pros of buying a used car.

The Pros and Cons of the Used Car


There's no doubt about it anymore, the car market is changing and a lot of that has to do with rising fuel costs. All statistics tell us that more and more people are downsizing in the kinds of vehicles they drive and moving from the more expensive SUVs to the smaller compact models, and there is also a trend that is becoming evident that the used car is selling more rapidly than the newer car.

It is possible to buy a high quality used car for less than market value, drive it for several years, and then resell it at a price close to the original. If you've done your homework and show a lot of patience you can save a lot of money on a used car. Used cars are cheap to buy since the appreciation takes a large chunk of the price of the car as soon as you drive it off a lot brand new.

As well, used cars are cheaper to insure because the replacement value of these is lower and insurance premiums on older cars are lower than the brand new models. For the most part, used cars are well taken care of. Particularly recently, these cars have been turned in after a one, two, or three year lease, and to avoid penalty charges consumers have taken care to make sure these vehicles are up kept in top condition. One of the last advantages to choosing a used car is their abundance.

When you first start looking for a used car on the market you will be amazed at all the choices. With such a wide range to choose from the consumer has quite a bit of power and the ability to walk away from any deal.

But there are disadvantages to the used car as well. Used cars have limited warranties or maybe even no warranties at all. As well, some used cars can have a checkered past and it's difficult to get an accurate history of these cars unless there are fully documented service records within the vehicle. Although it may not look that way on the outside, used cars are usually overpriced as well—especially from the dealerships. Make sure you always try to negotiate at least 10% off the sticker price.


Finally there is a disadvantage to the used car that you may not have thought of and that's that every used car is unique and because of that finding one that comes together with everything you want can be a chore. Every used car has different mileage, different options, and different driving characteristics. If you've decided that the used car is the right vehicle for you, it's wise if you keep your wish list flexible. Make sure that what you expect from a used car is fairly simple and not to elaborate. Used cars tend to come with different variations that are out of the control of the buyer.

Kijiji, craigslist.com selling cars

n terms of size, the Jeep Patriot is similar in many respects to the Compass concept, and both were unwrapped at the same time at the 2005 Frankfurt show. Both are based on the same platform, too. But the aim of the Patriot is somewhat different, as it is targeting a different market sector by being more utilitarian in style. It is immediately recognizable as a classic Jeep, for a start. Higher ground clearance gives plenty of space between the tires and body, something important for greater wheel articulation in serious off-road driving. Additionally, the Patriots more upright stance suggests a more practical off-road design than the lower-riding Compass, which has firmer suspension to match its road-car ambitions.

Pronounced wheel arches, an upright windshield making a definite corner to the roof panel, horizontal cant rails, and recessed square side windows: these are all features typical of the traditional Jeep. But in contrast to Jeeps much larger and more powerful models such as the Liberty and the Cherokee, the Patriot like the Compass is planned for a global market. Essential, therefore, is a choice of 2.4-liter and 2.0-liter diesel power options.

The Patriot at the Frankfurt show was painted armor green, with black accents and dark-tinted windows a fitting color scheme for a practically oriented vehicle. Together with the strong horizontal shoulder line that runs right through from the headlamps to the taillamps, this helps to give it the look and feel of an authentic 4x4 with rugged credentials.

The Patriot is only one of a large number of recent concepts presented by Jeep: each explores subtly different ground in bringing the Jeep message to a broader public. This model is closer to the core of what the Jeep brand currently stands for, so expect to see its influence in forthcoming volume production models.










Sell My Ride...Over the Internet
Buying and selling a car online has never been easier

When it comes to buying and selling cars, more and more Canadians are turning to the Internet. From the bargain hunter looking for an old "clunker" to the automotive enthusiast or collector with a dream car, using the Internet to find that automotive deal or sell your car is mounting in popularity.

According to a J.D. Power & Associates 2004 study, 85% of recent car buyers said the Internet impacted their purchase. And among first time car buyers, 35% report that the Internet is their most important source for information, compared to 8% citing TV, 4% citing magazines, and 3.6% citing newspapers (Polk Center for Automotive Studies, January 2006).

The surge in buying and selling cars online is due partly to the ease and flexibility of some web sites. For instance, Kijiji Canada (www.kijiji.ca), a free community classifieds site, enables people to quickly and easily sell their cars online. There is no need to register and sellers have no limit on word count, can post multiple photos, and their ad appears live on the site instantaneously – all absolutely free.

As one of Canada's leading classifieds sites, Kijiji is unique in that it focuses on sales by private individuals and is designed for local trading. Thirty-seven percent of used vehicles traded in Canada are bought and sold between private individuals, as many people prefer to deal directly with other individuals rather than auto dealers. Kijiji is designed to help these individuals connect with others locally. Kijiji offers 21 city-specific sites across Canada so people can buy and sell cars with others in their own city or town.

A variety of cars, SUVs, trucks and vans are listed on the Toronto Kijiji site (http://toronto.kijiji.ca) including Honda Civics', Vespas', BMWs' and Mercedes Benzs'. So if you're looking for that vintage ride or just cheap and cheerful transportation, consider Kijiji.

If you're thinking of selling your vehicle online consider these helpful tips:

Using the net to sell your car

* Use all the space you can when writing a description. Selling a car online is not like selling a car in the print classifieds: most online classifieds sites do not have a word limit so use the space to provide details! Some useful points to include:
o Year, make, colour and model
o Engine type and transmission
o Options and comfort features
o Mileage
o Ownership history
o Condition, including any superficial or structural damage
o Recent service history (if available)
o Warranty or certification.

* Including photos of your vehicle is very important to generate interest from potential buyers. To get the most out of your photos:
o Wash your car before taking pictures
o When taking pictures, provide a virtual walk-around of the car, both inside and out
o Include as many pictures as possible
o Provide an email address and/or phone number.

Cole Reiken (see bio below) is an industry "expert" and member of the Kijiji team. He is available to speak with you regarding buying and selling a car online. He can also provide references of people who have bought and sold cars on Kijiji.