The Used Car Blog
We want consumers everywhere to feel confident about their ability to engage in the used car process on their own terms. We’re going to be posting articles about every aspect of buying used cars, from giving you tips on how to judge the condition of a used car to knowing your way around financing options to what you should look for when test driving a vehicle.
Used Car Buying Then and Now
Anyone younger than 30 might not realize how much things have changed around used car buying. For those who are Millennials or younger, we've assembled this used car buying and then and now so you can fully appreciate how much easier your life is these days when it's time to buy your next used car.
Read more
Fuel Economy Fact and Fiction
The highest prices for gasoline are almost always being paid by drivers in the state of California. Right now the average price of gasoline in the state is around $3.80/gallon, though it's well above $4/gallon in Los Angeles. Lots of people are looking for ways to get more miles out of every gallon of gas they buy. But this is when you need to bust myths and learn the truth. This article will separate fuel economy fact from fiction so you know what really works.
Read more
4 Things That Can Go Wrong with Online Used Car Shopping
Ordering stuff online that you know you'll always use on a regular basis makes sense, like your favorite brands of personal care products (shampoo, deodorant, soap, toothpaste, shaving products, and so on). You know what you like and you can search online for special deals and free shipping when you buy in bulk - all on your favorite device and without leaving the comfort of your home. But what about used car shopping online? The number of companies doing this keeps growing, but we strongly recommend thinking twice before taking the plunge. Here are 4 things that can, and often do, go wrong with online used car shopping.
Read more
The Quick and Dirty "How to Maintain Your Car" Guide
So, you bought a car. Congratulations, you're well on your way to increased freedom and mobility! It's a great feeling starting out in a new car or used car - everything is new, or at least new to you. Still, if you don't maintain your car, those good feelings won't last very long, as neglected and abused cars quickly degrade. If you don't take care of your car, performance will suffer, fuel economy will plummet, and it'll cost you more to drive. A neglected car could even become unsafe for you and those around you. Fortunately, maintaining your car isn't all that difficult. Indeed, it starts before you even turn the key, educating yourself on how to maintain your car.
Read more
What Aftermarket Products are Actually Worth it when Buying a Car?
There are two major types of aftermarket products that can be added to whatever car you purchase. One set of aftermarket products are those offered by the dealership where you're buying your car, the cost of which are typically rolled into your finance contract. The other kind of aftermarket products are all the different things you can buy on your own to personalize your vehicle or improve it to your liking. We'll take a look at both kinds of aftermarket products to identify ones we think can be worth it and those that are a waste of your hard-earned money.
Read more
How to Become an Educated Car Shopper
Auto City launchedThe Used Car Blogin July 2016 in order to start a revolution in the used car industry. The goal of our effort is simple:To help anyone become an educated car shopper. Why is this part of our mission? We know many used car dealerships and used car salespeople have created bad reputations by engaging in all kinds of bad practices. Meanwhile, people buying cars privately from their owners have also had all manner of nightmarish experiences.
Read more
Modern Car Quality: They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To. Or Do They?
When you see a post on social media about someone experiencing some kind of product failure, someone will inevitably respond by commenting, "They don't make 'em like they used to." Whether you're talking about toasters, computers, dryers, televisions, refrigerators or just about any other product you can think of, people often feel the quality is not just lower than it should be, but is lower than it was "back in the day." But what about vehicle quality? Are cars getting better or worse? Let's find out!
Read more
What Exactly is the Check Engine Light?
In the movies featuring airplanes, the "flashing red warning light" is a thematic indicator that "something has gone wrong" and "the hero must save the day." Granted, a warning light in the real world doesn't usually mean your life is at stake, but the check engine light (CEL) can be worrying, particularly if everything else seems to be working fine. What exactlyisthe check engine light or malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)?
Read more
Car Maintenance of the Future: Disrupting Car-Care
Cars have changed in all kinds of profound ways in past couple decades thanks to the tireless forward march of technological change. There was a time when a lot more people performed many regular car maintenance tasks themselves, and even handled minor repairs as well. But nowadays cars have become so technologically advanced and complicated that very few people feel like they can engage in DIY vehicle maintenance or repairs. In this article, we gaze into our crystal ball to see what the future holds for car maintenance and repairs, and how it will impact you as a car owner.
Read more
Used vs New Cars in 2019
If you need to replace a car in 2019, should you buy used or new? The used vs new debate is one that has been around for decades in terms of the basics and we already posted an extensive blog post onnew versus used cars. New cars take a major hit on depreciation for their first several years. Used cars run the risk of saddling you with higher maintenance and repair costs. But what about the big picture in 2019? What's happening in the larger auto market that might influence whether you choose used or new? Read on to find out!
Read more
