Buying a used car is often easier with respect to pricing, as the average cost is much more available (through various online and paper pricing guides). Online used car web sites will often make it easy to determine the average list/sale price of any particular model/year, which you can verify against the pricing guides which also factor in the condition of the car.
There are however differences with buying a used car from a dealer, as opposed to a private seller. Buying from a dealer can have some advantages, as the car is likely already been inspected and certified, with any mechanical problems fixed, and also often come with a limited warranty from the dealer to give you some piece of mind. Many new car dealers now also feature 'Certified' programs where they will inspect used cars (that often come back from leases), and for vehicles that pass a rigorous visual/mechanical inspection, they are offered with an extended warranty, with a premium price tag to reflect their top condition - this offers a used car buyer the most piece of mind for their purchase, but again comes with a price.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
BUYING USED CAR
BUYING NEW CAR
The most important thing to do when buying a new car, is to fully research the model you're interested in - after all, a new car is a significant financial investment, so it's important to be prepared. There are numerous sources of information that you can tap into to get detailed numbers on invoice costs and actual selling prices for the same vehicle you're planning to buy, which give you an advantage when negotiating with a dealer, as they are armed with this same information.
The Internet has become the great equalizer, not only because of the research you are able to do, but also because it allows you to tap into broader competition between dealers - instead of being restricted to local dealers, you can compare prices, get quotes, and purchase a vehicle, from a dealer outside of your local area.
When negotiating price, it is important to leave out the method of financing that you are looking at (lease vs. purchase), as many dealers are trained to work the numbers to try and fit a new car purchase into a monthly budget - this often works to your disadvantage, as the long term cost to you is often higher (for example, you might pay less per month on a lease, but at the expense of the residual value - meaning that you would have to pay a higher price to buy the vehicle when the lease term expires). Remember that there a variety of numbers under the surface that a salesman can 'tweak', focus on negotiating the price of the car first, then work out the best way to pay for it.
Also be aware that the cost of options installed by the dealer are marked up much more than the car itself, so when negotiating a price, you often have more room to move with the price of the installed options than you do with the base price of the car.
Once you have your research and know the true cost of the vehicle to a dealer, it is a common tactic to negotiate up from the invoice price, instead of down from the sticker price. Many salespeople are trained with high-pressure sales tactics, so if you feel uncomfortable at any point with the negotiations or terms, you should be prepared to walk away – you can always get the same car somewhere else, and you should never feel pressured into agreeing to something you’re not comfortable with. If you’re not making any headway with what you feel are fair negotiations, get up, leave your phone number and your fair price/terms, and walk way – if the offer is fair, you might be surprised at how effective this can be, and if you don’t get a call back you can pursue the same vehicle through another dealer.
CHOOSING CAR
One of the first major purchases that most people make is a car. Interestingly enough, it is often considered one of the worst investments you can make, because, unlike other assets, cars almost always depreciate in value.
Think carefully about what you're looking for, as the better you know ahead of time what you need, the more targeted your search will be, and happier you'll be with your choice. A convertible isn't the best choice for a family of five, and an SUV will prove to be a challenge for someone driving long distances or constantly navigating downtown traffic and parking lots. You’ll also need to work out what your priorities are for a car, whether you value looks, reliability, safety, trunk space, status, or gas mileage, to name a few criteria.
After you identify what is important for you in a car, it will make it easier to objectively narrow your search down to specific brands/models/styles. You’ll also want to think about whether or not you want a new or used car, which each have advantages and disadvantages. New cars will typically depreciate 20% to 30% the day they leave the lot, so if you’re willing to give up on the new car smell, buying a vehicle that is one or two years old provides you with almost the same experience at a much lower price tag. Used cars can always be found at any price point, so once you’ve decided on what kind of car you want, you have infinite choices to make it fit your budget, with varying levels of compromise
CAR TOP CARRIER
Millions of Americans and other people in the world will be hitting the highway to see our nation's great parks, camp in the mountains or swim at our wonderful beach. Most family (big Family) face a dilemma: how to fit everything in the car. Families with friends and pets. When there are more people, there's sure to be more luggage and gear. Young people on the go with smaller compact cars and SUVs need to haul sports gear like bikes, tents, canoes and golf clubs.
How are you going to haul all that gear? Let me offer you these tips. First examine your car. Two big assets found on many vehicles are a factory roof rack or luggage carrier, and second would be a receiver - look for a small steel square hole under your back bumper, generally used for towing
If you have a luggage rack, you're in great shape. Generally, factory racks are rated from 75 to 250 pounds. It's important you check and follow the limit. Most any car top carrier bag can be strapped into any rack as long as it has raised bars. If your luggage rack has crossbars running the width of the car, you can also use either a roof basket or a rooftop cargo box. Consider the flowing when choosing a roof cargo solution:
1. Car Top Carrier Bag
are easy to install. Attach the straps to your rack over the carrier and you're ready to go. They fold up small when you're finished. Car top bags should be packed full so the bag material doesn't flap in the wind. The key to choosing a good bag is to consider the material it's made from. Cheap bags are made of thin material with flimsy zippers. Polyester material is UV resistant and a good choice, while nylon carriers will break down under the sun. Dual-layered material with a vinyl backing really resists the water. Good car top bags offer urethane coated zippers and liner systems as additional measures to keep water off your gear
2. Top Basket
offer a sturdy structure to lift your gear off of the vehicle rooftop. Roof baskets are easy to strap cargo bags and nets to, and they offer a nice rigid base with sidewalls. A basket paired with a car top bag is a great setup offering the user much flexibility
3. Rooftof Boxes
are very easy to pack. A roof box requires a luggage rack with crossbars or a sport bar system on your vehicle. They are generally the most expensive rooftop option, and you have to consider whether or not you are going to leave it on your car all the time or store it in your garage. You'll need to pack them full or use a net inside to hold the gear in place so it doesn't rattle around. Make sure you pick a box that doesn't extend over the front windshield to catch updraft. Also remember your gear will be limited to the interior height of the box or the box won't latch shut.
4. Car Back Carrier
A new product called a Car back carriers is a large cargo bag that hangs from the luggage rack or steel car hooks on the back of the wagons, suvs, and vans. It hangs under the rear window so your view is not blocked. Car back carriers are easiest to load, don't require much lifting, and also cause no aerodynamic drag. Since they ride behind the car, they don't get the hard and extreme force of weather like rooftop carriers do. They won't work with traditional sedans with trunks.
5. No Luggage Rack
Some car top bags offer car clips that can hook on ledges on the side of your car and other car top carriers offer special straps that allow you to strap through the inside of the car and over the carrier.
When using a rooftop carrier, remember total vehicle height when pulling into parking garages, drive-through spots, or even your own garage at home