• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

NADAGUIDES.COM

Used Cars: Where the Bargains Are

September 20, 2017 by admin 3 Comments

Bargains on used cars are available if you know where to look.

2015 Dodge Charger SE.
2015 Dodge Charger SE.

The average price of a new car is approximately $35,000 according to Kelley Blue Book, a price point that’s well beyond the reach of many car shoppers. One way to avoid that high cost is to settle for a lower-priced model, but that may mean making sacrifices on vehicle size, quality, and comfort. Another way to avoid the high cost of a new car is to buy used, particularly cars that are two to three years old, bargains that can be found by weighing the following several important considerations.

Consideration No. 1 — Initial Depreciation

The major drawback of buying any new car is that first-year depreciation can lop 20 to 30 percent off of its vehicle’s value. That means a $36,000 new car may be worth just $25,200 after the first year, a loss that the original owner must take.

That loss should be viewed as an opportunity for used car buyers. While most owners will hold on to their cars for a few years, cars that are leased are typically returned after just two or three years. Leased cars are sometimes resold at auction, but they’re also available for sale through new car dealers to help bolster inventories.

2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.
2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro.

Consideration No. 2 — Larger or Less Popular

Depreciation for more popular models comes in lower than the industry average. That means if you are looking for a bargain, you should turn your eyes elsewhere.

Elsewhere includes models that consume more fuel such as big SUVs or ones that are simply not that popular including vehicles from discontinued brands or models.

Suzuki quit selling its vehicles in the United States in 2012. The company was never a big player on the market, but it did offer several smaller models such as the SX4 that were good on gas.

You can check the market value of any used car for free by visiting Kelley Blue Book. Suzuki may no longer sell its cars in America, but it still is available to service your vehicle and to handle warranty concerns.

2015 Chevrolet Colorado.
2015 Chevrolet Colorado.

Consideration No. 3 — Wear and Tear

If you find a used car that is still under the manufacturer’s new car warranty, then you have a bonus in your hands. However, you must ensure that the warranty transfers to you and at no cost.

Other warranties that may still be in effect include rust and powertrain, the latter sometimes good for up to 100,000 miles. If you are shopping for a used hybrid vehicle, the typical warranty is for eight years or 100,000 miles on your hybrid battery system.

One model, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, offers a lifetime warranty, but it is not transferable to a new owner. Regardless of warranty considerations, there is a mileage point where buying a used vehicle makes sense. That point is before major repairs or expensive maintenance takes place.

Used cars that have under 50,000 miles on the odometer and have been well maintained, should go another 50,000 miles before more expensive maintenance and repairs become a factor. Still, tires are generally replaced by 50,000 miles and brakes, oil, air filters, batteries, and fluids will have been serviced or replaced. Costlier repairs such as water pumps, hoses, belts, mufflers, suspension system parts and electronic sensors can happen at any time.

Major work such as engine repair, transmission replacement or body work can usually be avoided if a car has been properly maintained. Ask the owner for car maintenance records and obtain a vehicle history report.

2015 Infiniti QX70.
2015 Infiniti QX70.

Consideration No. 4 — Consider the Seller Pool

You can find a bargain on a used car by careful shopping. Know that if you choose to buy from a dealer, you will pay the customary mark up to cover the dealer’s expenses and profits. However, you may also receive a limited warranty, something that a private seller may not be able to offer.

New car dealers stock their inventories with newer used cars to supplement their new car inventories. Used car dealers may feature newer cars to much older models. Either way, you will face the dealer’s mark up.

You can also consider a car from a rental car company. Enterprise, Hertz, and Budget are among the companies that sell off their fleets to private buyers, cars that typically have 12,000 to 50,000 miles on the odometer. You will find, however, that there is little room to negotiate on price. What you will receive is a vehicle that has been well maintained. Thus, your bargain may not be on price, but on care.

The best bargains on used cars are typically through private party sellers. These individuals are simply seeking to sell a car they no longer want or need and will price their cars accordingly. You can verify what any vehicle should fetch by checking its private party value through Kelley Blue Book or NADAGuides.com.

2016 Ford Mustang GT Convertible.
2016 Ford Mustang GT Convertible.

Used Cars: The Art of Negotiation

Your best deal on any used car can be had by negotiating the vehicle’s price. With the information you have on hand about its value, you have a good starting point for your negotiation.

Present your best offer, await the seller’s counter offer, then find a middle ground that will satisfy both parties.


See Also — 8 Steps to Buying a Used Car

Photos copyrights Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Car Tips Tagged With: CHEVROLET COLORADO, Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang GT Convertible, INFINITI QX70, KBB, KELLEY BLUE BOOK, NADAGUIDES.COM, SUZUKI, Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, USED CAR

Should I Repair or Replace My Car?

October 23, 2015 by admin 4 Comments

You slip behind the wheel of your car, turn the key and…nothing. You’re not sure what’s wrong with your car this time and it really doesn’t matter whether it is the starter, alternator or the battery causing the problem. You’re facing repairs for the second or third time this year, a potential cost that has you asking — should I repair or replace my car?

Quite naturally, you may think that a repair is the easiest thing to do, one that will extract more money from your wallet, but when it is done puts you back behind the wheel of the car you’re most familiar with. An emotional connection sometimes plays in, but sentimentality can cost you money.

A father and son perform car repair.
A father and son perform car repair.

Before you call the garage to take your car in for repairs, pause for a few moments. Then, head to the Internet to find the current value of your vehicle, warts and all. Car valuation sites such as NADAGuides.com and AutoTrader.com can provide a fairly accurate value of your car. Take the two numbers and find a middle ground to determine its estimated value.

Next, contact your garage to get an estimate for the repairs. If the repair is especially significant, it may outstrip the value of your car. Or at least compose a significant chunk of that cost. You’re looking at repairs that should be bypassed and your car sold “as is” or donated to charity. Importantly, if the repair involves a safety issue or some other significant problem, it could lead to even more repairs later on. It is at this point you may want to avoid throwing good money after bad and extricate yourself from a bad situation.

Indeed, replacing a starter may not be a big deal. But if the problem is engine or transmission related, repairing or replacing the part will prove unreasonable. Notably, a major repair also poses an extraordinary inconvenience. You may find yourself without a car for a week or two — how will that impact your life? Will you be able to get to work? How will you get the children to school?

If your mechanic delivers to you bad news, get an estimate for the cost of the repairs. But don’t stop there: get at least two more estimates from other garages and compare all three. You may be able to save money by choosing remanufactured parts; you may also find some differences in the cost of labor. If you choose to keep your car, ask for a binding price. Insist that no additional repairs be made without your authorization.

Car problems can usually be avoided if you follow the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. That information is found in the owner’s manual, typically found in your glove box. Two schedules are usually offered — regular and severe duty. Most consumers fall under the first category, but if you drive where conditions are dusty or extreme cold is common, then follow the latter. By following the maintenance schedule you will have a regular outlay of upkeep and may avoid the big financial “hits” that follow major breakdowns.

Moreover, never ignore a problem when you first become aware of it. For example, if your mechanic says that your disc brakes are below minimum thickness, your pads or shoes are gone, or your hydraulic system is leaking, then make those repairs at once. To delay will only exacerbate the problem and can also lead to a safety issue — without effective brakes, you will have difficulty stopping your car and you may crash.

Lastly, get in the habit of setting aside money to cover repairs as you’ll be more likely to have them done if the money is on hand. You can also use that fund as a down payment on a different vehicle if you choose to cut your losses and move on.


Further Reading

The Average Cost of Hail Damage Repair

How to Scrap Your Rustbucket

Wheels4Hope: Dependable Transportation For Low-Wage Earners


Photo courtesy of bywebbiz, Morgue File

Filed Under: Car Tips Tagged With: AUTO MECHANIC, AUTOTRADER.COM, car maintenance, CAR REPAIR, CAR REPLACEMENT, DISC BRAKE, NADAGUIDES.COM

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • The Mazda CX-5 Brings a Premium Touch to the Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle Segment
  • 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips
  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis
  • Peugeot May Not Return to the U.S. Market After All
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival

Recent Comments

  • Buying Guide: 2020 Kia Sedona — Auto Trends Magazine on Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • Highlights of the 2020 Kia Sedona — Auto Trends Magazine on Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • Minivan Surprise: 2016 Kia Sedona SXL — Auto Trends Magazine on Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • Compact Crossover Extraordinaire: Mazda CX-5 — Auto Trends Magazine on The Mazda CX-5 Brings a Premium Touch to the Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle Segment
  • Compact Crossover Extraordinaire: Mazda CX-5 — Auto Trends Magazine on Compact, Luxury SUV: 2019 Volvo XC40

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Categories

  • Auto Parts
  • Auto Shows
  • Automotive Career
  • Automotive News
  • Book Reviews
  • Car Tips
  • Classics & Discontinued Models
  • Commentary
  • Commercial Vehicles
  • Concept Vehicles
  • Dealers
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Fleet
  • Fun News
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Motorsport
  • New Car Reviews
  • New Models
  • Ownership Experience
  • Product Reviews
  • Special
  • Specifications
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

New!
Check out our Jobs Board!

via GIPHY

Subscribe to Auto Trends

Subscribe in a reader

Social Media

Visit our social media pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest

Where is Matt Currently Published?

The Carolinian (new car reviews)
NAPA Know How Blog
On the Road Again

Pages

  • About
  • Authors List
  • Automotive Brochures
  • Contact
  • Industry Jobs
  • Write
    • Style Guide

Categories

Recent Posts

  • The Mazda CX-5 Brings a Premium Touch to the Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle Segment
  • 4 Car Upholstery Cleaning Tips
  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis
  • Peugeot May Not Return to the U.S. Market After All
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport
  • What We Know About the All-New 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
  • The All-New and Formidable 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • Fuel-Efficiency and AWD Champion: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
  • Midsize Performance Master: 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line
  • Performance Hatchback: The All-New 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Turbo!
  • NACTOY Finalists For 2021 Offer Familiar and Futuristic Choices
  • Super Trooper: Nissan Titan Pickup
  • Behind the Wheel of the Popular 2021 Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • Lucid Motors Completes Arizona Factory
  • A Robust Turbodiesel Comes to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Mid-Engine Masterpiece: The Eighth-Generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  • Compact Performance:
    2021 Cadillac CT4-V
  • All-Wheel Drive Supplies the Nissan Altima With a Competitive Edge
  • Return of the Toyota Venza!
  • Lexus Brings a Convertible to the Gorgeous LC 500 Line
  • Stellantis Logo Revealed by Peugeot, Fiat Chrysler Ahead of Spring Merger
  • Preview: 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • How to Fix a Broken Rivian Vehicle
  • Cadillac Gets Most Things Right
    With the XT6 Crossover
  • The High Potency Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Coupe
  • The All-New Chevrolet Trailblazer Forges Urban Paths
  • The Small Infiniti QX50 is Big on Tech and Engineering Features
  • Toyota Brings the TRD Treatment to the Midsize Camry Sedan
  • The Kia K5 Outclasses Most Competitors, Including the Departing Optima
  • Can the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Handle Tough Terrain?
  • Subaru WRX Showcases Its Performance Chops
  • Infiniti Overhauls QX80 Trims and Makes This Important Safety Feature Standard
  • Ford F-250 Super Duty and a Trail-Stomping Tremor Package
  • A Cut Above: Mazda’s Mazda3
  • The Highly Efficient Hyundai Ioniq
  • Volkswagen Atlas Revels in its Strengths
  • General Motors Deepens Partnership With Honda, Takes Stake in Nikola
  • Smart Concept: Jeep Grand Wagoneer
  • More Than an Encore: Buick Encore GX
  • Got a Recall? There’s an App for That.
  • Refreshed Nissan Titan Makes Its Case
  • BMW M235i: Not Your Typical Coupe
  • Hot Stuff: Lexus RC F Sport Coupe
  • Will the Electric Vehicle Boom Create New-Found Dependencies for Foreign Minerals?
  • Rumors? We Got Them!
  • About Bollinger Motors, EV Startup
  • Raptor Fighter: Ram 1500 TRX!
  • White Space Wonder: 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
January 2021
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Dec    

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in