Buying a car often means figuring out what to do with the one you currently have. Some people, when buying from a dealer, choose to trade in their old vehicle. Others, like my streetsmart pennypinching dad, would never do that in a million years. What you choose really depends on the type of person you are and what’s important to you.
Continue Reading »You’re likely to keep a car longer if you’ve bought it new, so lenders can afford to give you a lower interest rate. They know that you’re happy with your car and chances are you’ll continue making your payments. Someone who has bought a used car, on the other hand, may not be as satisfied with their purchase and less inclined to fulfill the lender’s investment.
Continue Reading »Maybe you want a vintage drop-top for a cheap price, to show off on the weekends – or perhaps you’re just interested in seeing how little you can spend and still score a convertible that runs. In any case, it is possible to own a privately-sold used convertible for less than $10,000 – even less than $5,000, in some cases. Beware that most of these cars will have hefty mileages: at least 80K, and often over 100K. As my used-car hobbyist dad knows, however, sometimes you can buy an old car and still get a couple of years of great running ability, as long as you take care of it and you’re not relying on it for, say, a 50-mile daily commute.
Continue Reading »The world is divided into two groups of people: those who at some point give in to their basic human desire to own a convertible, and those who don’t. There is one main difference between these two groups. Those with the wind and sun in their faces as they zoom handily around curves are much, much happier.
Continue Reading »Buying a certified pre-owned convertible gives you three advantages: a manufacturer-backed warranty, a great car, and a good value. In case you’re wondering how certified pre-owned programs work, here’s a brief explanation.
First the manufacturer of the convertible has it inspected at one or more of its dealer locations. In the case of BMW convertibles, for example, inspectors go through special training programs. Each car is assigned a specific inspector who is accountable for the car’s fitness for warranty.
Continue Reading »Many considerations go into buying a used SUV. In this article, we’ll take you through the SUV models that were repeatedly reviewed as the safest.
First, you may be wondering what goes into measuring a particular vehicle’s safety. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety evaluates trucks and cars using a variety of procedures. To test how well a vehicle protects its passengers in frontal crashes, for example, the Institute measures how much the car crumples into the passenger’s compartment and analyzes “injury measurements” from a crash-test dummy. This is generally done at a 40mph speed.
Continue Reading »Traditional SUVs are not as popular as they once were. Climbing gas prices and a stalling economy have many car-buyers choosing “crossovers” rather than true sport utility vehicles. With its design based on a small car rather than a truck, the crossover still offers some benefits of a standard SUV. Crossovers have high seating for the driver, plenty of room for gear, space for five or more passengers, and off-road ability - while retaining the fuel economy and aerodynamism or smaller cars.
Continue Reading »If you’re in the market for a used SUV, you might balk at first at the higher prices of Certified Pre-Owned. But look at it this way. Certified Pre-Owned offers the style, reliability, and warranty of late-model cars – as well as peace of mind from an extended warranty, and from the knowledge that it has been thoroughly inspected by the manufacturer before it has even reached you.
Continue Reading »Trucks are by definition safe. The larger and heavier your vehicle, the more protected you are inside of it. That being said, here is a rundown of the used trucks that have achieved particular recognition for their safety features.
Continue Reading »Want a great truck but can’t afford to spend more than $10,000? Here are some solid models to consider, according to Aol’s list of best used trucks for that price.
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