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Join Nicole Soltau in a look at the process of securing a car loan
through a credit union can help you avoid buying a lemon. Find out
how many credit unions protect their buyers by offering research
services not found elsewhere.
Searching for the Perfect Car Loan
Credit Unions have long been known as the place to go when you
are in the market for a new or used car. Today’s credit union pairs
its long history of car financing with technological and bargaining
tools that help consumers every step of the way.
Of course, programs vary among credit union, but generally your
credit union makes the old get out the paper and go through the
ads routine a thing of the past.
If you are in the market for a new or used car try your credit
union’s car locator service. Simply call your representative and
give information about the car of your dreams (Kiplinger’s Buyers
Guide to New Cars & Trucks provides extensive information and
articles, and can help narrow your choices). Include such preferences
as color, make, model, seat types (i.e. leather, cloth, vinyl),
and let your credit union do the rest. Backed by the power of reputation
and volume, your credit union negotiates the best prices with local
dealers and sometimes even surrounding states.
With a pre-approved car loan your credit union may even be able
to arrange for delivery of your car to their location where you
can close the deal and drive home. This convenient service eliminates
the hassle, confusion and stress of approaching a local car dealer
directly.
If you would like a more hands on approach, many credit unions
also offer an onsite database program, which allows you to conduct
your own search. An added bonus, the database even has information
about the price paid by the dealer for the car you are considering.
This can be important information for negotiating the best price.
Stop in to check out the database or other information sources
such as bulletin board listings from other members and notebooks
compiled by staff.
For additional options, combine credit union services with the
Internet. Check out sites such as Edmunds.com and Carprices.com
to learn about retail prices or Autobytel.com and CarsDirect.com
for haggle-free pricing and buying.
No matter which options you choose your credit union can help you
find the best deal at the best value. Inspecting a Car
Don’t depend on your eyes to tell you if the car of your dreams
has experienced a nightmare or two. Without question, it is a seller’s
job to sell cars. Toward that end, dealers present cars to buyers
in the best possible light. With enough elbow grease, some duds
can be cleaned up to look nearly new.
Don’t be fooled. Your job as the buyer is to arm yourself with
enough information to avoid buying a shiny new lemon. Before you
decide on a car inspect it carefully to make sure the book is a
good as its cover.
Begin with the Internet. Using a service such as Carfax.com or
Autocheck.com you can put together a history of the car in question.
These services provide information about accurate odometer readings,
titles, repaint jobs, accidents and so forth. You will need the
Vehicle Identification Number (usually located in the windshield
on the driver’s side) to conduct your search.
Don’t limit your inspection to used or previously owned vehicles.
New cars, too, should get a close look. For example: What information
is available about the types of problems and/or repair issues that
you can expect for this vehicle.
Consider a mechanic. It won’t hurt to have a mechanic give the
car a once over. In fact, it can be a great help. Remember, buying
a car is not like buying a blouse – you can’t take it back within
7 or 10 days for a full refund. Inspection should include major
systems such as air conditioning, electrical, engine and brakes
as well as smaller issues such as speaker sound and window seals.
While it is true that these smaller issues won’t necessarily impact
performance, it is almost certain that they will impact satisfaction.
Talk with others who own a car in the same make/model family. What
have their experiences with the car been like? Would they buy again
or recommend the same car?
Finally, don’t be afraid to really look at the car objectively.
Yes, it can be disappointing after you have done the research and
planning to find just the right car – but ignoring any problems
you find will not ease your pain. You may be able to overlook some
problems, but at some point you must draw the line. To avoid this
scenario have a back up plan, just in case. If you found the car
on one lot, chances are you can find the same car in better shape
on another.
Nicole Soltau
President and Founder
http://CreditUnionRate.com/
The Leading Online Credit Union Directory
The North Carolina Lemon Law website is dedicated to bringing our
readers both information specific to the state of North Carolina
and more general information across all 50 states so that you can
make informed judgements concerning your rights and methods of achieving
retribution.
Disclaimer: The information on this website has been complied
by the North Carolina Lemon Law website from public sources. Use
of information from this website does not constitute an attorney-client
relationship. Please contact an attorney in your state or your Attorney
General to ensure that all your rights are protected.
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