Proper maintenance of your car is essential in maintaining its resale value and reducing headaches caused by sudden breakdowns. Poor maintenance of a used vehicle means your car will have to visit a mechanic more often, involving more expenses you could have avoided with planned maintenance.
The point here is maintenance should have a spot in our schedule because it means:
So, what can you do to keep your car in a good performance? Last time we shared some thoughts on picking the right used car in Calgary. There we talked about maintenance and its influence on a used car’s price. This time we will develop that idea to give you more input about this, so you can be sure your vehicle is in prime condition.
These tips will help you reduce your car’s time with the auto mechanic and make you feel confident about your car’s reliability. Of course, this is not written in a stone. Show this article to your used car dealer and ask him whether he might add something that would help you drive safely and reduce expenses.
When first faced with an issue, we all need guidance. Where can you find that? Researching the web for clues is a good option, but you might want to consult:
Oil changes will keep all your car lubricated and prevent future damages. It is advised to change oil frequently, as per the owner’s manual. When doing this, consider checking air and oil filters.
Air filters should be changed once or twice a year. How would you know when the right time is for doing it? Well, it depends on how much you drive, so change it twice a year if your car spends more time in the streets than in the garage.
Regarding oil filters, these should be replaced at every oil change.
Did you find a separated hose, or is it showing cracks or bulges? You might want it replaced. The same goes for the belts whenever you see signs of wear, including cracking, glazing and material loss.
You should check tires’ pressure, the brakes and wiper blades monthly to ensure they are working correctly. Replace when recommended by your manual or mechanic.
First, ensure your battery is fully disconnected. You can easily clean this with a bristled brush along with a solution of water and baking soda.
Washing your used vehicle at least once a month can prevent paint corrosion from salt and dirt. Moreover, having your cars’ inside vacuumed frequently
Since you made it this far, you now have a better idea of what you can do by maintaining your car and enjoying it safely and economically. Following a maintenance schedule will keep your vehicle in good condition and usually leads to a higher price when reselling or trading into a used car dealer.
If you have questions, you can always contact our used car dealer in Calgary for more information. Prime Autos has a large selection of used cars for sale in Calgary, from cars, SUVs, trucks and more.
Buying a car will take a lot of consideration and research. However, we are not going to talk about buying cars but used cars. How can anyone prepare themselves to choose the right used car in Calgary and make the most of their money? We will talk a bit about it.
So, what is this all about? We will talk about creating a plan that helps you choose the right used car for you. To do that, we will need to establish a strategy, determine our budget and proceed with a plan. We will show you how to go through this.
The first step that needs to be done is setting the reason you are buying a used car. Is it going to be used for work? Are you going to use it eventually for a weekend trip? What are the reasons behind your decision to buy a used car?
Once we have this clear, we can narrow down the list of used cars that suit you. Do you want to filter this list even more? Think about your style and what type of used vehicle will fit your lifestyle best. Of course, your budget will help in filtering the list too. In the end, we are aiming at having a clear picture of what we are looking for, knowing our expectations and following a straight path to achieve our goal.
Buying a used car is not just about having the money and giving it to the used car dealer. You need to evaluate every possible situation you may deal with in the future like maintenance, insurance, fuel efficiency or financial terms.
Before we dive into that topic, let’s talk about research and markets. You can use the Internet to look for useful information that would help you with making your decisions. For example, you could search “used car dealer in Calgary” how much you have to pay for a used car. You can easily find that information by going to car dealership websites. For instance, you can visit our used car dealer for great prices on used cars in Calgary. This way, you can adjust your budget accordingly and get a better idea of the market. The more information you get, the better.
The point here is that buying a used car involves other expenses that may affect you depending on how you are going to use your vehicle. In any case, it is essential to keep them in mind. Let’s talk about them.
No matter the type of car we are talking about, we will always incur maintenance-related expenses. However, when talking about used cars, the situation is a bit different. We need to be sure that the used car we are about to buy is in good running condition and meets our needs.
You can always have a mechanic look over the car that you’re thinking of buying. That way, you can check whether the vehicle is in good shape. This is an excellent chance to ask them to give you an estimate of the work that needs to be done and how much its price would be. By doing it this way, you get to know in advance any future expense you might incur in the future. Ideally, the used car dealer will provide their own pre-purchase inspection.
Before buying a used car, be sure how much you will be paying for car insurance. By doing this, you will know in advance whether you will be able to afford these monthly expenses. Depending on how much you would be paying monthly, you may change your decision on buying this or that used car.
Just be sure that you contact your insurance broker to talk about any insurance advice you might follow to secure your car.
Depending on your income and how you will use your new car, fuel efficiency will or will not matter. What’s fuel efficiency? In simple words, vehicles take advantage of fuel to produce energy and take action. Following this, we can say we have fuel efficiency when a car can do more with less fuel.
Why does it matter? Because you would want a used car with good fuel efficiency if you were to use it most of the time and want to save some money on gas.
Depending on your goals, financial terms can be an issue for you. Are you going to buy a used car to drive into the ground? Yes? Then you don’t have anything to worry about. But in the case you are not sure whether you are going to sell it 2 or 3 years onward, you should pay attention to your financial terms.
You would want to adjust your payments to match your loan values with the vehicle’s approximate depreciation as you go along. Most used car dealers are able to provide a variety of financing options to fit your needs.
So far, you have enough information to create a plan for buying used cars. To summarize, you will have to:
This process is easy, but it takes time. If you have questions, you can always contact our used car dealer in Calgary for more information. Prime Autos has a large selection of used cars for sale in Calgary, from cars, SUVs, trucks and more.
When shopping for a car, it does not usually cross people’s minds that they will likely put it up for sale at some point. A vehicle’s condition is critical when attempting to sell used cars. It could either enable you or keep you from making the best possible deal. Therefore, it’s crucial to make sure that your vehicle is in its best shape and here’s where car detailing could help.
Cleaning, protection, reconditioning, and restoration are all included in auto detailing. The interior and exterior of the vehicle must be maintained to complete this thorough process.
It is usually easier to start with the inside before the outside, so the initial phase of auto detailing involves the car’s interior. All of the trash inside the vehicle’s interior should first be removed and vacuumed.
As for exterior car detailing, this includes cleaning, protection, polishing, and decontamination of the vehicle’s exterior. The vehicle’s paint, windows, wheels, tires, chrome, and trim are rigorously cleaned using high-quality products.
To achieve the best shine and lasting results, a professional auto detailing service must be performed one part at a time.
Car detailing will make your car look sparkling and provide you with some personal benefits. Here are some of the advantages of auto detailing:
By improving, restoring, and protecting all of its parts, auto detailing could help maintain your vehicle’s best look. Compared to an ordinary car wash, car detailing requires more time to improve your car’s condition and fix minor imperfections. Machine buffing and polishing, in particular, could be the most complex tasks for a professional detail.
What makes interior car detailing different from the necessary wiping and vacuuming is that it typically involves a deep shampoo. Interior car shampoo help remove stains and bacteria from your upholstery. With the use of dressings, certain interior textures can also be kept hydrated and protected. For example, leather conditioners in leather seats help keep its comfort level and make it look less dry and damaged.
You may not see it, but your vehicle could be carrying billions of bacteria and allergens that can pose a threat to your health. If your car has a lot of dirt, dust, or debris inside it, this will cause these germs in your vehicle to circulate. Careful cleaning of these particles with vacuums and sterile wipes can destroy germs, which is one of the critical reasons why you should consider car detailing. If you feel that you are already starting to sneeze a lot when inside your car, you might need to take your vehicle to an auto detailer.
Most owners might not want to invest extra money on auto detailing as they do not think it is essential. Little do they know that the maintenance offered by car detailing helps keep specific components of the vehicle from worn or damaged. In the end, if these parts are not maintained well, they would have to be fixed sooner or later, which could cost more money.
Another benefit of auto detailing is that it helps maintain your car’s original value, or even add value to older vehicles. Detailing of cars offers lasting and durable protection as multiple applications of wax layers provide excellent strength and shine to your car’s exterior. Whether it’s to a used car dealer or some other third party, it’s vital to make a great first impression when selling your car.
Nobody would want to purchase a car that appears as though it’s run down and never washed. Thus, it is recommended to use a pre-sale car detail to maximize your car’s value to sell it for the best price possible.
A comprehensive cleaning process that helps improve, restore, and preserve all parts of your vehicle; auto detailing will make your car look more appealing. It differs significantly from your basic car wash or cleaning, which can only go so far.
When planning to sell your car, maintaining it is essential to increase its durability and add to its value. Here at Prime Autos, we offer you not only the best prices for used cars in Calgary, but we also provide some of the best auto detailing services that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. For more details, check out our packages for auto detailing in Calgary.
When it’s time to upgrade your car, selling or trading in your current vehicle is probably the first thing to do after you have decided which car to purchase. Having an extra vehicle might be nice… but it’s probably time to part ways with your old car to soften the financial blow.
Typically, you’ll want to use the sale proceeds of your old car to help fund a new purchase. The size of the money chunk that you chip off the new car’s price-tag depends mostly on your current car’s condition and its valuation in the market.
A great alternative to private sales is to visit the nearest car dealer in Calgary and do a trade-in. This is usually the easiest and quickest method of getting rid of your old car.
A used car dealer in Calgary that provides trade-in options allows you to give them your used car and use the valuation towards the purchase of another car. It’s a short-cut route to upgrading your car; however, the price you’d get for your car in a dealership trade-in might not be as high as a private sale. Although you’re getting more money for your old car if you handle its complete sale yourself, there are plenty of reasons why the trade-in option is your best bet.
Selling a car is quite a hassle. There’s no guarantee it will sell, and it might be months before you get a good offer. Advertising also takes time, with some marketing services and websites billing hefty promotion charges. Going to a used car dealer in Calgary to make a trade-in is usually a same-day transaction. You submit the details, they do an inspection, you receive a vehicle appraisal, and the paperwork is completed without much hassle. The used car dealer takes care of most of the formalities involved in trading or selling your car.
Sales tax doesn’t apply on trade-ins at dealerships since the cost is being reduced for the purchase that follows the sale. Although you can get more money for the used car by selling it yourself, you can potentially save yourself hundreds of dollars in sales tax by opting for the trade-in option.
Many dealerships will also accept cars that are still under financing, clearing the balance and simply rolling it into the next purchase. You won’t offset the full valuation of the used car from the new car’s price, but it lets you relieve yourself of debt and cut the cost of the new car hassle-free. The car dealer will then work with you to find a monthly payment plan that fits your budget.
Once the used car is handed over to the dealership, it’s their job to handle its sale, unlike when you’re selling the vehicle yourself. Buyers may demand maintenance repairs after buying the vehicle directly from you; it’s a ‘sign and forget about it’ situation at a used car dealer.
The vehicle appraisal you receive from the dealership depends on a multitude of factors, including the obvious: make, model, mileage and year. Options will also play a role in the valuation as will the overall condition of the car. Some cars will hold their value better than others. For example, a Toyota Corolla is a highly sought after car in the used market and will generally see minimal depreciation; something you may want to bring into consideration for your next vehicle purchase.
The used car dealer will assess all the factors carefully before submitting their offer. These can differ from dealership to dealership.
Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure you get the best possible valuation from the dealership when you’re opting for a used vehicle trade-in Calgary:
The aesthetic plays a big role in car assessments since it reflects the car’s condition and maintenance. Make sure to get a good wash and hot wax treatment before you go to the dealership. However, an old car may raise some suspicion if it comes in pristine condition, so don’t try too hard!
The work done on your car in the past, be it new tires or an oil change, should all be properly documented from the day you bought it. Evidence of maintenance work and investments into the car can help boost the valuation offered by the dealerships.
Gather market intel about the valuation of your car. Seek appraisals from multiple dealerships before deciding on the one offering the best value. Prime Autos is a reputed used car dealer in Calgary that accepts trade-ins and usually offers the best value since we can sell used cars much more efficiently.
The dealerships you go to for regular servicing and repair work on the car are a lot more familiar with your car than a random dealership. Therefore, they might give you a better deal for the trade-in, especially if you are purchasing your next car from them.
Let’s go over some of the benefits of buying from a used car dealer:
While it is true that you can find better deals should you choose to buy directly from an individual seller, you’ll have to pay the entire amount upfront to own the car and drive away. Not everyone who needs a car has a few thousand dollars lying around. The bad news is that hardly any seller you find online would agree to sell theirs to you on installments. The high entry-level price point may thus exclude you from owning a car through this option.
On the contrary, used car dealerships provide a greater array of flexible financing options that allow you to pay the price in installments while using the car. You can choose to pay a proportion of the price up front and the rest in small monthly payments. The dealers allow you to pick a payment plan that suits your needs; low monthly payments with higher interest or higher payments with lower interests. You can even get the car on rent or lease for months and even years. These options allow you the freedom to find a financing plan that perfectly suits your needs.
If you’re looking for a used car online, chances are you’ve set eyes on a few models and don’t have a good idea about all the options that fit your requirements. It is also highly inconvenient to book appointments with different individual sellers and test all the shortlisted ones. You’ll have to rely on your memory to recall which of the cars that you tested seemed good enough.
At a used car lot, you get access to a wide variety of automobiles. You can look at them side by side and even test drive a few to feel the differences on the spot. You would also want to compare the different models on the spot or even see other cars of the same model.
By choosing to buy from a dealer, you get a professional service to find the best possible car for you. It is the dealers’ job to understand your needs and problems and then offer you a solution. After asking a few relevant questions, the dealer will understand what you’re looking for in a case and then recommend a car that you might even not have on your radar. This can save you all the inconvenience that comes with buying used cars directly from a car owner.
Yes, we understand that your friend’s cousin found a great deal for a 2018 Audi A8 on Craigslist. This isn’t exactly uncommon as it happens most of the time when your friends or family come to know about your intention to buy a used car. But you will hear just as many horror stories should you do enough research. Even the most knowledgeable buyers are not immune to getting duped. The fact is that by buying from a private seller, you never know what you’re getting!
On the other hand, buying from a dealership removes much of the gamble involved in the buying and selling process. Unlike sellers on the internet, dealers have a business to run and a reputation to maintain – a front and center reputation in the form of online reviews should anyone choose to look them up. Used car dealerships test and assess the cars for quality, maintenance, and performance before putting them up for sale. At times, you may even be surprised by the pristine condition and low mileage of a used car at a dealership.
We all want our cars to keep operating without any problems for many years. And if any fault props up, we need timely support. Many individual car sellers spend the bare minimum to temporarily hide the glaring issues in the cars they intend to sell. Most buyers are not aware of the technicalities and don’t know what’s under the hood. Unfortunately, once sold, the seller is no longer responsible for any problems that may come up, and you’ll likely never hear back even if you try to contact them.
Selling faulty or subpar vehicles is a death sentence for a dealership’s business. Many dealers even provide some kind of warranty. They take responsibility for providing after-sale service for one or two years. Also, a trusted used car dealership Calgary will go the extra mile to provide comprehensive after-sales service to ensure your car is in tip-top condition for the years to come. The after-sale service is yet another convincing reason why buying from a dealer is always your best bet.
Buying a car means you’re making an investment. As with any investment, it is imperative to focus on the long-term return than saving some bucks. Buying from a used car dealer may cost you slightly higher, but it is a good trade-off for the benefits you get to enjoy. You get more and better cars to choose from, let alone the peace of mind that comes with buying a good quality car. Dealers sell low maintenance cars, which means more money saved in the long run.