One of the things we hardly consider when making the choice to purchase a vehicle is what it will be worth when we are done with it. Some of us are gifted in the vehicle resale field, but for a majority of us, reselling a vehicle yields a loss of money that can't be avoided. Don't fret about it; losing money on a vehicle is a part of life. The useful value of a car is outweighed by the loss of money that we experience when it is time to say goodbye.
Lessening the blow in the end is something that we can control, however. Here are some tips that can earn you some extra money when it is time to sell.
1. Keep it clean
Keeping our vehicles clean can be a challenge sometimes. Between commuting to work, school, daycare, getting groceries, and weekend cruising, our vehicles suffer from neglect from the daily grind. Coffee cups, food bags, cigarette ashes, and dirty glass can adorn some of our vehicles. Working in automotive salvage throughout the years I have bought several vehicles that were simply too dirty to sell. They ran fine, but the cost to restore their interiors to a livable state would have far exceeded the value of the vehicle.
Remember to keep your car clean and smelling good. If you spill coffee on the carpet, it will clean up with just some regular automotive cleaners. I recommend Simple Green. Automotive carpet is nothing like house carpet. If you spill red wine on automotive carpet, it will not stain like in the house. Automotive carpet is made from polyester fibres and are not prone to staining from soaking and wicking. A little maintenance goes a long way in this case. As a smoker, I often light up in my car. It's inevitable that ashes will make their way in to the carpet and seats, but a weekly vacuuming take care of that problem and keep my car smelling and looking new.
2. Keep it maintained.
Maintaining a vehicle is a small investment that can go a long way. Aside from making your vehicle more reliable in the short run, it will keep it worth more in the long run. When you buy a new vehicle, you'd like to see all of the maintenance records, right? Keep your receipts to prove that maintenance has been performed. Even if you maintain your vehicle yourself, keep the receipts for the parts and record the mileage on the receipt at the time of maintenance. This goes a long way for the savvy buyer. He or she will know that they are getting the best deal on the car and that will, in turn, get you more money in the sale.
Don't forget to fix things that break. Maybe you can deal with that broken armrest or unbalanced tire, but the next person will seize that opportunity to lower the price so they can have the best deal possible. You want to give the buyer the best deal possible while knowing that you're selling them a car that is free of defects and you can be proud that you've sold them a reliable, well maintained vehicle.
3. Timing is everything
Fuel prices are at an all-time high. Here in Michigan, we have winters that are harsh on commuters and on cars. Don't try to sell your 4x4 Chevy truck in the middle of summer because people will find this as an opportunity to buy it for rock-bottom pricing. All it is worth in summer is the 12mpg. In winter, however, it is worth the safety of 4x4. You wouldn't try to sell your motorcycle in February, would you?
Sell your vehicle in the appropriate season. Trucks for winter, convertibles for summer, and always showcase the best trait for the season. In August, when selling your Taurus, showcase that the A/C is cold as ice. In January, showcase the front wheel drive and boiling hot heat. People love to see the good in vehicles.
4. Keep it simple.
Aftermarket accessories will actually hinder many people from buying a vehicle. Some are fine, such as a lift kit and roll bar on a nice 4x4 truck, but for the most part, people don't desire a bunch of personality. Body kits, xenon lights, aftermarket taillights, and loud pipes on your Acura Integra might be fine for you, but for the next owner they might not be exactly what they want. It's like selling your house painted lime green. If you can find that right buyer it is okay, but for the majority of the population, they will prefer something more neutral that they can modify and personalize themselves.
Keep your car stock and clean looking for the sale. If you have already modified it, then there's not much that you can do about it at this time other than disclose the modifications and hope for the best. Simple and stock always wins the car race.
Selling a car can be stressful, but the rewards are great if the vehicle is well maintained, clean, and known reliable. As I have stressed before, when purchasing your new car, always check the value of it as to not get the shaft. Edmunds.com and Caranddriver.com offer information about projected resale value of vehicles. As a rule, imported cars hold value better than domestics, although some domestics hold their value better than others, while some imports tank over time. Steer toward Honda, Toyota, Volvo, Nissan, BMW, and Volkswagen for the highest resale value. Ford, Mazda, and General Motors vehicles are about average in projected resale, but steer away from Chrysler, Kia, Isuzu, and Mercedes-Benz for resale. Depreciation is ungodly rapid on these. If you like the car, then don't let resale bother you. If you plan on keeping it for a couple of years and offing it, then consider projected resale when making a decision to buy.
As an example, in the last six years, my 2005 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor has lost over $30,000 of value, while my 1993 Ford F-150 has only lost $8,000 in the last 18 years.
For any questions about reselling a vehicle, vehicle repair questions, or questions about cars in general, feel free to email me at DIYfixyourcar@gmail.com
Showing posts with label Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advice. Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
The "Ever Since" Effect
It happens. We all have to take the car in for service at the dealer or an independent shop at some point in our lives. Being an automotive technician working out of my garage at times, I have had to take cars to the dealer for computer reprogramming, to the exhaust shop to have custom pipes bent, or to have an alignment done at the local Firestone.
Sometimes, after taking your vehicle in for service, you come home to find that something else is broken. This is what we call in the business, the "Ever Since." Here, I will outline some common scenarios that can be mistaken as an "Ever Since" and some that are actually issues caused by negligent repairs.
1. Ever since you changed my oil my brakes have been bad.
This one is, quite simply, nonsense. Changing the oil in a vehicle has absolutely nothing to do with the brakes. The only way the brakes could even possibly be affected by an oil change is by topping up the brake fluid with something other than brake fluid. The friction material of the brakes is in no way affected by changing engine oil.
2. Ever since you replaced my radiator my air conditioning doesn't work
This one is plausible. Replacing the radiator in a vehicle requires work to be done in the vicinity of the air conditioning condenser and often times requires the cooling fans to be disconnected and removed. If the condenser is damaged in the process of removing the radiator, the Freon will leak out and the air conditioner will be inoperative. Sometimes, the leak can be so small that it is not detected at the time of service. If this is the case, bring it back to the place it was serviced and have it checked out. Almost every shop will not charge a dime to look at it, especially if a recent service was performed. If the cooling fan is disconnected, the air conditioner will not work as efficiently as it was before but the vehicle will not overheat. Look to see if there are any wires unplugged in the vicinity of the fans and if there are, plug them back in and everything will be fine.
3. Ever since you performed a wheel alignment my tires have been wearing out faster.
Although hard to prove because a long time and many miles have to pass to notice erratic tire wear, this one is totally possible. Many cars today only have adjustments for toe. A failed attempt at toe adjustment will result in premature wear of the tires. In this case, bring it back to the shop that aligned it with the paperwork from the alignment and show them the tire wear. Any reputable shop will admit a mistake and correct it.
4. Ever since you aligned my vehicle my CV joint went bad.
Plausible as well. Often times to align a vehicle, the tie rods must be heated with a torch to break rusty nuts free. Mistakes happen, and when a slip of the torch happens, sometimes the boot of the CV joint can be burned and rupture. The grease will leak out and the joint will subsequently be run dry. This will cause joint failure-the clicking and popping sound when at a full turn. Inspect the CV joints for burning or melting. If they are burned or melted, the damage will be on the peak of the bellows. If it is normal wear, the split will be at the valley of the bellows and will usually be split all the way around. If it shows signs of damage at the peak, then it was likely burned during the alignment process. This rule applies to all work performed on the front end of the car, including ball joints, tie rod ends, stabilizer links, and hubs.
5. Ever since you installed my stereo my heat doesn't get warm.
This one could be either way. Usually when installing a stereo, the dashboard of the car doesn't have to come apart too much. The technician installing the stereo generally never has to get deep enough in to the dashboard to harm the heater core. If your heat doesn't work following any electrical service, then it likely has nothing to do with that service. Something else probably went wrong.
Choosing a reputable mechanic to service your investment is a hard decision. Take the advice of family and friends, check out Google for reviews, and take the car for simple service and see how they perform. First impressions are everything and usually tell a lot about a shop. If the people are friendly, clean, and professional, you can be assured that they will do clean, professional, and friendly service. If the technicians are dirty, the shop is dirty, and all you hear about when you walk in the door is about parts of women's anatomy, then run for the hills. You have a choice, and this is where you spend your money. You need to be comfortable that the job will be done right the first time, with no "Ever Since."
For any questions about repairs and related domino effects from repairs, feel free to email me at DIYfixyourcar@gmail.com
Sometimes, after taking your vehicle in for service, you come home to find that something else is broken. This is what we call in the business, the "Ever Since." Here, I will outline some common scenarios that can be mistaken as an "Ever Since" and some that are actually issues caused by negligent repairs.
1. Ever since you changed my oil my brakes have been bad.
This one is, quite simply, nonsense. Changing the oil in a vehicle has absolutely nothing to do with the brakes. The only way the brakes could even possibly be affected by an oil change is by topping up the brake fluid with something other than brake fluid. The friction material of the brakes is in no way affected by changing engine oil.
2. Ever since you replaced my radiator my air conditioning doesn't work
This one is plausible. Replacing the radiator in a vehicle requires work to be done in the vicinity of the air conditioning condenser and often times requires the cooling fans to be disconnected and removed. If the condenser is damaged in the process of removing the radiator, the Freon will leak out and the air conditioner will be inoperative. Sometimes, the leak can be so small that it is not detected at the time of service. If this is the case, bring it back to the place it was serviced and have it checked out. Almost every shop will not charge a dime to look at it, especially if a recent service was performed. If the cooling fan is disconnected, the air conditioner will not work as efficiently as it was before but the vehicle will not overheat. Look to see if there are any wires unplugged in the vicinity of the fans and if there are, plug them back in and everything will be fine.
3. Ever since you performed a wheel alignment my tires have been wearing out faster.
Although hard to prove because a long time and many miles have to pass to notice erratic tire wear, this one is totally possible. Many cars today only have adjustments for toe. A failed attempt at toe adjustment will result in premature wear of the tires. In this case, bring it back to the shop that aligned it with the paperwork from the alignment and show them the tire wear. Any reputable shop will admit a mistake and correct it.
4. Ever since you aligned my vehicle my CV joint went bad.
Plausible as well. Often times to align a vehicle, the tie rods must be heated with a torch to break rusty nuts free. Mistakes happen, and when a slip of the torch happens, sometimes the boot of the CV joint can be burned and rupture. The grease will leak out and the joint will subsequently be run dry. This will cause joint failure-the clicking and popping sound when at a full turn. Inspect the CV joints for burning or melting. If they are burned or melted, the damage will be on the peak of the bellows. If it is normal wear, the split will be at the valley of the bellows and will usually be split all the way around. If it shows signs of damage at the peak, then it was likely burned during the alignment process. This rule applies to all work performed on the front end of the car, including ball joints, tie rod ends, stabilizer links, and hubs.
5. Ever since you installed my stereo my heat doesn't get warm.
This one could be either way. Usually when installing a stereo, the dashboard of the car doesn't have to come apart too much. The technician installing the stereo generally never has to get deep enough in to the dashboard to harm the heater core. If your heat doesn't work following any electrical service, then it likely has nothing to do with that service. Something else probably went wrong.
Choosing a reputable mechanic to service your investment is a hard decision. Take the advice of family and friends, check out Google for reviews, and take the car for simple service and see how they perform. First impressions are everything and usually tell a lot about a shop. If the people are friendly, clean, and professional, you can be assured that they will do clean, professional, and friendly service. If the technicians are dirty, the shop is dirty, and all you hear about when you walk in the door is about parts of women's anatomy, then run for the hills. You have a choice, and this is where you spend your money. You need to be comfortable that the job will be done right the first time, with no "Ever Since."
For any questions about repairs and related domino effects from repairs, feel free to email me at DIYfixyourcar@gmail.com
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Oh, the choices we make
Finding the right vehicle for your needs can be a difficult process. Here, I will guide you through some of the basic thoughts surrounding purchasing a vehicle.
1. What will you be using it for?
This is not as easy as it seems. The daily commuter doesn't need a large pickup truck to commute from work to home. Pickup trucks are great, but look at your daily activities to see if one is right for you. I always have a home improvement project going on at the house, so a pickup truck for me is a way of life. I love my truck, but it is not my daily driver. The fuel economy is nothing that I want to deal with on a daily basis, so I choose to commute to work in a smaller, more efficient car. I reserve the pickup truck for the weekend projects and for work at home.
2. Price
We all want fancy leather seats, DVD, navigation, and a plethora of other toys in our vehicles. All of the toys come with a price, though. Ask yourself: "Do I really need seat warmers?" The answer: a plain and simple "No."
Our parents and grandparents never had the heated leather and DVD and navigation and integrated beverage coolers in their vehicles. The choice wasn't even there in 1972. Options were power windows, power steering, and automatic transmission, among other sparse choices. As vehicles have become more complicated throughout the years, the price has followed suit. Many of the items considered "options" 30 years in the past have now become standard equipment on cars of today. How long has it been since you've seen crank windows in a new car? Buy the base model-you'll be happier in the long run. It's a proven fact that the number one car among millionaires is the Toyota Corolla.
3. Cost of repair
This is a factor that many of us overlook when purchasing a new vehicle. Eventually the car will break; it's a fact of life. Parts can be expensive and labor can be intensive on some vehicles. My daily driver is a Mercedes-Benz, and OH BOY, do I pay for it. Granted, I work on vehicles, so labor is never an issue (other than the fact that I am away from my friends and family during the repairs), but the parts are ungodly expensive for these types of cars. As an example, I recently had to replace the air conditioner compressor. For a Chevrolet Malibu of the same vintage as my Mercedes, the part would have been around $250-$300. The Mercedes, of course, costs in upwards of $1,200. Imagine having to pay for the parts and five hours of labor at the Mercedes dealer to the tune of $115 per hour. Go domestic if you can't afford a $5,000 repair. Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors vehicles offer comfort, style, and reliability and won't break the bank when it's time for some maintenance or repair.
4. Brand
We all love our labels because they reflect the inner being of our souls. Labels define who we are and how we live our lives. Some are true, others are a facade of our need to impress others without actually living up to the hype. I am a lowly automotive technician in western Michigan that drives a Mercedes-Benz to work every day. It stays parked next to my coworkers' old Chevy trucks and Buicks and Escorts. I enjoy the feel of a German luxury automobile and I appreciate the history and scope of the Mercedes brand. They are, of course, the inventor of the automobile. Find the brand that speaks to your soul and stick with it. Brand loyalty is what has kept me in a great pickup truck for many years as well. I am a true-blue fan of Ford pickup trucks. I will have them for the rest of my life. You will find that once you find a home for your automotive mind, it will become obsessed with that brand and nothing can stop it.
5. How many people will you have to carry?
How many times have we heard the story of the guy that loves his Camaro, babies and cherishes it, gives it all the love and affection that a car should have, then finds a girl, marries, has kids, and can't manage to fit three car seats in the back? We all have to look to our future when making the difficult choice to purchase a new car. Where will you be in three years? Five years? Will you have kids and a wife? Will you be a confirmed bachelor? Are kids not the right choice for you in the future? Some of us love the feel of our Astro vans and Windstars, but others wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan. Try to find something that suits your lifestyle, even if it's something that cramps it in the short run. There are many vehicles out there that will compromise between style, utility, and features. If you're a parent of four and don't want a minivan, choose something cooler like a crossover SUV such as a Ford Edge, GMC Terrain, Chrysler Pacifica, or Mercedes M-Class. These stylish vehicles offer the utility of cargo and people capacity without cramping our beloved style.
Buying a car is always a difficult decision and not something that I particularly enjoy doing. There are many factors to consider when making the decision to go forward with the second largest purchase of our life. You will be stuck with your choice for several years, so be sure that you make the correct decision! I am always here to help, too. Feel free to email any questions or concerns about the purchasing process, brand choice, and reliability. I see broken cars all day long and I have bought several in my lifetime. Contact me at diyfixyourcar@gmail.com.
1. What will you be using it for?
This is not as easy as it seems. The daily commuter doesn't need a large pickup truck to commute from work to home. Pickup trucks are great, but look at your daily activities to see if one is right for you. I always have a home improvement project going on at the house, so a pickup truck for me is a way of life. I love my truck, but it is not my daily driver. The fuel economy is nothing that I want to deal with on a daily basis, so I choose to commute to work in a smaller, more efficient car. I reserve the pickup truck for the weekend projects and for work at home.
2. Price
We all want fancy leather seats, DVD, navigation, and a plethora of other toys in our vehicles. All of the toys come with a price, though. Ask yourself: "Do I really need seat warmers?" The answer: a plain and simple "No."
Our parents and grandparents never had the heated leather and DVD and navigation and integrated beverage coolers in their vehicles. The choice wasn't even there in 1972. Options were power windows, power steering, and automatic transmission, among other sparse choices. As vehicles have become more complicated throughout the years, the price has followed suit. Many of the items considered "options" 30 years in the past have now become standard equipment on cars of today. How long has it been since you've seen crank windows in a new car? Buy the base model-you'll be happier in the long run. It's a proven fact that the number one car among millionaires is the Toyota Corolla.
3. Cost of repair
This is a factor that many of us overlook when purchasing a new vehicle. Eventually the car will break; it's a fact of life. Parts can be expensive and labor can be intensive on some vehicles. My daily driver is a Mercedes-Benz, and OH BOY, do I pay for it. Granted, I work on vehicles, so labor is never an issue (other than the fact that I am away from my friends and family during the repairs), but the parts are ungodly expensive for these types of cars. As an example, I recently had to replace the air conditioner compressor. For a Chevrolet Malibu of the same vintage as my Mercedes, the part would have been around $250-$300. The Mercedes, of course, costs in upwards of $1,200. Imagine having to pay for the parts and five hours of labor at the Mercedes dealer to the tune of $115 per hour. Go domestic if you can't afford a $5,000 repair. Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors vehicles offer comfort, style, and reliability and won't break the bank when it's time for some maintenance or repair.
4. Brand
We all love our labels because they reflect the inner being of our souls. Labels define who we are and how we live our lives. Some are true, others are a facade of our need to impress others without actually living up to the hype. I am a lowly automotive technician in western Michigan that drives a Mercedes-Benz to work every day. It stays parked next to my coworkers' old Chevy trucks and Buicks and Escorts. I enjoy the feel of a German luxury automobile and I appreciate the history and scope of the Mercedes brand. They are, of course, the inventor of the automobile. Find the brand that speaks to your soul and stick with it. Brand loyalty is what has kept me in a great pickup truck for many years as well. I am a true-blue fan of Ford pickup trucks. I will have them for the rest of my life. You will find that once you find a home for your automotive mind, it will become obsessed with that brand and nothing can stop it.
5. How many people will you have to carry?
How many times have we heard the story of the guy that loves his Camaro, babies and cherishes it, gives it all the love and affection that a car should have, then finds a girl, marries, has kids, and can't manage to fit three car seats in the back? We all have to look to our future when making the difficult choice to purchase a new car. Where will you be in three years? Five years? Will you have kids and a wife? Will you be a confirmed bachelor? Are kids not the right choice for you in the future? Some of us love the feel of our Astro vans and Windstars, but others wouldn't be caught dead in a minivan. Try to find something that suits your lifestyle, even if it's something that cramps it in the short run. There are many vehicles out there that will compromise between style, utility, and features. If you're a parent of four and don't want a minivan, choose something cooler like a crossover SUV such as a Ford Edge, GMC Terrain, Chrysler Pacifica, or Mercedes M-Class. These stylish vehicles offer the utility of cargo and people capacity without cramping our beloved style.
Buying a car is always a difficult decision and not something that I particularly enjoy doing. There are many factors to consider when making the decision to go forward with the second largest purchase of our life. You will be stuck with your choice for several years, so be sure that you make the correct decision! I am always here to help, too. Feel free to email any questions or concerns about the purchasing process, brand choice, and reliability. I see broken cars all day long and I have bought several in my lifetime. Contact me at diyfixyourcar@gmail.com.
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