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Showing posts from September, 2022

Watch Out For These Hidden Fees When Selling A Car

In our years in the auto industry, we’ve heard our fair share of sneaky ways that car sellers can be scammed. Hidden fees for used cars can range from $10 to $300, and that can add up to a huge hit to your profits. Hiding fees in the fine print is not the way South East Car Removal does business, and, although we can’t control the fees at other companies, we can at least shed a light on some important things you need to be aware of when you sell your vehicle. Towing The most costly fee when selling your vehicle is also the easiest to avoid. If a company, dealer or buyer expects you to pay for your own towing, especially if your vehicle is non-running, find a different buyer. Additionally, if your car is road-worthy, this can also work in your favor when negotiating a price. You may be able to get an additional $50-$100 on the asking price if you can deliver the vehicle in person and have a friend pick you up. Liquids A lot of scrap car buyers, or junk car buyers, require you to em

Two Steps To Increase Your Car’s Resale Value

When purchasing a new car, you should keep in mind that increasing your car’s resale value starts the second you drive the car off the lot. Once you’re ready to sell that vehicle, you’ll be looking to get the most money back for your investment, and you shouldn’t have to worry about shelling out extra cash just to make your car more desirable to potential buyers. Following these two rules to increase your car’s resale value are the best steps you can take to save money down the road, and they may even help you keep your car road-worthy longer. Keep Up with Maintenance It goes without saying that seasonal and regular car check-ups, maintenance and repairs are the number one way to ensure a longer life for your vehicle. Being better about taking your vehicle in for maintenance means you could save a lot of cash down the road. Keep your owner’s manual handy and use it as a reference for when car maintenance may need to be done. You might be surprised to find out that, if you own a new

Top Tips To Save You Money at the Pump

Besides driving less, what can you do to save money on gas? Here are our top tips for getting the most out of your next fill up. Clean Out Your Car The heavier a vehicle is the worse fuel efficiency it gets. But even if you’re driving a smart car, keeping it loaded up with unnecessary clutter can add unnecessary extra dollars at the gas pump. Be sure to regularly clean out your trunk, and only add extra weight to your car temporarily. If you have bags of clothing to donate to Goodwill, put them in your car the same day you plan to go to the drop off. In other words, don’t let your car become a permanent storage space. If you don’t travel much, you might also want to consider only filling your gas tank up halfway. Keep Your Cool Behind the Wheel Want to burn through your car’s fuel as fast as you can? Drive like a jerk. Speeding, going from 0-60 too fast, and hitting the brakes hard can all negatively affect your gas mileage. Experts recommend sticking to 50 miles per hour tops,

Tips for Selling Your Car to a Relative

Money matters can be tricky, no matter who you’re dealing with. But, if you add in family dynamics, things can get even more complicated. Many experts recommend not selling large investments, such as cars or houses, to family members. It might seem convenient to pass expensive property on to someone you know and love, but that financial debt your loved one will owe you comes with a lot of risks. If you’re determined to sell your car to a relative, here are a few tips to try to minimize the problems that could come up. Title & Taxes Whether you’re giving the vehicle as a gift or selling it, you’ll need to sign the title over to the new owner. The protocol for transferring the title varies from state to state, so you’ll need to check with your local DMV to make sure you do everything the right way. You’ll also have to deal with taxes on the car. In most cases, the new owner will need to fill out the paperwork and pay any taxes. You should warn them in advance that they’ll have to

Tips for a Great Road Trip with Pets

Picture this: you’re driving down the highway, your favorite music is playing on the stereo, and you’ve got your four-legged best friend along for the ride. Does this sound like an ideal road trip to you? For many pet owners, this would be a dream come true. However, traveling with your favorite critters is a whole different animal (pun intended). It requires a bit more planning than if you were just bringing humans along for the ride. Check out our tips for road tripping with your pets before you hit the road. Before Your Road Trip with Pets Book an Appointment With Your Vet You’ll want to make sure your pet is up to date on all their shots and has enough of any medication they may need for the trip. You’ll also want to check with your vet to see if they’ll need any additional meds for the destination you’re headed to; some parts of the country are more prone to fleas and ticks, so it never hurts to be prepared. Check With Your Destination If you’re planning on taking your pet a

The Top Reliable Car Brands

Reliability is a surprisingly subjective topic. Everyone’s experiences vary greatly and some may disagree with our picks for the top reliable car brands. While what brands are considered reliable changes year-to-year, it’s important that you know what brands you can almost never gone wrong with! We understand that sometimes you get a lemon or you have run into problems with a certain car brand in the past. While unfortunate, that is usually not representative of the automaker as a whole. It’s important to remember that everyone’s experiences with certain brands will be different depending on many different factors! What Factors Can Affect Reliability? One of the most obvious things that can make a huge difference in the reliability of a vehicle is maintenance. Do You Keep Up with Oil Changes? Getting regular oil changes and keeping up with how many miles before you need another oil change are both important. One thing that can help is changing your own oil and oil filter and using

How to Upgrade Your Old Car with New Technology

It’s no secret that the auto industry is racing toward the future. With self-driving cars and more reliable electric vehicles on the horizon, you’d think that people would be racing to their local dealerships to purchase the latest and greatest. But, research has found that Australians are keeping their cars longer than ever before. The average car on the road is around 10 years old. So, what do you do if you want the latest technology but don’t want to get rid of your older car? We have some suggestions to help you bring the 21st century to your ride. Safety Features Some of the best technology that we’ve seen auto makers unveil lately has revolved around new safety features. Thankfully, you don’t have to trade in your trusty set of wheels just to keep you and your loved ones safe. You can add rearview cameras or parking sensors yourself for a few hundred dollars. These features can reduce your blind spots and help you avoid denting your car when maneuvering in and out of tight p

Your First-Time Car Buying Cheat Sheet

Car buying can be exciting and fun, but it can also be scary, especially for a first time buyer. It is easy to imagine yourself driving off the lot and into the sunset in that shiny new car, but it is also important to think about the long term financial obligations and lifestyle commitments. Buying a car is one of the largest financial commitments a person makes next to buying a house. Car buying is not only a large financial obligation but a long term one. Follow these car buying tips to ensure you buy a car that you can realistically afford and will be happy with in the long run. Find the Magic Number Cars come in all different colors, sizes and price ranges. Many people make the mistake of rearranging their budget to fit the payment of the car they really want, but this could lead to major financial trouble in the future. To find your magic number, or monthly payment you can realistically afford, you must start by creating a car buying budget. This will help you limit your opt