Grand Rapids Auto Blog: April 2014

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

What is the type of car most suitable for your needs?

Thanks again to guest writer Kerry Blake for this great article about picking out the right car to meet your needs. Having the right vehicle for your life can make a huge difference for you, your kids, your work, or whatever needs you have. For further advice on this topic, please contact Betten Imports.

The decision of buying a car is not a simple thing to do, no matter if you are buying a car for the first time or you are looking to replace the old one. There is a list of things that need to be considered and once you have decided to do this, you better be prepared for a mountain of work, changed opinions, thinking and rethinking.

Think of your budget

The starter should be the amount of money you are able and willing to spend on your car. Sometimes, you will find a really good buy which will save you a lot of money, that is, not always will you have to spend all the money you saved for that purpose. But, the case is usually totally the opposite. People often wish for much more than they can afford. Don’t get your hopes up too high, as you will be left in debts and this is not the point. Making this an enjoyable experience and the feeling of success are your ultimate goals. Smart decisions when buying a car are really important – the equation is simple: if you spend more money on a car than you are supposed to you will have to cut on some other things in your life.

Choose new or usedThere are so called sticklers to buying a new car, which is not a bad thing if you can afford one. All the repairs and extra expenses will be postponed and you will enjoy your driving as long as you keep the tank full. On the other hand, buying a car that is not new is not a bad choice either, as long as you pick the one that is still in good condition. There are drivers that change their car on periods during a year or two, so you can come across some new models easily. Used doesn’t necessarily mean old.

Things you should keep in mindSome basic things you should keep in mind when buying a car are surely familiar to you: performance, electronics, gas consumption, safety, comfort – these things will further influence the quality and safety of your life. Driving a car nowadays is not something you should play with. Traffic is becoming more and more dangerous with all the young and inexperienced drivers piling up. The stress in your life can influence the way you are driving, and you don’t need additional stress because your car isn’t working properly. Don’t risk your life and the life of others, think before you act – be a smart buyer.

What do you need?One of the possible questions when buying a car is definitely the one concerning the size and shape of the car. What will suit your needs and satisfy your taste? Start with the question – what do you need your car for. OK, this question sounds a bit awkward, as you need it for driving obviously, so, I am going to be more specific: Who will you drive? (This applies to all the family people) Do you need it for personal use or for business as well?

Some categories according to this criteria are:
●     Family: minivan, SUV, a station wagon,
●     Business: minivan, city car, sedan/saloon, pick-up truck
●     Personal: sports car, luxury car, convertible, two-seater
Choose from these types of cars and see which one suits your personality and your need the best. Sizes vary from really big, large, mid sized to small cars.

Ask if you don’t have the knowledge neededAs you have seen, buying a car is not a piece of cake. A process like this asks for a lot of work, knowledge and time. This is not something you can do swiftly, it is not a decision you should make in a day or two. Take it slow, and think twice – no rushing here. If you don’t know where to head to or you are not a connoisseur of cars and mechanics, make sure that you seek some advice. Car buying services can help you with your purchase as they will consider all your needs and budget and offer you the best of the best. Asking is always a smart move when you are in two minds or you don’t have the needed knowledge.

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Friday, April 11, 2014

How to Buy a Car on the Internet without being Ripped Off

The following article is from Kerry Blake who brings good advice about purchasing a used car online. Remember, Betten Imports carries new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles without the tricks and scams. They are always willing to help you meet your transportation needs. Enjoy the article!

Introduction

Buying a car can be exciting but also daunting. This challenge is compounded when you decided to buy a used car on the Internet. The Internet is rife with all kinds of scammers, and this is why it is important that you take the necessary precautionary measures to ensure that your hard earned cash does not go into the wrong pockets. So what do you need to do to ensure that you are not ripped off when buying a car online? Read on to find out.

Know who you are dealing with

When buying used cars, it is important to ensure that the party you are dealing with is reputable. This applies to whether you are dealing with an individual or your local car dealer like Carzoos. Upon spotting a car that you like, contact the seller requesting to see the car in person. If the dealer is a genuine one, they will readily acquiesce to your request. However, should you meet any form of resistance on the part of the seller, it is a fraud. There are good chances that there is no vehicle for sale.

To get to know the seller better, you might want to ask additional questions. For instance, if you require having a better observation of the trunk, interior or other parts of the car, ask the seller to give you additional photos. In case you realize that the seller is evasive or does not want to get back to you quickly, the best thing is to move on.

Research the vehicle you have chosen

The best way of researching the history of the car you want to buy as well as to know its overall condition is by asking for the VIN (vehicle identification number). This not only identifies the vehicle but also unlocks its history. Upon getting the VIN, you can request a report concerning the vehicle. AutoCheck and CARFAX are some of the companies that provide such reports.

The report will give you important details like:

· Whether the vehicle has had an accident

· Previous odometer reading

· Whether or not airbag has been previously deployed

· Whether it has been re-salvaged

Next is to get an independent mechanic to inspect it for you. If a seller shows resistance to inspection, they are probably unreliable.

Be careful when paying

If you are satisfied with the car, you will need to pay the deposit. Never make wire transfers or send a cheque. This is because, once the seller cashes the cheque or collects money order, the money cannot be retrieved.

The best thing to do is to pay over browser that is secured. To tell that a browser is secure, you will see that the URL starts with “https”. The “s” here stands for security. Another thing is to look for lock symbol on the address bar.

Another tip is to pay using a credit card as it protects you against fraud.

http://www.getsafeonline.org/shopping-banking/online-payments/

Check out for the tell-tale signs of scam dealers

Sometimes, it is easy to tell that you are being ripped off even before you start the purchase process. You have everything to worry about if you notice any of the following:

· If the seller wants you to make a deposit even before you have seen or driven the car, this is a potential swindler.

· If there are phishing emails like: “BRAND NEW USED VEHICLE, with low mileage for only $99.99!” beware. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Conclusion

The Internet, they say, is a necessary evil. While it has made purchasing stuffs easy, it certainly is not without some risks. When checking out cars for sale, it is important to be cautious and follow all the due diligence.