WHEN TO GET BEST DEALS ON USED ( Boats, Jet Ski's, and Street Motorcycles )

If you want a bargain the best time to purchase a used boat, jet ski, or street motorcycle is fall and winter if your climate has cold winters. SUV'S ( sport utility vehicles ) sale well year around. Be sure you try out the boats and jet ski's (wet suite if necessary) in a lake . They may sound perfect on land, but they need to be in water to test the power. I know this from experience. I purchased a used jet ski at an auto auction. They fired it up briefly and it sounded great, so I bought it. When it was put in a lake it had no power. When it was checked out, we realized one of the pistons was missing. Don't let this scare you away. It won't happen to you if you test them in a lake first. Test the motorcycle out on the road before you purchase it. If you are willing to tough the cold you can pocket a huge savings.

DO YOU HAVE ENOUGH COVERAGE? ( Automobile Insurance )

If you finance your automobile be careful. Most people shop for the lowest premium insurance company they can find. The lowest premium policy might end up costing you thousands of dollars or wage garnishments and here's why! Make sure your insurance policy has enough coverage to pay off your loan in case your vehicle is stolen or wrecked beyond repair. If this was to occur you are still liable for the balance of your loan. Don't find yourself owing thousands of dollars by shopping for the lowest price insurance policy before you know that policy has enough coverage to pay off your automobile loan if you file a claim.

BUY WHAT YOU NEED, NOT WHAT YOU WANT ( Pickup Trucks, full size )

Another way to save money is purchase a full size pickup truck that works for your need. Full size pickup trucks come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and options. Keep in mind the number of people that will ride in the full size pickup truck most of the time. Two or three people can ride easily in a full size standard cab, four or more in an extended cab, or four door cab. Manufacturers have different names for their full size pickup truck body styles. Other factors include what you haul ( will a short bed or long bed work ). The weight you need to haul ( light weight or heavy duty pickup ). If you drive off road a lot, a four wheel drive could be your option. If you put a lot of miles on a truck and need heavy duty pulling power a diesel engine could be your option. You can purchase a full size pickup truck with many options and engine sizes. If you pull trailers of heavy towing weight and long length, you might consider a custom flat bed body. Custom flat beds are a big seller with gooseneck trailers. You can purchase a custom flat bed dressed out to the max, or basic, they also come with many add on options. So be sure to buy what you need and not what you want.

BUY HERE PAY HERE ( $$ Saving interest rate tips $$ )

I did in house financing ( buy here pay here ) at my car lot. I do not recall a customer ever asking me how much the total finance charge would be. Most buy here pay here Independent Automobile dealers charge from 15 to 28% interest, with an average down payment from $500.00 to $1500 dollars with a two to four year payout depending on vehicle cost. Used car business slows down through the Holidays and dealers are hungry for a sale. Now is a great time to wheel and deal. If you can pay 50% or more down than they are asking you should get a better rate. Before you mention it ask the dealer to show you how much the total finance charge is, not weekly, or monthly, but the total interest rate cost on the vehicle you are getting a quote on. If they will not show you on paper walk out the door. When you see the finance cost you are ready to offer more down if you get a better rate. You will get a better rate at most buy here pay here lots. If the first dealer is not wheeling to deal shop around. When you get the rate lowered compare the before and after savings. You just saved hundreds of dollars on a four year note. Be sure to read all my posts for tips on saving and making money. Let me know how much my tips have worked for you.

VIN ( Country of Origin )

VIN'S first digit identifies code and country of origin on the following chart:

Code/Country of Origin
1 United States
2 Canada
3 Mexico
4 United States
5 United States
6 Australia
9 Brazil
J Japan
K Korea
L Taiwan
S England
V France
W Germany
Y Sweden
Z Italy

VIN MODEL YEAR CHART ( Vehicle Identifcation Numbers )

VIN' S from the model year 1981 until present are made up of seventeen digits. The ( tenth digit is the model year code ). The following chart will help you verify the model year before you purchase a used vehicle:

Code/Model Year
B 1981
C 1982
D 1983
E 1984
F 1985
G 1986
H 1987
J 1988
K 1989
L 1990
M 1991
N 1992
P 1993
R 1994
S 1995
T 1996
V 1997
W 1998
X 1999
Y 2000
1 2001
2 2002
3 2003
4 2004
5 2005
6 2006
7 2007
8 2008
9 2009

KEEP YOUR RIDE "CHANGE THE LOOKS" ( Accessories )

If you drive a pickup truck or SUV there are numerous accessories available to increase the value of the vehicle. At the same time your vehicle will have a much different look. The look will depend on how much you want to spend and how much you add. Some ideas for a different look would include a winch and new bumper combination, brush guard, different type of light covers to cover the headlights and tail lights, nerf bar, or running boards. An exterior rear tire kit also looks good on an SUV. Luggage racks and guardrails create a nice look. Pin stripe is another creative look which comes in many different sizes and colors. Just to give you an example, i would purchase jeep wranglers and then buy new custom wheels, larger tires, custom made wrangler decals, and replaced convertible tops and seats if needed. These additions increased the value of the wrangler, sales, and profits.

KEEP YOUR RIDE " CHANGE THE LOOKS " ( Window tint )

Window tint comes in different colors, which allows you to select a color that works well with your paint. A ( UV ) window tint helps keep the sun rays out, thus keeping your interior cooler in the summer. Window tint also reduces interior fading. Limo tint on the drivers, and front passenger window is illegal in many states. Make note of that before installing. Window tint is available in self installation kits, or it can be professionally installed. Adding window tint changes the looks of your vehicle.

KEEP YOUR RIDE " CHANGE THE LOOKS " ( Paint )

A new paint job on your vehicle gives it a newer look. You can even change the color. It cost more, but still less expensive than buying new. A lot of people might not know that pickup trucks ( if taken care of ) will reach a low, or what I call bottom out value price. Then the price starts coming back up. Another reason you may consider a new paint job is if your vehicle has no major maintenance problems. If your vehicle is a two tone ( painted two colors ) you can have it painted one color or vise a versa. Look at your vehicles paint closely. The paint is one of these three; solid, or it could be metallic mixed into the paint, or a metal flake mixed into the paint. Changing the paint type alone will give your vehicle a different look. Shop around for a reliable paint shop.

KEEP YOUR RIDE, " CHANGE THE LOOKS " ( Tires )

Tires are one of the important safety features that helps your vehicle in more than one way. A new set of tires should improve your ride, handling, and looks; not to mention sale value. The way tires can change the vehicles looks are by changing the profile, or you can change from blackwall tires to white letter tires, or even whitewall tires. Sometimes changing brands will give you're vehicle a newer look.

KEEP YOUR RIDE, " CHANGE THE LOOKS " ( Custom Wheels )

If you're not ready to invest in a new or late model vehicle, give yours a new look. Read my past post about detailing. After a detail, change your wheels. In todays market you will find a hugh selection of custom wheels to choose from in a price range suited for you. These two changes alone will give your vehicle a totally new look. It will also increase the sale value.

HOW TO SALE A VEHICLE FOR TOP DOLLAR

If you read my previous blogs you're ready to take the final step. First thing you need to do is be sure you have all the paperwork since the day you purchased the vehicle; including oil changes. If vehicle was used when you received it, keep all the previous paperwork too ( if you did not keep all the paperwork be sure on your next purchase you do; a good paper trail helps sale a vehicle). Do not trade in your vehicle, sell it yourself. Why you ask? Think for a minute, an automobile dealer needs to make a profit when they resale it. That's extra money you could have pocketed. Be sure you know what your vehicle is worth ( see my blogs about auto auctions ). If a dealer tells you they are allowing as much or more than you are asking, that should be a red flag. If a dealer is willing to take a loss on the trade they will make it up on the sale to you ( see my next blog on how to buy from an automobile dealer and save money). Sale your vehicle without leaving your house. Auto Trader on the web will let you scan a photo and list it on the web. Be sure you list all the extras ( add on's ). If you have all the paper trail be sure to note that. List it in auto trader magazine. Local newspaper classifieds is a good listing. If possible, park vehicle in high traffic area location. Print a detailed list of items on the vehicle that will help sale and increase profit. Tape it in window for consumers to read. If your vehicle drives out well and you followed all of my instructions from detailing to figuring vehicle worth, there's no reason your vehicle will not bring ( Top Dollar ).

BUYER BEWARE.....WATER DAMAGE.....WHAT TO LOOK FOR

If your in the market for a used vehicle, yet do not know its history, you should be sure to check for water damage. Water damage is hard to detect unless you know where to look. Most of these vehicles are detailed to the max. Open the trunk, pull away the liner from the quarter panels, if you see a build up of dirt ( dried mud ) that looks like a water line make a note. Next look in the interior. Main place to look is under the dash, even though it's hard to get to, look for a build up of dirt ( dried mud ) on the wiring , or any place dirt would lay. If you see a build up make a note. When a vehicle is detailed the carpet is normally shampooed so that area is not reliable, though you should look and feel under the seats (under the bottom of the seats ); any dirt build up make a note. Look over the entire interior for a previous water line. IF YOU DETECT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS I WOULD RESEARCH TITLE FROM THE DAY IT WAS PURCHASED NEW UNTIL NOW. With all the flooding in many states that could be a red flag, if an area that had floods showed up on the title, your research just saved you some ( MONEY ) .

APPLES FOR APPLES

THIS IS YOUR TIP OF THE DAY !!!!!!!!!!

If you think it's time to purchase a new vehicle ( 2008 ) you might consider a new ( 2007 ) and save money for the holidays. Most New Car Dealers still have a good selection to choose from with considerable savings . I'll give you an example : Just this past weekend, my sister in law purchased a NEW ( 2007 ) SUV loaded, leather interior dual front a/c controls, headed seats, all power, windows, doors, seats, mirrors, with not one, but two sliding sun roofs or ( moon roofs ) depends on the time of day, satellite entertainment system and many more nice interior features ...... Exterior was just as nice all the way down to the 18 inch chrome wheels, dual exhaust, rear bumper sensor that alarms just in case she starts to back into a car, tree, building , dog, cat, or even a human. I believe this vehicle was made just for a woman.......JUST KIDDING ! Here's the punch line. The same day, she had driven a ( 2007 ) same make, model, and according to my wife and my sisters in law, it had the same specs... AND WAS PRICED THE SAME. The only difference was (Different Dealer) and oh yes......... ( IT HAD 30000 THOUSAND MILES ON THE ODOMETER ). The Friday night before my wife and her sisters set out to wheel and deal I made them a list of Do's and Dont's; what to ask, when to ask, who to ask, what to say, when to say it, what to look for, and what not to look for. Make notes, write down the specs, and compare notes before making any decision. THEY DID THEIR HOMEWORK.........THEY PASSED .