Your Money_ The Missing Manual - J. D. Roth [90]
Be prepared to answer questions. People will call or email to ask for detailed info. Be ready to provide it by keeping a list of key facts near the phone.
Show your car to interested buyers. If you're nervous about dealing with people, get a friend to help. You're selling yourself as well as the car, so make a good impression. Let the buyer test-drive it, but be sure to ask for a valid driver's license first. Go along for the ride, or ask for some sort of collateral (their car keys or wallet, say). If your car has any major defects, be honest about them. Offer to let the buyer take the car to a mechanic of their choice, even if you've already taken it to yours.
Negotiate a price. A good price is fair to both parties. Having done your research, you know what your car is worth, so be confident and stand strong when somebody tries to lowball you. Remember your rock-bottom price, but if you get an offer that's only a couple hundred dollars below this figure, consider accepting it.
Make the sale. Get cash or a cashier's check, and then complete the bill of sale to transfer ownership. Be certain that the paperwork includes a statement to this effect: "This vehicle is sold as is. Buyer assumes all liability and guarantees the vehicle will be registered in their name immediately."
Take care of the details. After the sale, cancel your insurance policy for the car and complete any necessary DMV paperwork.
Most buyers are honest people who are happy to work with a private party instead of a dealership. But there are scammers out there, so if anything about the transaction makes you nervous, call it off. For advice on spotting fraud, check out this article: www.carbuyingtips.com/fraud.htm.
Your Money And Your Life: Finding a Trustworthy Mechanic
There are a lot of greaseball auto mechanics out there who try to fleece the unsuspecting, but there are plenty of good guys, too. It's best to find a good mechanic before your car needs a major repair. You can save a lot of money (and gain peace of mind) by finding a mechanic you trust.
Though price is important, don't make it the only factor in your choice. Ask your friends and family for recommendations. When you meet somebody who has a car similar to yours, ask her where she gets it serviced.
Many Get Rich Slowly readers swear by the Car Talk Mechanics Files (http://tinyurl.com/cartalk-mechanic), a database of over 16,000 mechanics recommended by folks around the country. Just enter your Zip code and the type of car you own to see a list of shops in your area that includes ratings and reviews.
Before you take your car to a shop, check with the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) to see if it has any complaints on file. Also be sure the mechanic is certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (www.ase.com). Once you find a candidate, take your car in for its next oil change. If you get a good vibe, use the shop for future service and repairs. If something bugs you about the shop, go elsewhere.
Even after you find a good shop, always check your bill and be willing to ask questions. It's your right to know what you were charged and why. If a mechanic knows you're going to watch the bill, he's less likely to try pulling a fast one.
Once you have a mechanic you like, go out of your way to let him know you appreciate his services: Send him a thank-you note, take him donuts, and recommend him to your friends.
Reducing Your Cost of Ownership
Buying a car is one thing, but it also costs a pretty penny to use and maintain your vehicle. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that the average car costs just over 54 cents per mile to operate; that includes fuel, routine maintenance, insurance, registration, and the cost of buying the vehicle (with finance charges).
You already learned how to pay less for a car in the first place, but