Certified pre-owned vehicles are commonly presented as being a better buy, or more likely to be reliable, than your average used car. Of course, this additional reliability comes at a premium, which some consumers are willing to pay. However, once you see what ‘certified pre-owned’ actually means, it may not seem like such a great deal.
The only thing that separates a certified pre-owned vehicle from any other vehicle is that it has very low miles (probably has some original warranty left on it) and has been thoroughly inspected by the dealership’s mechanic (this is done to every used vehicle regardless) and deemed fit for a warranty package, which is added to the price of the car.
Essentially, the warranty comes with the vehicle, whether you want it or not. Although the vehicle inspection may be somewhat more rigorous when it comes to a certified vehicle, it is still done by the dealership’s mechanics, which some may say constitutes a conflict of interest.
Despite the newness of certified pre-owned vehicles, it is still a good idea to have them looked at by an independent mechanic to ensure there are no signs of abuse or neglect.
Remember, pre-owned is a euphemism for used, the same way collateral damage is a euphemism for deaths. Pre-owned vehicles, no matter who certifies them, are still used vehicles, and should be treated accordingly.
It is also good to consider where most certified pre-owned vehicles come from.
They are usually not trade-ins from customers who drive a vehicle for ten thousand miles and trade them in. Most of them are ‘program cars,’ which means they were leased to rental car companies like Enterprise or Avis. Although program cars have low miles, there is no telling how they have been driven or how frequently the oil was changed.
Many people buy certified pre-owned vehicles because “it has a warranty,” but you can get a warranty for any used vehicle. However, some used vehicle warranties may be much better than others, including those that are part of a certified pre-owned package. For this reason, it is important to read the paperwork and find out what is covered, and how things will work if you do need repairs. Some warranties provide a loaner vehicle, while others require you to pay for necessary repairs and submit the bill for reimbursement.
No matter which path you choose, do not overlook the power of negotiation and the possibility of getting the dealer to throw in some extra perks in order to make the sale.
It is also a good idea to compare the price of a certified pre-owned vehicle to a similar unit without the added warranty to see how much that warranty actually costs.
Many car buyers spend more than they intended because of the allure of the warranty and the certified pre-owned designation. However, looking at vehicles that are slightly older, with a few more miles, and adding a warranty, can oftentimes be a much cheaper alternative and be just as reliable as a certified pre-owned vehicle.
The United States Government has huge fleets of vehicles that it uses in the performance of its functions, and the vehicles are replaced regularly to avoid wearing them out, and having breakdowns that could affect the function of the government. When a vehicle leaves the governments possession, it is sent to an auction, that is run by the government, and open to the public. Many types of vehicles make it into the auctions, such as cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, all terrain vehicles, vans, recreational vehicles, and many other types.
In a government auction, you can inspect the vehicles before the auction to find any major mechanical problems that would affect its safe operation. Government vehicles are serviced regularly, so you rarely have any problems with them, and most do not have a lot of miles on them, and are not very old. Some are new enough to still have the factory warranty. When the bidding starts, it starts low. If you are interested in a vehicle that is not drawing much attention, you can sometimes get it for significantly less than what it would sell for on a car lot. Rarely, someone will get a nice car for just a couple of hundred dollars, but that is a rare exception, not a general rule.
Vehicles seized in connection with criminal prosecutions also go to the auction, and a lot of these vehicles are almost new. Some have been known to have expensive custom, or high performance parts installed, which raises their value significantly. If you are in the market for a nice, safe, reliable used vehicle, work truck, or a vehicle for any other purpose, a government auction may be the perfect place to find just what you want or need at a great price.
Amazingly, no matter what car the customer wants, it is always âhot propertyâ, âvery sought afterâ and/or âhard to findâ. Moreover, it isnât a secret; we have all known it for years. Nevertheless, some of us still continue to be tricked into buying a new or used car we really donât want to buy, and at a higher price than we expected. So letâs find out what some of the most favourite and sneaky used car dealer tactics in the car industry today and put them in our diary so we can refer to them when next buying a new car.
Car Dealer Tactic #1
Almost every new car dealership will drop the initial price they have listed on a car for sale. However, be wary of scams, pressure tactics, twists, and turns that car salespeople have up their sleeves. It is in the showroom, when you are ready to finalise the deal, where you shall be worn down by these machinations if you donât have your wits about you.
Car Dealer Tactic #2
Car dealers will never give a direct or exact quote. If they do, they know you will go to another dealer and have them better the price. If you do leave the dealership and tell the dealer you will âlook around for other pricesâ, the dealer will most likely ask you to come back once the âbest priceâ has been obtained. Donât be fooled by this because the dealer will then either match the price, or, worse, since you’re back and apparently ready or even eager to take the car, they will increase the pricer slightly, knowing they’ve gained upperhand this time.
Smart and very familiar, this trick works very well for most car dealers. It relies mainly on getting you, the customer, to feel obliged to buy the car finally, since you have put the dealer to âso much troubleâ.
Car Dealer Tactic #3
Smart car dealers will urge you to commit to buy the car you really want, even before you get the final price. This is irksome and exasperating for customers, but reasonable from a car dealerâs point of view. Now your car dealer has two choices: to give you a quote and watch you walk out the door, or entice you to negotiate. Perhaps you may be lucky when negotiating with the dealer; however, you may never know whether you have paid too much.
If you feel uncomfortable about a car dealer, know that you can always back out of the negotiation, and find a new or used car elsewhere.
Go online at consumer.vic.gov.au, for instance, where you can check if traders of cars and other vehicles in Victoria are licensed and have Licensed Motor Car Traders (LMCT) number. Car classifieds such as OzFreeOnline.com, offer thousands of used cars for sale, which can offer you the best price without the car dealer commission.
Car Dealer Tactic #4
A dealer will make an expensive car the âbetter choiceâ among two undesirable ones. Most online car classifieds online give a price which you can work with, but a regular trick from some car dealers is identifying car models that are âundesirableâ. The problems are common and may be simple. For instance, âthe manufacture date is very oldâ, âthe car has been in the showroom for a very long timeâ, perhaps they are âthe least popular colourâ and of course âwith no optionsâ.
Next, the dealer will run a large advertising campaign based on these two cars, with the price ridiculously below cost. When the advertisement runs, the dealer waits for customers to flood through the doors. Of course, when they do arrive to get the best deal, they are usually told that the cars have been sold and are now waiting to be âdeliveredâ to the clients. Consequently, you will be invited to browse the showroom. And so, customers willingly but unknowingly switch to another car.
If the buyer still insists on looking at the vehicle, if it is still on the floor, the car dealer just points out why this particular car is undesirable, and then persuades the customer to look at a better car. Of course, the trick is to have the customer buy that âbetterâ car and pay more for it.
To make sure you do not pay too much, log in at any used car classifieds sites like OzFreeOnline.com, where you just register, search for used cars Australia wide, and negotiate with the car owners themselves. No car showrooms or car dealers to pay the added price of commissions anymore.
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Cars, Automobiles,Used Cars For Sale, Sell Used Cars, Used Cars, Cars For Sale For Free Cars for sale Classifieds Car Auctions services and Sell Used Cars services- Visit Oz Free Cars at http://cars.ozfreeonline.com
Getting a used car loan during a credit crisis is becoming more difficult. Used to, getting a loan for a used car was rather simple. If you had good credit there was no problem and if you had marginal credit it was still very easy to get a car loan. Even people with bad and poor credit were able to qualify for a car loan with certain lenders. But during a credit crisis these loans are much harder to find. Banks and financial institutions are much more strict on the rules and guidelines when it comes to approving someone for a loan for a used car during a credit crisis. Many lenders will simply shut their doors on people with below average or poor credit.
Buyers with credit histories showing the slightest bad decision are being denied for loans when before a one-time bad deal would not be considered for denial of a loan. Most of the time an automotive loan would be denied because of habitual bad credit decisions, not one-time offenses.
The U.S. auto dealership group, AutoNation Inc., says that approvals for car loans have gone from 90 percent last year to a current 60 percent. Terms for loan approval are going to be much more strict for marginal and even good credit scores during a credit crisis. Some looking for a used car loan are going to have a down payment of 20% to 30% rather than the 0-10% of the recent past. Some people who would have been approved under normal circumstances won’t be approved during a credit crisis. And those who do get loan approval are either getting loan payments for more than they can afford or are not getting approved for as much as they would like to have. Interest rates are also higher than expected, even for those with good credit.
Another major concern when it comes to getting a used car loan is the loan value of the car. Many car buyers opt for very long repayment plans when buying a car, which lowers the monthly payment. But the problem occurs when trying to sell the vehicle. That long repayment plan has made the pay-off of the car more than what the actual value of the car is. You will either have to try and sell the vehicle for that price or continue paying on a car that is no longer yours.
When wanting to get a used car loan during a credit crisis, good credit is the number one priority. Without a really good credit score, the chances of getting a loan with low payments and a low down payment are almost impossible. Making sure you have enough income coming in to cover current bills and other expenses on top of your car loan payment is another important issue to consider. Don’t take on more debt than you can afford to pay each month.
Before applying to get a car loan, take a look at your credit score to see where you stand. The lower your score, the less likely you will be able to get a loan. If your credit score is less than stellar, try saving up a good amount of cash to be used as a down payment. Putting a large amount down will sometimes help get approval since the loan amount can be smaller. A good way to get cash is to sell your current car to a private party and use that money as down payment on another car. If your current car can be sold for $10,000, use that money for a large down payment or as a safety net if you get approved for some, but not all, of the price of the car you want. You can then use the cash to pay the difference.
During a credit crisis, having great credit is the best way to get loan approval, but there are alternatives for even those with poor credit. Many lenders will work with you to come up with a solution for your used car purchase.
When searching for a used car, one of the most important factors to consider is whether the car you are looking for really is worth its tag price. Even though the car may look like quite a deal, it is possible that you are being ripped off. Here are a few tips to help you make that decision when considering used cars.
1. Do a Little Research
When you find a used car that catches your fancy make sure you do research on that car. Find out how much that car costs if it were brand new. You should also look into whether the car is still in production and if its parts are still available. You could also try a little shop hopping to compare used car prices among cars of the same value and same age.
If a price of the car is too low, that should send you into a state of alarm. It is possible that the car is much more trouble than it is worth.
If it is too expensive, you may want to ask why that is so.
2. The Older the Car the Cheaper is Should Become
Brand new cars typically lose up to 30% in their value in 3 years, and by the time the car is 5 years old, it may have lost up to 65%. If you know the car’s original price, you may want to use this rule of the thumb for your estimation.
3. Use a Third-Party Information Service
Car Fax is a good way to find out about used car histories. They offer a service that will give you a detailed history of the car you are interested in. The information included will typically include accident history and insurance data.
Kelly Blue Book is one of the most comprehensive used car value listings around. It would be a good idea to take a peek into their services for an updated list of hundreds and hundreds of used car values.
4. Take a Mechanic with You
A car’s value is also directly related to its running condition. If you are not that well versed in mechanics and cars, you may want to take a mechanic along so that he or she can evaluate whether the car really is worth the used dealer’s tag price.
Some used car dealers will offer cars that are defective and try to hawk them by sweetening the deal. Beware of these kinds of car dealers.
Try to look for a reputable dealer. The past experience of your acquaintances will be very valuable in evaluating a car dealership.
How many times have you heard someone complain about a car purchase? They knew they were being ripped-off but still went through with the car deal. Or how about they fell in love with the car and just couldn’t say ‘no’.
Unfortunately it happens all too many times and is in fact what used car dealers count on, it is one of their ‘tricks of the trade’. Used car salesmen know that the vast majority of people will not walk away from a car deal especially if a Buyers Order has been signed. Ironically, it is our own society’s love of cars that has become a tactic for a used car salesman to make you feel obligated to buy.
It is a simple fact that most potential used car buyers become used car owners because they were unwilling or unable to say ‘no’. The main focus of a car salesman is to get you to ‘fall in love’ with the vehicle and get a written commitment making you believe you must buy the vehicle. Here are a few guidelines to remember the next time you go shopping for a used car:
1.Don’t ‘fall in love’, no matter what. There will always be another vehicle you like just as much somewhere else; even if it is the rarest of the rare, don’t get attached. If you fall in love with the vehicle, you will lose all perspective and you are now vulnerable to the whims of your salesman. You have to be able to bargain and/or walk away otherwise you will lose money.
2.Tell them you don’t like something, no matter what it is. Remember, you are dealing with a salesman and their manager; these people are not your friends (no matter how nice they seem). Tell them the interest rate is too high or your trade allowance is too low; you will not hurt their feelings. The only person with the potential of getting hurt is you.
3.Just say ‘NO’, you can do it. If you do not like the deal, think the interest rate is wrong, not enough was taken off the price, what ever it is, be prepared and able to say ‘NO’. This is the one thing used car dealers count on is the customers’ inability to walk away from the car or the deal. It doesn’t matter that you signed a Buyer’s Order; you can still stand up and say ‘NO’.
Always adhere to these three rules and you will never get taken by another used car salesman again. Think about it, buying a car, even a used one, is probably the second largest expense you will make. And unfortunately, if you get railroaded into a purchase or stuck with high payments you are the one who has to live with it and be reminded of it every time you drive the car or pay the bills. Don’t fall into the trap of losing your head over a car; remember it is a tool nothing more.
When you are looking to buy a used car, no doubt you will be confused with all of the deals that are on offer, and certain dealers do want to attract you to buy a certain car. You should review some tips that are available to you before actually deciding to go ahead and buy an actual car. Through your research, you will find that there are many different things that you will need to remember when you go to see different dealers and compare their prices for their cars. After doing this research and understanding all the tips that you should be looking for, you will be able to easily identify which dealer offers the best value on a particular car, you will also be able to pat yourself on the back for finding a great dealer that resulted in a great deal for your car.You will have probably seen the different car dealers out there that offer different services to individuals; however, you should be aware that there are many so called ‘dealers’ that are not in fact trustworthy and should not be considered. So, there should be a few different things that you should consider when you are looking to find a dealer to purchase your used car.A Dealers ReputationYou should check that the dealer(s) that you are considering to go and buy a used car from actually have a good reputation for buying and selling cars. This means that such dealers should have been established for a considerable amount of time and that they have been working with and have a list of satisfied customers. This track record of the dealer will be vital when looking into choosing the right dealer to buy your used car from, as if they have a good reputation and track record, then the dealer has generally been in business for quite some time and is expected to stay in business for a number more years; therefore, increasing value, responsibility, and interaction with the local community. Warranty is ImportantAs well as price and reputation of the dealer, you should also look at the warranty length and value that the dealer will be offering with the sale of the used car, and these are generally 6 months to 1 year, if not a lot longer. If the dealer offers you no warranty at all, then you shouldn’t buy a car from them, as a warranty is their view of how long they believe the car to last before there is any possible trouble with the car – it will probably mean that they are looking to sell the cars off cheaply and are not bothered about whether you have a problem or not. However, you should also look at the details of the warranty, as you will be better off getting a high class warranty for a length of 6 months that covers a lot of items, rather than a warranty that lasts for 1 year, but covers virtually nothing.The Dealer Needs To Be Committed When people look at a sales job or role, they will often find that the main area is to basically sell something to the customer, with many believing that the salesperson will sell something to the customer even if it is something that the customer doesn’t even want. When you are looking for the right dealer, and specifically the right sales team, you will want to see that they want to work with you, but also want to work at getting the correct car and deal for you; they should make recommendations based on the information you provide them. This will be the right type of dealer who you should be looking for, one who is particular about satisfying the needs and wants of their customers.Friends RecommendationsYou should ask your friends for recommendations of suitable dealers they have worked with in the past, but you should be cautious of the information that you receive from them. Using someone who is recommended is generally a good option, as the person who you receive the recommendation off will have tried and tested the service and rapor with the dealership. However, you should be sure to get at least two opinions from friends on their best and worst dealer, that they would and would not choose to go to, in order to find a good dealer. Resulting from these recommendations, you should place dealers into two plies – those who you will deal with and those of who you won’t. Review Rates and TermsCarrying out a little research on dealerships within your local area is always a good thing. When you do look at a couple of dealers, you will be able to see if they are in competition with one another, and if they are able to offer better rates and terms than other dealers in the area. You should compare warranty policies, charges and different ‘add ons’ that dealerships offer, and this will be of great value when you have two dealers offering similar quality; but, some points will more than likely affect your decision.
A used car that has been taken care of and is up to date in services can be a better investment than purchasing a new car. This is due to the depreciation a new car experiences as soon as it driven off a forecourt. So when looking to buy a used car, and when looking to sell a car, what information needs to be considered?
Meter Readings; the average motorist will do around 10,000 miles per annum. So any used car should reflect this in its meter reading. Some people when wanting to sell a car may ‘clock’ the odometer. This is where there is some tampering with the odometer to reduce the amount of miles it has clocked up. It is therefore a useful tip for consumers to be wary of any cars that appear to have a lot less miles clocked up than what the average would suggest without a logical explanation, e.g. a garaged car or a car from a show room for test driving etc.
The odometer reading, if real, should also reflect the wearing of other areas of the car, as should the MOT reports and service history of the car. These sections of information will provide you with a good background, use and problems current or old of the car. To sell a car a full service history is normally required from many consumers. However, from a consumer perspective the purchase of a used car with a large service history is not recommended. If a car has a long list of old problems then it’s likely to have some more.
From a physical point of view, consumers should take an opportunity to take a look at the general state of tyres, gear stick, pedals, break pads and other points of contact in order to make sure these are not worn down significantly because this will be the sign of an over-driven used car. By far and away the largest risk of buying used cars where there is a lack of history or MOT certification is the worry of a “cut and shut”. A cut and shut car is where two different cars have been cut somewhere around the middle of each and the parts are welded together to form one car. It is noticeable for consumers from welding signs anywhere along the body.
HPI checks should be carried out on used cars for sale. HPI checks will find if a car has outstanding buying a car or used car should be an enjoyable experience and these are areas in which the used car market can suffer from those who sell a car in a manor not becoming of the majority of consumers in the market. As long as the used car on offer has all the information required available then a purchase can be enjoyable and sound.
Before you search for used cars in Akron, Ohio, try to keep informed about the laws that govern the purchase and use of used cars within the state as well. These laws, such as the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Lemon Laws and the law on implied warranties or obligations, will help arm you with better judgment and give you better protection. Use these tips for finding used cars in Akron once you’re ready:
Consider proximity Assuming that you know what type of car you want and the budget you want to work with, begin your search. The key here is to find a used car that you can easily visit for a look-see. If it’s a used car, it’s always a good thing to inspect the vehicle yourself. To make your search easier, start with the nearest available resources. Check local newspapers and classifieds in Akron. Ask around for referrals, look for off-lease vehicles or visit a used car lot to get an idea of what’s out there. Go online and search for used cars in Akron. Sites that sell used cars have an online feature that lets you search by state or proximity to your zip code.
Sites you can use to search for used cars in AkronOnline sites that sell used cars are very good sources of information regarding available used cars in Akron. They reduce plenty of footwork and optimize your time. In just under an hour, you could search and compare hundreds of available cars not just in Akron but also in neighboring cities, take a peek at prices, makes and models, all without leaving your home.
Here are a few good sites to help you find used cars in Akron:
Cars.com This is one of the top sites that people go to when they’re searching for used cars. At any time, there’s approximately over 2 million cars listed here. Finding used cars in Akron is easy because this site lets you search by state. There are also useful resources here that let you compare cars and certified pre-owned vehicles.
Yahoo! autos This site has a search button you can use to limit your search to Akron and neighboring areas. The site will produce links to a good number of top used car brands including Audi, Chevrolet, BMW, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, Infiniti, Mercury, Honda, Hyundai, etc.
Internet Auto Guide The site has one of the most comprehensive listings of used cars in the U.S. It has an online search feature that lets you compare car models, make and prices. If you prefer to choose used cars by brand, the site will show prevailing average prices. Start by choosing your preferred make, model and year, then enter your preferred proximity to your zip code. The search will show all featured used cars including info on selling price, color, mileage and seller.
Automotive Automotive.com has a classifieds section for used cars. You can begin to search for used cars available in Akron by entering your preferred year, make, model, price range and proximity.
When you have found a car that you are interested in you will want to inspect and test-drive the car that you are considering purchasing. This is the best way to weed out the bad cars from the ones that have potential.
When you evaluate a used car, you will want to keep two main considerations in mind. The first is whether or not you even like the car. Do you like the color? Do you like the interior? Does it have enough headroom and legroom? Secondly, you will want to know if the car is mechanically sound. These two factors will help you decide whether or not you actually like the car. If you do like the car then you will have a few more questions to ask yourself. Will the car work well in the long run? Will it be in good condition in six months or will you begin to have to repair and put money into it? It is important to realize that in many situations you will need to put a certain amount of money into a used car. You cannot typically find a used car that doesn’t need some kind of repair or sprucing up.
While you are test-driving the car, take it to your mechanic. If you are seriously thinking about purchasing the car, you may have doubts as to whether it is mechanically sound. Take the car to your mechanic and have him check it out for you. Many mechanics are more than happy to test drive the car quickly, check for leaks, and do a compression check. Then they will give you their expert opinion and you can make your decision from there. They may tell you that you would need to have something replaced and it would cost you so much. It would then be up to you to make the decision as to whether or not you would be willing to spend the additional money on the car.
Before you drive the car you will want to inspect the car. Walk around it and get a good overall visual inspection. Ensure that there are no ripples in the door panels, as that may suggest that the car has been in an accident. Look for uneven gaps between the doors and along the hood. Check for leaks such as coolant, oil, transmission fluid or gasoline. Examine the area where the car is normally parked to look for spots from leaks. You will then want to open all doors and the trunk. Test the lights, controls, heater, air and radio. Open the hood and look for leaks or sprays. While the engine is running you will want to listen for knock, ticking, hissing or whining. Check to see that all the tires have enough tread left on them.
Once you are driving the car, you first impression should be the way that the car feels. Does it fell comfortable to you? Are the gauges and controls easily accessible? Do you have enough leg space and headroom? If it is possible to drive the car when it is completely cold you will want to do so. Some older used cars may have difficulty starting when they are cold and this will reveal any chronic problems the car may have. Adjust the seat and mirrors before taking off and drive with the radio off. You will want to hear the engine and listen for other noises.
Be certain to include these factors in your test drive:
- Accelerate from a dead stop
- Check for blind spots
- Listen to the engine noise
- Listen for how the car downshifts
- Braking
- Cornering
- Suspensions
- Listen for rattles or squeaks
- Be sure to get on the highway and get the car up to highway speeds
Following these key points will help you make an accurate assessment of the vehicle before making your decision.
For more Car buying tips visit Atlanta Used Cars at http://www.UsedCarsAtlanta.us and Dallas Used Cars at http://www.UsedCarsDallas.us.