Review: 2019 Toyota Avalon Hybrid

We seldom stop to consider what a dizzying variety of options one has when it comes to picking out a new car today, especially when you consider how mind bogglingly simple it was once only a few decades ago. If you had a family and you needed to carry them and their belongings around, you would choose either a small, medium, or large sedan or station wagon. That was it. There were no minivans, there were no crossovers, and it was out of the ordinary for a family to buy an SUV for an everyday family car. Ford stunned the industry when it announced it was essentially going to let all of its sedans die off in North America. GM is killing off their large front wheel drive sedans. People are still buying large sedans, and as key players fall by the wayside, the companies still in the market will gladly take up the demand. But for what is such an old concept-the large sedan-how does it remain relevant in 2019?

The Avalon has been Toyota’s flagship sedan since 1994. For 2019, the Avalon is all-new, and now entering its fifth generation. While many consider the Avalon simply a larger Camry-which was once the case-the Avalon rides on its own platform that is shared with the Lexus ES. The Avalon is a large sedan, but its proportions are just right. Early Avalons were dismissed as Toyota’s idea of a Buick. A study also revealed that in North America, Toyota attracted the oldest buyers. A middle age or younger car buyer hears that Toyota’s are favored by old people can be enough to be a deal breaker. So in response to that, I do not find it surprising that contemporary Toyota’s are now looking edgier. Looking at the Avalon from the front or front 3/4 view, there is just no getting around that front fascia. To say it is overwrought is an understatement. Enormous front ‘grills’ seem to be a thing these days, and I predict this look is destined to not age well. Look at the rear of the car, its pleasant enough but entirely forgettable. There is just nothing to suggest this is Toyota’s premium sedan. Which is shocking, because when you take the Avalon in from its side profile, there is no question this is the most expensive four door Toyota offers. As a whole, the Avalon’s appearance is alright, but incoherent. You feel differently about this car depending on what angle you are viewing it from.

Inside, the Avalon is a grand slam homerun. There is simply no mistaking you’re sitting in the most luxurious car that wears a Toyota badge. Quality of materials and fit and finish are exemplary. The quilted leather and real wood accents confirm this is not a car that aspires to be luxurious, it simply is a luxury car, without question. Controls are intuitive and easy to use. The seats offer exceptional comfort, and as expected, the Avalon provides a very roomy and airy cabin. With all the quiet and comfort you could want, the Avalon is a perfect setting for long, relaxing drives.  The Avalon is Toyota’s first car to come with Apple’s CarPlay (sorry Android users, your phone cannot connect). It is worth mentioning that in cars that were sold in regular and hybrid versions, hybrid owners had to be wiling to make a considerable sacrifice-trunk space. I have seen full size hybrid sedans have a trunk that might hold enough luggage for a weekend getaway but little else. Not so with the Avalon. With the batteries underneath the rear seat, you are able to enjoy the large amount of trunk space buyers expect in a car of this size.

The Avalon Hybrid is powered by a 2.5L four cylinder along with two electric motors to make a combined 215hp with a CVT transmission. While the numbers suggest that is not much horsepower to move a car of this size, in reality the Avalon keeps up with highway traffic with no problem at all, and never seems strained. Yes, there are buyers who will only accept the sound of a silky V-6 under the hood, and the regular Avalon delivers just that experience. But consider this-the Avalon Hybrid costs about $1,000 more, but delivers 70% better fuel economy. In the long run, the Hybrid makes more sense. Our perception of the luxury car experience is also evolving; exceptional fuel economy is also an accepted qualifier for luxury today. The typical Avalon buyer isn’t going to be doing any stoplight drag racing to begin with, and with such an unobtrusive drivetrain, you don’t feel like you’ve given up anything in the name of saving gas, The EPA gives the Avalon Hybrid 43 MPG, but my test car was telling me I was getting 37 MPG in mixed driving. That is a remarkable number for a full size luxury car.

The Avalon Hybrid is available in three trim levels; our test car was the luxury oriented Limited. Standard equipment included 18″ alloy wheels, LED headlights, moonroof, premium JBL audio, navigation,  head up display, power heated steering wheel, leather power heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seat, Qi wireless phone charging, pre-collision system, lane departure alert with assist, automatic high beams and dynamic radar cruise control. Our test car had the optional Advanced Safety Package, which added intelligent clearance sonar, bird’s eye view camera with perimeter scan and rear cross traffic alert with braking. Including destination, our Avalon Hybrid had a window sticker of $45,118USD. Remember when I mentioned the Avalon shares the same platform and drivetrain as the Lexus ES? A Lexus ES Hybrid equipped similar to our Avalon would set you back an extra $9,000. With that in mind, the Avalon represents a solid value for a luxury hybrid sedan.

While the notion of a full size sedan is a decades old proposition, the Avalon Hybrid points to the future of the genre. It is tough to argue the pros of a luxury car boasting the latest in technology and luxury features that boasts fuel economy figures you’d be happy to be getting in a basic, no frills Corolla. This combination is the new definition of luxury. While I question that front-end styling, the Avalon Hybrid is a full size sedan that is completely relevant in today’s automotive marketplace. Ford and GM may have thrown up their hands and walked away, but Toyota has proven this is a breed of car worth building.

3 Methods: Choosing How to Sell Your Car

Choosing how you to sell your car is more important than deciding where to sell your car. What’s the difference? You probably don’t sell cars very often, so when the time comes, you might visit a few different websites online to get some advice. If you take a look through some of the many forums about buying or selling cars, you’ll quickly notice a question that people ask a lot: Where should I sell my car? The answers will start rolling in fast and furious – Craigslist, AutoTrader, eBay Motors, and on and on goes the list.

Then there will be a lot of debate about why this or that option is better, people telling their sob stories about it not working out, and others telling their stories about how awesome it went for them. The next thing you know, you’ve wasted several hours without really finding out anything you didn’t already know. This article was written to help save you the pain and frustration of that experience because it’s going to lay out exactly what you need to know about choosing how you’ll sell your car.

Forget About WHERE and Focus on Choosing HOW You’ll Sell Your Car

Here’s the problem with how this gets talked about online: Those answers people get when they ask where they should sell their car as listed above are fine if you’re planning to sell your car privately on your own. But what it you’re not up for that? After all, there are tons of reasons why it is often not going to be worth the effort and hassle.

Asking about where to sell your car is the wrong question! Before you start thinking about where, the first thing has to be choosing how you’ll sell your car. It may sound like it’s the same question, but it’s not. This will make more sense when you have a better understanding of the 3 basic methods for selling your car, which will be covered further on in this article. But before getting into those details, you have to give a little thought to what your primary goal is in selling your car.

Choosing How You’ll Sell Your Car Depends on What You Want

There are 3 basic methods you can use to sell your car. Which one you choose is driven primarily by what your primary goal is for selling. Your options here include speed, money, or both.

SPEED: Some people need to sell their car as quickly as possible. In some cases, this need for speed can totally trump any concerns about the money they get for the car. If you’re thinking to yourself, “I need to get rid of this car NOW and I don’t even care about getting top dollar for it,” then you fall in the group of people for whom SPEED is the all-important goal. This means you’re looking for the fastest transaction possible, and the price you get for the vehicle doesn’t really matter. Maybe you’re being deployed overseas or just got an amazing job opportunity and need to drop everything and move, knowing you’ll get your next car when you arrive with your signing bonus. Whatever the case may be, consider how important speed is to you.

MONEY: Other people don’t have any urgency at all around the speed of the process. Instead, they’re very focused on squeezing every last dime they can out of the car they are selling. Although lots of people like the idea of getting the most money they can when selling their car, most fail to realize how much time, effort and headaches go into making that happen. But if you’ve got the time and determination, there is a method more likely to achieve your goal than the others – although it is by no means guaranteed.

BOTH: If more people who want to sell their car took the time to think through their primary goal in selling and matching that up to the method of selling, then most would realize they want the best combination of speed and money they can get. Luckily, there’s a method best suited to that as well. People in this camp don’t need the process to happen at lightning speed, but they also don’t want it to drag on forever. And on the money part of the puzzle, they know they don’t want to put a huge amount of time and effort into the process to try and get top dollar but would like to not settle for the lowest amount possible either.

3 Ways to Sell Your Car: Choose Wisely!

Now is the moment you’ve been waiting for – the 3 basic methods available when choosing how you’ll sell your car, and how they match up to the 3 different primary goals described above. Here’s the rundown:

Method 1: Dealership. If the only thing that really matters to you is getting rid of your car as quickly as possible, selling it outright or trading it in at a dealership is a great choice. After all, every car dealership has built up an entire infrastructure and business processes all specifically geared towards not just selling but also buying cars. They can literally take your car off your hands in a matter of hours, and will gladly do so – especially of you’ve got a great car they can turn around resell for a tidy profit.

BUT (and this is a big but), there is a price you pay for the amazing speed of the transaction. And the price you pay is not getting very much money or trade-in value for your car. Why is that? Dealerships actually make much higher profits from selling used cars than new cars. Weird, right? But it’s true. These days, everyone knows what the dealer paid for a brand-new car from the manufacturer (the invoice price), and everyone expects to pay a final price as close to that as possible. This is why the profit margins from selling new cars are so small.

When you shop for a used car at a brand-name dealership, do they tell you what they paid for the car? Nope! Never! Dealerships always try to get your used car for as little money as possible so they can mark it up a lot and make a big profit. And car shoppers are none the wiser because they have no idea what the dealership paid for the car. Still, if you really don’t care about the money, then you can’t beat the speed of a dealership.

Method 2: Private Sale. If you fall in the group of people who care much more about the money you get for your car than how fast you can get rid of it, the selling privately on your own is probably your best bet. The operative words here are “probably” and “bet” – can you guess why? In the big picture, going the route of “for sale by owner” does, on average, result in the most money in the pockets of sellers. But there’s no guarantee it will work out for you that way. Selling on your own privately is much more of a gamble than most people realize. It will definitely suck up more of your time than you think, and could also give you some massive headaches along the way. Why is that?

There’s a lot of effort that goes into doing a private sale right to get the most money for your car. You have to figure out what it’s really worth and come up with the right asking price. Then you have to carefully craft a killer description and take a couple dozen professional-grade photos. After that you have to decide where you’re going to place your listing. Remember that where question that started this whole article? It’s back!

And all of those steps are the easy parts of the process! It’s when you start fielding all the inquiries you get that things get really tricky. Who is a serious buyer and who is just wasting your time? Worse yet, who is actually trying to take advantage of you with a scam? This is when many car sellers realize they’re in over their heads and pull the plug on trying to sell privately even though they’ve already invested a lot of time and effort into the process. Others will stick it out and maybe get the result they were hoping for, but many fail. Yes, there are plenty of private sale success stories out there, but those are the ones you’re more likely to see online. For every success you read about online, there are many more epic failures no one wants to talk about. Read our previous articles about how private sales can go sideways to protect yourself:

Know the Risks When You Sell Your Car Privately

Liability and Risks of Selling Your Car

6 Steps to Limit Risk When Selling Your Car Privately

At this point in choosing how you’ll sell your car, you might be wishing there was a third method available that could avoid the extremes of methods 1 and 2. There is, so read on!

Method 3: Car-Buying Service. The third method is selling your vehicle to a car-buying service, and it is the only one that can give you the best of both worlds – the speed of a dealership but with more money going into your pocket than you’ll ever get from one. Like a dealership, a car-buying service has developed its whole business model and infrastructure around buying cars, so they can do it just as fast as any dealership. But they also realize how important it is to give car sellers more money than they would get from a dealership, which is what makes this an attractive method to many people. Beating dealerships is core part of their business concept, so why not take advantage of it?

A car-buying service ends up being the best method for anyone selling their car, and you’ll realize this if you think about it. You know it’s going to be a lot less stressful to sell your vehicle to a car-buying service than trying to sell it privately on your own – not to mention a whole lot safer as well. But the beauty of a car-buying service is that it’s also every bit as fast as any dealership. So even if money isn’t your primary goal, why not go ahead and get more for it at a car-buying service while enjoying the same speed you’d get at a dealership? It really is the best of both worlds!

San Diego Car Sellers: Choose Driveo!

The really good news for anyone looking to sell their car in the greater San Diego area is that a homegrown car-buying service is available to you where you can literally cruise in and cash out on the spot! It’s called Driveo, and it’s even a cut above other car-buying services in San Diego County and beyond! The process is simple and fast:

1. Tell Us about Your Ride: Fill out our short online form to tell us about your car and its condition.


2. Get a Quote in Minutes: Based on your information, we’ll give you quote in minutes. But it’s not automated – we actually do the market research to come up with a real offer.


3. Cruise In, Cash Out: If you like our offer, make an appointment to bring your car in. We’ll do a final check to physically verify the condition of the car and make any necessary adjustments to our offer – whether up or down – and then cut you a check on the spot.


4. Catch a Ride, on Us: We’ll even give you a free ride anywhere you need to go in San Diego County!

But there’s one more reason why Driveo is the best choice for selling your car. This reason is especially good for people who don’t have to get rid of their car super-fast. When you get a quote from CarMax, it’s only good for 7 days. Every Driveo quote is good for 30 days! This means that you’ve got plenty of time to do as much shopping around as you want to try and get a better price – but make sure you give Driveo a chance to beat that better offer. We love to do that. Click here to get your online Driveo quote in minutes!

The post 3 Methods: Choosing How to Sell Your Car appeared first on A Better Way to Sell Your Car in San Diego | Driveo.

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Need a new windshield???

No one is interested to incur money on non-functional or non-aesthetic value things on one’s car but for windshield which is a safety thing. The role of windshield is to provide distortion free vision.

One is forced to go for windshield replenishment when…..

1. Broken Windshield


2. Chip or Cracks in Windshield


3. Scratched Windshield


4. Visibility Issues

1. Broken Windshield: Over the period of time car manufacturing process evolved to provide maximum safety to occupants. Windshield is one which was high on car designer’s mind as safety item. Now all the cars are fitted with laminated windshields unlike in the past when cars were fitted with toughened glasses. Advantage laminated windshield is that it doesn’t collapse completely in case it is hit with force.  Multiple cracks or web would appear and force you to go for a change and then you may visit your nearest Auto Glass Masters service centre for replenishment. Any damaged windshield affects car’s structural integrity and hence compromises passenger’s safety.

2. Chip or Cracks in Windshield: Sometimes windshield is hit by a stone while on a road drive. This kind of incident leaves your windshield with a small spot. Such a small chip or spot may not seem significantly dangerous, but it needs immediate attention. If you don’t get this spot repaired, it may spread and the crack will go deep into the glass. Once the crack got spread beyond the size of a rupee coin, it becomes unrepairable. We suggest you to visit your nearest Auto Glass Masters service centre for repair of any such small spot or chip. Windshield chip repair can help you avoid a new car glass replacement.

3. Scratched Windshield: Old worn out windshield wipers may scratch windshield and erode its smooth see through status. Normal scratches in the upper layer can be removed through buffing. You can contact your nearest Auto Glass Masters service centre for buffing to know more about windshield scratch removal and its benefits. But in case the scratches are deep and can’t be removed through buffing, you need to go for windshield replenishment.

4. Visibility Issues: Moreover with times sometime windshields wear out due to various environmental reasons thus forcing car owner to go for a replenishment. As the time passes the weather conditions take a toll on windshield’s upper and PVB layer. After a certain time, that varies with the manufacturer and operating conditions, PVB layer which holds the layers of glasses in a laminated windshield together starts eroding. Chemical changes in the PVB decreases its transparency. This may not affect the visibility in broad daylight, but at night or on a rainy day when you face light from other vehicle coming from opposite direction spread in the PVB layer due to reduced transparency. It affects your driving as you will not be able to see through your windscreen properly. In this condition the windshield can’t be repaired and hence you need a new windshield to avoid any mishap.

For all above reasons you may call Auto Glass Masters for expert advice or visit our nearest service centre for a new windshield replacement.

The post Need a New Windshield appeared first on Auto Glass Masters.

5 Things To Consider Before Buying A Truck

When it comes to buying a truck for your business, it's not a cheap and easy process to go through. Whilst it may seem as though it is reasonably simple, you need to be sure you have considered absolutely everything beforehand, especially if you're going to be putting a lot of money into your fleet. With that in mind, here are 5 important things to consider before buying a truck:

What Is Your Budget?

The first things you need to think about is your budget. Whilst this may not seem as important as looking at the specs of your potential purchase, having a budget in mind will give you the best possible starting point. Setting the highest possible price you're willing to pay for your truck will mean you can go into dealerships and negotiations prepared. Take a look at similar specs to the ones you want online, working out the average price for your needs. For a guide on setting a budget for business expenses, you can visit this site here.

What Will You Be Using Your Truck For?

Another important thing you need to think about before purchasing a truck is what are you going to be using it for? Whilst it might be an obvious answer, it will help you decide what sort of specs you need. Going into a purchase blind will put you at a disadvantage, possibly causing you to pay more than you need to.

Will You Be Buying New Or Second Hand?

Although new may be the ideal option, most people buy their trucks second hand. This doesn't necessarily mean you'll be getting something of lower quality, but it does mean you'll save a little bit of money when possible. When buying second hand be sure to consider wear and tear, mileage and who the previous owners were. For more information on used trucks, you can visit this site here.

Do You Need A Bed? Will You Be Travelling Far?

If you're going to be using the truck for long journeys, you will need to consider whether or not you need a bed. Whilst this is a much cheaper option in terms of overall business expenses, it will be more expensive upfront. Ultimately, you need to make sure you're putting the comfort and safety of your staff members first. For tips and tricks on driving long journeys, you can visit this guide here.

Have You Done Your Research And Visited Several Dealerships?

When it comes to purchasing any vehicle, it's important you're doing your research about the dealerships you're visiting. Doing a little bit of background research and visiting as many dealerships as you can be the best possible way to be sure you're making the right decision. Whilst it may take a little longer, you will end up getting the best deal you possibly can.

Are you looking to buy a new truck for business? What do you need to consider beforehand? Let me know in the comments section below.

Common Mistakes Dealers Make When Managing Trade-Ins

Trade-ins! As a dealer, you will know that a lot can rely on a customer’s trade-in. Members of NADA have reported that around 65% of inventory comes from trade-ins on new and used car sales. Nothing is specifically tracked to make a solid claim from this reported number, but using it as a guideline we think it’s safe to say half of all sales involve a trade-in of some sort.

So if so many sales rely on them, people must be making some mistakes and a mistake with a trade-in hits your bottom line, and in turn the value you can sell this vehicle at an auction. So what are the common mistakes and how can you avoid them?

Slamming the customers trade-in

Don’t do it, just don’t it won’t do you any favors. Used car salespeople often call out the faults in a trade-in vehicle to try and drive down the price, this is fine but it’s important to not get emotional. People get emotionally attached to their vehicles so don’t be surprised if a customer walks away if they feel like they are being dealt an unreasonable hand or if they feel their pride and joy is being insulted. It could also have a knock-on effect in terms of other business, the best advice we can offer here is to be objective, clear and explain to a customer work that would be required. People are far more likely to understand where you are coming from with your price as a result. That brings us onto our next point.

Not offering a fair market value

This was is important as over or undervaluing a trade-in vehicle is only going to impact one thing…your pocket.

So in the third and fourth quarters of the year salespeople are far more like to offer a higher valuation on a trade-in to secure the sale. While that’s all well and good for the salesperson, the used car department a sizeable headache. With no profit margin and no hope for a sale at a higher asking price you might be lucky to break even on the transaction.

When it comes to undervaluing, it really comes down to some peoples temptation to offer a low trade-in value. They do this to avoid buying unwanted used car inventory or to leave money in the bank for more profitable deals. Sure it’s an excellent tactic from one standpoint but on the other it sends potential customers to dealers who will offer them a fair price and in turn who do you think they will tell their friends and family to visit? Under valuing can cost you more than just one sale, always keep that in mind.

Running unskilled valuations

It happens sometimes, a dealership can have a high turnover rate of employees for whatever reason and often that means an unseasoned salesperson is pushed into a higher position, for example the used car managers role. These people don’t have the experience or training needed to perform a correct appraisal. This in turn means you are likely to have some appraisals that are higher or lower than they should be. This isn’t shady dealing but to a customer the experience often feels the same.

It can cost you a sale or take away any potential profit on a sale and potentially damage your dealerships reputation. To avoid this you should train your staff to a high level, give extra suppor tto new employees and get them to a level where they can fairly appraise each trade in.

Bidding Blind

Last but not least a common mistake dealers make is actually a very simple one to resolve. Valuing a car blind is a huge error of judgement and let’s be fair when you think about it you’re bidding on something you’ve never seen. Today there are a few websites around that offer “quick” appraisals.

This in practice doesn’t work, customers can often times have inflated value of their vehicles true worth and are thus disappointed when the dealer can’t or won’t maintain the trade-in value. These sites are two-way street dealers can also feel pressured to give a customer the value offered online to not lose the sale.

The post Common Mistakes Dealers Make When Managing Trade-Ins appeared first on The Winfooz Blog.

My ’67 Mustang and ’53 Chevy Pickup

Spring is in the air, so I decided to get the old ’67 Mustang and ’53 Chevy out of the garage for some photos. Up to this point, I have never staged them up together so it was the perfect opportunity to snap a few shots. Lucky for me, they seemed to get along just fine.

The Chevy is an old farm truck that I picked up a few years ago, and have been rebuilding with modern underpinnings. It’s got an 6.0L L96 LS engine with 4L80E transmission, rack and pinion steering, IFS with tubular control arms, and four wheel disc brakes. Here’s the build thread. I’ve got a few videos of the truck in action over on the Classic Nation Youtube Channel.

The Mustang is a 1967 Coupe, and was my very first car. It’s got the matching numbers 289 and C4 automatic transmission. I rebuilt the engine in 2013, bored it .40 over, machined, ported and polished the heads, 3 way valve job, and put in a slightly more aggressive cam. This past year I upgraded the brakes, steering, and exhaust. For a closer look at those modifications, as well as the dyno run and the first listen to the new S Type Borla CrateMufflers, here’s a video.

My plan is to finish out the interior of the truck with a reupholstered leather bench seat, black carpet, and high quality insulation and sound deadening. I have really grown to love the look of the rough “farm truck” exterior, so it will remain as-is.

The Mustang is another story. I’ve been slowing enhancing several systems on the car, and there are a few major enhancements right around the corner: adding fuel injection, a supercharger, and possibly a Roadster Shop Spec Chassis. A much more common “pro touring” build would involve tossing in a modern Coyote engine and a manual 6 speed, but I think it would be really cool to keep the original engine and add some performance enhancing modifications to give it a little more pep than it had when it rolled out of the factory.

As you can tell from this photo, the original grille is banged up. I want to straighten it out a bit without doing any polishing. I also am trying to source some used swan neck exterior mirrors.

The wheels are Wheel Vintiques 15″ Smoothie’s, running Coker Radials 225/75 R15 with the wide white wall tires. I’m waiting for a new set of the original chrome hubcaps that fit on these 7.5″ outside nub wheels, since my original chrome hubcaps are for the original 16″ 6 lug wheels that had clips that attached the hubcaps.

Having both of these vehicles on the road and running great at the same time has been a blast. I’m really looking forward to this summer and putting some quality miles on them both!

The post My ’67 Mustang and ’53 Chevy Pickup appeared first on Classic Nation.

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7 Ways To Purchase A Second Hand Car

Cars are quite a valuable asset to have. No one likes going through the hassle of public transport. Having a personal vehicle allows you to reach your destination on your own terms. Are you thinking of getting a car but you are finding the new models to be beyond your reach? Don’t worry! You can still enjoy the perks of having a vehicle. All you need to do is look at the right place. And that is the second-hand car market. You might have negative associations attached to second-hand cars. Many believe that used cars don’t drive well and hence are a poor investment. Well, this is not always the case especially if you follow the proper ways to purchase a second-hand car.

Here is how you should go about the process.

1. 
   

   Ask yourself why you are getting a car

   
   

You might think that this is such an obvious question. You want a car because you want a medium of transport. Well, this answer is just the beginning. You must pinpoint the exact reason why you are getting a vehicle. Are you looking for a family vehicle for school runs? Or do you need an automobile for your road trips?

The purpose that you want the car to serve will form the basis of your search. It will allow you to narrow down your search to include only a given type or model of automobile. Just like brand new cars, the second-hand car market is quite vast too. To purchase one, you must begin by narrowing down your options by identifying your needs.

2. 
   

   Set a budget

   
   

The chances are you are opting for a used car because you can’t afford to buy a new one, or because you are not willing to make the hefty investment. Since price is an essential factor for you, make sure you set a budget before going into the market. Ask yourself, what is the maximum amount you are willing to spend on the purchase? Then, relay your budget constraints to the vehicle seller. This way you will only see cars that you can afford to buy. This also helps in streamlining the car buying process.

3. 
   

   Decide who to purchase it from

   
   

Once you know your needs and budget constraints, you are ready to begin your search. There are various ways in which you can buy a used car. You can opt for the conventional route of buying it from a car dealer. Or, you can eliminate the need for middlemen by directly buying it from private sellers. Moreover, you can also invest in online car buying and selling services.

All of these options have their pros and cons. Research on them and decide which method is best aligned with your needs. For instance, if you value convenience, online services might be a good option for you. If you wish for a risk-free investment, car dealers are known to be the less risky option of the lot. But, if you want a comparatively low-priced deal, individual buyers are your best bet.

4. 
   

   Look beyond the appearance of the car

   
   

When you find the vehicle you like, don’t rush in. Before sealing the deal, make sure you carefully assess the condition of the car. Don’t take the automobile at its face value. Sometimes a vehicle may look seemingly perfect but might be in poor condition from the inside. It is best that you get a third-party opinion before purchasing a second-hand car. Get a mechanic to assess the various internal components of the car. Ensure that the brake, clutches, accelerator, speedometer and mileage recorder, etc. are in good condition. Ask the seller for service records to verify whether the car has been well-maintained in the past or not.

5. 
   

   Take it out for a spin

   
   

A test drive is one of the most critical steps of purchasing a second-hand car. Sometimes even if a mechanic verifies that the vehicle is in good shape, it might not be the perfect vehicle for you. This is because it might not drive well on the road. Everyone has different preferences on how a car should be when driving. Only a test drive can let you know whether a given vehicle is indeed the one for you.

So, always take the car you are interested in buying for a test drive. Drive around your usual route, highway, bumpy roads and your neighborhood. Be alert of any indications of poor performance. This can be something as simple as a vibrating wheel which can signify that the engine is not working correctly.

6. 
   

   Negotiate

   
   

If you want the best price for second hand cars, you must always negotiate with the seller. Never accept the offer they place from the get-go. Most sellers tend to price their vehicles more than their actual worth. This is done to leave room for negotiations so that they don’t end up selling the car at a loss. In other words, most sellers expect you to negotiate. So, always haggle with them for a better deal. Some might stay firm on their price while others might lower it. It is still worth the hassle to at least try and get the price reduced.

7. 
   

   Seal the deal

   
   

Once you are satisfied with the offer, you can now proceed to close the deal. Decide how you will pay for the transaction. Make sure to add the vehicle to your insurance before you start driving it. Get the title and other required paperwork of the car. Ensure that the seller signs it properly for transfer of ownership. Decide whether the car needs sprucing up before you take it out on the road.

Conclusion

There you go! Now you have a car that you can travel in. Take good care of your used car to gain the most benefit out of it. Second-hand cars might be slightly more challenging. But, if you are wise about it, you can end up with a great deal.

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5 Important Things To Keep In Mind Before Purchasing A Second Hand Car

You don’t buy a car every other day. Even if you are purchasing a second hand car, it is still a hefty investment. This is why you shouldn’t rush and buy just any car that you find in the market.

Instead, when purchasing used vehicles, there is a lot to keep in mind before you seal the deal. Here are 5 key factors to consider before buying a second-hand car.

1. 
   

   Decide on your budget and needs

   
   

Before even beginning your search, the first thing you must keep in mind is your budget and requirements. Setting a budget from the get-go is crucial. If you don’t set a minimum and maximum limit, you might end up falling in love with a car that is beyond your reach. It will also widen your search for no reason. This is why you must keep in mind your budget before going into the market to purchase a used car.

Make sure that the budget you set is reasonable. Don’t set it too low. If you do, you might not find any vehicle in the price range. And even if you do, it won’t perform well on the road. At the end of the day, you should choose a car that functions well. So, keep that in mind when setting a budget.

While you are at it, also think about what you want your car to fulfill. This will also help in filtering down the options. For instance, if you require a vehicle for your family, minis and convertibles will become invalid options from the start. This way you won’t have to look at options that have no use to you. Similarly, try to think about the specifications you would ideally want in your car. However, you must not excessively narrow down your needs. If you do so, you will find it challenging to find a vehicle, to begin with.

2. 
   

   Dealing options

   
   

You must consider how you are going to buy second hand cars. There are various options you can explore. Here are the most common avenues through which you can purchase a used automobile.

Car dealerships

The most common and risk-free way of purchasing a used car is through a car dealership. Apart from selling new models, many car dealers also sell old used vehicles. The good thing about opting for car dealerships is that you are likely to get a car that is in excellent condition. On the other hand, the prices car dealers may charge might be higher than what you would get elsewhere. This is because car dealers also include their margins in the deal.

Individual sellers

You can also purchase vehicles directly from other individuals. Since there are no middlemen involved, this method allows you to get a better deal. However, some might find this mode to be risky since you cannot be sure about the credibility of the individual. Also, they might gloss over the problematic parts of their vehicle, and you will have to invest in a mechanic to verify the condition of the car.

Online Car selling services

There are multiple online car buying and selling services operating in the country that allow you to purchase used cars online. Compared to individual car sellers, this method is less risky. Also, if you invest wisely, you can easily find well-reputed services that are known for delivering reasonable prices and high performing vehicles.

3. 
   

   Buying a newer model

   
   

You might want to get a newer model within the second-hand car range. Generally, the older the car, the lower the price you will have to pay for it. However, this comes at the cost of a poor car condition and a high mileage. At the end of the day, you must invest in a car that drives well on the road. If you don’t, there is no point in getting a car in the first place. Also, an old vehicle which costs less might end up costing you more in the long run due to the repairing it might need.

So, within the second-hand cars, choose relatively newer models. Find the right balance between the car condition and price.

4. 
   

   Inspect the vehicle

   
   

You can get a car checked by a mechanic if you purchase the car from an individual seller. The same might not be the case if you buy from car dealers. However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t inspect the car.

Before purchasing it, check the car by yourself. When doing so, make sure there is no mismatched bodywork or fading. The engine should be smooth, and there should be no resistance when the vehicle accelerates from a standstill. Look at the chassis and bodyline to ensure whether the car has been in an accident or not. Check the tires for indications of wear and tear. This can illustrate poor maintenance.

Ask for the service history to gauge how often the vehicle has been serviced. This will help you decide whether the car performs well or not.

5. 
   

   Go for a test drive

   
   

Before purchasing a second-hand car, always take it out for a spin. Spend 30 minutes driving the car in your neighbourhood, on your usual route, on bumpy roads, and on the highway. Sometimes a vehicle can look great at face value but can turn out to be problematic when it hits the road.

Therefore, test drives are necessary. Use this opportunity to check whether the brakes and clutches of the car work fine. Also, see if the mileage recorder is indeed doing its job. If the steering wheel vibrates during the test drive, this might be an indication that the engine is not working correctly. Test drives can help identify problems about the condition of the car and hence should be taken before purchasing it.

Conclusion

Consider these 5 factors before purchasing a second-hand car. This will allow you to make the best decision.

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Looking For The Perfect SUV?

Different cars are always going to be useful for different people in different situations. After all, there are about as many different cars as there are places to drive them! However, if you're looking for something that covers pretty much all of the bases of form, function, and reliability you really could do a whole lot worse than an SUV. These cars are often some of the absolute best for those who want something that really can cover all of the bases from city driving to the school run to getting off-road. With that in mind, here are some of the factors to consider when trying to find the perfect SUV.

Comfort

One of the best things about an SUV is that it's this perfect balance between a family car and a great off-road vehicle. But if there's one thing that both of these situations have in common, it's that you're going to spend a pretty large amount of time in your vehicle. Because of that, you're going to want to make sure that you're as comfortable as possible. The last thing you want to is to be rattling around and causing yourself pain and discomfort from sitting in your car. SUVs like the new Audi Q7 are perfect because they offer a huge amount of comfort no matter what kind of driving you're doing. And that applies to everyone in the car!

Versatility

Of course, the last thing you want is an SUV that doesn't offer you the chance to switch up your driving style as and when you want. Maybe one day you're going to be doing the school run and the next you're ready to get off-road. You're going to want an SUV that actually functions properly in both of these situations. Make sure that you find an SUV with a smooth enough ride to make city driving comfortable but decently strong suspension that you don't end up destroying it the moment that you take it off-road.

Size

One other thing that really sets SUVs apart from a lot of other cars is that they're not only incredibly versatile but they're a decent enough size to offer space for large families, travellers, and pretty much anyone else! Of course, not all SUVs are made equal so it's worth figuring out what's the right kind of size for you. Do you want something smaller for more city driving? Or do you have a big family and need plenty of space for everyone no matter where you are?

Of course, the truth is that pretty much all of us will make the choice of what kind of car to buy based on pretty strong personal preference. It's not just a matter of which car ticks all of the relevant boxes for you but also how a car makes you feel when you're actually behind the wheel. And this is an incredibly important factor when it comes to deciding what car to buy. Just make sure that you're not forgetting about the practical side of things as well.

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Buying or leasing your next car is a common question for families

Buying or leasing your next car is a common question for families, especially for those that have the capability of owning more than one car. This question is simple, but, making a good choice is very tricky and requires careful consideration. It is best to take into account the benefits of each option.

Buying your next car

Buying a car can be expensive, which means you must have a good reason to buy it. You will also need to pay for its ongoing maintenance.

a) To buy a new car requires instant cash flow in most cases, because whether you will buy it with cash or pay in instalments with finance, that often require a down payment.

b) Getting finance on a new car requires many documents. In addition to bank details etc, to secure finance often needs proof of earnings and a good credit score.

Leasing your next car

Leasing a car is a better option for those people who want to have a car, but, will only use it for a specific things or limited mileage. Leasing your next car will bring you some advantages:
a) Savings. Leasing your next car is advantageous to people, who are just using it for a specific purpose. You can also save money with this option because there are no additional maintenance costs. After the lease expires, you can return the car and get a newer car without needing to sell your old one. If however you really like the car you have you can choose to buy it at the end of the lease term.

b) Flexibility. This option will bring you flexibility to choose exactly the type of car you will need. If you will need a luxury car, choose one and lease it. If you want an SUV for off road activities, you can just choose one and lease it. When leasing, it is often a cheaper way to get a more expensive vehicle.

c) Assurance of a well maintained car. Since the maintenance costs are included in the lease, they are always well maintained and safe to use.

If you want a good all-round car you could lease a Nissan Vehicle. Why Nissan? Nissan is one of the best car making companies in the world for offering a good combination of features and value. They are known for their quality and most popularly known for its good air-conditioning design. Nissan has a variety of car models and types, such as: sports cars, luxury cars, SUV’s and economy cars – everything that you will need in a car. Leasing a Nissan vehicle, is a safe bet for a great driving experience, for you and your passengers.

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Your Worries Of “How Can I Sell My Car” Have Been Solved

Selling a vehicle is not as easy as purchasing one. Are you confused about how can I sell my car? We are here to make the process easier for you. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to sell your vehicle. Follow it to reduce the hassle and effort involved in the usual car selling process.

1. 
   

   Begin by doing your research

   
   

Always go into the market prepared. If you are rigorous with your initial research, you are bound to get the best deal for your vehicle. Surf the internet and ask around about the current market of automobiles in the country. Does your car has a high demand in the used market? If so, you will find it easier to sell your vehicle compared to instances when your vehicle isn’t a hot commodity.

Here are some of the questions you need to answer during your research:

• What type of car do you have and what is the current market demand for the said type of automobile?


• What are the popular ways of selling your car online? For instance, are the online car buying services well-reputed in the area?


• What is your geographic location and how does it affect the value of the vehicle?


• What is the book value of your vehicle as per the listings?

Do our homework and learn about the market beforehand. This will allow you to get an idea of what to expect when you try to sell your vehicle.

2. 
   

   Learn the price of your car

   
   

The second step to selling your car is finding out its worth. You can’t expect your buyer to foot their price. Why? This is because even if you sell your car to dealerships, they are going to offer you a price that is best suited to them. Your goal should be to get a value that is genuinely the worth of your car. After all, you wouldn’t want to undersell your car, would you?

Now, to learn the price of your vehicle, there are various things can you do. Either you can rely on the price listing provided by guides like Kelly Blue Book. Or, you can opt for a thorough car valuation service. The latter is a better way to learn the correct value of your vehicle. This is because listings only relay the book price of your vehicle.

Multiple other factors come into play when finding the right worth of your vehicle. This includes car condition, mileage, vehicle color, your reputation, the value of the add-ons and the overall demand of your used car in the market.

Even if you invest in car valuation, you might find that the market price of your vehicle might be different. It will fluctuate from the value presented by the service. Always be prepared for slight discrepancies. A great way to negotiate a deal is by asking for a little high price than what you are ready to accept. After all, people love negotiating. So, if you ask for the right price from the get-go, they might ask you to settle for less.

Moreover, use tactics when setting the final price. You might have noticed that all the big companies always end their prices in “999”. This is because consumers often tend to see the first digit and not the last when looking at a price. So, if you tell them something is worth $12999 rather than $13000, you will get more sales. It is incredible how the human mind works!

3. 
   

   Invest in your car

   
   

Cars are a high involvement product. This is why people wish for their vehicles to look great. Here, first impressions matter. This is why you must invest in repairing your vehicle to make it look aesthetically pleasing. Do so even if your car operates flawlessly. Your vehicle must have the curb appeal to be sold quickly.

Here is what you can do to make it look better in front of potential buyers:

• Vacuum and wash the car from inside as well as from outside


• Ensure its mechanical soundness. The vehicle shouldn’t feature any dents, scrapes or sounds


• Remove any junk that may be present inside so that your customer isn’t appalled by the vehicle during the test drive


• Apply tire gloss on the tires to make them look new and unused


• Clean the windows and different mirrored surfaces


• Maintain a record of all the repairs and maintenance you did to show potential buyers

While you are at it, get a mechanic to check the car to guarantee its functionality. Make sure all the components are working before you start accepting offers.

4. 
   

   Decide who to sell

   
   

Various entities might be interested in purchasing your car. Decide who you want to sell to. There are pros and cons attached to all of the potential car buyers.

Individual buyers

You will find various private buyers willing to purchase your vehicle. To reach them, advertise through newspapers, social media, and similar communities. Private buyers mean interacting with a lot of people and allowing them to take your car for a spin. This can get hectic. However, you are more likely to seal a reasonable deal since private customers don’t haggle much.

Online car buying services

Multiple car buying companies are operating in the country. Through them, you can sell your vehicle without stepping out of your house. However, some might find this method to be risky if they don’t invest in the right service.

Car dealerships

If all else fails, you always have car dealers who will be willing to purchase your vehicle. This is the safest way to sell your car. However, you might not get the price you want since car dealerships tend to offer low prices for used cars.

5. 
   

   Complete the deal

   
   

After you have found the right buyer, verify your paperwork and complete the transaction by handing over the vehicle. In return, the decided amount would be transferred to your account or will be handed to you by the buyer.

Final thoughts

Voila! Your car is sold. Your worries have been solved.

The post Your Worries Of “How Can I Sell My Car” Have Been Solved appeared first on .

How To Sell My Car At Book Value?

When you are thinking about how to sell my car then the most critical steps in selling a used car is knowing its worth. Before you decide who to sell it to and how you will go about the process, you must know the value of your vehicle.

Understanding the concept of book value

Two terms are often attached to the worth of a car. This includes book value and market value. Book value is the price that is listed in guides like Kelly Blue Book. Here, the trade and retail prices of various cars are listed. You can find the book value of your vehicle easily in such listings. The values listed here include some of the many factors that are integral to price valuations. This includes external factors like economic growth and trends in the automobile industry.

Another important term in the world of automobiles is the market value of your vehicle. This is the actual amount that will be offered to you when you sell your vehicle. It generally is not the same as the book value. And this is why it is advised that you opt for free car valuations to get a better idea of the worth of your car.

Can I sell my car for the amount I bought it for?

Want to sell your vehicle for the price you got it for? Well, you can’t. Do you know that the price of your vehicle depreciates by 11 percent or more the moment you take your vehicle from the car dealership? So, you can expect the amount of depreciation your vehicle will undergo after years of use. One thing is for sure; you won’t get the same price as the one you paid when you purchased the car.

How can I sell my car at book value?

Do you wish to ensure that you get a value close to the book value? While the exact price may be hard to get, you can get a close value if you do the following:

Don’t drive it much

The mileage of your vehicle is one of the various factors that affect the worth of it. Mileage refers to the total distance that has been covered by the vehicle. The higher the mileage, the lower will be the worth of your vehicle. Why so? This is because the more a given vehicle is driven, the more it would have undergone wear and tear.

Sometimes even though the car’s components are working, they might not be in the best shape due to excessive use. So, if you wish to get the book value, it is advised that you don’t drive the said vehicle often. This is very hard to ensure since at the end of the day the whole point of having a car is to use it. You can only control the mileage of your vehicle if you buy it as an investment and not as a way of commuting.

Repair your vehicle

Does your car feature a lot of dents and scrapes? If so, its value will automatically go down. After all, potential buyers wish only to purchase cars that are in the best condition. Put yourself in their shoes. Will you ever buy a car that doesn’t work suitably? There is a high chance you won’t. The same goes for potential car buyers. This is why you must ensure the condition of your vehicle by investing in repairing it. Get it checked from a mechanic and they will tell you what repairs are necessary. For starters, you must make sure that the various components of the car including its brake and lights, work properly.

However, this isn’t the only type of repair you need to invest in. Instead, try to improve the visual appeal of your car. First impression matters in the case of automobiles as well. Even if it works perfectly, if it doesn’t look nice, you won’t get a good deal for it. Therefore, improve the appearance of your car by:

• Removing all junk items from within. Your potential car buyers shouldn’t be appalled by it during their test drives


• Clean all the mirrored surfaces as well as the windows of your vehicle. A sparkling clean car always looks better


• Remove the dust from the brakes and accelerator to make the car look new


• Apply tire gloss on the tires to make them look unused

Have your service records sorted

The resale value can get close to the book value of your vehicle if you maintain it well. However, there are certain aspects of servicing a car that cannot be visible to the naked eye. For instance, you can’t check if all the inner components are serviced. At such times, you might think that people will rely on your word and believe that you have serviced your car. However, most customers tend to be distrustful and skeptical of car sellers. So, make sure you have all your service records as proofs. This will amplify the value of your vehicle.

Don’t paint your car in odd colors

Do you have an eccentric personality? Do you like having your possessions to be an extension of you? If so, you might have painted your car into colors that are unconventional. Well, we hate to break it to you, but car colors also play a part in the final price that you are offered. And mostly, people don’t like bright colored cars. Instead, they like primary shades like black, grey, white and silver. So, if your vehicle features bright hues like maroon, green or yellow, its price will go down. To increase its worth and bring it close to the book value, consider repainting it.

Conclusion

With the help of the ideas mentioned above, you might end up bringing the worth of your vehicle close to the book value. This is the finest deal you can get for your used car. Sell it off for cash and get your hands on the latest models instead.

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