When searching online for a Used 2008-2009 Cadillac STS for sale beware…
There are several ways to find the used car for sale you are searching for and online Google searches is just one of many channels.
The various used car directories: Autotrader.com, Cargurus.com and Cars.com often serve as a good barometer for scoping out the sheer number of available make or model of used car for sale in your geographic range. However, you need to BEWARE of some of the discrepancies and how to do a thorough evaluation BEFORE making the call, of worse driving to the dealership to find the vehicle no longer available.
Let me use a 2008 or 2009 Cadillac STS that is listed for sale in Las Vegas, for an example.
You
Google ” Used 2008 or 2009 Cadillac STS for sale Las Vegas” and you get a bunch of ads on the first 5 pages, and a list of used car directories like: Autotrader.com, Everycarlisted.com, Cars.com, Aol.com, Cargurus.com, if these websites have the model year of that make in their listing for Las Vegas. If you leave off the Las Vegas, they will pop-up with every vehicle of that make and model, and possible year in their directory, and when you click on these directory listings you will get pushed to their landing page where you must re-enter your search criteria.
Everycarlisted.com takes you to the actual page where these cars are listed in order by year.
In the picture above is the comparison of the two Used Cadillac 2008-2009 STS listed on CarGurus.com for sale in Las Vegas. The arrow helps you see which is the better deal based on a GREAT, GOOD,FAIR,Poor score, however, this score is based on NATIONAL statistics of car prices, NOT CARS SOLD for WHAT PRICE? in your target area. This website (cargurus.com) tells you how much you are saving on average.
On AUTOTRADER.com You will also notice that the “FEATURED” (paid for) listings come up first, even if they are NOT THE BEST DEALS. Also on Autotrader.com you will notice the highest prices are first. You must re-sort the list to your needs and also refine the list for distance, and other specifications.
Once you sort or download the various selections, consider the lowest mile value before jumping on model year.
Research the actual options on each vehicle you have sorted from 1st choice to last.
Put a value of 1 on each option that is important to you. put a minus or -1 on an option that is not important to you but may be adding to the actual cost of the vehicle: entertainment system, leather, fancy rims or navigation system.
Re-sort the vehicles by numerical value, based on the total points for each used car selection.
Having counted the total score, are your top 3 choices missing anything you REALLY WANT or NEED in your next car? Put a negative or -1 on the cars that are lacking an important feature, i.e. has cloth interior and you want leather?
This is how I evaluate vehicles for “BEST USED CAR DEALS”. From the top numerical score, revisit the cost per mile to see if the miles are still within a good value for all the other feature criteria in the top 3 choices.
Now extend the distance search to 1000 or even 1500 miles from your original zip-code, and repeat the process.
I have sometimes found that a particular area of the country may be “too hot” (popular) for the car search. Hence, extending the distance range may prove or disprove a better deal in a different region of the country.
Once you have defined the top 3 choices for your used car purchase, use the other great
MyCarlady Used Car Buying tips to consummate your car deal.
Disclosure: The Cadillac STS pictured above is for sale through Gaudin Motor Company, an organization I work with on their online presence.
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Sarah Lee Marks is MyCarlady. She has over 23+ years of experience.
She writes about cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects.
MyCarlady offers free car buying advice, and private, auto-related services to help you maintain your personal or commercial vehicles.
Call Sarah Lee for more information: 702-521-7546. Join the MyCarlady newsletter to be kept up-to-date on this and other important car information.
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There are several ways to find the used car for sale you are searching for and online Google searches is just one of many channels.
The various used car directories: Autotrader.com, Cargurus.com and Cars.com often serve as a good barometer for scoping out the sheer number of available make or model of used car for sale in your geographic range. However, you need to BEWARE of some of the discrepancies and how to do a thorough evaluation BEFORE making the call, of worse driving to the dealership to find the vehicle no longer available.
