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.

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.

Why a Lower Priced Used Car Doesn't Always Equal a Better Deal

There's an old saying that no two snowflakes 'are exactly alike'. When it comes to buying a used car, that same adage holds true, even when shopping for vehicles of the very same make, model and year. Obvious physical differences that they have include their interior and exterior colors, seat material (cloth or leather), mileage, option packages and engine size. But more importantly, since the day those cars were initially purchased and driven off the lot, their road histories became quite different for a number of reasons.

Pros & Cons of Buying a Used Car Online

For many years now websites likeTrueCar,AutotraderandCarfaxhave advertised their services as a means to buying a used car online. And although that fingertip browsing experience has changed the way people shop for used cars, you can't actually purchase an auto through them. You still have to contact the seller, arrange financing, negotiate a fair market price, physically get to the vehicle and complete the paperwork in person.

How to Increase Your Car's Resale Value

Let's talk about how to increase your car's resale value. According to multiple sources, in the past decade, the average length of vehicle ownership in the United States has climbed to 6.5 years! You might plan to keep your car that long, or perhaps only 2-3 years. But when it comes time for you to move on, you'll want to ensure you get the highest possible dollar amount for you car. Regardless of whether you plan to trade it in at a dealership or attempt to sell it privately, you still want a healthy return on your investment. Who wouldn't? This is what's called your car's resale value. Of course, after so many years of use, mileage accumulation and wear and tear, the value will not be the same as it was when you bought it. (Exceptions: keeping the car long enough to see it become a classic or develop a cult following, in which case it will appreciate over time). However, there are certain steps and regiments you can follow to ensure you keep your car's resale value as high as possible. So without any further ado, here are 5 easy tips to increase your car's resale value:(Do not want to read?Watch a videoinstead!)

5 Easy Tips to Make Your Car Last Longer

You don't need to be a world class mechanic to know how to make your car last longer. It's the same as being... not a doctor, but knowing how to take good care of your health. I'm not a doctor, but I do know that eating a salad every now and then, or doing a push-up or two is good for me. I'm also not a mechanic, but I do know that by sticking to certain regiments, knowing my way around an engine and maintaining a schedule, my cars stay with me for a long time, living out happy and healthy lives. The sense of accomplishment you get when your odometer hits 500,000 miles is unbeatable! If you treat your car the same way, it'll be your trusted steed for many years. You might even get to see it become a classic, like you! So without any further ado, here are 5 easy tips to help make your car last longer.(Do not want to read?Watch a videoinstead!)

Used Car Buying Guide (Video Version)

Not so long ago the sales team at Auto City came up with theUltimate Used Car Buying Guide. Our goal was to educate used car shoppers locally in San Diego and beyond about all the important nuances of the car shopping process to empower our customers with knowledge and skills towinthe used car shopping game. After many downloads and overwhelmingly positive feedback, we decided to revisit the the Guide, this time in a video format with the help of Ariel Levine - a San Diego local car guy and automotive enthusiast. Here are the10 most important sections of the Guidethat cover most frequent questions that used car shoppers ask and common mistakes often made.

Demystifying Certified Pre-Owned Cars

The concepts of certified pre-owned cars offers the next best alternative to buying a brand new car. Because certified pre-owned cars should meet a rigorous set of standards, they're as close to new as you're going to get in the used car world, but at prices significantly below their new counterparts.

Auto City is the Used Car Dealer of the Year!

Dear customers, thank you for your support, amazing feedback and recognizing Auto City as the Dealer of the Year!

Three Tested Secrets for Finding a Great Used Car

Shopping for a used car can be one of the life's pleasures, or a laborious chore. It's a big purchase. In America, and especially in southern California, your car is viewed as a fashion statement, an extension of your personality, and sometimes as a status symbol. But buying the best used car that does all that for you, at the right time and at the right price, doesn't have to be a matter of luck. Here are three powerful tips that will streamline the shopping process for you and make it more enjoyable. You will want to know 1) What you are shopping for, 2) When to buy it, and 3) How to make the purchase on the most favorable terms.

Tips for Finding the Best Used Car Dealer in Town

Used car dealerships may seem to be the same. But when you actually go in and see the inventory, meet the salespeople, and start talking about finance options, you'll quickly realize that not all used car dealerships are the same