Vehicle Identification Number stands for "VIN".
This vin number is a universal serial number provided to every car by the
vehicle manufacturer. Within the 17-digit number are different codes that
indicate the car's make and model, a serial number, where the vehicle was
manufactured, and even information about optional add-ons such as a sun
roof.
VIN Check Warnings
When buying a previously owned car, there are many ways for you to get
a bad deal from both a dealer and a private seller.
Odometers may be rolled back thousands of miles. It is against the law
in most states, but it is easy to do. It is still a major problem in used
cars today.
Be wary if the previous owner will not or cannot show you the past repair
records or identity of any former owners. If the title seems suspicious,
go somewhere else.
If an auto is shipped from out-of-state or received in trade from another
dealer.
A Used Car Extended Warranty
offers. An extended car warranty from a auto warranty company can
be a lifesaver when your vehicle breaks down unexpectantly. A car
warranty is much like insurance for auto repairs. It's a well known
fact that used cars do not come with warranties - and many of them
break down the first month of ownership!
Save Money
Date: Apr 19, 2005
Contributor: Zelma Pretty
How to save $10,000 on your next car
Buying used is only the beginning. You'll save thousands on depreciation, finance charges and insurance -- and thousands more by putting what would have been monthly payments to work.
If you're like most people who set out to buy a car, you wander onto a dealer's lot and before you know it you're driving away in a shiny new car with an equally shiny new car loan for an amount somewhere north of $10,000.
But before you plunk down thousands of dollars to buy your next car, ask yourself this question: Would you rather have a brand-new car or a late-model used car and $25,000 in cash?
That's how much you can save by buying a used car instead of the latest model and then investing the money you'd otherwise be paying on a new car loan.
The hidden factor here is depreciation, the steady decline in the resale value of any vehicle that you buy. Take a look at the chart below, and you can see what happens to the value of a typical new car.
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