In the market for a new vehicle? Sometimes the choices available can really throw a person for a tailspin. Every automotive manufacturer has mastered the art of marketing, and it can be increasingly difficult to see how different makes and models compare in terms of safety and efficiency. If you are in the market for a used vehicle, Dave has several tips to consider before purchasing your next ride:

• Narrow it down: Most people know what type of car they are interested in (usually based on comfort and utility) before the real search begins. Looking for a small SUV? Every manufacturer seems to make their own version – whether it be a Toyota RAV4, Honda CRV or Hyundai Santa Fe. At this point, Dave would pull out the Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide, which we keep on hand in our shop for your use. Every year, Consumer Reports issues a new guide profiling nearly every vehicle imaginable, and it details the reliability history and crash test results of each make and model ranking them from better to worse. The guide also shows what you should expect to pay based on the year of manufacture.

• Do your research: Hopefully at this point you have narrowed it down to a few selections, and done a bit of reading in the Consumer Reports guide. Your next best bet is to ask your local independent mechanic – dealerships won’t always give you the full picture, they tend to be a little bias. At Dave’s Garage, we might be opinionated as well, but for a completely different reason! Vehicle maintenance trends are obvious to us – we have seen nearly everything, and can easily pull up the history of similar makes and models to see the repair requirements, as well as approximate costs. As much as we love seeing our customers, we want the best for you – we would never recommend something that would put a client in over their head. We’d love to help you narrow down your search a bit, based on your comfort level for repairs.

• Price it out: Now that you have a make, model, and ballpark figure, it’s time to shop a little. To make sure you’re getting a good value, we recommend pricing out a few makes and models using the Kelley Blue Book and the NADA Guide. Other things to consider might be the long-term costs of your future ride. Although they seem affordable, used luxury vehicles are still that: luxury vehicles. Be sure to ask how much regular maintenance, such as an oil change, might run – it can be surprising based on the size of the engine and the type of oil required.

• Go forth and conquer: It’s time you hit the buying scene… go take some cars for a spin! Before you start thinking about having the title signed over, give us another call – a purchase of this magnitude shouldn’t be made sight unseen. For about $130, we offer a “Used Vehicle Safety Inspection”. Our technicians will go over the vehicle with a fine-toothed comb, testing and reviewing everything from engine performance all the way down to the spare tire and tool kit. From this review, they will also write up any estimates for work the car may need after your purchase. In our experience, this $130 investment can be a very powerful bargaining tool!  Make your appointment today!

• Buy away, my friend: Financing is up to you, but according to Dave, the best car is one that’s paid in full!

• Sell your old vehicle: If you are a customer at Dave’s Garage and have received any maintenance or major work in the past, we keep everything on file for your records. Even after you have sold your vehicle, the new owner can get a printout of any repair upon request. We suggest the same websites for pricing your vehicle for sale (Kelley and NADA) as purchasing.

Please remember that Dave’s Garage is always here to assist you during any of your vehicle transitions, and we would love to offer you any advice or assistance you might require. We wish you the best of luck when purchasing your new car!