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Lifestyle, Tips

Buying a Used Car: 10 Tips for Negotiating the Best Price

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When it’s time to buy a car, you have a lot of different options. But, if you’re on a budget, a used vehicle is usually the way to go. The key is simply to pick a reliable used car from a reputable seller or dealer.

Also, keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to pay the asking price. Instead, you can and should negotiate to get the best deal possible. If you’re new to negotiating or just need some tips on how to do it, these ideas should be a big help.

Tip #1: Decide On Your Budget Ahead Of Time

Everyone has a different amount that they are able to spend on a used car. To avoid overspending and potentially landing yourself in financial trouble, sit down and take a look at your finances. Think about whether you want to pay for the vehicle outright or if you’d prefer to make payments. From there, make an informed choice about how much you can spend.

Setting your budget ahead of time can help you avoid rushed decisions. It can also stop you from settling for a price that’s unfair or more than you can afford. Remember, when it comes to used cars salt lake city residents have plenty of possibilities. If one dealer or seller won’t give you the price you need, another one will.

Tip #2: Invest Time In Understanding The Market

Used car prices vary depending on a range of factors. The make, model, and age of the car all come into play, as does the area in which you live. To avoid overpaying, spend some time familiarizing yourself with the market. Find out the average asking price of similar used vehicles in your area.

Additionally, check up on the initial value of a particular used car, as well as its current value. Don’t be afraid to let the seller know that you have done your research. Buyers who can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable and informed are more likely to get a fair price.

Tip #3: Explore The Market Thoroughly

In addition to researching the market and how it functions in your area, do some exploring. Call local used car dealers and inquire about any special deals they may have going on. You can also ask friends and family members for used dealer recommendations.

Sometimes, they may even be able to recommend a specific salesperson they found easy to negotiate with. Plus, if you’re willing to travel, it may be worthwhile to check out surrounding towns and what their used car scenes look like. The more work you put in, the better your chances of landing a great deal.

Tip#4: Keep An Eye Out For Small Flaws

Some used cars may have small issues or imperfections. Some of these flaws, like the lingering smell of cigarette smoke or a tiny dent or chip in the paint, can actually be a huge asset to you as a prospective buyer. The reason is that these things are often very easy and inexpensive to fix. But, if you point them out to the dealer, they may be more likely to come down on the price. So, as you explore potential cars, be on the lookout for anything you can use to argue your case for a reduced cost.

Tip #5: Try To Improve Your Credit Score

If you’re planning to finance a used car, rather than paying the total cost upfront, and you have a little time, work on getting your credit score as high as possible. Paying down old debts or maintaining a perfect on-time payment history are just a few things you can do to help drive up your credit rating. Often, the higher your credit score, the better the financing terms and interest rates you can get. As a result, you may find that you end up paying less for your vehicle over time, especially if you can also get the dealer to come down on the total price.

Tip #6: Dress For Success And Show Respect

Many buyers don’t give a lot of thought to what they wear when they show up at a used car dealership. Surprisingly, though, how you dress and how you act might play a role in the price you pay. Since you have nothing to lose, why not dress for success? Try to look nice, presentable, and in control. You don’t have to arrive in a suit and tie, but you want to dress nicely and in a way that commands respect.

Furthermore, be respectful. It’s okay to be firm on your asking price, but you should also be polite and courteous. How you dress and speak may be small things, but they can affect how a seller views you and treats you, as well as how willing they are to work with you on price.

Tip #7: Negotiate On More Than Just The Sales Price

When people think about negotiating, they tend to think mainly of the actual sales price of the vehicle. Keep in mind, though, that there are actually several costs involved when purchasing a vehicle. Things like title fees, documentation fees, and warranty fees can quickly add up and increase the amount you have to pay, even if you negotiate a reasonable sales price. The good news is that these fees are sometimes negotiable as well. So, while you’re working to get a good deal on the car itself, also try to negotiate on other fees.

Tip #8: Take Your Time When Needed

Even if you’re an incredible negotiator, not every dealer or seller will automatically accept your asking price. Frequently, they’ll come back with a counteroffer, which may be slightly or even significantly higher than what you asked for. However, you’re under no pressure or obligation to say “yes” to this counteroffer.

Even if you want a car badly, know that it’s okay to take your time. In fact, sometimes taking your time can work in your favor. The seller may fail to find a buyer and then ultimately agree to your original asking price. Even if that doesn’t happen, remember that you’re the one making the purchase and you’re the one in control. Use that upper hand wisely and trust that the right vehicle and the right price will eventually come along.

Tip #9: Keep Your True Feelings To Yourself

As mentioned, you want to show up at the dealership looking polished, professional, and put together. While that strategy can help you exercise your upper hand, it won’t help you if you lay all your cards out on the table. No matter how desperate you are for a car or how badly you need one, don’t make this clear to the dealer or seller.

You don’t have to lie, nor should you, but you can also keep your reasons and needs to yourself. The more stoic you are, the less likely you are to get manipulated into paying more than you should. In short, don’t make any vulnerabilities known, and they can’t be used against you.

Tip #10: Choose A Seller You Can Trust

While all of these negotiation tips are helpful, you may not have to use any of them if you find the right seller or dealer. Believe it or not, there really are some good, honest dealerships out there. There are sellers who want to help you and offer you the best price. Thus, whenever possible, find dealerships with good reviews and that emphasize honesty and integrity. A trustworthy seller can make the whole process much easier and faster, as well as less stressful.

Buying a used car can be a positive experience. You just have to go into it with the right attitude and mindset. Choose your seller wisely, keep these tips in mind, and don’t settle for less than you deserve. If you can do those things, you can’t go wrong.

Lifestyle

The New Kia Soul: 5 Reasons Why Drivers Are Madly in Love

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Countless drivers today are checking out the Kia Soul. They know this manufacturer has an excellent reputation for reliability and value and want to see for themselves why so many drivers are buying these cars. The 2024 Kia Soul continues with this tradition. The following are five reasons drivers are madly in love with this car.

Ample Room

When a person hears the word subcompact, they may think of a small vehicle, one with limited room. Don’t let this designation fool you. The 2024 Kia Soul has over 62 cubic feet of space in the cargo area. The 60/40 split-folding seats ensure you can carry items large and small with ease. In addition, this vehicle carries five people easily, thanks to the 100 cubic feet of passenger space. However, ample room in the cabin is only one great thing about this year’s model, which is why you may want to start looking into kia finance specials.

You won’t mind sitting in the front seats for hours, as they have been designed with comfort in mind. While the rear seatback isn’t adjustable, most people find they aren’t bothered by it. This may be due to the ample headroom and legroom for both the driver and passengers. Four adults can take a ride in the car without feeling cramped, even if they are going long distances. They’ll enjoy the tall and narrow windows, as they can see the world around them. You won’t mind taking these long trips either, as you can adjust the seat and the steering wheel to fit your size.

Other features make for an enjoyable ride. These features include ambient lighting and dual-zone climate control. You also have the option of upgrading to heated adjustable seats, if that is something you would enjoy.

Performance

While the ride may be comfortable, you need power to move the car. The Soul takes you around town with ease. One drawback is the car doesn’t accelerate rapidly, thanks to the 2.0-liter engine. Nevertheless, the steering feels natural when you are moving from center, and the cornering abilities are great. The transmission is an automatic CVT, but you won’t be able to tell this, as it feels as if you are driving a traditional automatic.

However, the brake pedal can be touchy, particularly at low speeds. You may find it takes time to adjust to this. The Soul will brake quickly in an emergency, which is the important thing. All-wheel drive is not an option offered at this time.

A Stylish Ride

One reason many drivers take a second look at the Soul is this vehicle offers unique styling. It brings together what people love about an SUV and a conventional hatchback. Kia isn’t resting on its laurels either. Every year, the engineers try to find ways to improve on this car. In 2024, drivers can invest in a Kia Soul EX Designer package, which comes with features such as special interior options and 18-inch wheels.

For those who want a sporty look for their vehicle, the GT-Line is perfect. This trim level comes with 18-inch Sport alloy wheels, two-tone paint, and a steering wheel that is Sport-designed. However, if you prefer another trim level, you can still find a ride you love. All come with interior decorative features, such as a steering wheel encased in leather, a power sunroof, or privacy glass in the rear.

Technology

While the Kia Soul may come with a lower price tag than some of its competitors, the technology found in this car is sure to impress. Most models come with a 10.2-inch integrated touchscreen that takes up a large portion of the dashboard. The vehicle comes with in-dash navigation, the ability to subscribe to SiriusXM radio, and more.

Many people don’t expect to climb into a Kia Soul and find a Harman Kardon stereo, but that is exactly what they will see. It offers outstanding bass response and great sound quality regardless of what type of music you prefer. Every vehicle comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and you can opt for wireless charging along with charging ports.

The technology extends beyond the stereo system. You benefit from driver assist systems that don’t put out false alarms. Industry experts love the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems, so be sure to check those out when taking this car for a test drive. Ask about additional features such as Remote and Push-Button Start as well as the Smart Key option. Other features to ask about include forward collision warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and automatic emergency braking.

Protection

Kia stands behind its products, as the warranty shows. You get bumper-to-bumper coverage for five years or 60,000 miles. The powertrain warranty extends for 10 years or 100,000 miles, and your car also comes with free roadside assistance for five years or 60,000 miles. When you buy this car, you know you won’t be facing high repair bills in the coming weeks, months, or even years. The manufacturer will handle repairs for those things that go beyond normal wear and tear.

JD Power ratings consistently remain above 80. The biggest complaint of customers is the dealership experience. They rank this experience in the low 70s regularly. This rating looks at factors such as customer service, work quality, and dealership facilities. For this reason, choose your dealer carefully to ensure a great experience all around.

According to CarEdge, you will spend approximately $6,896 on repairs and maintenance if you keep this vehicle for ten years. The site goes on to say the odds of needing a major repair, one that costs $500 or more, is slightly over 21 percent during the first ten years of car ownership. The risk of a major repair increases with each year you own the car. Factor this into the car buying process, and you will see the Kia Soul is an excellent deal, particularly in the first ten years you own it.

US News and World Reports places the 2024 Kia Soul at the top of the subcompact SUV category. While this vehicle isn’t perfect, it has a lot to recommend it. If you are in the market for a new SUV, this is one you want to check out.

Lifestyle, Tips

How To Keep Your Car Running On The Road With Few Troubles

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A car is an expensive asset to own. Whether you’re someone who has a Land Rover or a Vauxhall Corsa, they’re all going to provide a different degree of expense and that goes beyond simply paying for the car in the first place.

It’s not just the running costs but all the costs that come when you take it in for its annual service. Is it going to pass its MOT or are you going to need to shell out a lot of money? It’s a nail-biting moment for any household and an expense that simply cannot be avoided.

With that being said, it’s worth knowing what advice is best when it comes to keeping your car running on the road without too much trouble. Here are a few tips that might help you keep your costs down when it comes to maintaining your car this year and beyond.

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Drive it carefully

First and foremost, make sure to drive it carefully. This is important because if you’re not driving it carefully, then you’re likely to do more damage to it. It’s not just the threat of crashing it or crashing it into another car but how you use your car can cause financial costs you don’t want.

Overuse of the brake pads for example or going over potholes that could damage your tires and the alloys. These are all things that can be avoided if you’re driving it carefully.

Consider how you’re driving your car now and whether you’re doing everything you can do to avoid the costly repairs and fixes that might be needed when you drive too erratically or without caution.

Get it checked annually 

Getting your car checked annually is important, especially when it comes to the MOT servicing that you’re legally required to get. Otherwise, if you don’t, then you’re not allowed to run it on the road.

It’s good to get the date each year noted in your diary so that you can get it checked over by the garage every time something might need to be fixed or updated. You may be blissfully unaware that nothing is wrong and therefore you won’t realize how big the problem is until you get your car into the garage.

If anything is wrong before your MOT, get it taken in because chances are you might be able to save yourself some money in the meantime. 

Conduct the relevant car maintenance in a timely manner

Make sure that when it comes to your car’s maintenance, you’re doing it all in a timely manner. This is important because when there are problems with the car or certain tasks that need doing, like filling up the oil in your car’s engine, the longer you leave it, the more damage it could do.

There are some typical maintenance tasks that you should be doing on your car regularly to keep it in good condition. These include:

  • Check your engine oil levels
  • Change oils and filters regularly
  • Checking your fuel levels and don’t go too low in the tank
  • Checking your antifreeze levels
  • Check your brakes feel and perform the same

These are just some typical maintenance tasks that you’ll want to stay on top of in order to keep your car performing efficiently.

Start your car and leave the engine running briefly before moving

Before you start moving your car on the road, let the engine run briefly. This is important to do, especially if you’ve not used the car in a while or it’s a particularly cold day. That can often be a problem because when the battery or engine has been used or has been quite cold, it might have a few troubles running efficiently on the road as a result. 

When you first step into the car, start the ignition and leave the engine running for a couple of minutes. This will help give your car’s battery and engine time to warm up before you set off.

This is something you should do regardless of how short or long the drive ahead will be!

Avoid overpacking your car on trips

Overpacking your car on trips is never a good idea because the weight can make driving a lot more challenging. Not only do you have to ensure your car has a good grip on the road but that might influence how fast or how slow you’re able to go in order for it to remain safe.

Car packed with luggage, road trip, travel, vacation, maintenance

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When you overload your car, you’re also putting more pressure on the car itself and the heavier it is, the lower it will sit, meaning there’s a chance you might catch it on the road somehow.

Avoid overpacking where you can and always approach your packing with the attitude that if you feel you’ve got too much in the car, then you’ll want to remove some stuff before you leave.

Be aware of everyone on the road

It comes as no surprise or knowledge that there are more cars on the road than there were some thirty to fifty years ago. That does mean that you’ve got a lot more drivers to contend with and not all of them are going to be as talented on the road as others are.

Many may have developed bad habits and those bad habits are something that you don’t want to deal with when you’re trying to drive the best that you can. However, when it comes to driving, it’s important that you have eyes on the back of your head.

Be aware of everyone on the road so that you can ensure no accidents occur or that you’ve mitigated as much of the risk to you and your safety as possible while on the road. 

Have a good towing service on speed dial

Should anything happen where you can’t physically move your car because it may have broken down, always have a towing service on speed dial. These can be lifesavers, especially when you’re in a situation where it’s an emergency and you’re perhaps in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down car.

Keep your car running on the road with these top tips!