Kellys Blue Book: How to Use It

How To Use Kellys Blue Book

Before you even attempt to buy or sell your car, it is essential that you get a car price guide to save yourself from the embarrassment and pain of being ripped off. The most widely known car value guide or blue book for cars (U.S.) is Kellys Blue Book. Kellys Blue Book has been available in print since 1933 and Kellys Blue Book online auto blue book version has been running since 1995. That simply shows the reliability that Kellys Blue Book has shown and the trust they’ve earned from manufacturers, dealers and the public through all those years. Better yet, both the Kellys Blue Book for cars online and in print are simple and easy to use.

How to Use the Kellys Blue Book Printed Version: 

The blue book for cars values in the printed version are alphabetically listed by manufacturer and then by models. For example, let’s say you’re interested in buying a new Honda Pilot. To look for it in Kellys Blue Book, first, sift through the pages until you reach the Honda section. After that, thumb through the Ps until you find “Pilot”. If you are looking through the Kellys Blue Book New Car Guide version, you will find the following beside your selection: (1) a manufacturer’s suggested retail price MSRP (which, of course, is usually inflated), (2) the dealer invoice or how much the dealer paid the manufacturer for the car, minus all the overhead expenses like advertising, etc., (3) Kellys Blue Book New Car value, and (4) the optional-equipment price. You’ll want to compare the first three values just to see how much the differences are among them, if any. If your dealer’s asking price is near both Kellys Blue Book New Car value (the actual selling price of the car, which varies depending on region) and Kellys Blue Book dealer’s invoice, then your dealer is offering you the car at fair market prices. Remember though that a car’s fair market price is always lower than its MSRP. If the price offered you goes way beyond that, keep on bargaining. You might even get a price lower than Kellys Blue Book New car value or here’s an idea for you, just look for a new dealer and be sure to tell the current dealer that you’re going to do that. They might get more flexible on the price if they know you’re going to go to a competitor.

Order Kellys Blue Bk:

The Kellys Blue Book Used Car Guide is just as easy. Again, find your car of choice by sifting through the pages of the Kellys Blue Book for cars in the alphabetical list. Once you find your selection, you will have the following information: (1) Kellys Blue Book Retail value (or the average asking price by dealers around the country), (2) Kellys Blue Book Private-party value (or the estimated price you could expect to get for a car if you personally sold it to a private buyer), and (3) Kellys Blue Book Trade-in value (or the typical price that a dealer would offer you for your used car). Take note that the retail and trade-in prices are higher than private party values on Kellys Blue Book for cars because of the dealer’s overhead costs. Remember that there are many factors that can affect the final price of used cars (depreciation, for one, its current condition is another). And more often than not, the actual “selling” price is different than Kellys Blue Book Retail value.

Kellys Blue Book Online

If using Kellys Blue Book car prices in print is quick and easy, Kellys Blue Book for cars online is much, much simpler. With a simple click of a button, a huge array of blue book auto information becomes available to you within seconds. What’s more, the blue book car prices and information online get updated weekly. You only need to go to Kellys Blue Book website and select the type of car you want, whether new or used. For blue book values of new cars, click on the make and model then select your specific make or manufacturer (Toyota) and model (Corolla). You will then be asked to choose a specific model year together with a list of options (overview, pricing, photos, reviews, free price quote). Of course, if you want to know the Kellys Blue Book price, simply click the pricing tab. If you want the blue book car value for different versions or body trim of the car, for example, a car may be available in 4-door or 2-door or hatchback, etc., simply click in your selection. The Kellys Blue Book website will then show you pictures of your selection, its MSRP, the Kellys Blue Book dealer invoice price, and the Kellys Blue Book Price. If you type in your zip code, the available dealers selling the car in your area will also appear. It’s that easy!
Looking for the blue book value for a used car at Kellys Blue Book website is similar; you just have to click in a few more options. These steps are indicated on the page so all you have to do is just follow the same steps under the Kelly Blue Book Used Cars tab. For example, if you want a Toyota Corolla 2005 model, select 2005 as the specific year, Toyota for make and Corolla for model. Then select your Kellys Blue Book Value, whether trade-in, private party or blue book for cars suggested retail value. You will then be redirected to choose a specific version or body trim. Next, you will need to select your required equipment and mileage.

Don’t be overwhelmed with the number of selections, the standard items on the Kellys Blue Book page are already checked. You just need to modify or add more equipment as you see fit.

Finally, you have to choose your vehicle’s condition – from excellent to poor. Don’t worry if you really can’t distinguish the characteristics of each. Kelly Blue Book Used Cars condition category has a description provided below each. And if you still can’t decide, fill out a Kellys Blue Book condition quiz. The Kellys Blue Book website will then show you pictures of your selection and its pricing information to give you an idea of how much to sell or buy your car for. If you’re looking to buy just within your area, you can search the Kellys Blue Book local dealer listing by just clicking on the tab.

Keep in mind that the blue book values provided by Kellys Blue Book are not the final value of the car of your choice but only its fair Market Value. Use the information you gather from Kellys Blue Book only as a guide to determine the final price of your vehicle. You can sell (or buy) your car at a higher or lower price if you want. But if your target buyers are one of the millions who consult Kellys Blue Book, don’t expect a crowd asking for your car if you’ve got it priced too high.

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