Kellys Blue Book – How to use it
If you don’t want to be ripped off, it is essential that you get a car price guide before trying 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 printed consumer blue book for automobiles has been available to buyers since 1993, while the online version of the Kellys Blue Book for automobiles has been running since 1995. Both the online blue book and the blue book for the consumer cars are relatively easy to use.
For the print version, the cars are listed alphabetically by make and then by model. For example, suppose you want to search for Toyota Corolla: scroll through the pages until you reach the Toyota section, then scroll through the “Cs” until you find “Corolla.” If you’re reviewing the New Car Guide version of the Kellys Blue Book, what you’ll find next to your selection is the following: (1) a generally inflated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), (2) dealer invoice , (3) New Car Kelly’s Blue Book Value, and (4) Optional Equipment Price. You will want to compare the first three values. If your dealer’s selling price is close to both the value of the Kellys New car (the actual selling price of the car, which varies by region) and the dealer’s Blue Book invoice (the price the dealer paid to the manufacturer for the car, minus all overhead like advertising, etc.), then your dealer will offer you the car at a fair market price. Remember that the fair market price of a car is generally lower than its MSRP. If the price is not there yet, keep negotiating; You can even get a lower price than the value of the new blue book car or you can find another dealer.
By comparison, if you’re using Kelly’s Blue Book Used Car Guide, find the car of your choice again by browsing through the pages of the Blue Book for Cars in alphabetical order. Once you find your selection, you will have the following information: (1) Retail value (the average “starting” price of dealerships across the country, (2) Value of a private part (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). Note that the retail and trade-in prices are higher than private parts values in the auto blue book due to overall dealer costs. Remember, there are many factors that can affect the final price of used cars. And most of the time, the price of Actual “sale” is lower than the Blue Book retail value.
While using the printed version of Blue Book car prices is quick and easy, using the KBB online is even simpler. With a simple click of a button, a wide variety of automatic blue book information will be 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. For new car blue book value, 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 together with a list of options (overview, prices, photos, reviews, free quote). Of course, if you want to know the KBB price, click on the prices tab. If there are different car body trim or versions available, choose the body trim for which you want the blue book car value. As an example, a car may be available as 4-door or 2-door or hatchback, etc. The KBB website will show you pictures of your selection, your MSRP, the reseller invoice price, and the KBB price. If you type in your zip code, available dealerships selling the car in your area will also appear. Like I said, quick and easy access to the car blue book!
The blue book valuing a used car on the KBB website is similar, but they will ask you 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 as the make, and Corolla as the model. Then select your KBB value, whether it’s trade-in, private party, or suggested retail value car blue book. You will then be redirected to choose a specific version or body trim. You will then need to select the required 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 bad. Don’t worry if you don’t know the characteristics of each Kelly Blue Book Used Cars condition category because a description is provided under each KBB condition category. And if you still can’t decide, fill out a questionnaire about the condition. The KBB website will show you images of your selection and their pricing information to give you an idea of how much to sell or buy your car. If you are looking to buy, you can even search the local listings by clicking on its tab.
Remember that the Blue Book for Car Values provided by Kellys Blue Book is not the final value of the car of your choice, just its fair market value. Use the information you get from Kellys only as a guide in negotiating the final price of your vehicle.