SANDY: DRIVES USED CAR PRICES HIGHER

Edmunds.com the car-buying guide predicts hkes of as much as $700. to $1,000 on some makes and models of used cars, trucks, and suv's. Considering that most new and used car dealers make the bulk of their profits from January-May when tax refund checks arrive in the mail now is the time of year they are searching for inventory. Flooding, and other damages from the massive weather system destroyed approximately 100,000 vehicles according to the National Automobile Dealers Association. Fewer, cars on the road means fewer cars to be traded in for a newer model. Sandy's supply squeeze comes at a time when most used car prices have been rising by at least 20% over the past (3) years according to the NADA. Consumers have been holding on to their vehicles partly because of tough economic conditions and partly because of stiff credit requirements that often times will not allow their loans to be approved due to length of time on the job past credit problems. It used to be the average family traded cars every 3. to 5 years. Currently, families often wait 4 to 7 years and the trade'in has very little or no value. The forces the dealership to allow very little trade'in allowance forceing the consumer to borrow more money and have a higher monthly payment. It seems like the perfect storm for used car dealers based on supply and demand but even dealers are having a tough time finding excellent low mileage vehicles for resale. Stephen C. Webb owner of Stevescars.com owns a small used car lot in Paducah, Kentucky. He has resorted to combing police impound auctions seeking vehicles that have been impounded by law enforement agencies and reselling them on his lot of 15 years. He recommends when purchaseing a used vehicle spend the 45.00 and order a vehicle history report to check for flood damaged vehicles. Finally, some used car analysts recommend this could be the time to buy new. The difference in the monthly payment not to mention a new car warranty often times make the savvy consumer to purchase a more up-to-date vehicle with all of the new gadgets and toys installed.

WHOLESALE PRICES RISING ON USED CARS

Average wholesale used vehicle prices reversed the general softening they have shown since spring and rose significantly In October. When looked at on a weekly basis during the month of October, prices were actually declining during the first half of the month, but more than made up for lost ground during the second half of the month, according to ADESA Analytical Services. According to ADESA Analytical Services' monthly analysis of wholesale used vehicle prices by vehicle model class, wholesale used vehicle prices in October averaged $9,742 - up 2 percent compared to September and down 1.4 percent compared to October 2011. Prices for trucks were up more than those for crossovers and cars, as they have already taken a hit from higher gas prices over the past few years. The Openlane U.S. market index, which is based on data from the ADESA Openlane online marketplace, also rose by 2 percent month-over-month. Prices for used vehicles remarketed by manufacturers fell by 0.2 percent month-over-month in October, but were up 2.2 percent year-over-year. Fleet-lease consignors experienced a 2.6 percent decrease in October, leaving prices down 0.7 percent year-over-year. Dealer consignors saw a 0.5 percent average price increase versus September, resulting in prices being down 0.9 percent versus October 2011.

FEW BUYING INCENTIVES FOR CAR PURCHASE

Automotive incentives shrank again in October, even as dealerships continue to ring up healthy sales numbers. According to Edmunds.com's True Cost of Incentives report, the auto industry spent $2,124 per vehicle in October, down 3.3 percent from September and down 1.4 percent from October 2011. Edmunds.com reported in September that incentives fell for the first time in five months, even as the auto industry produced its best monthly SAAR of the year. Just last week, Edmunds.com projected that October will deliver the second-highest monthly SAAR of the year at 14.8 million light vehicles, a figure that ultimately may be affected slightly by the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy along the Mid-Atlantic seaboard. Ford was the only manufacturer out of the top six auto companies to increase its month-to-month incentive spending in October. The Detroit automaker's incentive spending climbed 2.7 percent from September to $2,788 per vehicle. Honda's incentive spending fell the most of any major automaker, sliding 15.6 percent from September.

WHAT COLOR OF CAR SHOULD YOU BUY

PPG Industries reports that the top color of choice for cars is white. According to PPG's annual survey of global color popularity, white ranked first (22 percent) and silver was second (20 percent). They were followed by black (19 percent), gray (12 percent), red (9 percent), natural (8 percent), blue (7 percent), green (2 percent) and other colors (1 percent). PPG's annual automotive color popularity and trend data also forecasts that the overall use of color is on the rise. "Our consumer research has clearly shown that color is critically important to car buyers," said Jane E. Harrington, PPG manager, color styling, automotive OEM coatings. A 2011 survey of automotive consumers by PPG revealed that: 77 percent of respondents said exterior color was a factor in their automotive purchase decision; owners of large luxury cars, sporty cars and large premium SUVs place the most value on getting the color of their choice; and 45 percent of respondents said they would prefer a wider range of color choices. In addition to color trend forecasting, PPG continues to develop paint technologies that offer automotive design options for enhancing appearance and helping automobile manufacturers differentiate their brands, according to Harrington. "For example, metallic flake effects have become increasingly popular. A classic color such as blue can be updated with a high-sparkle glass flake or a fine bright aluminum to create more of a liquid or silk appearance." Regional details regarding PPG's 2012 automotive color popularity data show that in North America, white ranks first (21 percent), followed by black (19 percent), silver and gray (16 percent each), red (10 percent), blue (8 percent), natural (7 percent) and green (3 percent). Other Top NewsNow Stories Company Reveals Online Shopping Trends Sonic Reaffirms Full Year Guidance

MORE CAR SHOPPERS USE MOBILE DEVICES

The Old days of combing newspaper ads and spending the weekends traveling from dealership to dealership are completely over. The new consumer uses smartphones, tablets, and websites to compare prices, warranty information and rebates to vehicle buyers. The majority of buyers shop from home and buy within one week of online shopping. The digital experience and dealer interaction is very important and general speaking dealers with out of date websites and slow moving websites are going to miss the boat in sales and and customer satisfaction. Inventory selection, brand and model selection all play into the overall end of the month tally as to whether your lot makes the sale or the guy 25 miles down the road gets the business. Digital presence and price seem to be the big big concerns of the new car buyer. Manufacturer websites rank higher than the local new dealership.

WHOLESALE CAR PRICES FLAT

WHOLESALE CAR PRICES FLAT USED CAR NEWS the leading publication that used and new car dealers live and die by report that used car wholesale prices remainded flat for the month of August and September. Segments with significantly higher prices in September versus August were full-size cars, and full size vans, full size SUV's and luxury SUV's and luxury cars. The average price for a used car for the month of August was $9550.00. The question is with this aveage price for a used car what do people unemployed with bad credit do for a vehicle. Buy Here Pay here car lots, take a taxi, or ride a bus???? In 1929 more cadillac's were sold than any year in history. The above information only reconfirms the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer.

TEN THINGS TO CHECK ON YOUR CAR FOR WINTER

TEN THINGS TO CHECK BEFORE WINTER ON YOUR CAR Many times we put off the important things to check on our vehicle and one cold morning it will not start and you are out big bucks for a repair bill or tow bill. Check these things while the sun is out and the weather is warm. (1) Wipers when the rain is coming down and the snow flakes are falling you want wipers that work and do not scratch your windshield (2) Anti freeze have your mechanic check levels and what add more if needed to prevent freeze plug damage or engine block damage. (3) Battery a battery that works fine in 90 degree weather might not work if the weather is below zero replace now and not worry about Black Friday Shopping and now way to get there. (4) Tires- If the tread is worn especially you will not get traction on ice or snow, buy new tires or rotate the present tires. (5) Wax - If you have an older car that does not have a never wax finish get a nice thick coat hand wax job to protect your finish agains salt, slush, and the elements of winter. (6) Start Fluid Keep a can of start fluid in your trunk to use in event of a freeze up many times this will get you rolling without calling road service. (7) Blankets Keep a nice warm blanket in your trunk in case you get stranded along the road and cannot get immediate attention. (8) If you are in a climate that would cause you to need chains get them now and store them away. When the snow comes down auto parts stores sell out quick. (9) Brakes have you brakes checked before winter have the shoes replaced now and if necessary have the rotars turned to prevent accidents. (10) Headlights Check headlights for burned out fuses and keep extra fuses in your glove box.