Do Not Settle For Second-Best Get The Best Buy Used Car

By:Sandra Stammberger

You are in a haze of worry and indecision. Your old and battered but well-loved car has finally bid farewell to its riding days and is only good for the junk shop now. You are stumped. You cannot possibly move around without a car. You definitely need to get a new one – soon.

Sadly, you have a limited budget and cannot finance a new car. What will you do?

Well, you can try getting a used car. More and more people are drawn into buying used cars today. Since there are many financial options and cars manufacturing companies claim that cars are “living longer” now, you may find a good investment in a best buy used car.

If you decide to buy a used car, you should know about before eventually purchasing one a few things. Do not just get the first or cheapest one offered along. In getting the best buys in used car, you should have a meticulous eye.

If you are a smart consumer, there are ways on how to estimate a used car’s value. This way, you will not have to settle for second best. Since it is already used, the important factors to consider before settling on one are doubled.

In getting the best buy used car, double check whether it is worth its tag price. You might think you are already looking at a good bargain, but then, if you dig deeper you might find you are being ripped off.

Here are a few tips in estimating a used car’s value:

1. Research – doing a little research will not hurt. Find out how much the used car costs if it were brand new. Check out if the car is still produced and if its parts are easily available.

When you find a used car that catches your fancy, make sure you do research on that car. Find out how much that car costs if it were brand new. You should also look into whether the car is still in production and if its parts are still available. Research on used car tag prices on different used car shops and compare them among those with the same value and age.

Once a used car’s price is too low, that will alarm you that the car can be more trouble than it is worth. If, it is too expensive, ask why.

2. The rule in older used cars – in 3 years, brand new cars depreciate by 30% of its original value. When it is 5 years old, it might depreciate to as low as 65%. It helps to know the used car’s price when it was brand new, and from this fact, measure up from the mentioned rule.

3. Brand new cars typically lose up to 30% in their value in 3 years, and by the time, the car is 5 years old, it may have lost up to 65%. If you know the car’s original price, you may want to use this rule of the thumb for your estimation.

4. Third – Party Information – check out the used car’s history. There are online services that give you a detailed history of a particular car you are interested in. They will even give you its accident history and insurance data. There are also online sites with used car value listings that can be valuable information for you.

5. Get the help of a Mechanic – a best buy used car is still in good running condition. Take a mechanic along when you check out a for-sale used car so that he or she can evaluate if the car is still in overall good condition and worth the price.

If ever you are not well versed in the mechanical aspect of a car, you can also ask for the opinion of the mechanic if there are repairs to be made and what other expenses you will need to undertake when you buy a car.

The reputation of the used car dealer is also important. Remember not to be enticed easily, be meticulous and shrewd!

Digg del.icio.us Blink Stumble Spurl Reddit Netscape Furl

Article keywords: buy car, sell car, cars

Article Source: http://www.articles2k.com

S. Stammberger is the editor of Car
Auction Pros. Get information on online police and government car auctions.

Top Cars and Trucks Articles
1). 2008 Chery QQ: Sneak Peak! By : Matthew C. Keegan China’s Chery Automotive Group is getting set to import as many as five vehicles into the US starting in the summer of 2007. These 2008 models are reportedly going to be cheaper than competing models in their respective classes, undercutting some models by as much as $10,000 per car. I have been doing a little investigating and have learned more about the Chery QQ, the three door compact that will retail for just $6995.
2). Geely Cars: Gotta Get One? By : Matthew C. Keegan I mentioned in a related article that the first batch of Chinese built cars to be imported to the U.S. is only a few years away. In that article, I discussed Chery Automobiles and how the company has its designs on the American market, particularly in the entry level category. Well, now a second manufacturer – Geely Automotive Company – is also planning on bringing at least one model to the U.
3). Why Ford Motor Company Is Losing Market Share Fast To Hyundai By : David Maillie Ford is fast losing market share to automotive companies like Hyundai. This article shows why and what Ford can do to turn themselves around before it is too late. Someone should definitely email this to Fords executives before it is too late.
4). How To Avoid Auto Repair and Service Scams By : David Maillie There’s a reason why auto service stations have one of the largest numbers of complaints with state attorney generals in every state. Some uphold good business practices and ethics, but most, unfortunately are all about profit and don’t care if they have to lie and cheat to get it.
5). Ford Focus Is 'Comfortable And Versatile' By : Kwik Fit The UK's best selling car at the moment; the Ford Focus, is a comfortable and versatile mode of transport, according to the manufacturers, who claim the latest model is longer and wider than before. With a variety of body shapes available in several trim levels, the Ford Focus costs from £11,395 on-the-road for the three-door 1.4 Studio model, to £19,200 for the 1.
6). 2006 Mitsubishi Raider: A Rebadged Delight! By : Matthew C. Keegan If you were to examine the new Mitsubishi Raider, your eyes would behold the unmistakable triad logo centered in the middle of its beefy looking grille. However, as you let your eyes run the full length of the truck’s body and take a look at its styling cues, you would see something different, yet very familiar. Indeed, apart from some fascia, body, and cabin changes, the Raider is without a doubt a Dodge Dakota.
7). Fuel-Efficient Ford Cars: The New Trend By : Jason Moore With gas prices soaring straight into oblivion, automobile customers and the rest of the auto market are looking for vehicles that would save their pockets from getting into trouble. Studies and research have found out that the numbers are showing that customers are leaning towards those vehicles that would assure them that they would not have to spend much on gas.
8). Jaguar X Type: The Classic Luxury Sports Car By : Jennifer Dylan Built on a modified version of the Ford CD 132 platform, the Jaguar X Type is considered to be just another version of the Ford Mondeo. Take away the badge and the name from the Ford Mondeo and put in Jaguar badges, you would be getting the the Jaguar X Type. In fact the platform which it was built on was just a modified version of the Ford CDW 27 platform which is what the Ford Mondeo uses.
9). How to Create Your Own Vanity Plates By : Kevin Anderson Vanity plates, for some people, are just an added expense, for in some states, they do charge people with vanity plates an annual fee for them. However, there are some people who would opt to have vanity plates so as to show off and tell people more about themselves. Aside from telling people what kind of person they are, vanity plates also serve as channels and media for people to shout out to the rest of the driving world some messages that they would like to get across.
10). 2006 Toyota Matrix: Value Meets Fun By : Matthew C. Keegan During the early part of this decade Toyota was examining its vehicle line up and the decision was made to build a car to entice young people who were looking for something that was small, fun to drive, and affordable. While the Corolla served faithfully in this capacity, Toyota needed something that spoke excitement. The Corolla just wasn’t that kind of a car and something radically different was needed.

New Cars and Trucks Articles
1). How To Choose The Right Car Cover That Will Not Damage Your Car By : Gregg Hall Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garage to keep their car in and even if you do you may be like me and have too much junk to be able to park your car there.
2). Peugeot 206cc. Open Cruising With a Little French Flair By : Kerry Plowright The French have long been regarded as the leaders in style, and this reputation is well justified in the Peugeot 206cc (coupe cabriolet).
3). Satellite Radio, the New Frontier in Broadcasting By : Jerry Cahill Do you enjoy more control over your radio listening? If you are willing to pay a small monthly fee you can have a much greater radio listening opportunity.
4). Are Flex Fuel And Biodiesel Viable Options? By : Mike Eggert Once thought of as only a dream, Flex fuel vehicles are fast becoming a reality. The high cost of gasoline and fuels like Diesel have prompted auto makers around the world to start building automobiles that will burn more than one type of fuel.
5). Find Auto Parts Fast and Enjoy Great Savings Shopping Online By : Ray La Foy Money can be saved by replacing these parts yourself, but sometimes trying to find the right parts to fix things up is nearly impossible.
6). Smart Shoppers Save More on Vehicles and Financing By : Ray La Foy Finding the best deals on automobiles will often involve the number and type needed and the kind of credit your company has.
7). How To Get A Cheap Car Rental By : John Layton Always look for the best car rental offer.
8). Should You Go Topless For Your Next Sports Car? By : Gregg Hall Living in Florida we have many days when a convertible is highly desirable, especially in the spring and fall when temperatures are really comfortable.
9). IRS Incentives for Hybrid Owners By : Michael Plante The hybrid car has not come into the world without a shroud of rumors following carefully behind. From rumors of exploding batteries, electrical and digital nightmares, and poorly met expectations letting down consumers, the hybrid has had to struggle to overcome many misconceptions...
10). Rising Car Arson And Insurance Fraud Costs Everyone By : David Maillie Car owners locked into payments they can’t afford with the increasing gas costs and our current economic slowdown have turned to arson to get rid of their debts.