So, you're ready for a new car. Where to begin?
Getting a new car isn't something you should rush into. Whether you want to buy, sell, or swap autos outright with someone else, there are plenty of factors to consider before you make your decision. Here are five things for you to consider before you SwapYourAuto:
- Know what both parties' cars are worth. It might sound obvious, but this should be the starting point for any transaction involving automobiles. Kelley Blue Book is probably the most well known and reliable, but there are other sites out there that can give you an idea of different vehicles' values pretty quickly.
- Be honest about your own car's condition. Lying is a very, very bad idea. Most of the time, if you misrepresent your own vehicle, the new owner will come across any problems you didn't disclose sooner rather than later, especially if you knew about them yourself. Chances are, the new owner will notice, too. Avoid the problem altogether by being upfront about the condition on both the interior and exterior, mechanical health, and where it's been and how it's been used.
- Trust your gut. As a follow up to #2, if something seems fishy, it probably is! Until you've signed something and/or traded titles, you're not bound to any agreement. If another trader seems to be holding something back or simply refuses to answer a question about a vehicle you're interested in, there's probably a good (bad) reason why.
- Get advice from an expert. Two (or more) heads are better than one! Especially if you're not a gearhead yourself. Talk to friends & family about the vehicle(s) you're interested in, and see what they know about them - even better if you can find someone who has owned one of them personally before. Car collectors, mechanics, and enthusiasts are all great sources of information.
- Do your research online. In addition to getting help in person, learn everything you can about as many autos as you can online. It's never been easier to find out the general history of a vehicle throughout the years as it relates to reliability, consumer popularity, and long-term value.
Remember, knowledge is power! You'll have a much better experience when you SwapYourAuto if you do your homework and conduct yourself professionally, politely, and honestly.
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