Used Cars

Need further proof that the economy is about as healthy as a three-pack-a-day smoker living on the bacon and red meat diet? Ponder this: a Florida used car dealer recently took a horse in on trade for a family-sized van. While a lot of dealerships claim they’ll take “anything” in...Read More»

We get a lot of reader mail at High Gear Media, and we’re happy to report that very little of it involves threats of bodily harm. The most common question we get involves the purchase of a replacement vehicle, and reader Sondi Moore has reached out to us seeking advice on a replacement for a...Read More»

With anything involving car shopping and vehicles, if you're not on guard and a careful shopper, mistakes can be very expensive—and infuriating. So found a Salisbury, Massachusetts man earlier this week. His wife bought a van, then he took it to his mechanic, who found a host of...Read More»

If you’ve ever spun a wrench on your own car or motorcycle, chances are good that you did so with the assistance of a Haynes repair manual. Available at libraries, auto parts stores and mass retailers alike, it seemed that there was a Haynes manual printed for any vehicle older than five...Read More»

If Kelley Blue Book and Manheim Consulting are correct, used car prices are at an all-time high, favoring consumers looking to trade their existing car on a new model or even sell their used car in a private party transaction. In particular demand are late-model, fuel efficient cars, which...Read More»

Hyundai has in just a few years built itself into one of the strongest brands in the market. But to some shoppers who've been buying Toyotas or Hondas for a generation—and counted on their excellent resale value—choosing a Hyundai, even if they like it more, could still feel like a leap...Read More»

Leasing is back, in a bigger way than it's been for more than five years. Last month, nearly 21 percent of vehicles that left dealer lots did so on leases; in February, that number was closer to 25 percent. The last time that leasing accounted for this many new car sales was back in the...Read More»

It's the cycle of life. As we buy new vehicles, we trade others in; frugal used-car owners buy those, and sell their older vehicles. And in turn, a tired heap of a vehicle is retired. Trouble is, we're not retiring as many vehicles as we used to. The average vehicle in the U.S. is now about ten...Read More»

Have you ever been on a dealership lot and wondered what it paid for that used car? Standing there wondering how much are they actually trying to make on your purchase? Of course you have, everyone has been there. With the rise in smartphone apps it was only a matter of time until someone came...Read More»

It seems the days of buying a brand-new car every two to three years are fading into history, as most buyers are keeping their new cars for much longer. Among families who buy their cars new, six, eight, even ten years isn't uncommon. According to Polk, car ownership continues to get longer; as of...Read More»

As you might imagine, we get a lot of questions about buying cars--both new and used. Our friend Scott Mowbray wrote: I'm looking at a 2008 BMW 328 or 335, with about 25,000 to 30,000 miles, from a dealer, warranty remaining one owner etc. Possibly with a six-speed standard transmission. Any...Read More»

Toyota's latest recall involves more than a million Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks. It's been long in the works--and Toyota says it's a "voluntary service action." [TheCarConnection] Stat of the day: we spend almost $100 billion on accidents, from repairing vehicles to repairing people...Read More»

If a deal is too good to be true it probably is; and you shouldn't talk monthly payments at the lot before you decide on a car and a price. Don't forget those two valuable pieces of advice at the used-car lot; you'll still need them as it looks like shady lenders won't need to duck for cover after...Read More»

If you're thinking about a late-model used car instead of a new one, the used cars on offer by major rental companies can be tempting. From a price standpoint, you're getting a nearly new vehicle that's been regularly checked over and maintained, for a bit less than a comparable used car would cost...Read More»

General Motors has expanded low 3.9-percent financing on Certified Used models to include the Chevrolet Malibu. In February and March, GM was offering the deal on 2005-2010 Pontiac G6 models; now 2005-2010 Chevrolet Malibu models are also covered. The 3.9-percent APR financing applies for a term of...Read More»

Would you believe that up until now there hasn't been a true database for vehicle titles, supervised by the federal government? It's finally here; by January 1 of this year, all states were required to be fully participating in the Anti-Car Theft Act and associated regulations. The fruits of the...Read More»

If you're feeling a little cash-strapped but in need of a new car, GM is giving you an alternative to that bargain-basement 2010 Chevrolet Aveo, or to a normal used-car. It's offering a low 3.9-percent finance rate, for 60 months, on Certified Used examples of the Pontiac G6, going back several...Read More»

This year may go down in history as one of the best for frugal car shoppers. Thanks to incentive programs from automakers and the federal government and return policies from companies like Hyundai and GM, 2009 has been mostly a buyer's market (at least for buyers who've been able to score loans in...Read More»