Statistics show people generally switch cars every 3-5 years. If you want to save a lot of money, focus on quality used cars instead of new ones during your switch (buying used cars saves you a ton of money given that you eliminate the commission paid to a salesperson and associated fees, along with the heavy depreciation incurred in the first year).

 

When you purchase a used vehicle, focus primarily on quality and resale value. Remember, you want to attempt to get the highest price for your automobile later on when you decide to switch. You may also want to consider buying a used car privately through the classified ads, rather than a dealer. Most dealer mark-ups are outrageous, and it’s easier to negotiate with people wanting to sell their cars privately.

 

Before you head out to look for a used car, you need to know what an automobile is worth (that way you can negotiate better). American shoppers should check out http://www.kbb.com for Blue Book values. Canadian shoppers should check out http://www.autotrader.ca for its valuation tools. You should also check out Consumer Reports for more information on a car you’ve been eyeing.

 

If you must resort to buying a new car (for whatever reasons), than call eight to ten surrounding dealers within 2 hours’ driving distance and ask them for their best price on the automobile of your choice. Remember to be specific with your model and desired options.

 

Additional tips:

• Before you buy a used car, take it to an independent car repair service for a checkup. If you unknowingly buy a poor quality, unreliable car, you may end up with big problems later.

 

• If possible, sell your own car instead of trading it in. You have a better chance of getting a higher price than a dealer will offer.

 

Additional link:

• http://www.repodepo.ca – RepoDepo has 28 locations across Canada and has an inventory of thousands of cars, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats and more. If you live near a location, you may consider checking out what RepoDepo has in store (you can get an unbelievable deal if you just look!). NOTE: You have to sign up with the site to get pricing information.