If you’re at the negotiation stage of the car buying process you should have already done a thorough inspection of the car. If not, read our used car checklist article and download the PDF checklist. This is important because you will be able to use this as leverage when you are negotiating. We’ll explain in a moment.

The automotive negotiation process is influenced by several important factors:

• Your Purchasing Power - If you can immediately pay for the car it acts in your favor. If you need a few days to come up with the money there’s no real leverage for you, but there’s also nothing against you either as it’s fairly common for buyers to need a couple of days to come up with the money.

• The Condition of the Vehicle - If the car is in excellent condition you can expect to pay a bit over market value. Conversely, if it is in average or poor condition (compared to other vehicles of the same type) you can expect to pay less.

• The Mileage of the Vehicle - The lower the mileage the more you can expect to pay, period.

• The Sellers Need to Sell - If the seller *must* sell the vehicle as quickly as possible you can use that to your advantage when negotiating, especially if you already have the funds to purchase the vehicle.

• The Market Value of the Vehicle - Is the seller a bit higher or lower when compared to the market price for the vehicle? Check local auto classifieds to see what a comparable vehicle is selling for in your area.

• The Number of Purchase Alternatives - If there are two dozen other vehicles that are similar to one you are currently looking at it gives you less of an incentive to buy that exact vehicle and a greater incentive to the seller to sell it.
  
  continue reading "Negotiating the Best Possible Price"

So you’ve found yourself a car that catches your eye, have you? Great- your search may very well be over. Before you head on over and check out the car, however, make sure that you know what to be looking for. For a complete list of things to look out for, check out our used car checklist that has information about what to do and what to check when you’re actually testing the car.

This article is actually more about what to expect from the seller, as well as from the car itself. Assuming that you’ve got a copy of our checklist with you (click here and scroll to the bottom of the page to download a .pdf of the checklist), now’s the time for you to guage the sellers personality, eagerness to sell the vehicle, and determine whether or not the vehicle is actually the one that you want to purchase.

continue reading "Going to See the Used Car - What to Expect"

Cars are not simple machines. With thousands of moving parts, precisely configured computer and timing systems, and more electronic doo-dads than just about anything else available to the typical consumer, a car is easily one of the most complex pieces of equipment that you will ever buy. Unfortunately, it is likely also one of the most expensive. Consider that the average cost of a four-door sedan is in the low to mid $20,000’s, you can see how it’s important that you make a good decision.

Because a car is so complex, it’s also incredibly important to know exactly what to look for when you are shopping for a used car. Everything should be looked at and checked at least once, as that one little thing that you let slip through your fingers might wind up being the cause of a $2,000 repair bill.

To hopefully save you from some aggravation down the road, here is a list of things that you should have a look at yourself as well as a brief explanation as to why they’re important.

continue reading "The Used Car Checklist"