Talking About Fuel Delivery Systems

With all of the online tools available for pricing used cars, you might think it's a fairly simple process to price out a potential car. However, this isn't the case. Most of these tools vary wildly from one another, and there are enough variables that factor into the purchase to make standardized pricing almost impossible.

The good news is the process for analyzing your specific purchase isn't difficult--if you know what to do. By following a few simple steps, you can easily determine whether or not the price of your car is a fair one.

Step #1--Get a Baseline

The first thing you'll need to do is get a baseline price for the type of car you're considering. To do this, you'll want to look at local sales of comparable makes and models. Your phone is your best friend when it comes time to conduct this research.

Start off by calling a range of auto dealers in your geographic area. The location is very important--local factors often have a significant influence on the price of a car in your area. That's why the Internet sources you'll find are nice for background information, but they won't give you a completely accurate picture.

When you call these dealers, ask if they have any comparable vehicles on their lot. Since they're in business to sell you a car, they'll likely suggest comparable vehicles--some of which you might not have considered. Then, get their sticker price and create a list. You could likely pull information off of the dealer's websites for this, but you'll often receive a different quote when you speak directly with a salesperson.

Step #2--Price Out Your Variables

Just as a new car comes with a variety of options, your used car is configured in a specific way. This configuration can have a dramatic impact on the price of your vehicle. For example, a lane-departure warning system can be part of a safety package that costs over $5,000 to purchase on a new car.

However, as a car depreciates, so does the value of an option. After all, a car that costs $6,000 used couldn't possibly have $10,000 worth of options on it. There's no way to determine how much these options are worth precisely--but you can use them as a guide. If your used car is loaded with options, be prepared to spend a little more than your baseline. 

Step #3--Assess The Condition

Without a doubt, the most important characteristic in determining a used car's price, aside from the make and model, is the condition of the car. A well-maintained car can operate well for 250,000 miles or more, even though most people begin to worry about their car once it rolls over 100,000 miles of use.

The best way to do this is to ask the dealer to allow your mechanic to inspect the vehicle first. However, there are a few things you can look for without a mechanic to help get a general idea of the car's condition. These include:

• Maintenance records
• Mileage
• Exterior condition
• Oil and transmission fluid

Most people make the mistake of simply deducting any red flags from the price of the vehicle. While it's true you'll want to protect your investment in this way, the opposite is also true. A well-maintained car with immaculate records is going to command a higher price than others in its class. This is particularly true with makes and models that aren't as common as others.

After going through this process, you'll have a real solid idea about the value of your used car. You'll know exactly what you feel comfortable paying, and you'll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you've made an intelligent purchase. You can start checking out used cars at sites like http://www.upicksave.com.