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Reaching for Resale Value
on you Monte Carlo
By KEVIN RANSOM[/align][align=center][/align][*][align=center]
Pay attention to which models are popular when choosing your car [/align][*][align=center]
Keep personalization and customization to a minimum [/align][*][align=center]
Get your car maintained regularly and keep your maintenance records [/align][*][align=center]
Keep your car clean inside and out[/align][ol][/ol]
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Is it time for you to buy a new car? Well, that usually means you'll also be selling your existing car -- or at least trading it in. If you've done everything right over the years that you've owned your present car, you'll likely get the best price (or trade-in value) for it. But if you've been careless or neglectful you could be in for a rude awakening. You could be offered what may seem like a pittance for the car that looked so shiny and new just a few years ago.

The situation can get worse if you're in dire need of a new car immediately. In this case it might be too late to correct some of the mistakes you've made when it comes to car care. But there are still some steps you can take to improve your car's resale value.

To get some tips on how to make your car look good in the eyes of its next owner, we spoke to Jack Nerad. He is the executive editorial director and executive marketing analyst for Kelley Blue Book, widely considered, "the bible" of used-car values.

Nerad said the most important factor is one you should have considered when you bought your car in the first place: Certain models just have higher resale value. It's important when buying or leasing a new car that you do your homework to find out which brands or models best maintain their long-term value. Cars that win the highest quality marks when they're brand new are also going to hold the most value at the back end.
[/align][align=center][/align][align=center][/align][align=center][b][size=4]"A lot of this has to do with consumer perception," Nerad said. "And a lot of that clings to brands or models based on whether they have a good reputation for quality to begin with. If you buy a brand or model that has a poor reputation for quality and resale value, you're not going to get a good price for it four or five years later when you want to sell it, no matter how well you've maintained it."

To help buyers make good choices along these lines, Nerad points to Kelley's "Resale Value Awards Program," which ranks cars based on resale value. "Generally, some brands are consistently pretty highly-regarded when it comes to quality and resale value, like BMW, VW, Honda, Acura, Toyota. Those are top-sellers to begin with, and have good reputations."

After you've made your choice, there are many steps you can take to ensure your car retains its value over the years. One of those, notes Nerad, is rather obvious: make sure you maintain your car properly. Get the oil changed on schedule and maintain a diligent routine-maintenance record. And, just as important, keep your maintenance records.

"That's always a worthwhile thing to do, because once you lose those records, you can't go back and re-create them," Nerad said. "It will really give the prospective buyer peace of mind if you can prove that you have taken good care of the car, and that you changed the oil -- or that the car do

 

I'm kinda partial since I have the 07 SS. I've also had a 2001 SS, and the V8 makes all the difference. Love the sound, and the go.

 

Taking care of your car while you own & enjoy it does make a huge difference when you decide to sell.

You may luck out, trash on the car a little and still get a good deal out of the car when it's selling time.

I know as Monte owners we all take good care of our cars. We're being watched by the automotive world cause of the cool cars we own and drive.

 

I'm not sure if I've figured out how to post pics here, but I'll give it a try.

[IMG]local://upfiles/3077/6D36C02CAAC7440DB753385E7185D579.jpg[/IMG]

 

Cool...here's a couple more:

[IMG]local://upfiles/3077/D313C82338E8413BAE6DC5FDA9C321F6.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/3077/9BF862A0AD5946CB98A8E1BD5D8FF577.jpg[/IMG]

 

Somewhere in the World, thereare undoubtedly people who want a like-new 2000 Pace Car with only 10 miles on the odometer,who are willing to pay through the nose to get one. So, theycan buy Tony's, or they can look for another car...it's as simple as that, IMO.

 

Gale, the pics look like it, but I gotta make sure..

Are those the weathertec in-channel (no adhesive) vent-visors?

 

Yep, those are Weathertechs...first thing I bought for the car. You have a good eye, cause they really don't show up that clearly in these pics.

 

 

I'm sorry, that was more than enough of my rant... Lol

How do you like your Weathertechs Gale?