Used Cars for Sale: How to Get the Best Deal

Surely, cars are very important these days. Today, we cannot live properly without a reliable car. It has become a basic requirement to enjoy life properly. It does not have to be a brand new, state-of-the-art car. In fact, not all people are blessed with lots of money to buy high-profile, brand new cars. For them, buying used cars is the best option. You may think that used cars are not good enough to provide good service, but it is not true. If you are smart, then you could buy a pretty good used car for you. This article talks about how to get the best deal on used cars. Read it carefully to get the most out of your money.

There are 2 options to buy used cars. You could buy either from private sellers or used car dealers. They both have some advantages and disadvantages.

Private Sellers

Advantages

High-quality Cars: Chances are very high that you will get better cars as they do not have to stay for a very long time.

Better Condition: This is also very important. Everyone wants a car with good condition. Private sellers can help you with that.

Flexibility: Private used car sellers may not have huge collections, but if you visit few sellers, then you will find lots of cars.

Disadvantages

No Return Policy: You may not get any return, so know everything before you make a purchase.

Cash is the Only Payment Method: They take only cash, so if you do not have enough cash, then this option is not for you.

Competition: As used cars are very popular these days, you have to take decision quickly; otherwise, another customer could buy it.

Used Car Dealers

Advantages

More Flexibility: One of the best advantages of used car dealers is that they have lots of cars. In fact, the sky is the limit for them. Even if you have a particular model in your mind, then you may get it.

Less Competition: If you just want a dependable car, then you will get it very easily as they have lots of cars.

Better Financing Opportunity: If you do not have enough cash in your hand and cannot take a bank loan, then used car dealers can help you. No doubt it is a great advantage.

Disadvantages

Chance of Losing Money: Unfortunately, there are some dishonest used car dealers who try to sell cars at low rates hiding their faults. So, you have to be careful.

No Return Policy: Chances are high that you may not get any return. So, you must buy sensibly.

Higher Interest Rates: This is another disadvantage. You need to pay more if you buy from used car dealers.

Now, you know the advantages and disadvantages of both private car dealers and used car dealers, but you need to know how to choose a good used car. Follow the tips below so that you could choose the best car spending minimum amount of money.

Buy Before the End of Any Months: This is a good approach to buy cars spending less amount of money. Car dealers are expected to meet certain targets, so in the last part of a month, they become desperate to sell.

Do not Give Anything Extra: Some sellers might ask for back-end costs. Do not pay anything extra.

Do not Express Too Much Emotion: If any sellers can understand that you are sure to buy a particular car, then he might ask for a high price. So, be very careful. In fact, you may lose your negotiating capacity if you become emotional.

Do not Go for Too Old Cars: You may not get any financing facilities if the car is more than 5 years old. Also, the interest rate would be higher. Always try your best to buy a car less than 3 years old.

Check the History: You must know that if the car had any major accidents in the past and the condition of the Odometer.

Do A Test Drive: You should start the car. You could know a lot of things if you start the car.

Manage A Mechanic: You should also check the car by a dependable mechanic. If he is satisfied, then go for it.

Check the VIN: Get both Carfax report and AutoCheck report.

We cannot lead a comfortable life without a good car. A good car is not always expensive. Old cars are also good. All you need to do is do some necessary home work. This article could be very helpful to you. You could visit popular websites like Craigslist, Cars.com, and BackPage.com to find the best deal. Surely, you will get many used cars for sale. Happy buying!

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4 Car Tips You Should Use Before Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car is a great way for you to save money. But if you do not take extra precautions, it could end up costing you a whole lot more. It is not a smart thing to just walk into a car dealership and purchase any used car that tickles your fancy. There are car tips and advices that always come in handy to help you avoid risks or regrets. Here are 4 car tips you should use before buying a used car.

Get a Report

Before you pay for a used car, ask for a Vehicle Identification Report (VIN). This vehicle history report tells you where your vehicle was bought. And how many hands it has passed through before ending up with the seller. It also lets you know if it has been involved in an accident.

Most car dealers are happy to provide this report to potential buyers. Once a dealer starts to make excuses urging you to take his word for it and buy without fear, forget him and move on.

Inspect the Vehicle

The most common of car advices is that you should always inspect a car on the inside as well as on the outside. Most people just look at cars on the surface and forget that there could be issues with the engine, wipers, tires or windows.

Check the engine, gauge the oil. Is it yellow, golden in color or blackish brown? If the oil is milky in appearance it could mean that water got into the engine. How would you have known that if you did not inspect the vehicle thoroughly?

Avoid “No Warranty” Cars

Most dealers sell cars without warranties. This might be good for them. But leaves the buyer unprotected in case he ends up buying a problematic vehicle. Every seller should be confident and sure of what he is selling. In other words a warranty should be offered for any car you want to spend money on. It is basically a way of saying that attention and free service would be given to a used car in case of a breakdown within a certain time frame. If any dealership is not ready to offer this guarantee, find something else.

It’s OK to Haggle

You are buying a used car, so it is OK to haggle about the price of the car. Many car tips and advice center on the appearance or condition of a vehicle. Once people find a car they are interested in and everything is in good working order, money is paid without asking for a reduction in price. You can always haggle for a reduced price even if you can afford to pay at the original price. Save your money and use it to service the vehicle after purchase or keep it for a rainy day, you might need to spend it sooner than you think.

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Key Benefits of Buying a Used Car

Buying a vehicle is a serious and expensive purchase, which is why you have to take your time and do an extensive research before you decide what car to buy. There are lots of things you have to take into consideration, including price, specifications, auto insurance, and payment methods. When looking to buy a car, a lot of people are faced with the dilemma of buying a used one versus a new one. Maybe a new car seems like the obvious choice, but there are some very significant benefits of buying a used car, related to price, maintenance and insurance, which should be taken into account by everyone who believes that new vehicles are the better option.

The main, and most obvious advantage of choosing a used car over a new one is the lower price tag. If you decide to buy a used one, you can get a pretty good model with great performances, at a very low price. For example, you could buy a used sports car that cost more than $80,000 a couple of years ago, when it was new, for as little as $40,000. This is because new cars lose much of their value the minute they leave the dealership.

Talking about depreciation, used cars are not affected by it as much as new ones are. New cars lose most of their value during the first two or three years. If you buy a used car, you don’t have to worry about it losing much of its value, since it already depreciated a lot when it was first sold as a new vehicle. This way, when you decide to sell the used car after a couple of years, you will be able to sell it at a price that will be pretty similar to the price you had bought it at.

Another reason why you should consider getting a used cars is the lower registration fee. DMV’s charge less for registering cars that are more than five years old, and you can save a couple of hundreds of dollars a year that way. Also, used cars are not subject to sales tax, which, for new cars, is as much as 7% of the purchase price.

Lastly, insurance for used cars is cheaper compared to new cars. This is because a new car is more expensive and has a higher value, and it costs more to replace parts and repair it in case it gets damaged in a collision.

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3 Options for Getting Rid of Used Cars

Before people purchase different vehicles, they have to figure out what to do with their used cars. Options include trading in to the dealer, selling the car privately, and donating the car to charity. Each option has advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice for you depends on your financial circumstances.

Trading in to the Dealer

Taking your used vehicle to the dealer and trading it in is often the more hassle-free choice when you’re buying a newer vehicle. You simply park your old car on the lot, let the dealer quote a figure to you, and then apply that figure toward the purchase of a different vehicle.

The downside of that convenience, however, is that you’re going to make less money on a trade-in than you would when you sell your car on your own. Consider how much you’re willing to pay for that convenience. Also, think about whether or not your car has mechanical problems. If fixing up your old car to sell it privately isn’t worth the difference in price, then take it to the dealer and save yourself a headache.

Selling the Car Privately

Some people advertise their used cars in a local newspaper, sales circular, or online site. Others simply grab some shoe polish, write a price on the windshield, park the car in front of the house, and wait for an offer. Whatever method you choose for selling your car on your own, you’re probably going to make some more money than you would on a trade-in. However, you’re also going to have to do some research before you sell, and you’re going to have to make sure to take care of your tax liability.

The Kelley Blue Book and the National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) websites can be great resources when researching the value of your vehicle. If you’re willing to wait for the right offer, then set your price about 10 percent higher than the car’s value. If you need to get rid of the car quickly, then you can set your price exactly at the car’s value or a little below.

Keep in mind that a car sold for more than it’s worth is a capital gain, and a car sold for less than it’s worth is a capital loss. These terms matter when you’re preparing your income taxes, so you may want to discuss the tax consequences of selling used cars privately with your accountant.

Donating the Car to Charity

Some people choose to donate their used cars to their favorite charities, especially when the cars have little market value. Make sure that you transfer the title over to the charity so that you aren’t held liable for actions taken by the future car’s owner. In other words, don’t leave the “assignment of ownership” space blank when you transfer the car. Also, make sure to assign your car its fair market value, and fill out IRS Form 8283 if your donation is worth more than $500. Finally always obtain a receipt from the charity when you donate your car. Again, since donating used cars carries tax consequences, talk over your options with your accountant.

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5 Tips to Getting the Most Money for Your Used Car

Whether you are selling your used car to another person or trading it in to a car dealer to buy a newer vehicle, there are a few simple steps you should follow to help you get the most money for your old car. By following these tips, you can make sure you get the most money back for your investment.

1) Find Out What it’s Worth

Before you can put your car up for sale or trade it in to a dealer, you have to get at least some idea of what it is worth. There are a few free car valuation websites online that will give you an estimate of your car’s current value. Kelley Blue Book is a trusted name in the car valuation business and provides free estimates based on your car’s make, model, year, mileage, features and other considerations. In just a few minutes, you can find out how much your car is worth so you can set your asking price or trade in value accordingly.

2) Fix What’s Broken

It’s a good idea to make necessary repairs to your used car before you put it up for sale or trade in. Buyers will shy away from cars that are not being sold in good working condition, so consider changing the oil, making sure the brakes aren’t squeaking and making other improvements and repairs to your vehicle before you put a “For Sale” sign in the window. If you want to avoid making costly repairs before selling it, you can offer the vehicle in “as is” condition, but you might have to lower your asking price, since the new owner will have to pay for those repairs out of his pocket.

3) Clean it Up

Something as simple as washing your car before selling or trading it in can actually increase the amount of money a buyer is willing to pay. By taking your vehicle to the car wash, cleaning it inside and out, and emptying it of any trash or other personal items before showing it to a prospective buyer, you are more likely to get your asking price because the buyer will see that you have taken good care of your vehicle.

4) Trade In or Sell: That is the Question

Another important consideration in getting the most money for your used car is whether to sell it on your own or trade it in to a car dealer. There are advantages and disadvantages to both transactions. While you may be able to get more money by selling your car to an individual buyer, there’s no guarantee you will find an interested and qualified buyer. On the other hand, a car dealer is likely to be more sophisticated and less likely to pay top dollar for your trade in, but they are in the business of buying used cars. Whether to sell or trade in your used car is not a decision to be taken lightly.

5) Have Your Paperwork in Order

Having service and repair records and a vehicle history report from a company such as CARFAX on hand can help you get more for your used car. Buyers will feel more confident in paying your asking price if they can see the vehicle has been properly maintained and not previously involved in an accident.

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