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MAXIMIZING CAR RESALE VALUE
American Pride Automotive • Mar 15, 2013
We’re all familiar with the car sale adage, “A new car loses its value the minute you drive it off the lot.” It’s the kind of thing you know but don’t care about at the time because hey! You got a new car! But chances are, you are going to sell that car in a matter of years and understanding how to preserve its resale value during ownership is key. Here are few tips on preserving your car’s worth while still enjoying vehicle-ownership (a beautiful thing).
DRIVE SAFELY
This is first and foremost for any driver looking to preserve not only a car’s value, but also the health and safety of everyone who gets in for a ride. Aggressive maneuvers, excessive speeding and distracted driving all dramatically increase accident risk, and car accidents sharply decrease vehicle value and serve as huge red flags for future prospective buyers. Even a car that looks good-as-new when repaired after the accident still depreciates in value
Of course, accidents happen even when we take steps to prevent them. If you do get in a wreck, however minor, be sure to keep all police reports, insurance reports and mechanical service records and be ready to offer an explanation of the impact on the vehicle.
KEEP IT SHINY AND CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT
Aesthetic appeal is obviously a big deciding factor for anyone buying a car, especially a used car. They want a vehicle that has been well-taken care of and looks just about as good as new. How can you make sure that your car’s exterior stands the test of time?
Park in the shade and away from other vehicles if you can. This helps avoid paint fading and unnecessary dents and dings.
Wash your car once a week (either by hand or at a mechanical car wash) and use a cleaning recommended by the car’s manufacturer. Dish detergent tends to strip away paint sealant.
Polish your vehicle once a month.
When it comes to the interior, the best thing you can do is enforce a no-eating-or-drinking policy. It’s a tough policy to follow with a busy lifestyle, but a clean and nice smelling vehicle is worth it. If that is totally out of the question for you, be sure to keep a bag in the car for trash (and maybe initially choose a car with a dark interior). Getting the vehicle professionally detailed every few months is also wise.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
Lest we sound like a broken record, keeping your car in good running order by going to a trustworthy mechanic for tune-ups, regular oil changes and repair is one of the best things you can do to help your car maintain its value. Along with safe driving, vigilant car care and maintenance will make all the difference in a vehicle’s resale value.
It’s important that you keep a folder of records from every visit to the mechanic in order to show prospective buyers hard evidence of the car’s history of attentive care. When you bring your car to American Pride Automotive, we provide honest service and detailed records of auto maintenance and repairs.
Perhaps you are on the other side of this discussion and looking for a new-to-you used car. In that case, American Pride has an impressive inventory of cars whose previous owners took all the steps above to preserve the beauty and functionality of their vehicles. Call, contact, or come in to American Pride today to see what we have to offer. In the meantime, you can check out our inventory of used cars here.
Enjoy your weekend!
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You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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