When Purchasing a Used Vehicle, Do Your Homework or Have Someone Else Do It For You!

Purchasing a vehicle is these economic times can be rough. Money is tight and we all need to spend wisely. When thinking about purchasing a veheicle, the first thing to determine is whether to buy new or used. Purchasing a new vehicle allows you to take advantage of all the great buying deals that the dealers have to offer right now and there are many great new vehicle deals available. Always research those deals to find the best price and deal before signiong the dotted line. However, this article is dedicated to purchasing used vehicles.

In these times, when money is tight, purchasing a used vehicle is often the only option to many people. Credit scores and a meriod of other variables may be the reason for that. However, one thing is certain, and, that is the fact that you can purchase a used vehicle and get more for your money in the way of options and in most cases, it's the only way some people can purchase the vehicle they really want.

The biggest problem most people face when purchasing a used vehicle is determining the value of the vehicle they're looking at. Most times, unless you're purchasing the vehicle from someone you know, the biggest obstacle is that you don't know how the vehicle was operated, how it was maintained, and, if there are any problems with the vehicle. If you purchase a used vehicle from a dealer, most dealers will give you some sort of warranty on the vehicle, but, depending on it's age and mileage, the warranty will be short lived compared to the length of time you will own the vehilce. If you purchase the vehicle from a private party, there will most likely be no warranty. So choosing a used vehicle should be done carefully.

One way to check on a vehicle's background when the owner may not have kept as good of records as you'd like, is to use an independent vehicle reporting service.  We prefer AutoCheck.  AutoCheck is an independent vehicle report backed by Experian, a finanancial leader in the automotive industry used by over 15,000 dealers nationwide.  Check out the video below for some great information on AutoCheck. 

Not onlyNot only will you get information like the number of reported owners, but, you can also do comparison shopping with a list of similar vehicles listed right there for you in the report. And, if that's not enough, AutoCheck will buy the vehicle back from you if it doesn't live up to the reports you were provided with! Yup, it doesn't get any better than that. AutoCheck's "Buy Back Program" does exactly that. They will purchase the vehilce back from you. Check out AutoCheck today, before you buy that special used vehicle you've been thinking about!

Now, we've determined that it is key that you check into the vehicle's background. If the price looks too good to be true, it probably is. Always ask for the vehicle's service record. I preach all the time about keeping a good service record on your vehicles and for good reason. When selling your vehicle, it becomes much easier to negotiate a good price when you are able to substantiate that the vehicle was maintained. This requires keep all service records including oil chang and tune-up receipts along with any parts changes that were made. If you replaced the transmission on your 2008 vehicle and you have the receipt to show that this was done, it shows that you are willing to share with the buyer everything that happened to the vehicle including the things that were wrong. Likewise, when purchasing a used vehicle, take note of what things were serviced. If you have all the records in front of you, you can determine the things that might possible be comming up that you'll have to spend money on and either use that as a bargaining chip or at least, insure that you have the money to replace those items that are comming due based on the vehicle's milage.

One way to save some real money when purchasing used is to go through an auction. Auctions are a great way to purchase when you use a well established auction house. Auction houses do the homework for you. Iron Planet Motors is a great, well established auction house that is great for first time auction buyers. They send someone out to physically inspect every item that is sold through them. A report is made on the vehicle which summarizes everything you need to know about the car, truck, suv, van, or even motorcycle that you're interested in. Buying at auction also increases the area in which you'll be able to buy from. Because you don't physically have to drive to the location where the vehicle is, you can purchase a car located in a state which might be hundreds of miles away. But, by increasing the area in which you're able to shop, you can also increase the number of vehicles you have to choose from.

When you sign up for information from an auction house like Iron Planet Motors, you will receive all the information you need to determine which vehicles you're interested in. You'll see pictures of the vehicle, have a report from an independent researcher who actually went to see the vehicle, drive it, and give it a rating based on Iron Planet Motors rating scales. What could be easier?

Now, not all auctions work the same.  I suggest going with an auction house that has a very good overall rating. I recommend Iron Planet beause I have used them myself and they not only have the highest of ratings from users like ourselves, but they cater to first time auction buyers.  

They will walk you through the buying process. You can participate in the auction online from the comfort of your own home. Yup, watch the whole thing unfold right there on your laptop. And, they'll even help you out with financing and transportation of your vehicle after you've made your purchase.

Auctioned vehicle pricing depends on the number of buyers. They have a starting price so you know what the lowest bids will be. And, you'll know ahead of time exactly what you're getting into. Things like transmission noises, rod knocks, sticking valves and anything else that was found in the inspection will be right there in front of you on your report. These reports are done by people that are experts in determining the value of a vehicle. They are experienced car buyers that KNOW what to look for and can usually spot things that the ameteur will overlook, so you already have the upper hand before you make the purchase. Many great deals have been had at auctions.

So before you go out and buy your next used vehicle, why not check out Iron Planet Motors. Use one of their links on this page to sign up and get some information. Signing up for the info is free and gives you all the information you need.

The only thing left to do after you look over the information in you welcome packet is to become a registered bidder at the auction. This does require giving some personal information which is another reason we recommend Iron Planet. These guys are legitimate and will treat your personal information with the utmost care. Something to be very careful of in these days of identity theft and fraudulent activity. Be very careful of the places you register to bid at. Make sure you check out their credentials and ensure that they are legitimate before giving up any of your personal information.

So, whether you're looking for a car, truck, suv, van, motorcycle, or other fun toys, check out he information on this page to find some alternatives to driving around and possibly making a huge finanacial mistake.  Take the precautions to ensure you spend your money wisely by either getting a good vehicle history report......

Or get some information from one of the best auction houses around......

Till next time, have fun, and let us know what you bought and how you bought it. We love to hear your comments, auction stories, and any other great information we can share with our readers when it comes to buying cars, trucks, and motorcycles!

Larry and Dee
LDJ Auto Body and Mechanical
ldjautobody@yahoo.com

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Buying and Selling - The True Value of Vehicles

QUESTION!

What's the second largest investmet you own?

OK, if your answer was "your wife", well, I suppose it might be a close second, but, let's assume you don't "own" your wife.  That said, then, truly, the answer is "your vehicle"!  Yuppers, that 4-wheeled beauty in the driveway IS, for most of us, the second largest investment we own second only to our homes. 

So, when it's time to buy or sell a vehicle, just how do you determine it's value?  If you're thinking, look at the "sticker price" on the window, well, yes, that does have some meaning, but, if we evaluate the vehicle, what is it's "true" value?

Any good sales person or marketing pro will tell you, the value of "anything" you're trying to sell is simply, "what the market will bare".  In other words, you can ask or put a price on anything, but, when push comes to shove, you're only going to be able to collect what someone else is willing to pay for it!  So when purchasing a vehicle, we need to evaluate exactly what we're paying for!

Some vehicles hold their value more than others.  For example, a Mercedes, Audi, BMW, and Volvo are higher end vehicles that will hold their value much longer than some others.  This list is just an example and I've shortened it to keep it short and simple here, so pleaseeeeee, don't hang me out to dry if your favorite vehicle is not in that list! LOL  The point I'm trying to make here, is that, some vehicles, for various reasons, are able to hold their value for a longer time.  Therefore, suffice it to say, when you're purchasing a vehicle, it's very important to remember this and do your homework before you go out and invest your hard earned money!  I used the word, invest, here for a very good reason.  Buying a vehicle is, for all intents and purposes, an investment.  Play your cards right here, and, when it comes time to sell that investment, you'll get the money you need to invest in another vehicle and keep your money working for you.

Condition is everything!  A vehicle, like anything else, including us, gets older and things wear out.  But, unlike people, an older vehicle can be just as reliable and road worthy as it's newer counterpart if it has been properly maintained!  That little word, if, is the key to that sentence.  When purhasing a vehicle, ask for proof of maintenance!  Looks can be very deceiving when it comes to vehicles.  But the proof is in the pudding!  Look at the vehicle's maintenance record and you will have a wealth of information.  A vehicle that has had it's oil changed and fluids checked and kept in top running condition will undoutedly be a better investment.  It is also worth more than one that wasn't!  My regualr readers are shaking their heads and muttering, "here she goes again" with the preventative maintenance argument.  And, yes, you're right.  But, in all seriousness, seeing is believing.  A stack of receipts showing what's been done and what's been replaced not only shows you the obvious, but, also let's you know that the owner is serious about the vehicle and took the time and money to keep it up.  This is great info to have.....knowing that you won't have to replace certain items that have already been replaced will give you the confidence of possibly knowing there won't be a significant repair bill in your immediate future. 

Now, a few other things certainly rank high up there in the list.  One of those is milage.  A vehicle's milage is it's finger print of actual age.  Low milage is good. No milage does not necessarily mean that the vehicle is better!  How so?  Cars are meant to be driven.  Running an engine is what lubricates it's parts.  A car that has little or no milage also has NOT been lubricated on a regular basis.  Lack of lubrication means little or no protection of it's inner parts from corrosion or rust!  Lubrication protects the inner workings from these nasty things so unless the car was started and run for some time this is a red flag!

Lastly, looking at the vehicle's interior and exterior will tell you a lot about the way the car was maintained also.  Although, this visual representation is not always the best indicator of a vehicle's condition, it's certainly the first thing anyone sees.  Here in Florida, the hot sun and moist weather conditions will quickly deteriorate the finish of any vehicle.  Keeping the paint waxed and UV protected is essential here.  Now, suffice it to say that just because someone didn't keep the car waxed doesn't mean they didn't take care of it mechanically.  What it does tell you, is two things.  One, the owner might have been a little on the "lazy" side...LOL  But, more importantly, if you are big on looks, you're going to be investing some money to get the vehicle looking up to your standards.  It's a good bargaining chip if nothing else!  AND, certainly something to keep in mind if you're going to be selling a vehicle.  Looks sell.  Point made.

The interior of any vehicle is where you'll spend the most time.  If it's a total disaster, you're not going to enjoy the ride!  Here's another indicator of an owner who just didn't care.  Not the worst thing in the world, but, something to keep in mind.  If they didn't care enough to clean it out, what are the chances that they changed the oil?  Hmmmm, no receipts to show?.....there's your answer!  Don't worry, I'm not gonna repeat myself again....LOL.  I know you got my point!

So, now that you know what you're looking for, go out there and find it!  Auctions are a great place to find that special vehicle.  Choose a good auction house that will give you a solid report of the vehicle's condition and you'r on your way to finding that "special" one!  Iron Planet Motors is good place to start!  These guys do ALL the work for you.  Check them out by clicking on the link below.  Not only will the give you a full vehicle report, they'll also help you out with transportation and financing.  All in one convenient location.

Happy Shopping!  See ya next time!

More about → Buying and Selling - The True Value of Vehicles

Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction!

Ahhh! Spring is in the air! You can feel it and even see it! And, Spring is the time for everything "new"! At least, that's my husband's excuse for new toys! LOL

But, on a more serious note, Spring can be a very good time to look for that new car, truck, or motorcycle! Most people use Spring as a time to clean out the garage and that can be a very good time to pick up on some great deals. However, buying directly from a seller can also be very tricky business. If you don't know what you're doing, you can end up with someone else's problem. And, most sellers are not going to guarantee anything, so, what you buy is what you get.

Auctions can be a great way to find some great deals too! I love a good auction. They're exciting and you can really save some money if you apply some good, common sense to your auction dealings. Also, buying at auction can be done online too, meaning you can get your hands on some great deals that aren't right there in your backyard!




Iron Planet Motors is a great auction house that is very reputable and offers a wonderful buying experience for even a first time buyer! Iron Planet sells anything that "rocks, rolls, stops and goes". From farm and earth moving equipment to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor sport and specialty vehicles, you'll find it here. AND, they go out of their way to make the buying procedure simple and easy.

All items auctioned at Iron Planet are inspected by them personally! They phyically go out to the vehicle and do a full inspection and report that you can view and, more importantly, trust. Knowing what you're getting when buying online is half the battle and Iron Planet has a flawless reputation for being one fo the best! They will even help buyers and sellers hook up after a sale with recommendations on transportation of vehicles and financing! It doesn't get any easier than that!



Sign up at Iron Planet today and get email updates on all their upcomming online auctions. You can preview items and even priority bid on them. On auction day, view the auction online. The highest bidder wins. What could be simpler than that?

So whether you're in the market for a new car


Or a new motorcycle,



Or anything else you can think of, you can rest assured that your online auction purchase is protected by one of the best auction houses around. Choose one of the links on this page to sign up or get more information on their service.

Now, it's Spring time....hmmmm, what new toy sounds good? We guarantee you'll find it there.....and.....you'll have a good time doing it!

Enjoy and have fun.

Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body & Custom Shop
ldjautobody@yahoo.com

More about → Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction!

Is it Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction.

Ahhh! Spring is in the air!  You can feel it and even see it!  And, Spring is the time for everything "new"!  At least, that's my husband's excuse for new toys! LOL

But, on a more serious note, Spring can be a very good time to look for that new car, truck, or motorcycle!  Most people use Spring as a time to clean out the garage and that can be a very good time to pick up on some great deals.  However, buying directly from a seller can also be very tricky business.  If you don't know what you're doing, you can end up with someone else's problem.  And, most sellers are not going to guarantee anything, so, what you buy is what you get. 

Auctions can be a great way to find some great deals too!  I love a good auction.  They're exciting and you can really save some money if you apply some good, common sense to your auction dealings.  Also, buying at auction can be done online too, meaning you can get your hands on some great deals that aren't right there in your backyard!



Iron Planet Motors is a great auction house that is very reputable and offers a wonderful buying experience for even a first time buyer!  Iron Planet sells anything that "rocks, rolls, stops and goes".  From farm and earth moving equipment to cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor sport and specialty vehicles, you'll find it here.  AND, they go out of their way to make the buying procedure simple and easy.

All items auctioned at Iron Planet are inspected by them personally!  They phyically go out to the vehicle and do a full inspection and report that you can view and, more importantly, trust.  Knowing what you're getting when buying online is half the battle and Iron Planet has a flawless reputation for being one fo the best!  They will even help buyers and sellers hook up after a sale with recommendations on transportation of vehicles and financing!  It doesn't get any easier than that!



Sign up at Iron Planet today and get email updates on all their upcomming online auctions.  You can preview items and even priority bid on them.  On auction day, view the auction online.  The highest bidder wins.  What could be simpler than that?

So whether you're in the market for a new car

Or a new motorcycle,


Or anything else you can think of, you can rest assured that your online auction purchase is protected by one of the best auction houses around.  Choose one of the links on this page to sign up or get more information on their service. 

Now, it's Spring time....hmmmm, what new toy sounds good?  We guarantee you'll find it there.....and.....you'll have a good time doing it!

Enjoy and have fun.

Larry and Dee Blackman
LDJ Auto Body & Custom Shop
ldjautobody@yahoo.com

More about → Is it Time For A New Car, Truck, or Motorcycle? Consider An Auction.