– by Julian Sale –
So, at some point in our driving careers, we all decide to go shopping for a new (or used) car, truck, etc. But many many of us are trying to determine what IS and what IS NOT a “deal.” New car dealers have sales and incentives to sweeten their prices, and since they start at fixed, well-publicized price points, the deals are easy to spot. But in the used market, the price range for seemingly identical cars are all over the map.
Let’s rewind a bit. Say, to the year 1965. Check the newspaper on Saturday morning, and look through the classifieds. Next, a phone call, and by noon, you have looked at your favourites. So simple After a little bartering, kicking tires and a test drive, you found your car.
How times have changed, as sometime in the late ’90s through the mid-2000s the internet became a sophisticated marketplace for used vehicles. The availability of cars went from local to regional, then to provincial, and now international. Last time you looked for a car, you probably started at your computer. This massive availability makes things a little more difficult, because while your access grew, so did the number of models, colours, trim levels and so on.
Back to the values. You’re now armed with information after spending 10, maybe 20 or more hours at your computer researching. But you’re no closer to finding your new steed. Remember this: You need to narrow your field considerably, just like going back to 1965.
First, if you have a friend you can trust in the car business, pick their brain for information and opinions. Remember the “you can trust” part of the last sentence. Consider the history of the vehicle, and learn where it has been driven. Avoid cars from anywhere east of where you drive. Look at accident history with a Carproof report. If you can’t see or get a report, see a professional mechanic to inspect the car. If you see an accident history, look into the details or consult a professional to see if it’s been fixed properly. Keep in mind that a clean history on paper means only that: a clean history on paper. You need to consider mileage, wear and tear, and at the top of your list will always be actual current vehicle condition. This is a more-than-meets-the-eye scenario, so you you guessed it: see a professional for advice.
Looking in depth at the vehicle you want is hard to do without help, and the time and money you spend with a sales professional will pay you back in terms of long-term enjoyment.
