Auto Auctions Are Not Solely Restricted To Car Dealers Only : by Seli 19 Oct. 2006 9.54am

Contrary to popular belief, auto auctions are not solely restricted to car dealers.

This little known fact is what continuously drives Americans to purchase from car dealerships time and time again.

Just imagine how much money you could save if you bypassed the dealer’s huge markups and purchased directly from their sources.

Consumers regularly report savings of 60% to over 90% off book value!

That’s an incredible savings that no dealer could ever offer you.

Are You Believe ?
Luxury Vehicles for Economy Budgets by: Seli 19 Oct.2006 9.39am

Auto auctions are making it easier than ever for consumers to get into the car of their dreams. Like most Americans, you probably have luxury taste, but live on an economy budget. With a little research and patience, however, that luxury vehicle you’ve been eyeing could be in your driveway sooner than you ever thought possible.

Are You Hear Before of US Gov't GSA (General Service Administration) Public Auto Auctions?? by: Seli 18 Oct 2006 11.25am

General Service Administration.
Although you may not have heard of this type of auction before, GSA auctions have been around for a while and are a good place to get a great deal on a vehicle.
GSA stands for General Service Administration.

Government Agency.
It is an agency in the US government that, according to acting Director David Bibbs, "is to help other US agencies better serve the public by meeting … their needs for products and services, and, to (help) simplify access to government information and services."

One of their service.
One of the services they provide are auto auctions.

Why does GSA sell vehicles?
GSA purchases vehicles "in bulk", i.e., it purchases "bunches" of vehicles at once and then leases them out to different government agencies. When the lease expires, these vehicles are sold to the general public at GSA auctions, which allows the GSA to re-coup some of their expenses and re-invest in more vehicle purchases.

Benefits to us.
Benefits of purchasing a vehicle at a GSA auction:
1.) American made vehicles - trucks, cars, SUV, police car, buses and many other types (approximately 40,000 vehicles to choose from per year)
2.) Vehicles are generally well maintained (by the US Gov't). These are not specialized vehicles or repossessed.
3.) Vehicles generally have low mileage
4.) Vehicles are generally 3 to 5 years old
5.) Vehicles generally sell at or around wholesale prices with no extra buyer fees.
All in all, if you are in the market for a great used vehicle at a great price, check out GSA public auctions.

More info....
You can get more information on GSA auctions and other vehicle auctions, simply send a blank e-mail to gsaaa@GetMoreInfo.net

Checking Tips For Buying A Used Car by: Seli 18 Oct 2006 9.03am

For the average individual who knows little about cars or mechanics, buying a used car can be a worrying experience. Buying a car is often one of the biggest purchases we make in our lives and the nagging doubt of whether or not you are about to buy a lemon always makes buying a used car difficult. So how do you go about choosing a car that is unlikely to be a lemon? If you have found a “bargain” or a car you like the look of go check it out. At this stage it is always useful to take someone who knows something about cars with you if you can. If you haven’t got anyone whose opinion you can trust then you are going to have to use your own instincts.

Check for obvious accident damage.
Accident damaged cars can be spotted by little tell tail signs. Look for signs of overspray to panels, bumpers and fittings, look for areas of paintwork that are inconsistent with the general condition of the car (these may indicate filled dents, filled rotten patches) and check that all the tyres are wearing evenly (uneven wear may indicate the car isn’t running straight and true as a result of a crash or poorly executed accident repair). If you are happy there are no obvious clues to suggest accident damage check the general condition of the car for wear. Is the amount of wear consistent with the mileage of the car? Worn foot mats, shiny steering wheels and worn/damaged driver seats are not what you would expect to find on a low mileage car. Does the car have missing interior fittings or scratched paint work? Would you expect a car you owned from new for a number of years to have accrued a similar amount of damage? Make a mental note of the amount of wear for bargaining purposes should you decide to buy the car.

Check the vehicle for rot in the doorways and wheel arches.
A little rot can become a serious costly problem after as little as one year. A lot of rot, especially to structural areas of the car where panels and sections of the car come together could indicate the car is not safe to drive. Once you have established the car looks to be cosmetically genuine and that the condition is as you would expect for the cars age start to look at the mechanics of the car.

Check the oil on the dipstick.
Are there bubbles in the oil? If there are bubbles this is a sure sign of water in the oil and likely to result in expensive repair.

Check the water filler.
Is there a white residue on the cap or visible in the filler area. This is an expensive sign of oil in the water.

Check the oil filter
(easy to spot, generally looks like a brightly painted tin can sticking out of the side of the engine) does it look to be recently fitted or like it has been on for some time. This is a standard part that is replaced at service and can indicate how the owner has been treating the car.

Start the motor up.
Does the engine rattle or have a pronounced ticking noise or does it sound healthy? Is the exhaust loud or well silenced you don’t need to be paying for a new exhaust system. Once the engine has warmed go look at the exhaust. Are there large quantities of smoke, black or white being omitted? Both can indicate expensive faults.

At this stage check
to make sure headlamps, indicator and brake lights work.

If all seems fine the next step is a test drive.
Check the steering. Is it light or vague, neither is a good sign. Does the wheel have a large amount of play in it? Steering is important for clear safety reasons. The steering should be responsive and direct. Neither to heavy nor light.

Check the brakes.
Do they inspire confidence? They should pull the car firmly to a stop in a straight line without fading or feeling as if they are about to run out. Find a car park or space where you can turn the car on full lock in both directions. Do the front wheels grind or shriek? This could indicate expensive wheel bearing problems. If you do not come across these problems then it is fair to say you have a solid used car that is unlikely to be a lemon. Now if you can recall all the little details you spotted you can use these points to bargain a good price and buy the used car with the confidence that you have avoided a lemon.

Listing a Car For Sale in the Classifieds by: Seli 17 Oct 2006 3.30pm
Tips to all of you.

Opposed to trading-in, selling a vehicle can provide a significant financial gain. Dealerships have moderate overhead that forces them to offer reduced trade-in values. In addition, they attempt to maintain a profit margin, as any business should. These expenses are passed on to buyers who take advantage of trading-in their current vehicle for the purchase of a new or pre-owned automobile. By attending to a few details, devoting time, and utilizing classifieds a consumer can achieve a quick sale and maintain monetary rewards for their efforts.
Attend to the Cars Exterior
Similar to selling a home, the cars exterior will provide a lasting first impression to prospective buyers. Wash the vehicle with a quality Car Wash. Ensure that brake dust is removed from the cars rims and wheel hubs. Remove built up road-dust from creases in the cars body. Pay extra attention to decorative moldings, door jams, and spaces between body parts. After washing the car, dry the vehicle with a shammy, to prevent dust from sticking to the clean surface.
Once the vehicle is dry and the surface is cool, wax the entire car with a quality carnauba wax. Read the instructions carefully before applying carnauba wax to the finish. Use a small hand applicator to wax creases and difficult to reach areas of the cars body. These areas are especially important to the external appearance of the vehicle.
Tend to rubber and plastic on the vehicles exterior. Apply high-gloss sun protectent to moldings and tires. Using an applicator, apply a generous amount of sun protectent product evenly. This should remove dulling that occurred from the sun or dust. Any product that is accidentally applied to the vehicles finish should wipe-off easily, as a result from the fresh wax that is protecting the finish.
Clean the Cars Interior
Use quality glass cleaner to remove built up residue from skin oils, cigarette smoke, and moisture that dried dust to the glass. Clean gauges and other glass-like surfaces that are in the vehicle. Use an interior cleaner to remove dust from the dashboard, instrument panel, door panels, and sun visors. Apply a high-gloss sun protectent to the plastic interior parts once they are cleaned.
Vacuum the cars upholstery and carpets. Using attachments for the vacuum, reach down between the seats and doors. Pay extra attention to the drivers-side of the vehicle near the pedals. Use a quality carpet cleaning product, as instructed, to remove stains in the carpet and upholstery.
Clean the Cars Engine Compartment and Attend to Minor Parts
There are a variety of products on the market that now make cleaning an engine simple. Many products may require the battery to be disconnected and water to rinse engine parts. Follow the instructions on the product of choice to achieve the best results. A clean engine is very important as consumers will want to see and inspect engine parts. When the motor is run, a clean engine will reveal any problems, if they exist. This is generally the consumer’s biggest concern.
Inspect all belts and hoses on the vehicle. If dry-rot appears, replace the hoses. If the belts are dry-rotted or cracked, replace them. Ensure that all fluid reservoirs all full to the proper level. This may include windshield wash, clutch fluid, transmission fluid, motor oil, and coolant.
Determine a Reasonable Marketing Price
Once the vehicle is clean and ready for consumer inspection, determine a fair value for the vehicle. This will require some research with similar models that are currently for sale. It may be in a seller’s best interest to review similar vehicles that are for sale. Compare the price and condition of the vehicles. Remember, marketing price is not necessarily the price a seller is willing to accept. Common negotiating principles are for seller’s to start high, and consumers to start low.
Review book values for the make and model of the vehicle. Kelly Blue book is a well known and used resource for establishing a fair value. Consider any modifications that have been made to the vehicle. Modifications may not be reflected within the Kelly Blue Book suggestion.
Gather Information and Place a Classified Ad
Route through receipts and gather maintenance records. Consumers will probably want to know what was done to the vehicle and how well it was maintained. By having these records ready before hand, it will reinsure trust that the vehicle was taken-care-of.
Be prepared to provide details regarding enhanced features or parts, provided by the manufacturer, for the model. A commonly overlooked feature is Low Jack car recovery devices. Custom wheels, stereo equipment, and engine type. Being able to provide these details will reinforce value to consumers who have viewed several similar vehicles.
Place an Ad for the vehicle. Avoid terms such as, “to many parts to list”. Instead, enter, “complete maintenance records available”. Describe the vehicle accurately. Many details can be found in the vehicles owner’s manual. Indicate the best time to contact the seller. A consumer, who continually calls without an answer, could give-up trying. Ensure the contact information is accurate and consumers can leave a message, if there is no answer.

Best Negotiating Tips When Buying An Used Car by: Seli 17/10/2006 10.50am

Being a good negotiator doesn't have to be difficult. Sooner or later everyone has to negotiate with someone if they want to get a good deal on a purchase.
When you are trying to negotiate with a car dealer, you should know that they are very practiced in the art already. You will need to know how to get through their car speak in order to be successful.
Since you now know how to calculate your offer and already know what the dealer paid for it, you should get a copy of the paperwork from a friend that recently bought a car, so that you can become familiar with what you will see on your paperwork. They are all generally the same.
If you've followed the above mentioned tips, you will also be pre-approved for a loan. The key is for you to get in and out of the dealership as quickly as possible because the salesman will definitely find more loopholes to up your charges if you stay.
Here are a few tips to successful negotiating.
Remain positive and confident
Don't talk down to your opponent
Show up prepared and ready to counter anything that may come up
Bring ads from other dealerships with you as an extra weapon
Finance your loan before you arrive at the dealership so as to avoid paying unnecessary extra fees
Bring a friend with you for extra support
Something that you should look out for from salesmen is the extra little tricks that you will likely encounter that will try to force or rush into a buying decision.
You have to remember that they are trying to negotiate you into paying more money just as you are trying to negotiate paying less. Here are some of the things that you can expect to hear from them.
1. These cars are flying off of the lot. It may not be available for the same deal tomorrow. (Threaten to leave and they will ease up and try to change their strategy)
2. This deal is only good for today. If you come back tomorrow I can't guarantee that the deal will be the same.
3. I'm an honest man. Look at how many cars I've sold this weekend (This is where he will show you his list of sold cars. If he does this, then tell him that he doesn't need your money).
4. I hate to tell you this but I have another offer on the table from a man that is willing to pay more money than this. I am just waiting for his paperwork to be returned. (Tell him that if he promised the car to someone else, you don't want to step on someone else's toes and that you should leave then).
5. To cover the overhead costs, we have paid $13,000 for this car (Just check your paperwork in your folder and prove them wrong).

Find more articles and tips about buying an used car by visiting http://www.buy-a-used-car-ez.com