When shopping for a used car, there are a number of factors that can contribute to the price you’ll pay: type and brand of vehicle, model year, wear-and-tear, and mileage. Typically the more years and more miles a car had meant you’d pay a lower price. But that’s apparently not the case for one truck: The Toyota Tacoma. [More]
used cars
No, Improved Gas Mileage Doesn’t Put Car Ownership Out Of Reach For Low-Income Americans
By 3.6.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
Automakers are currently asking the Trump administration to rescind federal fuel economy standards, claiming that these rules make cars more expensive and put car ownership out of reach for low-income Americans. However, a new report contends that the data doesn’t support this argument. [More]
Settlements Allow Auto Dealers To Continue Selling Unrepaired Recalled Vehicles As “Safe”
By 12.16.16
If you bought a used car from a dealership that proudly claims to put each vehicle through “125-point” or “172-point” inspections, you might assume that your vehicle is safe to drive and that it isn’t under recall for a potentially deadly defect. However, a number of big names in used cars — including CarMax and General Motors — have recently entered into settlements with federal regulators that could allow used car dealers to continue marketing their vehicles as safe even while they may have unrepaired defects. [More]
Man Puts Up Stolen Lexus As Collateral, Steals Mercedes On Test Drive
By 3.29.16
It probably wasn’t the first time that one man in Pennsylvania has been accused of stealing a car. We’re guessing. That’s because when he took a Mercedes on a test drive at a dealership near Pittsburgh, the Lexus that he left behind the keys to was, um, also reported stolen. From another dealership. [More]
Used Cars Can Be Victims Of Identity Theft, Too
By 2.11.16
When shopping for a used car, buying from a private party in your real-life social network or who you found through an ad is cheaper than going through a dealership, but has some dangers that you may not think to look out for. There are small-time dealers who pretend to be individual sellers, and here’s another thing to keep in mind: cars can be victims of identity theft. [More]
Scammy Used Car Dealer Also Employed By IRS
By 12.16.15
The owner of a former used car dealership in Arizona that admitted to defrauding dozens of customers just so happens to also be a long-time employee of the federal government, helping consumers with financial issues through an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. [More]
There’s a Vending Machine For Used Cars In Tennessee
By 11.12.15
These days, just about anything — candy, DVDs, a new phone — can be purchased through a vending machine. And if you live in Nashville, you can now help yourself to a used car.
[More]
New Policy Means AutoNation Won’t Sell Vehicles With Open Safety Recalls
By 9.8.15
Although there is no specific federal law prohibiting used car dealers to sell recalled vehicles, nearly a year ago AutoNation – one of the nation’s largest pre-owned vehicle dealers – suspended the sale of cars with potentially deadly Takata airbag defects. Now, the company plans to take things a bit further, announcing it will no longer sell any vehicle that has an open safety recall. [More]
Car Owner Reunited With Her “First Love” 43 Years After Corvette Stingray Was Stolen
By 6.8.15
In a rare, heartwarming tale of the return of a valued possession once thought to be lost forever, the owner of a 1972 Corvette Stingray that was stolen 43 years ago was finally reunited with her “first love.” And she is not going to let it out of her sight ever again. [More]
Looking To Finance A New Or Used Vehicle? You’re Likely In For The Long-Haul
By 6.1.15
Purchasing a new or used vehicle can represent quite a commitment for consumers, especially as the length of an average vehicle loan continue to get longer, now reaching all-time highs. [More]
Now You Can Buy A Used Tesla Directly From The Company’s Website
By 5.5.15
If you were looking to get a Tesla Model S electric vehicle but didn’t feel like paying full price for a new one, your options were limited. It’s not like Craigslist is full of ads for these relatively new cars. But in recent weeks, Tesla has launched an online portal that allows customers to check out the pre-owned Teslas available in their area. [More]
Texas Plumber Sells Truck, Gets Branded A Terrorist
By 12.17.14
Our global, interconnected economy is an amazing thing. Of course, it doesn’t seem so amazing right now to the person answering the phones at Mark-1 Plumbing in Texas City, Texas. The business has had to remove the batteries from its cordless phones to stop the phones from “ringing off the hook” after a truck with its name emblazoned on the door ended up in the hands of an Islamic militant group in Syria. [More]
Used Car Dealer Suspending Sales Of Vehicles Affected By Takata Airbag Recall
By 10.29.14
Although it’s not illegal for used car dealers to sell recalled vehicles, one of the nation’s largest pre-owned dealers announced it would suspend the sale of cars with the potentially deadly Takata airbag defect that has so far been linked to four deaths and 30 injuries in the United States. [More]
Used-Car Dealer Admits To Selling Vehicles Flooded During Superstorm Sandy
By 8.26.14
A used-car dealer in New Jersey has admitted to selling cars damaged by flooding during superstorm Sandy in 2012 to unsuspecting customers. Some of those who drove off with lemons found their cars breaking down just minutes after leaving the dealership. [More]
Used Car Dealer Accused Of Rolling Back Odometers, Selling Cars And Lies
By 8.22.14
A couple in California who ran a used car dealership embody consumers’ worst fears about buying used cars. They now face almost 80 criminal charges of grand theft by false pretenses, perjury, filing false documents with the DMV, and twenty counts of unlawfully rolling back a car odometer. [More]
Banks Can’t Get Away With Horrible Mortgage Practices Anymore, So Now They’re Doing It With Car Loans
By 7.21.14
Subprime loans: they aren’t just for mortgages anymore. The next big bubble of ill-advised loans to borrowers who can’t pay is coming due. This time, it’s used car dealers reaping the interest and repossessing the cars. [More]
GM Orders Dealers To Stop Selling Used Cadillac CTS And SRX Vehicles Because Of Ignition Switch Issue
By 7.21.14
If you’re in the market for a used Cadillac, you might be out of luck. General Motors ordered its Cadillac division dealers to stop selling a number of older version models because of the ongoing ignition switch recall. [More]
CarMax Should Be More Transparent About Selling Recalled Vehicles
By 6.24.14
When CarMax, the nation’s largest seller of used vehicles, claims each of its “Quality Certified” cars has undergone a “125+ point inspection,” and that only 1-in-3 of the cars it considers is accepted for sale, you might assume this means it isn’t selling recalled vehicles. This is not always true, and a coalition of consumer advocacy groups allege that it’s a case of deceptive marketing. [More]
