Used Car Price Guide

A used car price guide is an essential tool in finding a value that is fair for both the car buyer and seller. Luckily, there are a number of free resources that can be used to help you determine a satisfactory price. And while price guides can give you a general idea of the value of a car, there are a number of different factors to consider when trying to accurately determine the price. Once you have settled on the type of car you want to purchase, read through the tips below to get a good picture of how much your chosen car should cost

* Start your search by consulting one of the establishing used car pricing websites. Kelly Blue Book (http://www.kbb.com/) and N.A.D.A. (http://www.nada.com/) are both trusted resources for getting up to date pricing information.

* While these sites are a good starting point, the values assigned aren't always reflective of what certain vehicles may actually sell for. One factor that can push prices either up or down is the time of year. Convertibles, for instance tend to command more money during the summer months. Major service intervals (timing belts, for instance may need to be replaced every 60,000 miles) that have yet to be performed should also lower the price accordingly.

* Additionally, cars with cult followings (muscle cars and vintage sport cars are excellent examples) will usually be worth more to enthusiasts than a buyer simply looking for a means of transportation. Sellers of these cars are generally aware of what they have, and buyers can expect prices to be a little higher because of this.

* Reputation will also affect cost. Vehicles labeled as unreliable will loose their resale value more quickly than those that tend to last hundreds of thousands of miles with routine maintenance. Also, a car with a documented maintenance history should immediately be considered more valuable than one without? it can be very comforting to know your potential investment has lived its life in good hands.

* One way to get an accurate idea of what a certain make and model may be worth is to simply check the local classifieds. This is when it can be quite helpful to reference a number of Internet sources to gauge the local climate. Check CarsDirect's updated database of used car listings to see how much your car of choice is going for (http://www.carsdirect.com/used_cars/search).

* Once you have viewed enough listings to observe a trend reflecting how mileage and condition will play with value, you can begin to consider a realistic budget.

Try to not become obsessed with finding the perfect price for the perfect car. If you find yourself too concerned with finding a dream price, your search may go on much longer than originally anticipated. All things considered, a car is worth what you feel it is worth. Factors such as collectibility, resale and utility make this different from individual to individual. It's important to keep in mind that there will always be another example of what you are looking for. With a little time, patience, research and luck anyone can find the perfect car.

By http://www.carsdirect.com