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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-10-25, Page 16(MS) - When it comes time to get a new car, many buyers have some dead weight they’d prefer to unload as part of any deal. That dead weight is known as a trade-in. While a great many trade-ins have significant value and can trim thousands of dollars off the asking price of a new vehicle, not all trade- ins will stop traffic. Unless, of course, they’ve broken down on the highway. Whether your trade-in is a jewel or a jalopy, getting the most out of that trade-in is entirely up to you. No dealer is simply going to hand you trade-in dollars, they have to be earned. How can you earn those valuable dollars? Consider the following tips. • Don’t play games. While it’s important to hold your ground, all automobile dealers are hip to the games buyers try and play when negotiating trade-in value. One of the more common schemes is to show up with a trade-in that looks as though it just came from World War III. The theory here is, if a buyer shows up with a messy, uncleaned vehicle, it gives the impression that he’s not in any rush to buy a new car, and can therefore wait for the dealer to give him a deal that will bowl him over. Anyone considering this method should know it’s not a new approach, and the dealer won’t fall for it. Rather than wasting time playing games, negotiate fairly and firmly. • Visit the car wash. Another reason the above-mentioned scheme can be detrimental to your negotiation is the way it makes your trade-in appear: poorly. Cars that are dirty both inside and out give the impression that their owners were irresponsible and not overly concerned with maintenance. No dealer wants to buy a car from such an owner, justifiably assuming the vehicle will be more trouble than it’s worth. Have your trade-in washed, detailed and clean the interior before visiting the dealer. Use deodorizers as well, especially if you frequently smoked or had a pet in the car. • Make minor improvements. Major improvements, such as a new engine, will cost you more than you’ll get back. But there are several inexpensive minor improvements you can make to put your trade-in in a more positive light. Replace floor mats and windshield wipers, have the oil and air filters changed if necessary, and make sure your tires have been rotated and have the recommended amount of air in them. This will give the impression you took care of the car. While taken one at a time these improvements won’t earn much, but when combined they can go a long way. • Be open about any problems. Some problems might seem major to you, but could be minor to the dealer. For example, if your right signal tends to go out on a regular basis, that can seem like a major problem to you while driving the car. But if that’s the only problem your car has, the dealer will be glad to see such a fixable problem is something you classify as “major.” That will indicate that the car hasn’t really given you any truly major problems in the past, and will invite a better trade-in offer for you as a result. Problems you try to hide will be found before anyone signs on the dotted line, so be as open as you want the dealer to be with you with the new car you’re thinking of buying. PAGE 16. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2007. (NC)—Spend a little more, save a lot of greenhouse gas emis- sions. A lot of new vehicles now offer environmentally-friendly options. Look for these hot new options to go green behind the wheel: • Real time fuel consumption gauges that show you exactly what your fuel consumption is as you drive. • Tire pressure monitors that tell you when your tires are running low. However, Natural Resources Canada still recommends that you measure your tire pressure at least once a month • Run-flat tires, or zero pressure tires, can be driven at normal speeds, for some distance, without any change in air pressure despite cuts or punctures. • Air conditioning and cruise control with fuel economy settings. Some cruise control settings actually tell the driver when they’re speeding, when to slow down or even when they’re driving too close. • The flex fuel option uses a combination of conventional gasoline and an alternative such as ethanol, up to 85 per cent. Ethanol is a greener fuel because it’s a by-product of renewable resources such as feedstock and plant life. Transportation is a leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions. It’s worth it to do a little homework on how to make your next major purchase a green one. Visit ecoaction.gc.ca/vehicles for more information on buying fuel-efficient vehicles. How to get the most for your trade-in New options to go green OOnn tthhee RRooaadd SERVING YOU SINCE 1992 CARS 1992 Buick Park Avenue Ultra, 80000 km!$4,650 1992 Lincoln Town Car, low miles $3,950 1998 Toyota Camry, 4 cyl., auto $7,450 $6,950 2000 Lincoln LS, V8, auto, loaded 31 MPG $10,950 2002 Chrysler Intrepid SE, V6, well equipped 36 MPG $5,950 2002 Ford Taurus SEL, sunroof 36 MPG $6,450 2003 Toyota Matrix, auto, AC 43 MPG $14,950 $13,950 2003 Pontiac Grand Am GT, 3400, V6 42 MPG $11,600 $10,450 2003 Hyundai Tiburon, 5 spd, sunroof 40 MPG $12,950 2005 Chrysler 300, V6, 66000 km 35 MPG $17,450 2006 Chev Impala LT, 3500 V6, sunroof 40 MPG $15,750 2006 Dodge Charger 3.5L, HO, 6 cyl. 35 MPG $20,000 $18,950 2007 Dodge Calibre SXT, cruise, tilt, alloy wheels, p.d.l., p.w., 4 cyl., Inferno Red 39 MPG $17,950 More Certified Used Vehicles VANS 1997 Ford 15 Passenger Club Wagon, “as is”$3,500 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport , Quad seating 32 MPG $11,950 SUVS 2003 GMC Envoy SLT 4x4, loaded 27 MPG $17,950 2006 Toyota Rav 4 Sport, 3.5L V6 37 MPG $26,850 TRUCKS 1999 Dodge Dakota Club Cab, V6 27 MPG $6,650 2000 Toyota Tundra Ext, V8 2WD 23 MPG $14,950 2000 Ford Ranger XLT Sport, V6, auto 28 MPG $6,950 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Reg Cab 21 MPG $11,450 2002 GMC SLE Ext 4x4, 5.4L 22 MPG $16,950 2003 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4, V8 26 MPG $15,950 2003 Ford F150 King Ranch Crew 4x4 23 MPG $22,950 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 SLT Quad 4x4 Hemi 23 MPG $22,950 Stylish Gas Saver! 2003 Ford Focus ZX3 2 Door Hatchback 5 speed manual, 4 cyl., Ztec engine, air, tilt, cruise, pdl, alloy wheels, 44 MPG $$$88 ,,77 55 00 New Arrivals 2007 Ford Freestar Sport Leather seating, keyless entry, air, tilt, cruise, pdl, DVD, hideaway rear seat, 50000 km. 30 MPG. Balance of factory warranty. $20,950 2005 Ford F250 XLT Super Duty - Supercab 4x4 5.4L V8, pw, pdl, air, tilt, cruise, chrome wheels, 122000 km, beige.$22,950 L u x u r i o u s c o m f o r t a b l e d r i v e CHECK OUR LOW PRICES ALL WINDSHIELD SALE PRICED C H E C K O U R L O W P R I C E S A L L W I N D S H I E L D S A L E P R I C E D C H E C K O U R L O W P R I C E S A L L W I N D S H I E L D S A L E P R I C E D C H E C K O U R L O W P R I C E S A L L W I N D S H I E L D S A L E P R I C E D C H E C K O U R L O W P R I C E S A L L W I N D S H I E L D S A L E P R I C E D Donny’s Bargain Autos $$88 ,,77 55 00 Donny’s Bargain Autos 264 Huron Rd., Goderich 519-524-5398 Industries Professional Auto Cleaning 2011 Harriston Rd. Gorrie, ON N0G 1X0 MIKE MANN Res/Bus: 519-335-6662 Toll Free 1.800.320.0666 Web: huronfuelinjection.com Highway #4 South Clinton PAT & HEATHER DEJONG “FUEL INJECTION SYSTEMS” 519.482.7971 Servicing Diesel Pumps and Injectors Cleaning and Flow Testing Gasoline Injectors Turbo Charger Service Alternator and Starter Service On Site Service Available John Hockey’s Auto Repair Dripless Oil Spraying, Alignments, Tune-Ups, Exhaust, Brakes, Oil Changes Box 219, 111 Madison St., Monkton 519-347-2058 IN BUSINESS SINCE 2001 Safety Inspections