How to Use Carfax

Buying a used car can be full of missteps and hidden problems. But thanks to Carfax and a quick trip to a mechanic, you can avoid these pitfalls. If you are in the process of buying a used car, you need Carfax! It can be used for so much more, though.

Here’s our guide on how to use Carfax

Make no mistake, Carfax is essential in the process of buying a used car. It can help narrow down your research, and help you make a decision on buying your next used car. Before signing the papers and parting with your hard-earned money, we definitely recommend having a mechanic review any used car you are planning on buying.

Checking Carfax records will reveal important information about cars that won’t require a mechanic’s review. If you see that a car had been involved in an accident, that would be a big red flag.

How do you get Carfax for free?

Dealers and online car marketplaces often provide free Carfax for the vehicle they are selling. Those are easy to spot. Case in point, if you go to AutoTrader.com and search for used hatchback cars, you will see the logo of Carfax on some of the listings. If you click on it, you will will be able to see the car’s history.

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What You Need to Know about Different Car Body Types

If you are looking for a car to buy, you should consider the car body type that you want. There are plenty to choose from, but the most popular ones are the Sedan and SUVs. While the aesthetics of the car is important, consider the functions and space that you will need.

Some car body types are not very popular, partly because of stigma surrounding them. Consider the minivan. It is unpopular because those driving these types of cars are associated with “soccer moms”–mothers of kids and teenagers who need to store a lot of sports gear and other things for their kids in the cargo area. Because of its resemblance with the minivan, hatchbacks have also received a similar backlash.

But you really shouldn’t care about what others think of your own car. When you consider the form and function that you need, then just go for it. Here are the different car body types.

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Should You Buy Rebuilt Title Cars for Sale?

Are you buying to buy a car soon and you want to save money while doing it?

There are different ways of saving some money before you commit your hard earned money. Thousands of carsĀ are put up for sale in the market month after month either by the owner or by car dealers.

If you’ve been looking for options on car websites or on Craigslist, you may have come across some really good-looking yet inexpensive cars!

Before you start jumping for joy, you need to pause and dig deeper. If it’s too good to be true, it may be suspicious. A good-looking, yet inexpensive car may turn out to be a rebuilt title car. Continue reading

5 Reasons Why I Bought a Used Car

More than a year ago, my wife and I decided to buy a car. We were preparing to have a baby and I didn’t want her to go through the hassle of commuting while heavy with our first baby. In fact, we wanted to have a car first before the pregnancy.

So in May 2012, we finally decided to buy a car–a 1998 Mitsubishi Adventure.

In North America, our car might be called a small SUV or a crossover maybe. But in this part of the world, it’s called an AUV. Think of it as an SUV made for Asians. I’ve had American passengers in that car and mind you, it’s not built for them.

Why a used car then?

The decision was a no-brainer really. In my mind, getting a used car was the right choice. Getting a brand new one needs justification. In case, you are thinking of getting a car, too, here are 5 reasons why we opted for a used car.

1. It’s cheaper.

Told ya. it’s cheaper. A brand new car costs at least PhP800,000. A SUV costs about P1.2 – P1.5 Million. Our car cost less than half the price of a brand new sedan and it’s barely a fourth of a good-sized SUV.

A lot of people say that it’s risky getting a used car because of the maintenance costs. But even if I spent P100,000 on it in the course of two years, it would still be cheaper. I just had to endure some inconvenience if something needs replacement, but I’m willing to take that risk. Continue reading