The Used Car Blog

We want consumers everywhere to feel confident about their ability to engage in the used car process on their own terms. We’re going to be posting articles about every aspect of buying used cars, from giving you tips on how to judge the condition of a used car to knowing your way around financing options to what you should look for when test driving a vehicle.

How To Make Money With Your Car

With many people looking to fill gaps in employment thanks to the global pandemic, it's worth understanding how there are more ways than ever for putting your car to work in order to make money. There are both full-time and side-hustle opportunities, but which ones are really worth it? What are the pros and cons of putting your car to work?

The Hassles and Headaches of Buying a Car from a Private Owner

If it's time for you to buy a used car, how are you planning to shop for one? You have two main routes to find used vehicles, including dealerships in your area as well as cars for sale by owner. When you're shopping for a used car among the for sale by owner options in your area, there are a number of hassles and headaches you'll want to be aware of. Some are just minor inconveniences, some of them are clear deal-breakers, and some are red flags that mean you'll want to take a closer look.

Why is a Good Used Truck so Hard to Buy?

If you've ever decided to look around to purchase a good used truck, you were probably disappointed by how hard they are to find. Why is a good used truck so hard to buy? And if you want to make a go of it, what should you look for when buying a used truck?

Will the Pandemic Impact How We Buy Cars Long-Term?

When the COVID-19 global pandemic hit the US, it hithard. Most people alive today haven't experienced such a sudden upheaval seemingly overnight. Most of the economy came to a screeching halt. Schools shut down entirely and went fully remote. Businesses scrambled to figure out how they could keep operating. Many people lost their jobs while others continued to work remotely from home. But people still need to buy used cars. The pandemic impacts on used car buying have been profound, and many are wondering if there will a long-term, permanent shift in how people buy used cars. This article will explore how this might play out in the coming months and years.

When Will Gasoline Cars Become Obsolete?

If you live in California, you might have a somewhat skewed perspective on this because electric vehicles make up more of the overall fleet of cars here than any other state in the US-but it's the exception to the rule, and it's still a tiny percentage (about 2.1% in 2018). In most places throughout the US, there are very few non-gasoline cars. Sure, you'll see plenty of hybrids, but those are still running on gasoline much of the time, typically supplemented by a beefier battery that gets recharged off braking energy or plug-in power charging. Very few vehicles on the road don't use any gasoline (or diesel fuel) at all. So when will gasoline cars become obsolete? Or will they ever become obsolete? Let's see what we can find out!

Where Did All the Used Cars Go?

Here's a scenario we've been hearing a lot of people tell us about lately: Some time after the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic hit the US, you realized you need to replace your vehicle. You were nervous about the health and safety risks of being exposed to the virus by interacting with private sellers, so you started looking around at dealership website since you knew they were taking lots of extra precautions to keep people safe. But you were surprised to find out there didn't seem to be a very extensive selection at the first website you visited. Then you went to another that seemed to have even fewer cars. Several more dealer websites later, each with a disappointing inventory to browse, you found yourself asking this question: Where did all the used cars go? In this article we'll describe what happening in many used car markets across the nation, and what it means for you as a used car shopper.

Has the Pandemic Caused Used Car Values to Plummet?

Thanks to the novel coronavirus outbreak and COVID-19 pandemic, everyone saw the economy shut down practically overnight. Needless to say, this was unprecedented. Since the widespread issuing of stay-home orders and business closures that began in mid-march, more than 46 million have filed for unemployment benefits. The impact of the shut-down was swift and hard on many sectors of the economy, especially hospitality (restaurants, bars, hotels, etc.), personal services (salons, fitness, wellness), and retail establishments of all types except grocery stores and pharmacies. But what has the impact been on used car dealerships and used car values? This is a bit trickier to tease out, and while the impacts vary widely by region, state, and even locally, this article will explain what we've seen happening in and around San Diego.

The Risks of Remote Car Buying

The rise of remote car buying was well on its way even before the novel coronavirus outbreak. But with the COVID-19 global pandemic in full swing, more people than ever are interested in finding ways to buy what they need without leaving home, and that includes cars. While distance car buying had its issues and risks, even more people will now experience first-hand all the different ways it can wrong.

The Top 10 Useless Features You Don't Need in a Car

If it's time for you to replace your current vehicle and you've decided to buy used instead of new, you're already on the right track. After all, if you buy a newer used car, you'll avoid the huge depreciation hit you take when you buy new. Buying a high-quality used car gives you a lot more bang for your hard-earned buck, especially as the economy slips into recession thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now you need to think about what youneedfor your next ride. Do you really want to pay more for features you probably don't need? Here's our take on the top 10 useless features you don't need in a car.

8 Benefits of Buying an Electric Car

As the electric car becomes more common, it's easy to forget that there was an earlier attempt to make it happen, back in 1990s. The technology wasn't as good back then, so they had a limited range (80-100 miles), which is why they simply didn't catch on back then. The good news these days is that the electric car is starting to gain in popularity, which means you can enjoy these 8 benefits of buying an electric car:

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