If you’ve made a decision to shop pre owned cars, you can make your search much more effective with some organization.  There are several quality used car dealerships throughout St. Louis, from West County to South County, so you can save time if you divide and conquer.
Put the family to work as park of the Car Buying Team.  Mom and dad can be team captains and depending on children’s ages they can assist by doing research, making notes, etc.
It’s best to start by deciding what type of vehicle you want to purchase.    Involve all the family in discussions about various aspects:
- Size:  Do you need room for six or plenty of cargo space?  Would a crossover work better for your family than a SUV?  Will the vehicle double as a work machine where an extended cab pickup by be a good choice?
- Performance:  Do you need fuel economy because of a strained budget or would you like a rugged 4wd because of weekend activities?
- History:  What are your limits when it comes to age of the car and mileage?
- Warranties:  If you’d like the security of an extended warranty you should think about buy a certified pre owned vehicle.
- Personality:  Do you want something cute and sporty, or spacious and durable?  Should it be a neutral color or something bright and trendy?
- Budget:  A discussion of cost limitations is a great way to get the kids understanding budgets and financial aspects.
Once the details have been agreed upon, you can make up spreadsheets or create work sheets by hand.  They should contain all the parameters of the desired vehicle and allow room for note taking.
Before heading out to dealerships, do your research.  The library and the Internet will give you access to great resources like Kelley’s Blue Book, Consumer Reports and Edmunds.  This homework will provide terrific details on safety ratings, fuel performance, resale values, currents pricing, etc.  Apply this research to the parameters of your search and you can head out as a very informed consumer.
The team captains will compile a list of car dealerships and make assignments for who goes to each.  Most dealers have their inventory online which will make your preliminary scouting expedition more targeted and efficient.  As each team visits car lots, they should take notes on vehicles that appear to meet criteria, including mileage, color, condition, price, warranty details, etc.  You should also take along a digital camera to capture visuals to share with the other team.
When teams meet back up at the end of the search period, all family members can review findings and share in the critique of each vehicle.  The notes and photos will greatly assist in narrowing down your choices.
Next steps:  Test drive, negotiate purchase price, and research financing options.

On a hot summer day you might like to have some lemons around to brighten your iced tea or make lemonade, but when it comes to cars, a lemon is not something you want in your life.
To safe guard car buyers, the federal government created the lemon law which provides protection against defective automobiles.  Though this provision is directed primarily against a sour purchase of a new vehicle, there is protection to cover consumers who purchase used cars that can’t be remedied.
The federal law is fairly vague as to what represents a “lemon”, but states are allowed to make interpretations as determined by guidelines they have developed and legislated.
Since the federal law is based on the premise of a product warranty, it offers consumer protection for used vehicle transactions that involve an implied warranty.  In these cases, car dealers must address the problem by either repairing the defect, replacing the vehicles or making a refund to the buyer.
Car dealerships are required by law to publish warranty details to the buyer.  This information needs to be placed in a highly visible location on the vehicle.  If no warranty is available, this must be stated very clearly.  Buyer beware:  if a vehicle is acquired directly from the owner it is considered “as is” and no lemon law can be applied.  That’s one more good reason to purchase your vehicle from a reputable dealer.
Most state laws go into more detail as to what is considered a lemon under their implied warranty legislation.  Typically it covers defects that surface with a specified time frame (calendar parameters or mileage) and the number of efforts taken to try and remedy the faulty condition.
Since laws will vary from state to state, and with some states not offering provisions for used cars, you should know what your state protection is before you buy.

There is a lot of research needed before you go out shopping used cars.  Safety ratings, resale value, current pricing are just a few areas where you need to do your homework.  Once you find the pre owned car you want to call your own, there is at least one more bit of digging you need to do.
Buying a car, new or used, is a big investment, and one you want to ensure is a solid, secure transaction.  I’m sure you plan on driving your vehicle for a long time and dependability was high on your requirement list.  So be a savvy consumer and before you finalize the deal, be sure to check into the history of the vehicle you are buying.
There are two major agencies that offer reports on a vehicle’s history, Car Fax and Auto Check by Experian.  Both offer similar information and a basic recap of what they cover is listed below.
* The number of previous owners
* Odometer reading
* Damage to frame or structure
* Accident damage report
* Number of previous owners
* Any issues with the title
* Odometer rollback
* Fleet usage by police, taxi or fleet
The report will cost less from Auto Check, but with Car Fax you get more information, including:
* Ratings for safety and reliability
* Consumer feedback
* Service records
* Information on warranty coverage
* Recall history
* More details on accident involvement
Keep in mind that not all accidents are reported.  Previous owners may have taken the vehicle to a friend or neighborhood repair facility that does not report to either Car Fax or Auto Check.  If you have any concerns at all, ask a independent mechanic to give the car a thorough inspection.
If you will be buying the car history report yourself, all you will need to supply to the agency is the vehicle identification number, or VIN.  Typically the VIN can be found on a tag inside the driver’s door.  Sometimes it can also be located on a metal plate on the driver’s side of the vehicle where the windshield meets the dashboard.  If you have access to the vehicle registration, the VIN should be indicated on that document as well
All the steps involved in buying a car can seem overwhelming, but if you take the time to thoroughly research your chosen vehicle, you will be a happy driver for many years to come.

Remember that old television commercial for the Yellow Pages….”Let your fingers do the walking”?  Well, in a way that advice still holds true today, except when you need to unearth important information your fingers don’t exactly walk but rather dance across the keyboard of your computer.
It’s especially true for car research.  If you are in the market to buy, whether you’re looking at new cars or pre owned cars, the Internet is an invaluable resource.  While you can always type specifics in to a search engine tool bar, here are a few extremely reliable web sites that will get you started.
Edmunds
One of the first automotive research experts to hit the World Wide Web was Edmunds, and many consider Edmunds.com to be the foremost resource for auto information.  Indeed their search tools and comparison details are quite advanced.  A highly regarded section of the site is called “True Market Value”, which features current values for vehicles new and used.
CarsDirect.com
The strength of this site is the sophisticated comparison engine which lets viewers compare used and new cars concurrently.  You can even browse for very specific features like GPS and air bag locations on their search engine.  Valued for their up to date information and insider reports.
Consumer Reports
This non-profit organization is revered for its unbiased, thoroughly researched comprehensive reports.  Their online presence is a subscription service, but good content remains available to the general public.  For old fashioned research, you can find the print edition in most libraries.
MSN Autos
This is another way to access Consumer Reports information.  The MSN auto web site will give you a summary from CR on all new makes and models.  They also offer reviews, history, pricing and safety records.  There are terrific resources here for consumers looking to buy used cars.
Kelley Blue Book
All hail the Kelley Blue Book, the venerable, respected resource for buying a used car.  Now they’ve made their knowledge and service available on kbb.com which continues the tradition of being a top rated service for pricing information.

Baby its cold outside!  If you live anywhere that Jack Frost has a presence, then you know that car door locks can freeze up, and it usually happens when you’re in a rush and don’t have time to deal with it.
Preventive action can save you some hassle and other than keeping your car in a heated garage, there is one old time precaution that still works today.  Dip your car key in a jar of petroleum jelly and then insert it into the car door lock.  Wiggle it just a bit to leave behind as much of the substance as possible.  This will provide a protective coating from moisture which is the culprit that causes the freezing process.
If you haven’t been proactive and find yourself with frozen locks, here are two things NOT to do:
* Never pour hot water on the lock:  Seldom will you find this effective.  The tight seal and angle of the lock make it difficult for warm water to get into the mechanism.  In frigid temps, any water can freeze quickly so you will more than likely just compound the situation.
* Don’t force the key:  The key can become cold very quickly and also quite brittle.  Applying brute force can easily cause a break and you end up with a broken key in the door lock.
Now that you know what not to do, here are a couple of suggestions that may save the day.
The quickest solution to unfreezing a car door lock is to zap it with some de-icing solution.  This comes in an aerosol can with a nozzle shaped like a thin straw.  You place the nozzle at the opening of the door lock and squirt some solution into it.  Voila!  Within a few seconds the frozen lock is moving freely.  Before Old Man Winter comes to visit, buy some of this de-icing product and keep it handy.
A slightly more rudimentary, but still effective method, is to warm up the key.  Hold on to the key with an oven mitt or pliers and put a flame to it with matches or a lighter.  Then quickly insert the key into the lock.  It may take more than one attempt, but eventually the heat from the key will unfreeze the lock.
With new car models now being equipped with remote heaters, this problem may soon be a thing of the past.  Not to far in the future you should even be able to purchase used cars that provide this terrific winter option.

Has your teenager started asking you yet when you are going to buy him a car?  The daydreaming usually starts around age fourteen, the consistent yearning around fifteen, and the constant nagging at the magic number sixteen.
Even kid and every situation is different, but when the time comes for your teen to get a car, whether you buy it or he pays for it himself, there is a lot of consideration that needs to go into the transaction.
The best way to get your teen involved in the process is to have him do the research.  Of course if he had his druthers, he would buy a jazzed up sports car convertible.  But the sensibility of his research will be a sound defense as to whether or not he is ready to take on the responsibility of car ownership.
Give his research a kick start by outlining what your requirements include.  These could include factors such as fuel economy, safety ratings, dependability, and affordability.  Using the criteria you have stated, he can put his computer skills to work by doing online research.  There is a wealth of information via automotive sites that will offer price comparisons, safety information, industry reviews, insurance rates, etc.
Once your teen has come back to you with a compilation of his research, he should be prepared to name three or fours cars by make, model and year that meet the requirements.  If you agree, he can then turn his attention to locating possible choices again by using the Internet.
Most dealership, especially those with a lot full of used cars, will list their inventory on their web sites.  They make it easy to browse by make and price.  This virtual shopping will save time for everyone involved because you won’t be driving all over St Louis, from West County to South County checking out what’s on the lot.
Once you have located appropriate vehicles, it’s time to hit the dealership and do test drives.  Your teen will be in an exaggerated state of euphoria, so it’s going to be up to you to keep him level headed about the final decision.
When you both agree on a good choice for purchase, then you can begin the conversations on car expenses, driving safety, and rules of the road.  Good luck!

You’ve just driven your new car off the lot and you are tickled pink.  You can’t wait to show it off to friends or maybe take your first road trip.  Once that rush of ownership ecstasy starts to wear down, you will need to start thinking about taking good care of your vehicle to promote a long, trouble free life span.
Don’t think because it’s a new car that it won’t need your attention for a long time.  And if your new car was pre owned, know that used cars may need even more TLC.  Regular and basic preventative maintenance will keep your car running more efficiently and hopefully steer you clear of any major repair ailments.
Because every vehicle is different, it’s best to refer to your owner’s manual for suggested maintenance.  But all cars will require the same basic servicing.
Oil Change:  A fairly standard rule of thumb is to change the oil every three months or three thousand miles.  Oil is the life blood of your engine and keeps it running smoothly.  Over time deposits can form and the lubricating factor of oil can be diminished.  This is such an easy habit to get it to, and not a process that should be ignored.
Tire Pressure:  This may not seem like a vital service, but poorly inflated tires can affect your fuel economy, and with the price of gas, you want to run your car as efficiently as possible.  Improper tire pressure also results in uneven wear which means tires will need to be replaced more frequently.
Battery Replacement:  Each brand and model of battery will have a projected life span.  Know what the replacement schedule is for yours.  Getting stranded out late at night with no power is not a fun experience.  Also have the battery cleaned and checked about twice a year.  Build up on the connectors can short circuit the power flow.
Tire Rotation:  The industry suggestion is to have tires rotated every six thousand miles.  Tires that don’t wear evenly are prone to blow outs.
That’s the short list for routine maintenance.  You also need to be vigilant about having your brakes checked, changing your wiper blades before they are ragged, making sure your belts and hoses are in good operating order and cleaning out all other auto fluids on a regular schedule.
Keep a record of your car maintenance.  It will be a great selling tool when it comes time to sell or trade in your car.  When you’re shopping pre owned cars, ask if the maintenance records are available.  It will give you a major clue as to how well the car was cared for.

Buying a car is a big investment and a complicated transaction.  There’s so much to know, research to be conducted, test drives, financing questions….the list goes on for so long it’s enough to make your head spin.
The only thing that should be taking a spin is you, around the block, in your new car.  So let’s tackle one mystery of the transaction that might clear up a bit of confusion you’ve been experiencing – the difference between sticker price and MSRP.
MRSP
This acronym stands for Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and according to law, all new cars for sale are required to have this clearly visible on the vehicle.  It can be removed only by the person who buys the car.
The name fairly clearly states where this dollar amount came from – it is determined by the auto maker as a suggested value for the vehicle and as a baseline for dealers to consider.  In developing the MRSP, manufacturers take into consideration the cost of production, the value of the make and model, the factory installed options and where the car will be sold.
Sticker Price
This term refers to what the dealer has determined he will be asking for the sale of the car.  This price differs from MRSP in that it also includes costs incurred by the dealer such as transportation and locally installed options.  Some models have a great supply and demand in various parts of the country and which can justify a higher sticker price.
Invoice Price
Not to confuse the matter, but you will also hear a third term discussed — the invoice price.  This is basically the same as a wholesale price, or what the manufacturer charges the dealer for the vehicle.  Whatever you pay above the invoice price is the profit the dealer will make on the sale of the car.  For consumers who have done their homework, this is the starting place for negotiating the sale price of the car.
These terms and guidelines apply to sale of new vehicles and not used cars.  Obviously dealers do not obtain pre owned vehicles from the manufacturer, so they devise their own selling price based on resale value and their purchase cost.  Again, if you’re buying used and you’ve done your homework, you will be a much stronger buyer who can negotiate much more effectively.

If you’ve decided you want to buy a used car, then the next step might be to determine where you will shop for that vehicle.  That means scouting out quality dealers selling used cars in and around St. Louis.
If you are on the fence about whether to buy from a dealer or a private seller, consider some advantages to working through a reputable dealership.  First of all, you will have a much wider assortment of inventory to choose from.  Dealers are bound by state and federal laws, so you will have recourse of your choice turns out to be a lemon.  But that typically doesn’t happen when you buy from a solid dealership because they put their vehicles through extensive inspections and many even offer warranties.
Now let’s talk about how to source the right dealers in your area:
Check your newspaper and other local resources.
Car dealers continue to make considerable investments in newspaper advertising.  On Wednesdays and Saturdays there are whole sections devoted to cars for sale.  You will be able to see at a glance which dealers carry large inventories, how their pricing varies, what kind of service they offer and if they certified their vehicles.
You can also check local Yellow Pages or call the Chamber of Commerce to inquire about dealer members.
Find Used Car Dealers in Your Area Online.
The Internet is an invaluable tool to resource used car dealers.  There are numerous sites that will direct you to someone in your area simply be plugging in your zip code in the search bar.  If you not sure where to start once online, you can put the words “used cars for sale” into your favorite search engine and stand back while the results fill up the screen.
Old Fashioned Word of Mouth
Do you have a friend, co-worker or relative who has purchased a car recently?  Were they happy with their transaction and the service they received?  Then ask what dealership they bought from and who their sales rep was.  This is a great way to also get more specific information on matters that are important to you, such as variety of inventory, certified programs, financing options, customer service, etc.  Take advantage of the first hand knowledge.
Finding the right dealer for you shouldn’t be difficult, and taking the time to source a respected business in your area will make your transaction so much more satisfying.

Everybody has an opinion about what are the best cars on the market, but today’s wealth of information on safety ratings, fuel economy, performance and resale value make it easier to quantify what is a good buy.
If you’re looking at pre owned cars, here are a few solid suggestions:
Sedan/Compact:  Elantra from Hyundai (2002-2007)
A total redesign of the Elantra in 2001 makes the 2002-2007 models especially desirable.  The dependability factors during this generation increased significantly to make this an enduring and reliable vehicle.  You can expect a quality ride, solid performance, and sound safety ratings.
Sedan/Mid-sized:  Camry from Toyota (2002-2007)
The Toyota brand is highly regarded for their impressive build quality and terrific reliability.  The Camry during these years delivers on this tradition and continues to impress with its remarkable values.  A great choice in performance for a family vehicle.  If you choose from the newer end of this range, you will also enjoy large cabin space, more lavish features and a bit more zip.
Convertible: Miata from Mazda (2002-2007)
How great would you look driving around in this sporty and reactive convertible?  Affordable to drive, they deliver on fuel efficiency and dependability.  The short throw transmission makes driving this baby that much more fun.
SUV/Compact: Equinox from Chevrolet (2005-2007)
There’s much to like here:  roomy interior, terrific fuel economy, and good performance.  Adjustable seats makes for extremely flexible cargo space to stash on the family gear.  It also scored high on crash tests and is proving to deliver on reliability as well.  Could be one of the best values on today’s used car lot.
SUV/Mid-sized: Endeavor from Mitsubishi (2004-2007)
Right away you will notice this SUV handles more like a sedan.  A solid build delivers sound safety ratings, and you’ll appreciate a comfortable cabin and rugged performance.  Terrific choice for an active family and one of the most affordable in its class.