| Buying a car is a big decision. The price is a very | | | | automobile to a dealer, buying a used car from a |
| important aspect since it is a big investment that | | | | dealer, buying a used car from a private party, or |
| has to last for some years. The car should also | | | | selling a used car to a private party. The |
| have a good value when resold after a few | | | | information is unbiased and generally used as a |
| years.There are many sources for buying used | | | | guideline for the entire automobile industry since it |
| cars: directly from the owner, from dealers, from | | | | is obtained from a gamut of sources comprised |
| used car superstores, or from auctions. Prices | | | | of wholesale auctions, independent dealers, |
| also vary depending on this factor. Car prices | | | | franchised dealers, original equipment |
| depend upon the distance the car has traveled | | | | manufacturers, rental and fleet agencies, and |
| and other factors such as the condition of the | | | | private-party transactions. All this data, along with |
| car, place of purchase, the model, the make, and | | | | other factors like historical trends, current |
| the year of manufacture.The Blue Book is an | | | | economic conditions, industry developments, |
| information database containing exhaustive | | | | seasonality, and location are combined and |
| information from the automobile industry. It is a | | | | analyzed to arrive at the final figures. Trade- |
| very reliable source of information for both | | | | in-value, suggested retail value, and private party |
| buyers as well as sellers. Blue Book prices are | | | | values are determined by the Blue Book. |
| used for a variety of transactions: trading in the | | | | |