“This is not your father’s Oldsmobile,” one domestic carmaker once told consumers in advertisements.
Well, today, this not your father’s car-buying market. Advice that doesn’t necessarily hold true in today’s market:
Buy late-model used cars
You can still save a little money buying a 1- or 2- year-old model, but used cars are so hot that you’re unlikely to save nearly as much as you used to.
Don’t trade in your car
Conventional wisdom says you’ll get more for your vehicle if you sell it yourself. But dealers are offering top dollar for trade-ins, especially those with low miles.
Don’t lease
Leasing vehicles has been slammed as wildly expensive. But deals today generally have improved, especially if you frequently replace a vehicle, experts say.
Buy Japanese for quality
Korean brands Hyundai and Kia have rocketed in quality in recent years. Ford and General Motors also have improved, experts say. Gregory Karp, Chicago Tribune
