.: Top 9 Used Car Salesmen Tricks, and How to Avoid Them
By:Don
Category:Home / Cars and Trucks
One of the biggest moments in many people’s lives is driving off in their brand-spanking-new automobile. It’s an exhilarating feeling. It’s also a big moment because in that very instant, that brand-spanking-new car loses a big chunk of its value—the difference between the retail price you paid and the car’s wholesale value. That’s typically thousands gone in an instant.
That’s why some car buyers choose to shop around for a used car. You save yourself that steep initial drop-off in value. More importantly, you get a car that runs just as well, is just as dependable, and looks and feels as good as that new car—that is, if you play your cards right.
For if there is one pitfall of buying a used car, it’s the risk of buying a lemon, a junker—call it what you want, you get the point: the wrong car. Used car dealers, after all, have nearly as bad a reputation, if not worse, than lawyers do. This holds true for individual people selling their cars through newspapers, Web auctions and classified sites, or with the old-fashioned signs in their car windows. The saying, “Buyer Beware,” no where has more meaning than with cars.
The opposite to that, of course, is that there are some real steals out there in used cars. We’re talking about quality vehicles that will perform beyond your expectations at a low price. Here’s how to find these perfect used vehicles, and avoid the top 10 scams that used car dealers everywhere try to pull on you.
1. Get a second opinion for the hype. Used car dealers will bombard you with every adjective under the book to sell you on a car—sporty, thrifty, fast, and etc. Don’t take their word for it. Instead, find someone you know, whether a neighbor, a colleague, a family member, or a friend, who owns the same make and model of the vehicle, and ask them for their opinion.
2. Do a background check. One of the most unethical, but legal, things someone can do to you is sell you a used car that’s been in a flood (and sort of repaired), or one that’s had 10 previous owners (none of whom repaired it). To be sure you don’t fall victim to this, track down a history report, including a clearance check on the vehicle title. You can even get some of this information from the seller, simply by asking why they are selling it. You’d be surprised what beans people may spill.
3. Examine for past damage. Used car dealers may also try to peddle a vehicle that was wrecked in a major accident. It’s amazing what autobody experts can do to repair a car’s exterior. So don’t go by the outer appearances of a vehicle. Before you buy it, make sure that it does not have serious damage to its frame, which it would have if it was involved in a crash.
4. Call up your trusted mechanic. Used car dealers, especially the big lots, will say they put their used cars through a “100 point inspection,” or something like that. Once again, a second opinion is in order. Get this one from your own mechanic. He’ll be able to tell how good a shape the car actually is in. Also be sure to ask him or her how often the car had been serviced. A good mechanic can even gauge that.
5. Research for recalls. Needless to say, a used car dealer may sell you a car that’s actually under recall in his mad rush to get the car off his lot. So be sure to call the car manufacturer, or visit their Web site, to see if the vehicle has any active recalls.
6. Avoid the leftover lemon. Along with recalled vehicles, dealers may even perpetrate something much worse on you—sell you a lemon. (By definition, a lemon is a car that’s still under warranty, which has such major problems that, warranty or not, it still cannot be fixed in a reasonable way.) The best way to avoid this is to research in Consumer Reports or the various automobile magazines, which all have yearly reviews of every make and model on the market. They’ll tell you whether a kind of car is known for being a lemon and prone to breakdowns.
7. See through the old paint and bait. Along with performing their “100 point inspection,” car dealers may shine and wax a used car—even repaint it—to hide dents, dings, and rust spots. A keen eye, though, can see right through this.
8. Take the test drive. Once you’ve done all your research, homework, extra credit, and everything else called for in the first seven steps, then comes the fun—the test drive. Drive the car for as long as its owner or dealer will allow you. Then you’ll get a better feel for how the vehicle handles, accelerates, brakes, and otherwise suits your tastes (or doesn’t).
9. Be wary of the pushy seller. At any stage of the game—from the moment you first talk to the seller to the test drive—be careful if the seller gets pushy. Any dealer or seller who is in a rush to move a vehicle should set off bells and whistles. Why the rush? Are they hiding something? In some cases the seller may just be excited to sell you the car—and actually happy for you—but in many other cases, they may be up to something. Better be safe than sorry.
Follow these 9 simple steps to avoid the scams and pitfalls of used car deals, and you could get the car of your dreams—for far less than you’d pay if it was brand-new. Plus, you get that same high when you drive your new used car home, without losing thousands of dollars.
Article keywords: car, vehicle, automobile, salesman, used car, truck
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Donald Lee is the public relations manager for Buysellcommunity.com. Buysellcommunity provides free classified listing services. Buy, Sell and trade: auto, computers, household items, real estate, pets and much more. For global and localized classifieds, please visit
www.buysellcommunity.com - Free Buy & Sell Classifieds
.: New Cars and Trucks Articles
1). How The ATV Snow Plow Can Help
Looking into a snow plow for the winter season? Maybe the ATV snow plow is just the right addition to your family.
2). 2007 Lamborghini Murcielago Review
The Murcielago is considered, even by purists, the greatest Lambo ever produced. Learn more about this Italian beast here.
3). Be A Defensive Driver Not A Drunk Driver
These are some key basic tips to becoming a better driver and remember these tips can save you life and save you money...
4). Important Car Air Conditioner Parts
The air conditioner has become a necessity to keep away the scorching heat. Even in case of traveling you need conditioned and healthy air to drive safely and comfortably. With an onset of automobile air conditioner in 1940, things have gone an automatic change.
5). Finding The Perfect Car For You
Your car may be the second largest purchase you make in your lifetime.
6). History Of Hybrid Car
There were quite a few people interested in hybrid technology, and some were long before the application for this particular patent was submitted. The history of hybrid car products on the highway was just emerging to the forefront of American minds during this time.
7). All The Amazing Secrets Of Go Karts
This article goes over everything about go karts in brief. History, equipment, racing, and more. Learn everything you want to about go karts here.
.: Top Cars and Trucks Articles
1). 2008 Chery QQ: Sneak Peak!
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). The Best in Headlight Repair, Cleaning, and Restoration
Want to know how to fix and repair those expensive plastic headlights? Read on.
3). Customize Your Car With Wheels And Rims
Post 1900’s, the aftermarket for cars’ wheels and rims has become huge. Everyone wants to customize their car with the latest and trendiest set of wheels. You car can look more trendy within minutes of installing the latest set of custom wheels and rims. But selecting the right one is extremely important.
Types of custom wheels and rims
There are many different types of wheels and rims that you can find in the market.
4). How To Install Car Speakers
All cars have their own unique type of car speaker installation issues although installing speakers is a relatively simple process. Most speaker installations can be finished in about an hour or less. The intricacy of the installation will vary depending on the vehicle. And again, depending on the vehicle, speakers may be installed in the dash, doors, or rear deck.
5). Jaguar X Type: The Classic Luxury Sports Car
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.
6). The Ultimate Nissan Skyline NISMO Z-TUNE
With the 34 GTR no longer in production Nismo decided to attempt building what they believed to be the ultimate Nissan Skyline GTR. Utilizing many years experience within different racing scenes it could be argued that Nismo should have the ability to do exactly that. This vehicle was to benefit from the many years of success Nismo had within motor racing.
7). Is It Necessary to Change My Oil at 3,000 Miles?
When Do I change my Oil?
Motor oil technology has gradually progressed since the days of the earliest automobiles. In those days, standard motor oil drain intervals were between 500 and 1000 miles, and motorists had to switch viscosity grades with the changing of the seasons. The development of oil filtration and additive technology in the 1930s allowed.