Real Estate

Kelly’s Blue Book: How To Use It

If you don’t want to get ripped off, it’s essential that you get a car price guide before you try to buy or sell a car. The best known and most widely used automotive value appraisal guide (blue book for cars) in the United States is Kellys Blue Book. Its print consumer blue book for cars has been available to buyers since 1993, while Kellys Blue Book’s version of the online car blue book has been running since 1995. Both the online car blue book and the consumer are relatively easy to use.

For the print version, the cars are listed alphabetically by manufacturer and then by model. For example, let’s say you want to search for Toyota Corolla: Browse through the pages until you come to the Toyota section, then flip through the “C’s” until you find “Corolla.” If you’re looking at Kellys Blue Book’s version of the New Car Guide, what you’ll find next to your selection is: (1) a generally inflated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), (2) Dealer Invoice, (3) Kelly’s new car blue book value and (4) price of optional equipment. You’ll want to compare the first three values. If the dealer’s asking price is close to both the value of Kelly’s new car (the car’s actual selling price, which varies by region) and the dealer’s Blue Book invoice (the price the dealer paid the manufacturer for the car, minus all overhead costs like advertising, etc.), then your dealer is offering the car to you at a fair market price. Remember that the fair market price of a car is generally lower than its MSRP. If the price isn’t quite there yet, keep trading; you might even get a price lower than the blue book value of the new car or you can find another dealer.

By comparison, if you’re using the Kellys Blue Book Guide to Used Cars, find the car of your choice again by alphabetically browsing the pages of the blue book for cars. Once you find your selection, you will have the following information: (1) Retail Value (the average “asking” price by dealers across the country, (2) Private Value (estimated price you could expect to get for a car if you personally sold it to a buyer) and the Kellys Blue Book trade-in value (typical price a dealer would offer you for your used car). the final price of used cars and, in most cases, the actual “sale” price is lower than the Blue Book retail value.

While using the print version of the Blue Book car prices is quick and easy, using the online KBB is even simpler. With a simple click of a button, a vast array of blue book car information is available to you in seconds. Additionally, Blue Book car information and prices are now updated weekly online. You just need to go to the KBB website, select the type of car you want: new or used. To find out the blue book value of new cars, click on the make and model, then select your specific make or manufacturer (Toyota) and model (Corolla), after which you will be prompted to choose a specific model year along with a list of options (summary, prices, photos, reviews, free quote). Of course, if you want to know the price of KBB, click on the pricing tab. If different versions or car body finishes are available, choose the body finish for which you want the blue book car value. As an example, a car may be available as a 4-door or 2-door or hatchback, etc. The KBB website will show you pictures of your selection, your MSRP, the dealer invoice price, and the KBB price. If you enter your ZIP code, available dealers selling the car in your area will also appear. Like I said, quick and easy access to the blue book for cars!

The blue book valuing a used car on the KBB website is similar, but you’ll be asked to select many more options. Just follow the same steps on the Used Cars tab. For example, if you want a 2005 Toyota Corolla model, select 2005 as the specific year, Toyota for make, and Corolla for model. Then select your KBB Value, either as part of trade-in, private party, or auto suggested retail value blue book. You will then be redirected to choose a specific version or body trim. Next, you will need to select the necessary equipment and mileage.

Don’t be overwhelmed with the number of selections – the standard elements on the web page are already marked. You just need to review or add more equipment as you see fit.

Finally, you must choose the condition of your vehicle, from excellent to poor. Don’t worry if you don’t know the characteristics of each Kelly Blue Book Used Cars condition category because a description is provided below each KBB condition category. And if you still can’t decide, fill out a condition questionnaire. The KBB website will show you pictures of their selection and their pricing information to give you an idea of ​​how much to sell or buy your car. If you’re looking to buy, you can even search local listings by clicking on their tab.

Remember that the blue book values ​​for cars provided by Kellys Blue Book are not the final value of the car of your choice, only its fair market value. Use the information you collect from Kellys only as a guide in negotiating the final price of your vehicle.

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