POST SCRIPTS

Cheap and stripped down is not
the best way to get the most for your $$$!

Age of the car. When you think of getting the most for your money Rick Yuhnke says, look for a 3 or 4 year old car with less than 50,000 miles on it. "After 50k it get progressively harder to sell", says Rick. It's been his experience that after 75k miles, people tend to get a little leery, because they "feel" that might be when things start to go wrong, although that is not necessarily always the case, he adds.

Mileage. Many other factors might determine how mileage affects vehicle wear, driving habits for one. Obviously all city driving is tough on a car because of the stops and starts and turning while freeway miles are the easiest miles to rack up because the car is cruising along in high gear, you're not using your brakes much and not revving the engine very much. So knowing where the miles came from might be more relevant than the mileage alone.

Upgraded cars verses the plain Jane, stripped down models. Rick thinks you should definitely go for the upgrades whenever you can! On a used car they are often a fraction of what they cost new. Shane Turk and Sean Boese agree and for an example they noted a sunroof can be a great feature that could have cost around a $1000 new, but for add on value to a used car it's likely worth about $150. Shane says, "A lot of people worry about a sunroof leaking, but those days are long gone." They think the ideal car is an automatic, under 50k on mileage, 4 doors and a light color like silver or gold. This is where you get the most customer appeal. When you're buying, its smart to buy with the idea that some day you will be the seller. You don't want to be selling an unpopular model with a bad color or it could get costly and take time to unload.

Next tip, regionally important features! This area gets pretty hot during summer so buying a car, even if you are buying in winter, get a car with a good air conditioning system. It means better resale potential, even if you don't like A/C.

Now back to the paint. I've had trouble with silver painted cars flaking paint, so I asked guys," But, doesn't silver tend to deteriorate faster than most other colors?" Sean said, "That was true about 1987-91, but rarely anymore. That was about the time when the EPA decided some paint additives were not good for the environment and they banned them. The reformulated paint had a transition period where it could have been better." They assured me paint today is the best it's ever been, including metallic that will last you as long as the solid colors. However, Shane Turk pointed out that there is an advantage to the lighter colors. They appeal to more people because they tend to not show the dirt as much nor those little parking lot dings," he said.

Upholstery. When it comes to upholstery these pro's said it's all a matter of your personal priority. There are plus and minuses with cloth, vinyl or leather, so it's more about what you are looking for in style and comfort. Wear ability is not really an issue until the vehicle is much older. However, the pro's noted that in cars with leather upholstery you also tend to get a car loaded with other extras...and that ups the value factor, more extras, more comfort and better resale appeal too!

Stereo, CD,s, etc. As for the sound package, an average factory sound system isn't too bad and sure shouldn't stop anyone from buying a car that otherwise meets their needs and their budget! This is an easy and fairly inexpensive upgrade, once you have bought the car. So, unless you are really into spending big bucks on a fantastic system, a "good" system meets most needs out here and you can get it on a small budget.

Speaking of after the purchase upgrades, once folks buy a car, one of their personal choice upgrades is usually a set of custom tires and wheels. However, the pro's caution, do it because you like them, not because you think it's going to add big value to your new ride. Custom wheels are just like those factory upgrades, they cost a fair amount when new, but on resale...well, you just won't come out, you get value out of these items by using them! And.... these really big wheels, like 18 inch rims...they affect performance, so be careful, says Shane Turk.

Exactly what kind or model cars really offer the best service life for the least investment? This is a real tough question and it could change in any given year, but the pro's tended to agree for now it's still the Japanese cars. Honda Civic is one hot model on the used car market. "It's really hard to beat the Civic for value", said Sean. Other types might be the Honda CRV, this is an SUV class vehicle with great gas mileage. Toyota Camry, is yet another great used car seller known for holding it's value. But, the bottom line when it comes to durability it is right now and in this order, Japanese, American, European and then all others.

To sum it all up, Rick Yuhnke, Sean Boese, and Shane Turk agree that in order to make your used car buying experience an enjoyable experience, it's up to you to know what you are looking for, that is, what kind of car will best suit your wants, needs and budget! Then prioritize those wants and needs.

And remember if you buy a used car from a trusted dealer like Wittmeier's, you're buying a car that has had a safety and mechanical inspection and in most cases their used cars will carry a limited warranty. The private party selling a car "as is" and that presents a certain risk should something go wrong right after the sale.

"Trying to save a few dollars buying from a private party may not always be the least expensive way to go in the long run." notes Shane Turk.

Lastly, to get a rough idea on used car pricing to see what fits your budget ... try KBB.com or the Autotrader on line. For more on buying a used car check out Edmunds.

NEXT MONDAY...We're going to a body shop to get the inside scoop on how to spot body damage on a used car before you BUY IT!