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.
Driving Habits that Help Your Car Last Longer
Interestingly, many people know why cars break down, but never really think about what makes a car last longer. True, you could just turn the key and drive, change the oil occasionally, and get rid of the car when it gets too expensive to run, but there are ways you can help your car last longer without spending anything extra. Here is a list of driving habits that will help your car last longer:
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When and How to Change Engine Oil
When you get into a new car or used car, one of the first things you likely will ask is how to maintain it or how well it has been maintained. In the case of a used car, knowing whether or not it's been maintained, such as by seeingoil change recordsand other service information, could make or break the deal. When it comes to engine oil, why does it need to be changed? How often does the average car need an oil change? Can you change engine oil yourself?
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The Best Used Cars for Uber and Other Ridesharing Services
If you've joined the growing ranks of Uber drivers out there, or are thinking about it, owning the right car can be a difference-maker between putting more cash in your pocket each month, or not. Buying new is probably not an option for most due to several factors, starting with the higher price of a new car which will jack up your monthly payments. Insurance premiums will also be costlier for a new vehicle, and it will then probably depreciate in value by up to 20% soon after you drive it off the lot- but more on that later. So for most Uber buyers, purchasing new simply isn't practical with respect to your profit margins, which then leaves you with the option of targeting a qualityusedcar for your business.
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When and How to Rotate Tires
Most good unicycles have one, bicycles a pair, and all cars at least four. Of course, we're talking about tires, which serve several purposes on the modern automobile. Tires give vehicles the traction they need to get around on some of the most demanding terrain our State has to offer, from pothole-ridden city streets or rock-strewn trails, rain, mud, or shine. Additionally, air-filled tires provide a measure of shock absorption, smoothing out some of the lesser bumps in the road. Tire maintenance, such as tire rotations and wheel alignments, helps tires last longer. Here is why and how to rotate tires.
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When and How to Change Engine Oil in Your Car
When you get into a new car or used car, one of the first things you likely will ask is how to maintain it or how well it has been maintained. In the case of a used car, knowing whether or not it's been maintained, such as by seeingoil change recordsand other service information, could make or break the deal. When it comes to engine oil, why does it need to be changed? How often does the average car need an engine oil change? Can you change engine oil yourself?
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How Should I Inspect a Used Car?
There's an old saying that you should never "buy someone else's problems". When shopping for a used car, those words certainly hold true, whether it's through a dealership, online, a private seller or even a friend. There are many top-quality used vehicles out there, but avoiding a lemon is so important as choosing poorly oftentimes leads to unexpected repair bills and a depleted bank account. To guide your decision making, industry experts have developed some prudent used car inspection tips for buyers to remember when shopping for a vehicle. What follows are some of their most important used car inspection pointers. Here is how to inspect a used car:
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Why Used Car Price Haggling is a Thing of the Past
Used car price negotiating, or "haggling", is an American tradition nearly as old as apple pie, hotdogs and filing one's tax return by April 15th. For anyone who's experienced it, price haggling can be awkward, uncomfortable and downright stressful at times. There are anxious give-and-take moments between the customer and the salesperson involved, as both sides try to seek an advantage for opposing financial benefits. Under traditional compensation plans, salespeople are paid a commission as a percentage of the profit when they sell a used car. Those commissions are factored into the car's sale price, which is referred to as commission "padding", and increases its cost to the customer. On the other hand, of course, the buyer wants the best value they can find for the lowest possible purchase price. The ultimate goal for both is meeting somewhere in the middle and reaching an agreement that moves the transaction forward. Unfortunately, the haggling process itself can sometimes become downright confrontational.
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How to Buy a Used Car for a Teenager
Buying a used car for a teenager in your life can be both rewarding and challenging. If it's their first vehicle, it means an exciting new world of independence and responsibility. You want to present them with the keys to a car that's fun to drive, but on the flipside it needs to be safe, economical and come with a good maintenance track record. There are a number of places to shop for a high-quality used car including online, a dealership or through a private seller. Getting the most bang for your buck is certainly important, and there are ways to ensure that your purchase will be a wise one for both you and the teen driver it's entrusted to. With all this in mind, here are some important factors to consider when buying a used car for a teenager.
Read moreThe Auto Auction is Where Your Used Car Comes From!
The Auto Auction. When you hear this term, what goes through your head? I'm willing to bet the majority of your impressions out there are less than favorable, that dealer car auctions are brimming with the worst of the worst. Cars that have been impounded, abandoned, repoed, unclaimed stolen vehicles, salvaged and flood damaged cars... the worst of the worst. And yes, there are auto auctions out there that carry these motorized misfits, police or insurance auctions for example. But the world of auto auctioning spans so much further.
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How to Shop for a Used Car: Steps and Tips
Buying a used car can be both exciting and overwhelming, as millions of used cars are bought and sold in the U.S. every year. When you're looking to buy a used vehicle, options out there include purchasing from a franchised dealership, used car lot or a private seller. You car even buy a used car online these days and get it delivered to your door! As should be the case when shopping for a used car from any given seller, there are several important steps necessary to guide you through in order to simplify the process and make the best buying decision. Here are several tidbits of advice to follow on how to buy a used car no matter where you're shopping.
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