The main thing that drives this industry is the money savings people can take advantage of when buying used instead of buying new. A new car immediately loses value the second you drive it off the lot. Let other people take that loss in value by buying a certified pre-owned car.
A common misconception is that used cars carry much more problems than buying brand new from a dealership. This isn't true considering all the checks and measures your used car lot takes to make sure the car that they are selling is completely suitable and in perfect working order. In many cases these used vehicles still have an existing warranty on them, or you have the option of purchasing a warranty to make you feel confident you won't have any costly repairs down the road.
One major benefit a used car dealership presents to people is budget options. People can choose from highly expensive cars to very affordable economical cars on the same lot. This simply gives customers more options, and people really like to have these types of options. A used car dealership can also save people from taking many trips to many different dealerships because they carry different brand named vehicles at all times.
Customer service is a major consideration when it comes to the employees and owners of a used car dealership. Their mission is to find the right car, for the right person, and sell it to them at the right price. If their customers aren't happy, they will lose business. This is why these types of dealerships are much friendlier than corporate owned new car lots.
Used cars simply save people money. This savings can be from the overall price of the car, and the insurance cost of a car. Used cars are cheaper on insurance than when you buy brand new. There is also more room in the price a vehicle to haggle with, instead of paying the brand new car premium that other dealerships have.
If you are in the market for a new vehicle, you should take a second glance at cars that are used. Many cars for sale that are used come off a lease, which means low miles and that it was highly maintained. This presents the best buy for a customer. No matter what your budget is, or what type of vehicle you are in the market for, a used car lot has the best chance of suiting your needs.
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Feb 19, 2012
Finding Used Cars for Sale Online
Used car listing websites
There are many good car listing websites. One such website is Finding Motors which offer the option of viewing used cars for sale by make, body type, price range, fuel type and gearbox. Prospective buyers can also do localised searches to find a car that they can purchase near home. This website deals with U.K. used car sales.
When viewing used car sales online potential buyers can view photographs and also email the car dealer or owner with questions regarding the car. This is a much more efficient method than having to go and meet the person to discuss the vehicle when you are just at the perusing stage. Of course, if you do intend to buy the car from the classified advertising site, it is very important to meet the seller, view and test drive the car, and possibly bring along a car mechanic to check that everything is in proper working order.
Car dealership's websites
Some car dealers offer incentives to customers who search their websites before purchasing from the actual dealership, such as giving online discount. This also enables prospective buyers to view a car dealership's current stock online and determine if their showroom is worth a visit or not. Having customers who have already checked out their used cars for sale online cuts down on the dealer's time and manpower as well. Online advertisements also give car dealers much greater coverage of the second hand cars they are trying to sell and widens their range of customers, potentially bringing them a lot more business.
Online research
Another significant advantage of the Internet when checking second hand cars for sale, is the ability to acquire a large amount of information in a short space of time. You can obtain a detailed report of the vehicle by submitting the vehicle identification number to Carfax. This will supply you with information on the car's owners, any accidents and any major mechanical issues. This equips you with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision so you select the best car for your budget and needs. Obtaining the same information offline can take up to two weeks.
Save time and money
With reliable websites that advertise used cars for sale, there is no longer the need to solely rely on the time-consuming method of going round car dealers and pouring over newspaper advertisements. You can use online tools to narrow the search to your preferences of make, model, price, fuel type etc and conduct most of your research and correspondence with the seller online. Having gathered a large amount of information on the car you would like to buy and other comparable types of used cars can also give you bargaining power. The seller will be aware that you know a lot about the car as well as the value of similar used cars.
There are many good car listing websites. One such website is Finding Motors which offer the option of viewing used cars for sale by make, body type, price range, fuel type and gearbox. Prospective buyers can also do localised searches to find a car that they can purchase near home. This website deals with U.K. used car sales.
When viewing used car sales online potential buyers can view photographs and also email the car dealer or owner with questions regarding the car. This is a much more efficient method than having to go and meet the person to discuss the vehicle when you are just at the perusing stage. Of course, if you do intend to buy the car from the classified advertising site, it is very important to meet the seller, view and test drive the car, and possibly bring along a car mechanic to check that everything is in proper working order.
Car dealership's websites
Some car dealers offer incentives to customers who search their websites before purchasing from the actual dealership, such as giving online discount. This also enables prospective buyers to view a car dealership's current stock online and determine if their showroom is worth a visit or not. Having customers who have already checked out their used cars for sale online cuts down on the dealer's time and manpower as well. Online advertisements also give car dealers much greater coverage of the second hand cars they are trying to sell and widens their range of customers, potentially bringing them a lot more business.
Online research
Another significant advantage of the Internet when checking second hand cars for sale, is the ability to acquire a large amount of information in a short space of time. You can obtain a detailed report of the vehicle by submitting the vehicle identification number to Carfax. This will supply you with information on the car's owners, any accidents and any major mechanical issues. This equips you with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision so you select the best car for your budget and needs. Obtaining the same information offline can take up to two weeks.
Save time and money
With reliable websites that advertise used cars for sale, there is no longer the need to solely rely on the time-consuming method of going round car dealers and pouring over newspaper advertisements. You can use online tools to narrow the search to your preferences of make, model, price, fuel type etc and conduct most of your research and correspondence with the seller online. Having gathered a large amount of information on the car you would like to buy and other comparable types of used cars can also give you bargaining power. The seller will be aware that you know a lot about the car as well as the value of similar used cars.
Why Not to Pimp Your Used Car
First and foremost, you need to keep in mind that the team on Pimp My Ride are highly skilled mechanics. Xzibit and his dubious rap/acting career aside, the rest of the team are professionals who know exactly what they are doing. If you're going to pimp your ride yourself, make sure you know exactly what you are doing, and that you have all the necessary skills. Ruining your used car may not cost you a penny, but sorting out your mess afterwards could cost you a fortune, plus your mechanic will probably laugh you right out of his garage.
Even if all your pimping is successful and you don't wind up ruining your once perfectly good used car, there are still problems a-plenty for souped-up rides. Firstly, the insurance. With a newly hot-looking motor, you will be bound to attract attention, envy and damage. Stand-out cars are more likely to get pinched than your trusty, old used car. On the road, you are also more likely to encourage aggression and animosity from other drivers. This can result in even more damage to your car, which will drive your insurance up through the roof and drive you crazy all at once.
And still there are even more issues. Even if your car receives no criminal attention, you are still likely to find yourself under the scrutiny of the police. Many of the methods of pimping your ride are illegal and not safe to use on the road with other drivers. Neon lights under your used car, for example, can get you a fine or even a couple of points on your license.
In the UK, the laws regarding neons and strobes under your car are unclear and a bit confusing. As a rule of thumb, if your pimped out used car is lit up light a Christmas tree it will probably distract other drivers. This will get you pulled over by the first policeman you pass. Technically, the only under-car lighting that is allowed is red back lighting, orange side-lighting and white front-lighting, but the only way to be truly safe from unwanted cop attention is to only use your under-car lighting when driving off-road, which sort of defeats the point, really.
All in all, if you are hoping to cheaply and effectively pimp your ride yourself, you are sorely mistaken. Unless you are a master mechanic, or happen to be friends with Xzibit and his team, steer away from souping up your used motor yourself. It could land you in a whole heap of trouble.
Even if all your pimping is successful and you don't wind up ruining your once perfectly good used car, there are still problems a-plenty for souped-up rides. Firstly, the insurance. With a newly hot-looking motor, you will be bound to attract attention, envy and damage. Stand-out cars are more likely to get pinched than your trusty, old used car. On the road, you are also more likely to encourage aggression and animosity from other drivers. This can result in even more damage to your car, which will drive your insurance up through the roof and drive you crazy all at once.
And still there are even more issues. Even if your car receives no criminal attention, you are still likely to find yourself under the scrutiny of the police. Many of the methods of pimping your ride are illegal and not safe to use on the road with other drivers. Neon lights under your used car, for example, can get you a fine or even a couple of points on your license.
In the UK, the laws regarding neons and strobes under your car are unclear and a bit confusing. As a rule of thumb, if your pimped out used car is lit up light a Christmas tree it will probably distract other drivers. This will get you pulled over by the first policeman you pass. Technically, the only under-car lighting that is allowed is red back lighting, orange side-lighting and white front-lighting, but the only way to be truly safe from unwanted cop attention is to only use your under-car lighting when driving off-road, which sort of defeats the point, really.
All in all, if you are hoping to cheaply and effectively pimp your ride yourself, you are sorely mistaken. Unless you are a master mechanic, or happen to be friends with Xzibit and his team, steer away from souping up your used motor yourself. It could land you in a whole heap of trouble.
Buying a Used Car Or a New Car
One major factor that is considered by almost everyone who is about to buy a car is depreciation. Both buyers of new and used cars usually consider what the car will cost in another few years when they are ready to trade it in for another one. Another major issue is finance obviously a brand new Toyota Camry for example will be more expensive than one with a few miles on it no matter how little. Most buyers purchase their cars on a finance plan and there is usually interest to be paid on the loan, so anyone in this situation will want to buy a nice car that will have the features he or she wants without going above the budget. Since Majority of the people in most countries are in this category and new cars are usually expensive, you will find that more people go for used cars than new cars as this is simply what they can afford. Asides from finance and depreciation there are other factors that influence this decision. Used cars used to be deemed inferior but not anymore as there are now tools to do detailed checks of a car's history before settling for it. A major reason people get skeptical about used cars is the possibility that there might be some underlying problem with the vehicle which the owner might not be revealing. There are now approved used car warranty plans that can offer up to twelve months warranty keeping the used car buyer re-assured.
The benefits and incentives of a new car are very obvious from manufacturer's warranty to free repairs that can last up to three years; so far you can afford the one. Another factor to consider when buying a new car is the vehicle color, for example a pink Mercedes-Benz will not sell as fast as a black or grey one. Also if you buy a new car that was quite popular when it was released and the automaker is stopping production on it because a newer model is in the works, you might not have to worry much about depreciation as you will most likely get a good deal when selling because it will no longer be in production by then. One major advantage of getting a new car straight from the manufacturer is customization; the car can be customized to the buyer's specification from interior color and material to exterior color and finishing. It is the job of the car sales guy to try to convince you to add some more features and customize to the maximum, to save yourself some money be prepared and know what you really want. In conclusion, there are benefits to either option.
The benefits and incentives of a new car are very obvious from manufacturer's warranty to free repairs that can last up to three years; so far you can afford the one. Another factor to consider when buying a new car is the vehicle color, for example a pink Mercedes-Benz will not sell as fast as a black or grey one. Also if you buy a new car that was quite popular when it was released and the automaker is stopping production on it because a newer model is in the works, you might not have to worry much about depreciation as you will most likely get a good deal when selling because it will no longer be in production by then. One major advantage of getting a new car straight from the manufacturer is customization; the car can be customized to the buyer's specification from interior color and material to exterior color and finishing. It is the job of the car sales guy to try to convince you to add some more features and customize to the maximum, to save yourself some money be prepared and know what you really want. In conclusion, there are benefits to either option.
Used Car Buying Tips
After all, the vehicles tend to cost much less than new cars, and one can find a great deal on any model of car with a little work. However, it is quite easy for an inexperienced buyer to be taken advantage of. Here are three quick tips that can help even a first time car buyer make the right choices.
Do Your Research
Perhaps the most important part of used car buying is knowing what to look for in a vehicle. A good shopper will not only have some idea of what a vehicle should look like cosmetically, but also the realistic life span of the car. For example, a Mercury Cougar with ninety thousand miles will be at the end of its lifespan, while a Dodge truck might have quite a ways to go.
Make sure that you know something about what the common features are on a vehicle, its realistic lifespan, and what common signs of wear and tear are. Coupled with an informed knowledge of the realistic price of the car, this can help a savvy buyer get quite a good deal.
Check Out The History
One major problem that many buyers have with used vehicles is the simple fact that one often does not know what the car has gone through before purchase. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to find out the history of a vehicle before making a down payment. First and foremost, one should ask for some kind of car history report - the most common is from CarFax, but there are several other reports available.
If one cannot find this sort of third party history, one should ask the salesperson directly about the car's history. If the answer is "it is in perfect condition" or something equally as unrealistic, the salesperson may be hiding a major defect. This is a prime situation in which one should go with their gut instinct over a sales pitch.
Don't Be Afraid To Walk Away
New car buying is generally a very careful game of give and take, but used car buying tends to benefit from dramatic gestures. Used vehicles tend to have quite a bit more markup than a new car, and thus the dealer tends to have a good bit more discretion in setting a price. If the price you have found is significantly higher than the blue book value of the vehicle, it is time to walk away.
In fact, any price that sounds suspiciously high should be discounted immediately. Dealers make their living off of buying low and selling high, and they rightfully try to get the most money possible for any given used vehicle. As a consumer, your job is to find a price that will work for both you and the dealer. If you cannot come to an acceptable compromise, be willing to walk away.
Do Your Research
Perhaps the most important part of used car buying is knowing what to look for in a vehicle. A good shopper will not only have some idea of what a vehicle should look like cosmetically, but also the realistic life span of the car. For example, a Mercury Cougar with ninety thousand miles will be at the end of its lifespan, while a Dodge truck might have quite a ways to go.
Make sure that you know something about what the common features are on a vehicle, its realistic lifespan, and what common signs of wear and tear are. Coupled with an informed knowledge of the realistic price of the car, this can help a savvy buyer get quite a good deal.
Check Out The History
One major problem that many buyers have with used vehicles is the simple fact that one often does not know what the car has gone through before purchase. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to find out the history of a vehicle before making a down payment. First and foremost, one should ask for some kind of car history report - the most common is from CarFax, but there are several other reports available.
If one cannot find this sort of third party history, one should ask the salesperson directly about the car's history. If the answer is "it is in perfect condition" or something equally as unrealistic, the salesperson may be hiding a major defect. This is a prime situation in which one should go with their gut instinct over a sales pitch.
Don't Be Afraid To Walk Away
New car buying is generally a very careful game of give and take, but used car buying tends to benefit from dramatic gestures. Used vehicles tend to have quite a bit more markup than a new car, and thus the dealer tends to have a good bit more discretion in setting a price. If the price you have found is significantly higher than the blue book value of the vehicle, it is time to walk away.
In fact, any price that sounds suspiciously high should be discounted immediately. Dealers make their living off of buying low and selling high, and they rightfully try to get the most money possible for any given used vehicle. As a consumer, your job is to find a price that will work for both you and the dealer. If you cannot come to an acceptable compromise, be willing to walk away.
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