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Don’t Get Stuck With a Lemon: Car Buying Tips

August 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Image via Wikimedia Commons

So you’ve found what looks like the perfect used car—perfect style, perfect color, perfect price—and you’re anxious to hand over your money and drive it home. But slow down a minute and remember that it is still a “buyer beware” world. If you want to be sure you aren’t buying someone else’s headache, there are a few things you should do before you close the deal.

  • Use the Internet to check for problems or recalls of the model you’re interested in. You can find information about recalls at the US Vehicle Safety Hotline. Sites like Carfax let you use the vehicle identification number to find the true odometer reading and see if the car has been involved in any major accidents.
  • Open the hood and look for obvious signs of problems, like leaking oil or worn wiring. Perform a basic inspection by looking at the oil and transmission dipsticks to make sure fluid levels are up. Check the date on the battery to make sure it’s usable. Sit in the car and turn everything on and off – lights, turn signals, windshield wipers, heater, radio, power windows, and power locks – to make sure they work. Walk around the car and look at the tires (uneven wear might mean a suspension problem) and check the body for any signs of accident damage.
  • Test drive the vehicle on both the highway and in stop-and-go traffic to see if the engine, transmission, and brakes are working well. Note any unusual sounds like grinding, banging, or any other sound you know a car shouldn’t make.
  • If the owner claims the car has been well maintained or had recent work done, ask to see the maintenance records.
  • Have the vehicle inspected by a reliable mechanic. If the owner refuses to allow you to take the car to have it inspected, walk away from the deal. While having the car inspected, make sure it will pass any safety and emissions tests that might be required by your state. Since new cars are usually sold with a three year or 36,000 mile warranty, if the used car meets those restrictions, it should still be under manufacturer warranty for some repairs.

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Used car insurance rates, like new car insurance rates, are based on the real market value of the vehicle. Your best bet for getting a good used car is to look for one with low mileage that comes with service records, proving that it has been well maintained. Also, remember that used cars are often sold “as is,” meaning that once you buy the car, it and all its imperfections are yours. Taking a little time to check things out before you buy just might save you a lot of trouble later on down the road.

Filed Under: Buying Guidance & Advice, Used Cars

On Site Financing Car Dealers

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Car dealership in Rockville, Maryland (Courtes...

Image via Wikipedia

Finding the perfect car dealer for you can be as importnat as finding the perfect car itself. Many people might be surprised when they discover that they do not qualify for a traditional car loan through their bank. While these people can feel like their dream to own a relaible. late model car are not to be, there are soem car dealers that make it possible.

Some car dealers will offer a broad range of financing options that are designed to put anyone in the seat of one of their cars. This might be bank financing, a third party lender or even financing through the car dealership itself. The best way to find out all of your options is to talk to the sales people at the dealer that has the cars that you want.

These types of car dealers often have more flexible criteria that they consider when they are helping you to buy your next car. While they still require a down payment, these car dealers often offer you a more attractive package of using a trade in or taking a small amount off of the typical down payment that is expected.

In addition, these car dealers take into account your payment schedule for your wages as well as how long you want to have to pay on the loan for your car. A loan with a shorter repayment schedule will result in slighlty high monthly payments but will result in fewer interst rates over the long term.

 

 

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Air Bags And You

July 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Post-deployment view of a SEAT Ibiza airbag

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Air bags have proven to be a big life saver when it comes to car accidents. While seat belts were a major safety breakthrough due to the fact that they kept a person from being ejected from the vehicle during an accident, there are still some people who do not use them every time they drive. Air bags help to protect even these people from possible injury by preventing them from making contact with the steering wheel and the dashboard.

An air bag is literally a flexible bag that is fills quickly with air in the event of a collision. These bags are then inserted into various locations of the car. Air bags for the driver and front passengers have been available in most cars since the early 1990s. Popular places for car manufacturers to put airbags include the steering wheel and the compartment above the glove compartment.

In recent years, car manufacturers have added air bags to the sides of vehicles as well as various other locations in the front. These additions are designed to help protect people in the event that a side collusion or rollover occurs.

Since air bags have been designed to inflate rather quickly, they can be forceful when doing so. Due to this force, it is forbidden that children under the age of 12 and those in child safety seats sit in the front seat if it has an air bag. People who are petite need to make sure that they sit as far back from the air bag as possible.

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To buy new or Used?

June 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Used Car Lot

Image by Hugo90 via Flickr

Buying a car is a complicated process. From the dealer’s lot to the time you eventually trade it in or sell it, you have a lot to think about. One of the biggest questions you have to deal with is whether you want to buy a new car, or a used car. They both carry some advantages, but the choice is ultimately a very personal one. There is no right or wrong answer to this.

First off, there are several advantages to buying your car used. Naturally, a used car will allow you to buy more car for the same price. You can pick up a larger vehicle with more amenities, and still often pay less than you would for a smaller and more plain car if it were new. Used cars tend to be fairly reliable, especially if they are only a few years old. While you won’t have the new car smell or the joy of being the first person to sit behind the wheel, these are small details to some people.

On the other hand, there are also advantages to buying a new car. For one thing, every state has lemon laws that will protect you from financial harm if your new car can be proven to be a lemon. Generally, this comes from having numerous problems early on in its life. At the same time, there is definitely a certain appeal to being able to choose precisely the make, model and color you want, and then be able to drive it right off the lot. There is no right or wrong choice, just your choice.

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Buying a Used Car ? Take Your Decision with Care

May 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Used Car Lot on Maui.

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Buying a used car is far more difficult than buying a new car, since you need to verify the condition and usage details of the car before purchasing it. Given below are some basic factors that can help you make better decision while buying a used car.

Distance Traveled by the Car: It is a well-known fact that distance traveled by a car is a major factor in deciding its condition. On an average a petrol car should cover a distance of 12000km/year while a diesel car should travel a distance of 15000 km/year. You can check the total distance traveled by a car till date and calculate this figure based on the age of the car. If a car has traveled much higher distance than the indicated figure, it is better not to buy it unless you are getting it dirt cheap.

Age of the Car: A car with age 3 years or less can be considered for buying. However, a car older than this brings along a lot of technical and financial difficulties with it. It is better to give up the idea of buying car more than 3 years old.

Original Documents of the Car: Check the original ownership documents of the car to verify the total number of owners it has till date. Also check the car insurance paper and vehicle history to find if the car has been in any accident or have experienced any recurring technical difficulties.  An original copy of car warranty and its RC (Registration Certificate) are also important to show that the car belongs to the seller and after buying you will get complete right over it.

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Research on Used Cars

March 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

In car market, the used car industry is growing very rapidly as it is more convenient for the consumers. As the recent surveys reveal that used cars are getting more popularity than brand new cars, the customers of 25-35 age group mostly like to buy used cars as they want to change it after a tenure of near about a couple of years. The used car industry also got support by some financers to grow.

Some major brands have also started their used car business like Honda, Mercedes, Rolls Royas, Suzuki, Land cruiser etc., and are doing great work in this particular sector. Now-a-days many places of the world like Dubai, Singapore etc. are becoming hub for the hatch back cars and some luxury car manufacturers are also attracted. Big banners like Mercedes, BMW have also started the business of used cars. Most of the people love to have a luxury car but the factor which pulls them back is the cost. Thus, by the entry of these luxury car manufacturers in used car market, one can fetch the dreams at a comparatively lower cost and the luxury used car business will also boost worldwide.

The main advantage to buy a used car is the cost efficiency; sometimes good cars are also available at relatively lower costs and thus are suitable for most of the car consumers globally. For those who want to drive a car for a short period of time and want to change their cars in every short interval of time, car leasing or buying used cars fits more appropriate because of their lower depreciation rate. It is clear from the market research trend that the used car industry is growing day by day and mostly influencing to those who want to change their car every 2 to 3 years. The top brand of the car i.e. Limousine is also available now days in the pre owned markets.

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Used or New Cars

March 6, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Used car market in world is growing with the increase in sales of the new cars. The fact becomes clear as the consumers are rapidly changing cars in few years, they want to sell the older ones and thus the used car market is growing by the time. Before buying a used car one must have to decide the particular segment of car according to the need, as for a small family, small cars are ideal but for a family of more than 4 people a bigger car is a good choice. Thereafter, one must decide the budget after research in the market, the car which one chooses should be analyzed according to their performance. Then one must search a reliable source in the market which can provide you the best vehicle of the similar category consumer’s choice.

There are also some companies which finance for used cars thus, the mode of payment can be easily chosen. Before buying one must take the car on a test drive and should check thoroughly the entire history, performance, mileage and condition of the car. A new car is a better choice but sometimes a used car offers the consumer a great deal. A new car is good but every consumer is not able to buy a new car every time he wants a change in his life. For that reason, a pre owned car is a better choice. One must always enquire off the papers of the vehicles thoroughly before buying a used car. To buy a used car directly from a present consumer of the car is more advantageous than to buy it from a seller as one can pay a lower price compared to sum of money to be paid to the professional seller. Thus, used car is a good option for those who have a lower amount to invest and want to buy a good car.

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Buying a Used Car?

January 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Buying an automobile is a big deal and of course a daunting task as well. When it comes to buying a car, people may have different preferences and choices. Indeed, buying a zero meter car is very expensive as compared with buying used cars. This is the period of higher Inflation and people are struggling to keep a balance between their earnings and expenses. Hence when it comes to buying a car, people seem to be more inclined towards buying used cars as compared with new ones in order to save money.

One must know that buying a used car is not as easy as it is to buy a zero meter car. There are certain things that one must be aware of before purchasing a used car. Like, you must know the place where you should be buying your used car. Perform a detailed research on the basis of your needs and budget to find the most suitable car for you. If you fancy a car then make sure that you know the mileage of the car, its engine size and state, service history, previous owner details etc before concluding the deal. Also check that the car has good security features and fuel economy because these two things are vital to lower your insurance premium and gas costs.

When buying a used car, you may make the payment in full from your pocket and can consider about getting the car loan from an auto loan company. After buying a car through car financing company, you may refinance auto loans after a certain period in order to lower your monthly payments further. So before making a used car purchase, it is also important that you must have an idea about the auto refinance rates that you may get for your used car. Conclusively, buying a used car is a difficult task as compared with a new car but you can save a lot while buying a used car wisely!

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Utility of used cars

January 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

If you are thinking of purchasing a used car then this article will help you in understanding the utility of these used cars. A new car begins to depreciate quickly. In the first few years the car starts to depreciate. After three years of usage the car depreciates majorly and then remains only 60% of its value. If you buy a purchased car then you can save good amount of money. The used cars have a lower resale value than the new cars. Buying a brand new car does not mean that you are buying a perfect car. Most of the defects and problems occur in the first few years of service of the car. The advantage that the customers get when buying a new car is that the car covers the maintenance charges.

In the warranty period the car manufacturers cover the maintenance charges for the car. In the first few years the cars require less maintenance but there after as the car begins to depreciate the maintenance charges increases. A new car might have certain defects related to design and manufacturing which one will not face in the used cars. The reviews for the used cars can be obtained from the Internet. There are number of websites that display the reviews on used cars. One can easily log on to these websites and check out the details of different manufacturers and the reviews of the used cars.

Although the used cars have a lot of utility but there is no guarantee regarding their functioning? Some of the used cars may last for long and some may depreciate quickly. However, the cars that have been used for some time period are considered to be more reliable than any other types of cars today. It is better to buy a used car than a new one.

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