Under The Hood

Buying a used car may seem endless and exhausting, but that’s not true if you plan ahead and know when to make the right move. Planning ahead can help you get a great deal on your next car. A few simple tips can help you realize significant savings. When buying a car privately (directly from the vehicle owners and not a dealership), there are certain times of the year when making the purchase can maximize your value and help you score a better deal. Let’s take a look at some of the “good” times of the year for buying a used car.

Summer

Long summer days allows sellers to extend showing times and test drives. Call ahead and schedule an appointment with the seller, giving the seller adequate prep time for showings. More daylight hours makes it easy to view the car, inspect it carefully and make sure everything checks out .

Weekends

Generally, people have more spare time during weekends – and their hours are more flexible. Plan to visit the sellers on Saturdays and Sundays, which provides extra time to see the car, ask questions, and go for a test-drive.

Winters

Colder weather and chances of snow means that vehicle owners are preparing their cars for winter driving conditions – new tires in case the current ones are worn out; fixing the heating system if there’s an issue. However, some vehicle owners would just prefer to sell the car outright rather than making repairs, no matter how minor. If you’re lucky, you might just score a great deal. However, due diligence must be done and always hire a professional mechanic to help you inspect the car.

Style-Specific

Certain style-specific cars may be better buys during their off seasons. If you’re looking for a convertible, shopping during winter months may help you find a great deal since the style isn’t particularly in-demand and sellers may be keen to get rid of these types of cars. Similarly, the demand for all-wheel-drive cars is generally higher during during winter months and may drop during summer months, which gives you a great opportunity to buy one during the off-season for such cars; typically, in the months of spring and summer.

If you’ve considered buying your next car privately, you’ve already make a smart choice. The price of the car can be as much as 20-25 percent less than what you would typically pay at a dealer. Swap Motors Marketplace has privately-owned cars listed for sale by vehicle owners, offering you significant savings. A Swap Motors’ certified technician evaluates each vehicle, takes photos and videos, and prepares the listing. As a result, you know what you’re buying – no surprises. Within each vehicle listing, Swap Motors provides a comprehensive analysis of savings to help buyers make informed decisions.

In the example shown below, you would pay $5,001 less than a dealer retail price of $40,000 on a 2014 Porsche Cayenne, plus an additional savings of $1,6 49 on sales/use tax, which brings your total savings to $6,650.

Getting started with Swap Motors is quick and easy. Browse Swap Motors Marketplace and filter cars based on your budget/preferences. Liked a car? Easily request a showing, chat with the sellers or make an offer within your Dashboard. It’s that simple!