Buying a used luxury car is a smart and economical decision-if you take the right approach. Today’s luxury cars are built better and last longer than ever before. Purchasing the right used luxury car means getting more car and more fun options for your money. But according to one UK based used auto dealer, 3 out of 10 people are dissatisfied with their used car purchase! That means that if you shop for cars like the average person, there’s only a 70% chance that you’ll be happy with one of the largest purchases you’re likely to make all year! Here are some tips to make sure that you’re not one of the “other” 30%.

Get an inspection:

Would you buy a used parachute from an unknown previous owner without having it opened up inspected by a professional first? If so, then you probably aren’t the type to still be reading this article. Most of us just assume that if the car looks great on the outside then it must be fine under the hood as well. No necessarily so!

Though used luxury cars are generally cared for and maintained better than non luxury used autos, there is still a chance that the previous owner caused damage due to poor maintenance. It’s possible that there could be any number of things that have gone awry that aren’t visible to the untrained eye. It may cost $75 - $150 dollars for an outside expert opinion, but this is money well spent.
Choose your dealership wisely:

Who do you think chooses the used luxury cars on the lots you go to visit? Each dealership sets its own tandards about the kind of cars that it will sell on its lot. Just like any company has a decision to make about the quality of products it sells, a dealership does the same.

Just because you see the same used Lexus SUV at two different used car dealerships doesn’t mean that they’re both created equally. The buyer at the first dealership may have higher standards for where they buy their used luxury cars than the one with the multi-colored flags strewn across the parking lot. Even if the used Lexus SUV from the second dealership costs a little less, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a better deal.

Do your research:

Dig around online for answers about the used luxury cars you’re considering. Don’t just look at the manufacturer sites or reviews published when the car was first released. Look for customer reviews and recalls. Also get the car’s VIN number and visit Carfax.com to check for any prior damage. Oftentimes, the dealership will run and pay for the Carfax report if you ask.

If you know how to shop for used luxury cars, there’s no reason to worry about being in that unhappy 30%. By approaching car buying the right way, you’ll not only be among the 70% that are happy with their used car purchase, but smiling as you cruise by all those other car owners who paid up to 30% more for your same model car new!

These days cars a lasting much longer than they used to do with so many people cutting back on finances many families are considering buying a used car.
Smart consumers know that buying a used car can be a much better deal than buying a new one if you know what you are doing.

Here are some tips that you can use to make sure you get the most out of your used car purchase.

1. Due Diligence

When you make any major purchase, it’s Important for you to do some research and purchasing a used car is no different. If you do the right research you’ll know the perfect make and model that suits your needs. You’ll also be able to determine the fair market value of this type of car and therefore, you’ll know when you’re getting a good deal at the used car lot.

In addition you’ll be able to research Important details about the car, like recalls her things to look for and used models that may help when evaluating used cars and negotiating deals.

2. Check Out The Car

when you find a car that you like, it is wise to check the car’s history. This will give you Information regarding the repairs as well as any problems with the car. You can do this for a small fee online and it can save you from buying a car that’s been in a flood or other major disaster. You won’t want to buy a car that’s been a major accident that could’ve damaged or bent the frame and it may be impossible to tell by just looking at the car so checking on the history is vital. You can find out the history of any car by going to Carfax.com.

3. Think Safety

In order to keep your family safe in the car, you want to consider the safety features of any used car you going to buy. Obviously, the newer model cars will have more safety features. According to reports, 80% of traffic accidents are made worse because the cars lacked safety features.

4. Check the Documentation

You should check out the documents included with the used car cheerfully. Make sure that the cars are not stolen or that there were no liens on the vehicle and also be sure to check that the signature on the bill of sale is the actual possessor of the car.

5. Car Inspection

Before you make any deals on the used car, you must inspect the entire car. Look for Ross to especially around the wheel wells in the frame and carefully scrutinize it for any damage. Don’t forget to check the tires, and the interior as well. If you don’t know much about cars, you can always asked to take it to your mechanic for inspection. Anybody on the up and up selling a car should not object to this. If any flaws are found, and then you can use this as negotiating leverage and lost the flaws are so major that you no longer want the car.

Buying a used car can take a bit more work than buying a new one as there are many things to check out. However, doing your due diligence will make sure that you get a great used-car at a fraction of the cost you could buy new one for and that will last for years to come.

Simply put if you wish to import a car into Canada without a professional auto import broker’s help then you are going to have to follow Riv’s ( Canadian Registrar of Foreign Motor Vehicle’s ) as well as your local provincial or territory rules. Simple as that.

It is a misconception that almost all cars in the United States can be imported easily into Canada. You may have seen terrible news reports of angry and mystified car buyers held back at the Canadian border with a car that they cannot bring in or import into Canada. The key is to do your homework. Check the rules. Recheck. If in doubt it never hurts to be on the safe side and check once again - perhaps by email so there is written documentation. Otherwise you may in a position like those poor people on Canadian TV news. Intending to save money on a new or used car purchase, but with a car stuck on the American side of the border. No car imported in Canada. No cash.

Guess they will have to sell the car to a willing American buyer - perhaps for ease of sale sold on eBay. Again the key is to do your homework thoroughly.

If your vehicle that you plan to import into Canada is less than 15 years of age you will have to find out if it qualifies for importation under Transport Canada’s Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. The RIV’s program is set up to ensure that qualifying models imported into Canada are modified , inspected and certified to meet Canadian standards, You can most easily visit the Riv site online at http://www.riv.ca/ ,

Phone a toll free number, email or snail mail.

The key question to have answered on the Riv site or in direct communication with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles that your car, truck or S.U.V. is admissible for importation into Canada according to the gold standard - “Transport Canada’s List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States. Next it is essential totally that your vehicle is NOT on the Inadmissible List. This Transport Canada list is your bible for importation of your vehicle into Canada without a broker. Lastly ensure in the third column marked “notes” that there are no overriding further restriction in regards to your vehicle and that any modifications noted and insisted on in the column can be completed as well as accomplished within a cost factor within your choice and budget.

Assuming that you have accomplished all the above. Before your vehicle can leave the United Sates it must be cleared for export by U.S. Customs. Fax the bill of sale, title and relevant documents to the appropriate U.S. Customs office at least 72 hours prior to your arrival at U.S. / Canadian Border.

Your next process will be to clear Canadian authorities. Again if you have prepared the proper documentation - Bill of Sale , title , clearance letter from the U.S. Customs office and a recall clearance letter on official letterhead from the dealer or manufacturer of the vehicle stating that all recalls have been performed on the vehicle. You will be asked to pay approx $ 300 Riv fees at that time, GST (General Sales Tax) on the price of the vehicle. If your vehicle was manufactured in the NAFTA (North America Free Trade) areas of the United States, Canada or Mexico you will not pay additional import duties and taxes on the vehicle, which are generally about 6 %. Depending on your geography and jurisdiction you may or may not have to pay provincial sales tax at the time point or later when the car is registered and licensed. Lastly if your car has air conditioning installed you will be asked to pay an excise fee of $ 100.

You cross the border and you are almost home free. Riv has appointed the national automotive chain Canadian Tire to conduct the final inspection of your vehicle and perform any modifications required. The fee of inspection is included in the Riv fee at the border. Any modifications or work necessary is at your expense. In the case of some luxury brands inspection, modification and certification can only be done at factory authorized retailer. You can only be given the essential recall clearance letter until this authorized dealership route is completed.

You are now cleared, almost at the successful completion of importing your new car into Canada, without a broker. The final step is to register and license your new vehicle in your local provincial or territorial area. You have imported your new vehicle - all without a professional import car broker