.What are the car’s special features? CD player, navigation or GPS system, leather seats, what makes the car especially attractive?
10. Do you have service or maintenance records for the car? If the owner has kept good records and has followed the manufacturer’s suggestions for scheduled maintenance like changing oil every so many miles that would be a good indication of how well the car was taken care of.
We assure you that if you make it a point to clarify all these doubts while purchasing a car, then you are going to own a simply superb used car.
Tags: Cars, Fuel, Used Cars, warranty, vehicle, eBay, test drive, dealer, seller, owner, license, records
Tue, September 2, 2008 5:58 am By James Coolridge
 Industry statistics show that one third of automobile consumers prefer to buy used cars as compared to investing in a new one. With the demand so high it is obvious that the consumer should be aware of the choices available to him.
To help consumers make informed decisions in the process, here is a basic list of the things to check when buying a used car.
1. Vehicle’s safety features.
Make safety your primary concern. Older vehicles may not come equipped with airbags, child safety seats, seat belts, anti-lock brakes or security systems. Always give consideration to a vehicle with air bags and anti-lock brakes. They will not only make a car safer, but insurance companies sometimes give discounts on their rates for cars with these features.
2. Mileage of the vehicle.
Mileage is a good indication of the vehicle’s age. An average consumer drives from 12,000 miles to 15,000 miles each year. A late model used car is more lucrative and may come with many features that you might not be able to have the funds for in a new car.
3. The mechanical condition of the vehicle.
Check the mechanical condition of the vehicle. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it yourself, have a mechanic you trust inspect the car meticulously and in detail before you purchase it. Fluids, lights, the charging system, the air conditioner, power steering, the engine cooling system, the brakes and the suspension must be carefully inspected for any defects and wear. If the seller will not let you look over the car, do not buy it. Remember to inspect the used car in daylight and good weather.
4. Other parts to check:
-look at the tires, scan for wheel alignment.
-check for rust around the fenders and bumpers, around lights, under doors and in wheel wells
-watch out for cracks, dents and mismatched body panels
5. Compare the prices.
After thoroughly checking the condition of the used car, it is time to find out what comparable prices are for similar vehicles in your area. The actual price of the car is only one of many factors that will decide your total price. You must compare financing rates, warranty costs, trade-in values and processing fees. The various features in the car will also make a difference in the price. If it the most up to date model, it will have the latest features in it. Hence it will be more expensive.
With such thorough research, you should be able to buy a reliable used car which will serve you for many years to come. Happy hunting!!!!
Tags: Cars, mileage, Used Cars
Thu, July 31, 2008 2:09 pm By James Coolridge
 By buying a used car, you can save a lot of money, but remember it can be a bit of a gamble as there are no guarantees about the cars mileage, maintenance or history. So when buying a used car you need to be very alert and careful that you don’t buy a lemon by mistake.
Here are a few points to take into consideration
•Don’t look for cheapest car, the “best deal” doesn’t mean the cheapest one, try to look for a car in good condition for practical price.
•Check if the car has a current Warrant of Fitness (WoF). A car for sale must have a WoF that is less than one month old.
•You will most probably have to spend money on repairs in order to bring the car without a warrant up to WoF standard, so ask the seller if there are papers recording the vehicle’s service or repair history.
•Check out the car yourself very carefully, ask a knowledgeable person who knows about cars to help you.
•Be particularly attentive when doing the paperwork, make sure that the person who signs the Bill of Sale is the actual owner of the car.
•Look carefully for signs of rust on any of the weight-bearing parts, as well as on the steering mechanism mountings. When you get into the car, look under the carpets, the boot liner and in the spare tyre area.
•Check the treads of all the cars tires, including the spare, treads must be at least 1.5mm deep across 3/4 of the tread pattern, around the entire circumference of the tire.
•Also look for uneven tire wear, which may indicate problems with the cars steering, suspension or alignment.
•Open and shut all the doors, the bonnet and the boot, making sure they are aligned properly and move smoothly, also check that the windows open and shut easily, and make sure they will stay open halfway.
Tags: maintenance, Used Cars, cars mileage, Warrant of Fitness, tire treads,
Wed, July 23, 2008 1:24 pm By James Coolridge
 Looking for a used car? But finding it hard to locate a decent one with an ideal price? Don’t worry. You are not alone There are many here on the lookout of used car. A used car is intended to bring down the costs of buying a brand new one. We sometimes see ourselves spell bound to the cheesy sales pitch of a salesman trying to sell us all the reasons why a used car cost that much. Just say good bye to such guys.
Now it is time to have excellent options. You don’t even have to leave the comforts of your home to search an ideally priced used car. It could even serve you for long time. Just go online to check the variety of used car search engines out there. It is as easy as that. Never would have you thought it to be so simple to find the value of a used car. If you still is confused on what you are looking for, then chances are higher that you are lost in the words of a used car salesman. No more need to entrust someone to tell you the value of the car you intend to buy. Just find the value of a used car of any model, by logging into used car search engines. What was your experience with used car search engines?
Here you can literally browse through hundreds of automobiles at used car search engines. Carmax.com is another place to admire. Thanks to the comfort and ease with which the site drives you to the used car of your choice. Set the search preferences to get results only on your model and/or year of manufacture. Also try to restrict your search to your local areas only. Remember, it is too simple to locate a car of your choice, that too with great prices while you are in a used car search engine.
Tags: Cars, engine, Used Cars, websites
Thu, July 10, 2008 9:46 am By James Coolridge
 Any plans to buy cool cars? Wait. Just do slight home works before you approach the dealer. Never forget the fact that cool cars can be a bit expensive. Just think before you shell out your hard earned money. Now we are here to provide few tips that could help you in To help you choose the right cool car, here are some tips for you in purchasing cool cars.
Brand New Vs Used Cars
First decide whether you need a new car or a used one. Like any other thing in the universe, both the used cars and new ones have both advantages and disadvantages. Try to figure out hat you have in mind before reaching the dealer’s doorsteps. The well thought decision will help from tearing your pockets.
Consult Your Budget
Yes, the budget is another important aspect in the selection of cool cars. Definitely, it is a know fact that the used cool cars may cost half the price to the new ones. But if thinking in terms of maintenance and other expenses, the brand new ones are best option. If you are so concerned about prices, don’t go back from the decision to own a used cool car.
Select A Good Brand
Next in the line comes the decision on the selection of brand. With a lot of brands available in the market, this is an important and complicated process in the purchase of cars. Different brands of cool cars possess different features which are special in their own way. It would be always wiser to choose the brands that give utmost satisfaction. Try to read more and more reviews on the cars through web pages, and magazines which will help in reaching a final decision. This will help in comparing different models and their prices making the selection an easy process.
Hope now you are convinced with the details. Now rush to your nearby cool car dealer. Enjoy the drive with comfort.
Tags: Used Cars, Market, cool cars, car brands
Sun, April 20, 2008 9:10 am By Kevin Park
 Internet has now become a favorite hub for the savvy bargain hunters. Shopping online has made it easier for the Americans to instantly put their hands on many things ranging from the purchase of music, plane tickets, and paintings etc. and now, used cars!
Yes, it is true. According to a survey, more than 40 million used cars are exchanged every year in the United States. The credit goes to Internet to make the business flourish. Let us know the reasons behind the boom in the purchase of used cars.
According to John Davis, executive producer and host of the critically acclaimed PBS weekly automotive magazine series MotorWeek, “A two- to four-year-old car today can offer customers much of the comfort, performance, styling and reliability of a new model, and it sells for 30 to 60 percent less than a new vehicle.” He also adds that “cars are better built these days, and the styling is changed less often and less radically than it used to be, so a three-year-old car looks and drives a lot like a new one.”
Another reason for the purchase of used cars is the lesser risks involved in the deal. The car warranties for premium cars are twice as long as new car warranties. The corrosion and rust protection and roadside assistance for used cars now lasts even longer.
Car dealers have also made the whole thing easier and consumer-friendly by providing certified used vehicles, which are nearly equal to new cars in terms of specific qualifying standards. These standards are thoroughly inspected and serviced.
Now that you know why used cars have become great deals, it is equally important to get certain tips before buying a used car. This includes a proper research about the purchase. While you are shopping online, look for the written reviews of the used cars and other information for the consumers provided in the website via which you are doing the purchase.
Tags: comfort, Used Cars, online shopping, new cars.
|  |
|
|
Posts RSS
Comments 
RSS
