All posts in Auto Trades

Auto Finance: Making The Most Of Your Trade-In

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/12/19 in Auto Trades with Comments Off on Auto Finance: Making The Most Of Your Trade-In

If you have ever had the pleasure of buying a new car in the past, you may be well aware of the disappointment that is often linked to trading in a vehicle. Many car buyers feel that their trade-in is worth far more than they got for it, so this aspect of the car buying process is often filled with resentment. As you prepare to trade in your next car, you may consider following a few tips to maximize the amount of money you get for your trade in.

Get It Inspected

Through dealerships, like Young Automotive Group, you can easily get the car inspected before you take it to the dealership for a trade-in. If your car is given a clean bill of health, you can take the corresponding paperwork from your mechanic to the dealership to ensure you get top dollar for the trade in. If work is needed on the car, you can make the decision about which repair items to tackle before you trade it in to get the best value possible.

Research the Value

You can use your choice of online car valuation websites to research the actual value of your used car. These sites typically have a resale value and a trade-in value. Dealers offer a lower trade-in value so that they can mark up the cost to the resale value later to make their profit on it. With this in mind, you may get a better deal when you sell your car on your own. However, if you choose to go through a dealership for a trade in, use your online research to avoid being cheated out of money.

Keep the Numbers Separated

Some dealerships try to work the numbers of the trade in and the new car purchase together. For example, they may say they can give you so much on your trade in if you pay so much for the new car. Avoid getting caught up in this situation, and hold firm that you want to work out the trade in numbers before you talk about buying the new car.

Get Multiple Offers

Finally, avoid jumping at the first offer you get. It can take time to shop around with various dealerships, but this ultimately could save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Identify at least three dealerships to get quotes from before you make a final buying decision, and let all three know that you need their best offer because you will be shopping around.

While it can be disappointing to learn what the true value of your trade in, you can minimize your resentment when you follow these steps. These steps will help you to get the most out of your trade in for your financial benefit.

Auto Upgrade: 7 Signs You Should Trade in Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2016/08/19 in Auto Trades with Comments Off on Auto Upgrade: 7 Signs You Should Trade in Your Car

Although you may have experienced many great memories in your vehicle, a new ride may prove to be a worthy upgrade. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication in order to keep a high-mileage vehicle running. Here are seven signs you should trade in your car.

A Lack of Safety Features

Over the past few years, automakers have introduced a long list high-tech safety features. If you have a family, it is especially important to seek out the newest safety innovations. Studies have shown that components such as a rear-view camera can be extremely effective. Some of the other popular safety enhancements include blind-spot monitoring and LED daytime running lights.

Your Vehicle Breaks Down Regularly

To no surprise, older vehicles tend to break down more often. Aside from the frustration of being stranded along the highway, you are also forced to spend extra money. The cost to replace a broken timing belt can be hundreds of dollars.

Your Gas Mileage Has Decreased

Fuel efficiency is a big factor for the drivers who commute on a daily basis. If your gas mileage has plummeted, it may be time to part ways with your vehicle. Today’s late-model cars are tuned to deliver superior fuel economy. For instance, Jack Burford Chevrolet has several new vehicles that deliver over 30 mpg.

Cost Too Much Money to Restore

While restoring your old vehicle is an option, you must be prepared to spend a lot of cash. A high-quality paint job can exceed $2,000. Meanwhile, a new engine may cost more than the car is actually worth.

Important Components Fail to Work

After thousands of miles of being on the road, it is not uncommon for components such as the air conditioner to stop working. This can make driving your vehicle a very uncomfortable experience. Children will certainly grow tired of riding in a hot vehicle.

You Are Embarrassed to Drive It

If your vehicle has reached the point of being embarrassing, seriously consider trading it. You deserve to drive a vehicle that has a pleasing appearance.

Your Family Has Outgrown the Vehicle

Nothing is more stressful than driving a cramped vehicle. Passenger room is clearly a major concern for families. Although a small coupe may be stylish, it is not designed to accommodate multiple passengers.

Take the time to analyze the overall condition of your vehicle. If your car is barely holding itself together, it’s time to go shopping for a new ride.

Things You Should Know When Auctioning for a Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2015/11/16 in Auto Trades with Comments Off on Things You Should Know When Auctioning for a Car

The ongoing economic crisis, among other things, resulted in tightening of credit rules and eligibility. This naturally caused a decrease in number of people who are able to buy cars on credit and in return increased interest in buying cars at auctions. A cash payment usually means getting a better price, but increased interest means more competition, and in order to get the best price and be pleased with the purchase different pitfalls need to be avoided. Therefore, here are things you should know when auctioning for a car.

Types of auctions

There are two types of car auctions, a government one and a public one. What they have in common is that you cannot test a car before you bid on it, which means you have to be careful and make sure that is the car that fits your criteria and the bidding competition grows bigger every day. In case of government auctions, cars usually have a known background with honest data presented, while at public auctions it is often not the case. Miles Exempt, with shiny appearance and rotten inside are unfortunately not isolated cases anymore.  

Do not pretend to be someone you are not

If it seems that a car needs only a little repair, but you do not have either knowledge or means to do it yourself, do not lie to yourself that you will learn and be able to do it in no time. What looks simple and cheap often turns out in a lot of work and a lot of investment, making the purchase a bad one meaning loss of money, or even worse loss money and vehicle if it turns out unrepairable.

Observe everything carefully

Since test drives are not an option on either of car auction types, your eyes are what you have to rely on.  Make sure you check both exterior and interior in detail. Repaint spots, rusty corners, scored brake disks, not completely smooth sheet metal surfaces, missing parts and wet floors are just some of the common issues that need to be paid attention to in order to score good deals at car auctions.

There is much more than meets the eye

Paint covers are sometimes there to cover some minor scratches, while the mechanical part of the car is in perfect shape.  On the other hand, they sometimes cover some serious damages, especially when public auctions are in question. More than two paint layers usually mean stay away, just as any strange smell coming either from the outside or inside of a car does.

VIN

Check VIN in several locations, dashboard, driver side doorpost and front of the engine block, for example. All of them need to match. In case they do not, some serious repairs had been done to the car, usually due to crashes. You can use VIN to check the entire history of a car, from its origin, true age to all service repairs it has undergone and the number of previous owners it had. A price to pay for this service is well worth considering the amount of crucial information on a car that you will receive.

Once again, being careful and taking your time at the car auction is required in order to get a good deal. If you are uncertain about some things, make sure you take someone more experienced to help you, especially when mechanics are concerned. Happy bidding.

Shop Smart: Five Tricks for Trading In Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/04 in Auto Trades with Comments Off on Shop Smart: Five Tricks for Trading In Your Car

By trading in your vehicle, you ensure the best deal in one single transaction. Like most large purchases, there are some do’s and don’ts to the transaction. If you are ready to trade in your car, there are some important steps to getting the best deal. Here are a few ways to avoid getting ripped off.

Don’t Say "Trade"

When you start working with a dealership, there is no obligation to state up front that you want to trade in your car. You can go there with your financing already approved elsewhere, which is recommended by many car sites such as Edmunds.com. You can listen to their sales pitch and work out a figure. Once you think you have the best deal on the table, you then say "I have decided that I want to trade." At this point, be ready with the value. Dealers will negotiate better when they do not know you are trading in your vehicle.

Know the Value

Before you go, find out the basic value of your car via a site such as Kelley Blue Book. You can find more information on your model and automaker at KBB, Edmunds, Car and Driver, AutoGuide and more. There are tangible ways to prove its intrinsic worth such as stellar safety ratings, automaker reputation for longevity, and advanced technology despite its age. Trim level, dashboard tech, and luxury features such as leather seating are other factors. This knowledge will help you keep your mind clear when a dealer argues about your car’s worth.

Demonstrate the Options

In the car ads, find cars of a similar year/make to yours. You should look at their Blue Book values versus the advertised cost. You can strengthen your bargaining position by demonstrating that you know how much used cars are worth. Arming yourself with verifiable facts will strengthen your bargaining power.

Show the Value

If you keep records on maintenance and repairs, put that together in a folder. You don’t need to show it until you have a figure. As soon as a trade-in amount is proposed, get your folder and demonstrate that this car has been well-cared for. Perhaps you have purchased tires recently. That can help you negotiate a higher trade in amount. Dealerships will appreciate this information because it will make the car easier to sell. They will be happy to work with you and your information.

Put Your Best Tire Forward

Take time to detail the car inside and out. It may be worth paying a professional for how much it will increase your trade in value. Many times old carpet can look like new after the application of a $5 bottle of carpet shampoo. Be sure to use one that is specifically for cars, and follow the instructions carefully.

When you pull into a dealership, be armed with knowledge, and do not give them your keys before you feel good about the trade-in deal.

Information credited to National Transmission, Red Deer, Alberta Transmission