What Is My Car Worth?

The question you ask when selling your car is, ‘How much is it worth?’  Well this question is actually incomplete. You have to add three parts and you get three different answers.
How much is it worth when I sell it to a:

Dealer
Private individual
Dealer as a trade-in

You can answer these 3 questions by going to online valuation web sites such as: Kelly’s Blue Book in the United States or The Red Book in Australia. You can get these prices for free.
The other way to value your car is to see how much they are going for in the classifieds.
Neither one of these ways is entirely accurate for the following reasons.

Classifieds may have only one or two cars of your type and they could be overpriced or underpriced. The quality of your estimate depends on getting a good range. It’s a good idea to check the prices over several weeks if you can.
Online Valuation services may have inaccuracies for particular models and should not be relied on exclusively, just because they seem to be the authorities. Their valuation is only as good as the data they have to go on. Since a large number of transactions bypass their data collection you can only consider it an estimate. It could be out by as much as $1000 easily.
Seasonal demands influence the prices of cars. Convertibles sell for higher prices in the summer time. These swings can exceed the ranges given in valuations.

There is one more factor that overides all the above. The final price you get is not it’s worth. It’s worth is it’s value. A good, reliable car with no rust, that has been maintained can be sold for more money. It is worth more than a newer car that has been poorly maintained. If you have such a car then you absolutely can sell it for a good price because you are giving value for money.

What to Remember When Purchasing Your Car

Buying a new car is the second most expensive thing most consumers buy. Next to houses of course. That is why it is important to know all the tips on making car buying easy and less stressful. Think about the car model and features you will want. Also think about how much you are willing to spend and STICK TO IT. Car salesmen are almost always paid on commission which means all they want is your purchase. Also, don’t be hasty or feel rushed into making a decision. If you are not sure about something, come back later.
Check books and magazines at the library or surf the internet for useful information on prices and features for the car you want before showing up at the dealer. That way you feel you know just as much about the kind of car you want as the salesman does. Shop around Never go with an impulse buy. Go to a few different dealers and talk to a car-buying service and a broker-buying service to make comparisons.
Plan on negotiating the price. Dealers may be willing to bargain on their profit margin. This is the difference between the MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) and the invoice price. This also affects your monthly payments. Negotiating the price can save you big money.
You may even want to consider ordering the car that you want. This may cause delays, but if the car with the features you want is not on the lot, this may be your best option. Remember this is a big purchase and one that will probably need to last you for a while. Inversely however you may get a better deal from the dealership if you buy a car from their inventory. Just because they want to get rid of them.
If you are trading in your old car for a new one. Negotiate the price of the new one before letting them know about the old one. Once they know you want to trade-in, they know you have that much more money to spend and they will use that against you. Check the internet or the library for information on the value of your old car. Just to give you a ballpark idea. Remember that if you can, you should try to sell your car yourself. You will get much more money for it that way.

What is Road Hazard Warranty? Do You Really Need It?

You are prepared to spend an average of $300 – $500 for new sneakers for you vehicle. It’s a maintenance item that is not optional and then the salesperson asks you if you want to purchase the Road Hazard warranty.
“It’s ONLY an additional $10 – $20 for each tire,” he or she says. So, you’re thinking, “Don’t my tires come with a warranty already?”
Great question! Most tires come with a warranty which covers workmanship and materials. In other words, the tire maufacterer covers things which are in their control, like defects. They are not interested in warranting the condition of the roads or your inability to hit debris.
This is where a Road Hazard warranty can save you money and aggravation. Road Hazard warranties are one of the best values, yet one of the most misunderstood benefits. Let’s start off by expalining exactly what is a Road Hazard warranties and how does it save me money?
Most Road Hazard warranties are set up to protect you, from paying full price, even if you happen to get a flat or even destroy a tire beyond repair. If you are fortunate enough to have purchased the warranty, you will only pay for the amount of tread that you used prior to the needed replacement. (This is called pro-rated).
Here is an example. Let’s say your tire is 1/2 way worn at the time of the flat. With tires averaging $100 each, your replacement cost would only be $50.00. Much better than full price, yes? Definitely – great value.
Typically, Road Hazard warranties will cover things like nails, glass, metal, stones etc. and almost anything else that could puncture or damage a tire. Some Road Hazrd packages provide a nationwide coverage, which are great for people who are traveling, or vacationing, because you now have peace of mind knowing that you are protected while away from your local area.
In addition, many Road Hazard warranties offer other benefits like free rotations and free balancing (check where you purchase your tires for all the details). Regular maintenance is the best way to extend the life of your tire and get as many miles as possible for your investment.
Next time you are ready to purchase tires, ask your tire dealer for the road hazard warranty. You’ll be glad you did.