|
Used
Car Buying Tips
by: Steve Gillman
Some of these
used car buying tips won't be new to you. Often the trick is just to
apply what you already know. On the other hand, when it comes to expensive
areas of life like buying a car, one new thing learned can save you
hundreds of dollars. Try some of the following.
1. Make a low
offer. Okay, you knew this one. A trick you may not have used, though,
is to make a low offer, and then leave your phone number with the seller.
Time has a way of making sellers desperate, especially after you just
helped convince them that they are asking too much.
2. Be careful
with car price guides. Use the "blue book" etc, but try not
to pay more than wholesale. I can't think of many times when people
I know have paid more than "bluebook," so these "average"
sales prices are doubtful.
3. Talk to people.
This is one of the simplest and effective used car buying tips. Just
let friends, family and others know you're looking for a car. Quite
often people would be happy to avoid the whole process of advertising
and showing their car if they could just get rid of it by giving a good
deal to a friend.
4. Check out
the engine. Have a mechanic look at the car, and tell you what it's
likely to need in the next year or so. Then make a list, so the seller
can see in writing why you are offering less than he wants.
5. Auctions.
See if there is a public auction in your area. If not, maybe you can
go with a dealer friend and give him a $100 to buy a car for you.
6.
www.carfax.com. It's around $25 to run vehicle background checks
for a month - long enough to find your next car. They'll show the chain
of title, accident reports for the car, and even safety and reliability
scores for that model.
7. "Ugly"
cars. Watch for cars that sit on the lot for months. Dealers will often
sell these "ugly ducklings" at a loss just to move them. Again,
you may want to leave your phone number with a low offer.
8. Rental company
cars. They are sold fairly cheap when they get the new ones in. Buy
at bluebook wholesale or less, because they have had many different
drivers, so they've more wear than normal.
9. Repos. Credit
unions and some small banks do their own selling of repossessed cars.
You usually bid on paper, maybe with a $50 deposit, and then get your
$50 back if you're not the winning bidder. If they don't sell their
own repossessions, ask where they are sold.
10. Consider
gas mileage. High mileage may be better, but maybe a car that costs
$500 less will use only $400 more gas in the two years you expect to
own it. Do the math.
Use the tips
here the next time you are shopping for a used car. Meanwhile, why not
learn a few negotiating strategies. This helps in many areas of life,
and is the most important of these used car buying tips.
About The
Author
Steve Gillman
has been hunting down obscure knowledge and useful secrets for years.
Learn more and get a free gift at:
http://www.TheSecretInformationSite.com
|
Powered by>