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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.

Category: Auto City

Will the Pandemic Impact How We Buy Cars Long-Term?

Will the Pandemic Impact How We Buy Cars Long-Term?

When the COVID-19 global pandemic hit the US, it hithard. Most people alive today haven't experienced such a sudden upheaval seemingly overnight. Most of the economy came to a screeching halt. Schools shut down entirely and went fully remote. Businesses scrambled to figure out how they could keep operating. Many people lost their jobs while others continued to work remotely from home. But people still need to buy used cars. The pandemic impacts on used car buying have been profound, and many are wondering if there will a long-term, permanent shift in how people buy used cars. This article will explore how this might play out in the coming months and years.

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When Will Gasoline Cars Become Obsolete?

When Will Gasoline Cars Become Obsolete?

If you live in California, you might have a somewhat skewed perspective on this because electric vehicles make up more of the overall fleet of cars here than any other state in the US-but it's the exception to the rule, and it's still a tiny percentage (about 2.1% in 2018). In most places throughout the US, there are very few non-gasoline cars. Sure, you'll see plenty of hybrids, but those are still running on gasoline much of the time, typically supplemented by a beefier battery that gets recharged off braking energy or plug-in power charging. Very few vehicles on the road don't use any gasoline (or diesel fuel) at all. So when will gasoline cars become obsolete? Or will they ever become obsolete? Let's see what we can find out!

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Where Did All the Used Cars Go?

Where Did All the Used Cars Go?

Here's a scenario we've been hearing a lot of people tell us about lately: Some time after the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic hit the US, you realized you need to replace your vehicle. You were nervous about the health and safety risks of being exposed to the virus by interacting with private sellers, so you started looking around at dealership website since you knew they were taking lots of extra precautions to keep people safe. But you were surprised to find out there didn't seem to be a very extensive selection at the first website you visited. Then you went to another that seemed to have even fewer cars. Several more dealer websites later, each with a disappointing inventory to browse, you found yourself asking this question: Where did all the used cars go? In this article we'll describe what happening in many used car markets across the nation, and what it means for you as a used car shopper.

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The Risks of Remote Car Buying

The Risks of Remote Car Buying

The rise of remote car buying was well on its way even before the novel coronavirus outbreak. But with the COVID-19 global pandemic in full swing, more people than ever are interested in finding ways to buy what they need without leaving home, and that includes cars. While distance car buying had its issues and risks, even more people will now experience first-hand all the different ways it can wrong.

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8 Benefits of Buying an Electric Car

8 Benefits of Buying an Electric Car

As the electric car becomes more common, it's easy to forget that there was an earlier attempt to make it happen, back in 1990s. The technology wasn't as good back then, so they had a limited range (80-100 miles), which is why they simply didn't catch on back then. The good news these days is that the electric car is starting to gain in popularity, which means you can enjoy these 8 benefits of buying an electric car:

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4 Things That Can Go Wrong with Online Used Car Shopping

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.

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What Aftermarket Products are Actually Worth it when Buying a Car?

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.

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How to Become an Educated Car Shopper

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.

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Used vs New Cars in 2019

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!

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Do We Really Need Car Dealers?

Do We Really Need Car Dealers?

People love to hate used car salesmen and used car dealerships. Heck, plenty of people like to hate new-car dealerships as well. Anyone who has ever felt like they got "ripped off" or pressured into something they didn't really need or want probably has a pretty low opinion of the car-selling industry. And this kind of begs the question - Aren't car dealerships becoming obsolete? The short answer is no. Here's why:

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