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[G106]Get A Used Car

by Greg Lucas, Gre

Let the Internet be your guide when buying a used car. The information you can find online is valuable and just a few clicks away from your fingertips. You can find out what a used car of any make or model might be worth if you were trading it in, selling it yourself, or buying it from another private owner or car lot.

Before you take out a car loan, go online to see what the used car you want to buy is really worth. Besides the fact that you don't want to pay too much for the automobile, you also don't want to take out a bigger car loan than is necessary.

"Trade-in value" is explained as, "What consumers can expect to receive from a dealer for a trade-in vehicle," and "private party value" is explained as, "what a buyer can expect to pay when buying a used car from a private party." But when it comes to "suggested retail value" KBB switches gears and defines it as, "representative of dealers' asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer." - advertisement -

Now, be careful. You have to check more than one source, because the web has many websites that have their own opinion about used cars and about car loans. Depending on the website, the values for some cars can vary by more than a thousand dollars for what seems like the same type of car in the same condition.

Most free websites that say they can help you find out the worth of a used car or that claim to help you get an auto loan, usually have a close relationship with auto dealers and car loan companies that support their website through advertising or other means. That relationship with their supporters can make the information less reliable.

Two popular websites for information about used car values are Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds. They are the most reliable sources I've found for information about the value of a used car. For information about car loans, go to allaboutcarloans.com after you know how much you will need to borrow for that dream car you just researched.

First, let's determine what the car you want to buy is worth. There are a lot of things that go into a used car's value, including regional differences, supply and demand and what's happening in the new car market. Run through the calculator on Edmunds, and see what the result is for the car you want to buy. Then check the same car at Kelley Blue Book. You'll likely see two different values for the automobile you checked.

Why? Each of the two websites have a different means of calculating the value of automobiles. The prices that are calculated at the websites also use different sources for information about used cars. It seems that Edmunds.com uses a little forecasting to determine actual value of a used car, while kbb.com or Kelley Blue Book gives you a suggested retail price as a guide for car dealers.

Newer cars are easier for these websites to compare and you'll find less differences in the price comparisons. The older the car is, the more likely they will be different estimates. None of these estimates should be taken as 100% accurate, but using both of these sources will help you define a range.

So what do I do? First remember, no two used cars are alike and no two auto loans are alike.
Also, it should be noted that using the higher estimated value when applying for your auto loan and using the lower estimated value to negotiate the purchase of your vehicle can be a plus. When you go to allaboutcarloans.com make sure you look for topics that will help you in determining the best places to apply for your auto loan and use the higher estimated value when applying.

If you have a second hand car that you wish to sell or are thinking about buying one, then getting a used car valuation is a must. When it comes to selling your car it means that you are not going to over price it and be stuck with it and it also means you will not be giving it away. If you are looking to buy a used car then you do not want to pay over the odds for it and by getting a valuation you can determine how much a used car of the make and model you are looking at is going to cost.

If you go to a specialist website you are able to gain access to all the tools needed to get a used car valuation. They will offer a search tool and this can be used to quickly determine the cost of a car with the same statistics as yours or which you are looking to buy. However when using the search tool as a validation tool remember to check the wording of the listing because such things as exceptionally low mileage and extras on the car can boost up the cost of the car.

Starting off with the basic search tool is the easiest way to get started on your used car valuation search. Simply type in the make and model of the car and you will be presented with cars matching that criterion. As a specialist site can have thousands of used cars in their database and depending on the popularity of the car you might have to narrow down your search.

However you are easily able to do this with the extended search. You can narrow down to the mileage that the car has done and extras such as sunroof, electric windows and the condition of the vehcile. This will then give you a better starting place with which to make a comparison. All the listings for used cars come with photos and an extensive review of the car and will also tell you whether the car is being sold by a private seller or a used car dealer. This will give you a good idea of how much that particular make and model will sell for which then allows you to budget if you are buying or list within that price range when selling.

A specialist website will also offer plenty of good free advice and information when it comes to getting a used car valuation. The information offered can be by way of articles and FAQs which explain what to look for when getting a valuation and how to make sure you remain safe when it comes to buying and selling. There are many honest trustworthy individuals selling and buying by way of a specialist's virtual showroom, but then there are also some less ethical. However providing you follow the advice and proceed with caution you can get an excellent bargain online that will give you many good years? of service.

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About Author

Both Greg Lucas & Louis Rix are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Greg Lucas has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Global Warming and Entertainment Guide. Greg Lucas' website, was created so consumers can learn about auto loans before they apply for them. Information is power and the Internet is th. Greg Lucas's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.

Louis Rix has sinced written about articles on various topics from Used Car, Finances and Used Car. Louis Rix is a Director of NetCars, one of the UK's leading motoring websites. First established in January 2000, it provides a search. NetCars also pr. Louis Rix's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.