LESSON 9:

Buying, Selling & Repairs

WELCOME TO THE BUYING, SELLING & REPAIRS LESSON. IN THIS LESSON, WE WILL COVER:

•

Buying a new or used car

•

What you should know

•

Research before you buy

•

The car

•

Price

•

Inspecting the vehicle

•

Mechanical problems

•

Signs of a previous accident

•

Maintenance history

•

Negotiating a price •

Repairs

•

Finding a good facility

•

What to look for

•

ASE

•

Getting to know your technician

•

How to avoid getting “ripped off” •

Selling a car

•

Getting top dollar for your car

•

Tips to increase the car’s value

•

Be honest!

AN ENORMOUS EXPENSE $ $

For most of us, buying a house will be our single largest expense in our lifetime. We plan and budget carefully for a house because we will likely be paying on it for years. Our second largest expense—our automobile—should be given equal consideration. Over a lifetime, you can expect to pay between $100,000 and $600,000 to own, drive, and maintain a single car. Multiply this figure by the number of cars you plan to own. Is this surprising? Perhaps this explains why many people blame their automobiles for their financial troubles—they budget for the purchase of the vehicle but underestimate all of the other expenses that must follow. The chart below shows the average “true cost to own” for the first five years of owning a new Dodge pickup. When this pickup was new, it was worth $29,900; notice how much it will cost to drive for five years: Depreciation Financing Insurance Taxes & Fees Fuel Maintenance Repairs Yearly Totals Year 1 $14,324 $2,443 $1,344 $2,044 $3,271 $149 $0 $23,575 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 $2,174 $1,983 $1,391 $84 $3,369 $469 $0 $9,470 $1,914 $1,481 $1,440 $84 $3,470 $519 $116 $9,024 $1,697 $936 $1,490 $84 $3,574 $1,408 $276 $9,465 Year 5 $1,523 $341 $1,512 $68 $3,681 $516 $402 $8,043 5-yr Total $21,632 $7,184 $7,177 $2,364 $17,365 $3,061 $794 $59,577 While no one who owns a car is exempt from these expenses, some people manage to successfully plan and budget for all of the “hidden costs,” while others are financially devastated when an unexpected repair comes up.

What makes the difference?

It has little to do with how much money a person makes;

it has everything to do with how well they plan for, budget for, and manage their expenses. To find the estimated “True Cost to Own” for your vehicle or any other vehicle, click here.

BUYING A CAR

While getting a new car is exciting, few people look forward to the process of buying one. For the most part, this aversion stems from anxiety about negotiating a price and the fear of being “ripped off.” However, by simply doing a little preparation before walking into the showroom, a buyer can make the car buying experience a pleasant and stress-free one.

Here are some key things to remember: •

You are the buyer—that means you hold all of the power!

You can buy whatever car you want, when you want—and you can walk away if you don’t like the price.

•

Not all car salespeople are slimeballs.

buy from. While some people may choose to practice unethical, high-pressure sales tactics, not everyone does; you get to choose who you •

There is no “secret information.”

Many people falsely believe that the salesperson is privileged to information that you are not. Through the internet, you can learn all of the information you will need to know about the price, quality, and features of a car before you ever begin shopping.

NEEDS VS. WANTS

Human nature often makes it difficult for us to distinguish between our needs and our wants. However, if you are shopping on a budget (most of us are), you should try to separate the things you must have from the things you would like to have.

For many people, wants actually take precedence over needs. We probably all know someone who has paid a lot of money to have a “cool-looking” car, but what they really bought was a cool-looking, unreliable gas guzzler.

Perhaps the best advice that could be offered is to first list needs, and then to list wants in order of priority. You should buy a car that fulfills your needs, and then decide how much extra you are willing to spend in order to satisfy some wants.

Here is an example of such a list:

Needs:

• Transportation to and from work • Enough seatbelts for the family • Reliability • Low fuel and maintenance costs

Wants:

• Nice looking • Four-wheel-drive • Sun roof • CD player • Chrome wheels • Bigger engine • Heated seats • Impressive to friends

NEW OR USED?

Should you buy a new car or a used one? The decision is completely up to you. However, here are some things to consider: •

A new car depreciates almost 20% in value the moment you sign the papers!

• This means that if you pay $20,000 for the car, before you even get it home it will only be worth about $16,000.

•

New cars come with a warranty . . . but it isn’t free!

• When you buy a new car, the cost of the estimated warranty repairs is included in the purchase price. Though they don’t specifically tell you this, you have to “buy” the warranty.

•

Even new cars can break down.

• Sometimes the “bugs” have to be worked out a new car. Cars that have 10,000-60,000 miles on them statistically have the fewest problems.

•

Used cars can be reliable, too.

• Cars with 60,000 to 100,000 are typically trouble-free, yet experience very little depreciation. Both quality and rate of depreciation vary by brand.

• If properly maintained, most of today’s cars will perform well for 200,000 miles or more!

Knowing all of this, why would anyone buy a new car?

Well, a new car smells good, is fun to drive, and your friends might think it’s cool!

PREPARATION: THE CAR

Don’t rely on a salesperson to tell you which car is right for you. Use information available on the internet to learn which cars have the features you seek and meet the standards you desire.

Your research should include:

•

Features

—For example: how many seats? What comes on the base model and what are the optional features? Click here to compare features of cars.

•

Quality/Dependability

cars? —How many and what types of problems have other owners experienced with this model? How does this compare to other Click here for dependability ratings of all cars.

•

Fuel Economy

—What is the rated fuel economy? How does it compare to other cars? Click here to find and compare fuel economy ratings for your car.

PREPARATION: THE PRICE

The price is what usually stresses people out when shopping for a car. Everyone wants a good deal, but many people think that the salesperson knows a lot more about the price of the car than the buyer does. This assumption is only true, however, if the buyer doesn’t take the time to find this information for himself or herself.

With very little effort, you can find pricing information about any new or used car. Ultimately, the price of any car is determined by what someone is willing to pay for it. However, guides are available to help you estimate some of these prices. You should know what these terms mean: High book the estimated market value of a car with low miles and in perfect condition (absolutely no signs of wear or use) Low book the estimated value of a car that is still in good condition, but has signs of normal wear and tear for a car its age. In reality, most cars sell near this price .

MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price for a new car. This is the price tag on window. Buyers usually negotiate the price much lower than MSRP Dealer invoice how much a dealer pays for the new car. In order to make money, dealers usually have to sell a new car for 2%-5% above dealer invoice price.

Trade-in value how much a car would be worth if traded in on a purchase of another car from a dealer. This price is usually about half of the low book value.

Private party This refers to buying or selling a car to an individual rather than a dealer. Private party value is usually much less than what a dealer would sell it for because of the inherent risk in buying from a private party

Use any or all of the following websites to look up the value of your car or a car you may soon purchase:

Kelley Blue Book NADA guides Edmunds

INSPECTING THE CAR YOU WANT TO BUY

Not all automobiles are what they seem. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint or a good under-hood cleaning can disguise what could turn out to be an expensive and frustrating problem. The salesperson is not an expert in mechanical things and either may not disclose a problem or may be completely unaware of issues with the car he is about to sell you. While there is no guaranteed way to avoid this type of trouble, the odds can be greatly improved by taking the time (and paying the money) to inspect your new car before you sign your name to the deal.



Inspect the vehicle yourself



Have the vehicle inspected professionally



Check the car’s history report

We’ll talk about how to do each of these in the next slides . . .

INSPECT THE CAR YOURSELF

•

Drive the car

—drive around town, over bumps, and on the freeway. Accelerate and decelerate. Watch and listen for unusual sounds or anything that doesn’t feel quite right.

•

Check the fluid levels and conditions

—If the oil is low, the car has probably been neglected before. Look for smoke coming out of the tail pipe when the car is first started after sitting for a while. This indicates an engine problem.

•

Check for fluid leaks under the car

•

Look for seemingly small things that may cost you extra

fixing them, it will add hundreds of dollars to the price of the car!

—A crack in the windshield or tires that are worn out may seem small, but if you are responsible for •

Look carefully at the body of the car

—Do you see any signs of rust around the wheels? Can you see any signs that the car has been repaired after an accident? Look for paint overspray, body panels that don’t line up, or missing decals (is the under-hood emissions label missing?).

•

Inspect the maintenance history

—Did the previous owner keep records of maintenance performed? If so, you probably have a well-maintained car with a lot of value. If not, it is anyone’s guess!

•

Your general impression of the vehicle

—If the car appears to be well-taken care of on the interior, it is very likely that the entire car has been pampered. If the interior shows signs of neglect (broken handles, torn seats, cracks, stains, etc.), you can assume that maintenance under the hood has not been done either!

DOES THE CAR HAVE A SECRET PAST?

If you know what to look for, you can spot signs that indicate the car has been in an accident. If repair work is evident, the repairs were probably done poorly and represent a potential problem.

Paint color mismatch indicates that either the fender or door on this car has been painted.

“Orange-peel” paint finish indicates that the car has been painted at some point.

Check the gaps between all body panels (doors, trunk, hood, etc). If any of them is not even or does not fit nicely, it may indicate a previous accident.

Paint overspray indicates that part or all of the car has been painted.

WHAT’S A MAINTENANCE RECORD?

A maintenance record is simply a record of all repairs and maintenance that have been performed on a vehicle. It usually includes the dates and the mileage at which the maintenance occurred. Many people keep this record, along with all of their receipts for such services, in their glove box.

SERVICE

Changed oil Bought 4 new tires Changed oil Changed oil / rotate tires Replaced Battery Serviced Transmission Changed timing belt Changed serpentine belt Changed oil

DATE

9/28/2007 9/28/2007 1/10/2008 5/20/2008 6/2/2008 6/2/2008 6/2/2008 6/2/2008 9/11/2008

MILEAGE

55,500 55,500 58,850 62,125 63,018 63,018 63,018 63,018 66, 440 What difference would it make to you—whether the car you are about to purchase has a maintenance record or not?

It may make a difference of thousands of dollars!

it means that you—the buyer—will have to pay for the maintenance or the repairs that have resulted from the lack of maintenance.

If the recommended maintenance has not been performed,

EXAMPLE A:

It usually costs between $300 and $600 to have a timing belt changed. If the car is due for a new timing belt and there is no evidence that it has been replaced yet, someone must pay for it. You can either negotiate the price of the car down, ask the seller to have it done before you buy the car, or just get out your checkbook and pay for it yourself.

EXAMPLE B:

If the engine oil has not been regularly changed during the lifetime of the vehicle, the engine is likely already damaged. The first owner may get away without paying the consequences of his or her neglect. If you become the next owner however, you may have to pay thousands of dollars in repairs because of the first owner’s negligence.

HAVE IT PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED

Perhaps the best decision you could make as you consider your big purchase is to have the car inspected by an unbiased professional. For a small fee, an experienced technician will look over the car and give you a list of items that need attention along with an estimate of the cost to repair these items. Armed with this information, you may be able to return to the seller and negotiate the price of the vehicle down or be able to work out a deal that includes the seller fixing the problems before you purchase!

Don’t be a cheapskate; pay someone to check the car out! It is worth far more than you’ll pay in money to have peace of mind or to find out about an expensive problem before it becomes your problem!

Click here to watch a video that explains how to inspect a used car before you buy it!

RUN A CAR HISTORY REPORT

Finally, before you make the big decision, there is one more way to reduce your chances of buying a car with a history. Over the internet you can purchase a car history report that will include any repairs during the vehicle’s lifetime that were paid for by an insurance company. A clean report doesn’t guarantee no problems; it is simply another way to pick up information you may not otherwise know about the vehicle.

To purchase a car history report, you can go to carfax.com

, or other websites that provide similar services.

Sample car history report.

Optional link: Click here to learn more about inspecting a used car

NEGOTIATING A PRICE

No deal can be made A wise negotiator once said, “He who mentions price first loses.” Obviously, someone eventually has to mention a price or no agreement would ever be reached. However, you should realize that in a negotiation, both parties have a price range in mind. If the buyer’s and the seller’s price ranges overlap at all, a deal is possible. A good negotiator tries to determine what the “negotiable price range” is, and then, to settle on a price at the favorable end of that range.

Because you usually don’t know what the other person’s price range is, it is often to your advantage to get them to mention a price first so that you have a starting point in your negotiations.

No deal can be made For example: Using the information at the left, notice that the negotiable price range is between $5,000 and $7,000. This means that we could come to an agreement anywhere in that range and both parties would leave happy! If I was the buyer and, without knowing the seller’s price range, offered to pay $6,000 for the car, the seller would probably try to negotiate with me and I would end up paying close to $7,000. As soon as I mentioned $6000, the negotiable price range became $6,000 $7,000; I lost any chance of ever paying less than $6,000.

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10 THINGS NEVER TO SAY TO A DEALER

1.

"I'm ready to buy now“ 2.

"I can afford this much per month“ 3.

"Yes, I have a trade-in 4.

"I'm only buying the car with cash“ 5.

"I'm not sure ... which model do you think I need?“ 6.

"Oh, I've wanted one of these all my life“ 7.

"I'll take whatever the popular options are“ 8.

"What's the lowest price you can give me?“ 9.

"Sure, I'll look at the numbers with you“ 10.

"I think you can do a lot better than that"

THINGS YOU SHOULD NOT LET A DEALER SAY TO YOU

1. “There is someone else coming to look at this car; if you don’t buy it now, it will probably be gone.” IGNORE THIS—IT PROBABLY IS NOT TRUE! 2. We can get you into a lower monthly payment.

IN REALITY, A LOWER MONTHLY PAYMENT MEANS YOU PAY MORE FOR THE CAR. NEVER TALK ABOUT MONTHLY PAYMENTS, ONLY THE TOTAL PRICE.

BE AWARE OF AND AVOID HIDDEN COSTS

When negotiating with a dealer, know that once you have agreed on a price, the salesperson will often have you sit down with a “finance” person to work out the details of the purchase. Because most buyers have now relaxed and let their guard down, this is an easy time for them to tack on extras that you didn’t expect.

• • • • Never purchase an extended warranty. On average, these are money-loosing propositions for the consumer.

Don’t let them talk you into purchasing other things for the car you are buying. After agreeing to buy a car for thousands, paying for a few extras may seem inconsequential, but it adds up quickly. They may even make you feel like you are crazy not to pay for the extras— like anyone with common sense would buy them. Expect this, and plan to say no.

Never talk about monthly payments—only discuss the total cost of the car.

Only talk about the out-the-door price. Otherwise, you may be surprised when they add hundreds of dollars of fees to the purchase. You will also be charged for sales tax, which could be well over $1000, depending on the price of the car and your local tax rate. Instead, negotiate a price that includes all taxes and fees. If you are aware of these potential pitfalls, you can avoid them. Never find yourself handing over more money than you felt that you had agreed on!

SELLING YOUR CAR

You’ve heard a lot of advice about purchasing a car, but what is the best way to get rid of your old car?

Trade it in?

You may be tempted to trade your old car in on the new one you are buying— but you should realize that you will only get about half of what it is worth. When the dealership takes a trade-in, they take it at “trade-in value” so that they can clean it up, sell it to someone else, and make money off of you twice!

Sell it!

If you want to get the most you can out of your old car, sell it yourself. If you price it right, someone will come along and negotiate a deal with you.

SELL THE SIZZLE!

Imagine yourself in a restaurant, trying to choose from the menu when a waiter walks by your table with a delicious-smelling, sizzling-hot steak. All of a sudden, the caesar salad you were going to order doesn’t sound so good and you’re looking for that steak on your menu, right?

Remember that when you advertise your used car, you are trying to sell the “sizzle,” not the car! For example, check out the following two ads for the exact same car. Which one sparks your interest?

05 Chevy

Malubu, 56,000 miles, call 555-5555

05 Chevy Malibu, low miles—gets 32 miles per gallon. One owner. New windshield and tires. Well taken care of. Asking $5699. Call 555-5555 or 555-0000.

When you place an ad in the classifieds, your goal is to get people to contact you. When they contact you, your goal is to get them to come look at the car. If people are looking at the car, someone will eventually buy it. You don’t have to pressure anyone—if the car is priced right, it will sell!

• • • • Include pictures Include an asking price Be honest about problems, but mention the good things, too Make it easy for them to get in touch with you

ADVERTISING IT

Whether you choose to advertise in your local newspaper, online classifieds such as craigslist.com, or somewhere else, remember that a good ad will always include:

SELLING IT

You don’t have to be a high-pressure salesperson to sell your car. Just remember your negotiation skills, stick to your guns, and let the buyer decide .

• Your asking price • An accurate (not exaggerated) selling point—what is good about the car?

• An easy way to contact you (two phone numbers is always better) • If someone is shopping the classifieds, they probably have a list of cars they will be calling about. If you don’t answer your phone, they will just move on down the list • Don’t pressure anyone to buy your car • Never, under any circumstances, lie • Don’t try to conceal a problem and don’t make the car sound better than it really is.

• Disclose problems—don’t assume that if you don’t mention a problem you’re being truthful • Be willing to negotiate your price (but make sure you have a firm reserve price in mind before you talk to anyone) • If no one is calling or coming to look at your car, it may be priced too high. Lower the price and try again!

• Be patient—if your car sells on the first day, it was probably priced too low; getting full price demands patience!

• Don’t give any guarantees or warrantees; make sure the buyer knows they are buying it “as is.”

ADDING VALUE TO YOUR CAR

Are all 2001 Mazda 626’s worth the same amount of money? NO! There are several things you can do that will add value (hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars) to your car and make buyers willing to pay more for your car. Here are a few ideas: Clean your car inside and out (and under the hood)—make it look attractive.

Keep a maintenance record so you can prove that the car has been maintained.

Fix small items—like a cracked windshield, worn out tires, or burned out light bulbs—before you sell it.

Keep it stock—avoid adding aftermarket alarm systems, wheels, lift kits, chips, stereos, etc. to your car. Smart car shoppers will stay away from these things. If you place a “for sale” sign in the window, make it look nice so it doesn’t detract from the car!

CHOOSING A REPAIR FACILITY

Perhaps one of the most common complaints heard in the automobile industry goes something like this:

“I just don’t know how to find a mechanic that I can trust and who won’t rip me off!”

Let’s address this complaint now!

Face it. We don’t have to look very far to find dishonest or incompetent people in any field. The automotive repair industry is no different. The good news, however, is that there are a lot of honest and competent people out there—we just have to find them! Here are some tips to help you in your search for a repair business and a technician that you can call your own:  Ask around—get a recommendation  Ask them about their credentials  Check with the local consumer organization regarding the reputation of the business  Try them out  Rate their facility  Rate their customer service  Get to know “your” technician

BEFORE CHOOSING A REPAIR SHOP:

  No matter what you drive - sports car, family sedan, pick-up, or mini-van, when you go in for repairs or service, you want the job done right. The following advice should take much of the guesswork out of finding a good repair establishment. Don't just drop your vehicle off at the nearest establishment and hope for the best. That's not choosing a shop, that's merely gambling.

Read your owner's manual to become familiar with your vehicle and follow the manufacturer's suggested service schedule (this way you will not be relying on the technician to tell you what your car needs).

Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one; you can make better decisions when you are not rushed or in a panic.

  If possible, arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop solely on location.

Once you choose a repair shop, start off with a minor job; if you are pleased, trust them with more complicated repairs later.

ASK AROUND—GET A RECOMMENDATION

There is no better way to find a repair facility than to ask people you know. People will generally be unbiased and give you their honest opinions.

Ask the person giving the recommendation what they like about the place they are referring you to. Hopefully you hear things like, “

they treat me well

,” “

they show me what is wrong with my car before they fix it

,” or “

they always fix it right the first time I take it in

.” If you are referred to a repair business that is “cheaper than anyone else in town,” don’t go!

Never price-shop your automotive repairs!

Doing this will inevitably lead you to the place with the least-skilled, lowest-paid technicians. In the long run, this will cost you more because of all the misdiagnosed problems and parts that are replaced unnecessarily.

Question:

Which is better—a dealership or an independent shop?

Answer:

It doesn’t matter as much as finding a qualified, competent, and honest technician does. Once you find a person like this, go to wherever they work!

ASK ABOUT THEIR CREDENTIALS

Automotive businesses and professionals who are committed to excellence will be ASE Certified. ASE stands for “Automotive Service Excellence.” A person who wishes to become certified must take and pass an exam and must have at least two years of full-time experience. A person can certify in one or more of the following eight areas: •Engine repair •Manual Transmissions •Brakes •Heating and Air Conditioning •Automatic Transmissions •Suspension and Steering •Electrical Systems •Engine Performance A person who certifies in all eight categories is deemed an “ASE Master Technician.” A business can display the “blue seal of excellence” in their business if any of their employees are ASE certified. You should ask about the certifications of the specific person who will be working on your car. At the shop, you should look for evidence of qualified technicians, such as trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced course work, and ASE certifications - a national standard of technician competence. Other organizations that set high standards for automotive repair businesses are AAA (Triple-A) and ASA (Automotive Service Association). Look for shops that have met these standards and display their logos.

Technicians and other automotive professionals can become certified in the following areas:

1. Engine Repair 2. Automatic Transmissions 3. Manual Drive Trains and Axles 4. Suspension and Steering 5. Brakes 6. Electrical/Electronic Systems 7. Heating and Air Conditioning 8. Engine Performance A person who becomes certified in all eight of these areas is termed a “Master Automobile Technician.” There are many additional areas of ASE certification. Here are just a few examples: • Light Duty Diesel • Advanced Engine Performance • Automotive Parts Specialist • Exhaust Systems

To learn more go to ase.com

.

SAMPLE ASE CERTIFICATE As you’ll notice, this certification eventually expires. Every five years a person must take a short recertification exam in for each area.

CHECK WITH YOUR LOCAL CONSUMER ORGANIZATION REGARDING THEIR REPUTATION

Before turning your car over to the hands of someone you don’t know, call your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) or similar consumer organization. Ask about complaints issued against this business; if there have been complaints, find out how well they were resolved.

All business will receive complaints from time to time—how quickly and effectively they resolve those complaints is the true standard you should judge them by. If a business has received a myriad of customer complaints or has unresolved complaints, avoid them!

Click on the logo to go the BBB website

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AT THE SHOP:

Look for a neat, well organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and with modern equipment in the service bays.

Professionally run establishments will have a courteous, helpful staff. The service writer should be willing to answer all of your questions.

Feel free to ask for the names of a few customers. Call them.

All policies (labor rates, guarantees, methods of payment, etc.) should be posted and/or explained to your satisfaction.

Ask if the shop customarily handles your vehicle make and model. Some facilities specialize.

Ask if the shop usually does your type of repair, especially if you need major work.

Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area: civic and community service awards, membership in the Better Business Bureau, AAA-Approved Auto Repair status, customer service awards.

The backbone of any shop is the competence of its technicians.

FOLLOW-UP:

   Keep good records; keep all paperwork. Reward good service with repeat business. It is mutually beneficial to you and the shop owner to establish a relationship. If the service was not all you expected, don't rush to another shop. Discuss the problem with the service manager or owner. Give the business a chance to resolve the problem. Reputable shops value customer feedback and will make a sincere effort to keep your business

GET TO KNOW “YOUR” TECHNICIAN:

When you find a business that impresses you, keep going back. However, unless you get the same technician every time, you may not experience the same level of service, honesty, and competency with each visit. To ensure that the your car doesn’t end up in the hands of someone else, ask to meet your technician. Thank him or her, and then on each subsequent visit, request them by name.

Most technicians will be flattered that you requested them to work on your car and will make an extra effort to take care of “their” customer.

It’s a win-win situation!

WHAT IF THEY TRY TO SELL ME “EXTRAS”?

What if you go to a repair business intending to have a your oil changed, but they tell you that you need your brakes serviced and shock absorbers replaced? Is this a sign that they are attempting to take advantage of you?

MAYBE

!

A lot of

chain stores

that specialize in oil changes, tires, or brakes are known for paying their employees a commission for “up-selling” parts. This means that if they convince you that you need new shock absorbers or brake rotors, they get a little extra money in their paycheck; therefore, their opinions are biased! Unless you explicitly trust the person who is working on your car, don’t have the work done there. Go to “your technician” and get a second opinion.

On the other hand, if a professional points a problem out to you, it is very possible that the technician is being honest and has spotted a problem with your vehicle that needs attention. A good repair business will always offer to show you what is wrong and explain why you need the repairs they are proposing. If they seem uncomfortable when you ask them to explain the problem, go elsewhere!

CONCLUSION

In this lesson we have learned how to successfully buy and sell a car and how to shop for maintenance and repair services. Realize that purchasing a new car is NEVER a good investment. An investment appreciates and earns you money. A car will depreciate and cost you money. From a financial standpoint, when it comes to your car, your goal should be to meet your needs while minimizing your expenses.

We have learned how to choose a car and how to become educated and confident when negotiating with someone who wants to sell you a car or buy a car from you.

Finally, we have learned how to be successful in an area where many people constantly struggle: purchasing maintenance and repair services. You hope that car salespeople and technicians will always deal honestly with you. Make sure that you reciprocate; strive to be completely honest with all those you do business with, whether you are the one paying or the one receiving the money!