When you're looking at used cars, you might notice some signs of wear. Which ones are just cosmetic, and which ones could be signs of more serious problems? Here's our guide to common used car problems, and whether they're only superficial or warrant further inspection. Paint One of the most common things you’ll notice about... Continue Reading →
Used car market: following the new car scarcity trends
The pandemic has disrupted the global supply chain over the past two years, which is having ongoing impact on all sorts of products, from appliances to computers to cars. One of the component shortages affecting all three is semiconductor chips. It's created a new car shortage that's also impacting the used car market. How serious... Continue Reading →
Buying a car out of state: how to protect yourself
Sometimes, when you’re looking for a very specific car—maybe a particular combination of options, an unusual color, or just a car that’s rare overall—your only option may be buying it from out of state. Now, with the pandemic's impact and scarcity of cars on the market, it's a perfect time to broaden your search to... Continue Reading →
How to avoid buying the wrong used car
Buying a used car has a lot of advantages—it saves you from the dreaded new car depreciation that hits most cars as soon as you drive off the lot, and it generally makes the car you want a lot more affordable than if you bought it new. It also means that the car you’re buying... Continue Reading →
Do you need a dash cam?
With a smartphone in almost every pocket, it seems that virtually nothing goes unrecorded anymore. And to capture things that happen on the road, while we’re driving, dash cams are becoming more and more commonplace. They can be very useful in certain situations… but do you need one? And if you decide to get one,... Continue Reading →
Avoiding OfferUp scammers: how to protect yourself
Scammers are the worst. As marketplaces continue to grow their online presence, scam artists are stepping up their games (from all over the world). In 2015, 44.9%—or almost half of all consumer complaints—were related to online fraud. OfferUp, a popular site for buying and selling items has made attempts to end the trend. But lately... Continue Reading →
Kelley Blue Book and beyond: researching used car values
You’ve probably heard people refer to ‘book value’ when talking about a car’s price. The ‘book’ they’re talking about is usually the Kelley Blue Book.
The post-pandemic car market: what lies ahead?
A lot of things have changed in the car industry since the start of the pandemic. Some things will likely go back to the way they were. But a lot of new ways of doing things—that were necessary adaptations for the pandemic—may prove to be better ways, and may turn out to be permanent changes.... Continue Reading →
Crash test ratings: the safest cars you can buy
There are a lot of elements that go into a car purchase. It has to fit into your budget, and to meet your needs as far as cargo and passenger space, performance, and fuel economy. Ideally, it should match your aesthetic—most of us have reasonably strong preferences about the style of a car, and its... Continue Reading →
The facts about CARFAX: gimmick or good idea?
You typically hear a lot about CARFAX when you’re shopping for a used car. It might sound like one of those unnecessary add-ons, but it actually has a lot of useful information—and exactly the things you need to know about a car you’re considering buying. The most obvious things to look for on a CARFAX... Continue Reading →