Steps To Take When Buying a Car 9
Jul
Posted by admin in Cars on 07 9th, 2010

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.

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Should You Really Buy A Used Car? 4
Jul
Posted by admin in Cars on 07 4th, 2010

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.

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Should You Really Buy A Used Car? 28
Jun
Posted by admin in Cars on 06 28th, 2010

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.

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Online search for used car 4
Jun
Posted by admin in Cars on 06 4th, 2010

Looking for a great deal in used car with online sites? Now a days automobile market has become so vast that no one can easily find the auto which they are looking for.

Numbers of online sites can help you to find the ideal used car which you are looking for in your near by area. These used car online sites have a vast database of used car which make your work easier to find the used car according to your requirement and in you budged.

The best thing of searching online is anyone can easily search. You can look for the used according to the model, budget in your near by area so that you need not have to travel far to view the used car or to pick it up.

Online sites give you all the latest new about the latest car available in the market which you can read and review of the used car which you want to buy. Before you decide you can view number of used cars so that you can find the exact used car according to your requirement.

Online sites search for used car also help in finding the right used car finance deal for you. Which saves your time and all other legal formalities can be done very fast. Most of the customer prefer the online shopping because you dont have to visit numbers of automobile shops to find the car of your interest and in your near by area.

If you have planned for buying a used car then dont waste your time and energy start searching online to get the best deal in the market.

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

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New vs. Used Cars: What Suits You the Best 30
May
Posted by admin in Cars on 05 30th, 2010

Both the new and used cars have their own advantages and disadvantages. It is the mind set of the people who are purchasing the car. Some like to buy cars only for the sake of showing their buying capacity and their status symbol while some others would be obsessed with buying fancy new model cars as soon as they are launched in the car market. New cars are meant for people who have the buying capacity, who think of only quality of a product and not the quantity, who would like to enjoy sole ownership of the car and who do not want to get compromised with their comfort. Whereas used cars are bought by people who would like to enjoy the benefits of owning a car but cannot afford to buy a brand new car. Such people are very practical as they think that, when a used car is purchased in a good condition it will serve the purpose of the new car and also comes with a very less price tag. Used cars are purchased by people who know the value of money and save money by all means and methods.

Buying a new car is really exciting, but then buying a used car makes sense as lot of money is saved. A new car after purchase is no longer a new car and has to under go depreciation value. As the value of the new car decreases up to 40 percent within three years, a car is not considered as an investment. Whereas when a used car is purchased it benefits the purchaser with a lower value. Money is saved on insurance premium cost, registration cost, financing cost and licensing fees and the purchaser need not worry about the sales tax too.

A used car is considered to be less reliable, as the exact condition of the car is not known. Also when a used car is bought in auctions, the purchaser is not even given a chance to look or test-drives the car, which makes the purchase altogether very risky. There is no idea if the previous owner performed maintenance and repairs of the car regularly. Such cars even though bought at a very low price will end up costing more on repairs and maintenance after purchase.

When buying used cars detailed inspection of the interiors has to be made, as it will avoid any chances of replacement of any item as it costs more. The exterior of the used car also needs careful examination to find out if the car was involved in any accident or damaged in any natural calamities etc. The engine and the oil should be checked to avoid heavy expenses in replacing the car engine. Car should be test driven to see the performance of the car, suspension and to check the brake controls.

There are certain kinds of used cars which are maintained very well, handled and driven by a single owner and which even comes with a lifetime warranty. Such cars are off-leased and sold. The purchaser will be very lucky enough to buy such kind of well maintained, hassle free used cars.

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Key Points to be Considered While Buying Cheap Used Cars 30
Apr
Posted by admin in Cars on 04 30th, 2010

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.

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How To Purchase A Used Car 9
Apr
Posted by admin in Cars on 04 9th, 2010

Buying a used car is a bit trickier than buying a new car although you can follow most of the same guidelines for both.

First, know what car you have in mind. Research the car. There is a wealth of information online. Check the car manufacturers web site, consumer reports and the edmunds.com. web site. Know the approximate value of the car before you head out to the dealer. Go to your bank or to your credit union before you go shopping and see how much money they’ll be able to lend you on a used car. This way you’ll have a much better idea what you can realistically spend.

Realize that there are many different models of the same car. You may not find exactly the car with all the extras you want, or the exact color, but you may find something close that is a great deal.

Most dealers are upright and honest when selling used cars. They offer limited warranties with them. In the case of luxury end cars a lot of them still have warranties in effect when you purchase them.

If you are buying from a private seller ask to see service records. Go online and order a carfax car history report. Find out if the car will be sold “as is” or already state inspected. When you are serious about a used car make sure that you have time to take the car to your mechanic for him to give the car the once over, especially if it’s being sold “as is”. You don’t need to find out after the fact that it needs many more repairs than you thought. You can’t tell just by a visual inspection.

The cosmetics of the car are an important factor in determining it’s value. Cars are generally rated as being in good, fair or excellent condition. However, especially when purchasing from a private seller you’ll find that these ratings vary, sometimes greatly.

Whatever you do, don’t let anyone pressure you into making a quick decision, especially a private seller. If you hear something like “I already have someone else who’s willing to give me a down payment” let the car go. Stick to your guns, and your budget. If you don’t get this car it wasn’t meant to be and there will always be another, and better one.

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How to Find a Good, Clean, Used Car and Pay 5
Apr
Posted by admin in Cars on 04 5th, 2010

How to Find a Good, Clean, Used Car and Pay Less

How to buy a Car

Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our life.

There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste and style, our economic status and our character. Some women even claim that a car is a mans extension of his reproductive organ. One the other hand (the good hand :-) there are women out there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they fall in love with a certain car model.

There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.

In our modern life its almost impossible to function without one and its expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.

Buying a Used Car

The question I would like to bring up here is whether its wise to buy a used car or to make an additional effort and buy a new car.

If you look at it purely from an economical stand point then its quiet obvious that due to the fact that you miss out on the heaviest depreciation hit the average car absorbs in the first two and three years its wise to buy a used car. A car of two or even three years on the road is basically a new car and in some cases didnt even finished the manufacturers original bumper to bumper warranty. (Not included labor :-(

On the average you might save on a used car anywhere between
$3,000 to $8,000. In case you know how to do it via a car dealer that will buy the car for you at a car auction limited to car dealers only (for a couple of hundreds of Dollars commission(you might even get a real bargain. Search: carbuyingtips.com/auto-auctions

Another good reason to buy a used car is the fact you can put your hands on a bigger or better or in other words more car for the same budget as the new smaller car would have cost you.

More and more manufacturers offer “certified pre-owned” programs. Cars sold as certified pre-owned (CPO) bridge the gap between new and used. They are subject to a rigorous inspection and repair process, and usually are covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. CPO cars will usually cost a bit more, but the added warranty and peace of mind makes them a good value.

If you want to get extended warranty look at: carbuyingtips.com/warranty

Where do you get the market value of the cars, thats pretty easy, all you have to do is follow this link: Blue Book – Used Car Values at: cars.com/go/index

When purchasing a used car you should protect yourself from buying a flood damaged vehicle by doing a little research and by having the vehicle thoroughly checked by a mechanic. Rain, thunderstorms, swelling rivers and seasonal hurricanes hitting the coastlines all contribute to flooding disasters that can mean serious water damage to vehicles in those areas.

Water damage from 1999’s Hurricane Floyd ruined approximately 75,000 vehicles and more than half of those ended up back on the road. Tropical Storm Allison damaged another 95,000 in 2001 and Hurricane Ivan left more than 100,000 vehicles water-logged. The numbers for Hurricane Katrina are expected to skyrocket above half-a-million and safety experts warn that many of these flood damaged vehicles also will be dried out and offered for sale. Hurricanes and tropical storms, however, are only part of the problem.

Flooding can occur throughout the year and in any part of the country; however, auto industry analysts caution consumers that the risk of buying a flood damaged car is not limited to these areas. Flood damaged cars are often repaired cosmetically, and moved to adjacent states or even across the country where they are sold to unsuspecting consumers. These floodwaters can cause damage to vehicle computer and electrical systems, as well as potentially causing anti-lock braking and airbag systems to malfunction . World Trade Center Damaged Cars, thousands of cars were damaged in New York City on 9/11/2001. It’s a prime example of disasters having long term effects other than the initial death and destruction. These cars will no doubt be salvaged, rebuilt, sold at car auctions and have their titles rebuilt, most likely out of state.

An important help is the nationwide history data base of the cars in terms of damages, salvaged, lemon, flooded, fraud, accidents, rental etc you can look it up at: carfax.com

In addition its recommended you have a mechanic check it out A certified, trusted mechanic will test the electrical and safety systems, two of the major components that water can affect. They can also look for signs of water damage that may not be visible to the untrained eye.

Car Donation

It is estimated that every year, more than a million Americans donated their cars. Why do they donate their car? Well, few reasons: A. The proceeds go to charity organizations and it provides for the donor a good feeling of contributing to society. B. its tax deductible (Less than it used to). C. The car is being towed or driven away by the company who arranged the deal.

Unfortunately, whether through ignorance, confusion or greed, a substantial percentage of car donors have been deducting the full “suggested retail price” – what a dealer would get for reselling your trade-in instead of the fair market value. That’s far more than the IRS had intended, costing the government millions in lost tax revenue.

The charities weren’t making much, either. Most of the donated cars were sold by the charities for a pittance at auction, and middlemen who administered the programs on behalf of the charities took a large percentage of those meager profits.

So IRS changed the rules last year. From now on, if your car is valued more than $500, the deduction is limited to the charity’s actual selling price. The donor must attach a statement of sale to the tax return in order to receive the deduction. (The charity is obligated to provide the statement within 30 days.) You are not entitled to know the deduction amount before donating your car. Although the IRS has closed the loophole in the law, there is still a way to deduct full market value of your vehicle: If the charity uses the car itself to further its specific purpose.

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Helpful Tips For Buying A Used Car 27
Mar
Posted by admin in Cars on 03 27th, 2010

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.

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Guide to buy a cheap used car 26
Mar
Posted by admin in Cars on 03 26th, 2010

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

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