Wednesday, September 27, 2017

10 Ways to spot a flood-damage car

How to Avoid a Hurricane Car



How to Avoid a Hurricane Car
Floods have drenched much of the United States in last couple of weeks, with high water levels that ruined homes and businesses and dealt devastating losses to their owners. A less-publicized casualty of these natural disasters is the number of flood-damaged cars left behind, such as the estimated 500,000 cars that were damaged by Hurricane [source: Insurance Information Institute].

When subjected to deep flood levels, soaked cars are often classified as totaled and are demolished. Some flooded automobiles, though, end up on used car lots.

Buyers beware: Not all dealers are up front when a car has flood damage, and it can cost you. Even if a car looks good and seems to run fine, expensive problems can appear later as corrosion continues to creep inside critical components. Flood-damaged cars can also cost more than money: These automobiles can be dangerous to drive and the results may even be fatal.


Unfortunately, flood-damaged vehicles can be hard to spot, but knowing the signs can help. Here are 10 ways to determine if a used car is a clean machine or a juicy lemon.




Be a Smart Shopper
A good place to start when buying a used car is to talk to a reputable dealer. Long-time dealerships with good histories won't risk their reps by ripping off their customers. With any dealer, ask if the car you're eyeing has been damaged by floods, and get the answer in writing. Anything less than a firm "no" or any hesitation to commit to that answer in writing are causes for concern.
Ask the dealer to let you look at the title, too. You can see if the car came from a flood-damaged region, and you can check for a stamp that reads "Flood" or "Salvage," required by law in some states.
Finally, beware of used cars with price tags far below market value without explanation. There's usually a reason.

The Sniff Test
he quickest way to sniff out whether or not a car has flood damage is to literally sniff it. It's very difficult to completely rid a flood-damaged car of its moldy aroma, and mildew formation is a sure sign that the car was exposed to significant amounts of water. This unpleasant smell is a helpful clue for prospective buyers.
If you smell the mold right away, you're probably looking at a flood-damaged car. If you aren't quite sure, however, close the windows and doors, sit inside, and give it a good long sniff.
In addition, you may appreciate the pleasant scent of an air freshener, but be warned that strong air fresheners may be a sign that the dealer is covering up a less agreeable odor.

Feel Your Way Around
Along with your sense of smell, your sense of touch is important to sensing moisture in a used car. Water from flooding tends to collect in locations even the dealer may miss.
Run your hands along the carpet and pat it in different spots to try to locate moisture. If you're able, peel back the carpet to see if you can feel moisture between the carpet and the car body. You may also see other signs of water damage, such as rust, by looking under the carpet.

Be sure to open the trunk and feel around the carpet there, as well. Then take out the spare tire and feel the material underneath. This is a location where water tends to collect, and it can be missed during even the most thorough of preparations for the lot.

Spot Corrosion Clues
Corrosion is a common affliction in flood-damaged cars. The damage you see today isn't the only ramification of rust: Corrosion continues to eat away at materials long after the car is dry.
Rust and corrosion are often visible. Look for signs of corrosion on metals both inside and out. If you see rust on screws, door hinges, hood springs, trunk latches or brackets under the dashboard, for example, you know those metals had significant contact with water.

To check even more thoroughly, open the doors and look at where the door meets the body. Corrosion often occurs in that corner. In fact, check all four doors, including the bottoms, inside and out.
Finally, use a mirror and look below the seats to see if the springs are rusty. Use the mirror again to check the undercarriage of the car for flakes, metal that's been eaten away and other signs of corrosion.

Faulty Fabrics
The upholstery that covers a car's interior can uncover a flood cover-up, too, with close inspection. Take a careful look at all the upholstery -- front, back and under the seats -- to spot blotchy, brown water stains.
Another clue is the quality of the carpet. If the car is 10 years old but the carpet looks new, be suspicious. Likewise, if the upholstery doesn't appear to match, with sections that are a different color, faded, newer or with patterns that don't line up, then someone may have removed water-stained patches. Loose carpet, too, requires further scrutiny.
Don't forget to compare the floor carpet to the upholstery on the doors and the roof to be sure they all appear to be the same age and color.

Take a Test Drive
A compromised electrical system is a critical and potentially life-threatening hazard inherent in cars exposed to high waters for extended periods of time. You'll want to test the car extensively to ensure all electrical components are operational.

First, poke your head under the dash and gently bend the electrical wires to see if they're brittle. If they are, you've likely detected water damage. Water damage to the rest of the electrical system is harder to view, however, so you'll need to take the car on a test drive and try out all the electronics.
When you turn the ignition, listen for unexpected sounds, and use your eyes and nose to see if smoke appears anywhere. Be sure all the dashboard lights come on, including the back lighting, and check headlights, turn signals and emergency blinkers.

Turn on the air conditioning, wipers and cigarette lighter to be sure they work as expected. And don't forget to listen to the radio: Static-plagued or distorted audio, or no audio at all, could be the result of water damage.

Check the Oil
Changes in the color and viscosity may indicate that water has gotten into the engine's oil. If you're accustomed to checking your own oil level and quality, you may be able to spot a flood-damaged vehicle by performing an oil check.
Oil in a flood-affected auto will be a different color, sometimes compared to coffee with milk or a chocolate milkshake. The oil may be pale when it should be dark. Oil that's been affected by flooding may also feel sticky to the touch.
While you're under the hood, check the paper air filter, too. If it has water stains, that's another clue that water has seeped in where it shouldn't have.

Soggy Signs
There are some areas of a car that won't dry no matter how hard someone tries to cover up flood damage. Look closely at all lamps. Headlights and taillights may appear foggy when water has accumulated inside.

The same can be true of the instrument panel, and interior and exterior mirrors. If they appear foggy, they, too, may have moisture that hasn't evaporated.
Water also tends to pool in the overhang inside the wheel well, so check for signs of dampness, corrosion or tell-tale water lines. Examine the doors and trunk for any water lines as well; they indicate how high the water level may have been when the car was flooded.

Dirty Details
While a car is sitting (or floating) in a flood, the water carries in all manner of debris, such as grass, dirt, sand and silt. When the water level recedes, the water itself may be gone, but much of the debris remains. It's difficult for someone cleaning a car to remove all of it.
When examining a used car, you'll want to look in the places where mud and grass may remain after a flood. These include the following areas:

inside and under the glove compartment
engine crevices
the trunk
under the spare tire
under the dashboard
below seats and in seating tracks
in wheel wells
around wiring

If you do find debris in these areas, the car may have been sitting in water for a while.

Rely on Expert Eyes
Even a used car is an investment, and you don't want to buy a damaged car that will cost you tons of money in the long run. If after your own inspection you still aren't sure the car is completely dry, hire an expert.

A good mechanic will know where to look for signs of flood damage. That's especially true of places you may not know how to examine, such as the alternator, certain wiring mechanisms and pumps.
The mechanic should also take the wheels off and inspect the brakes and wheel components, which can carry tell-tale remnants of a flood history, such as silt and mud.

We at Del toro auto sales provide you with a car fax on every car we sell so you can by with confidence that our inventory doesn't have any hurricane affected vehicles for sale. If you have any questions or questions about a vehicle car fax, please call Del toro auto sales at (888)324-2978 or contact us on our website.




Thursday, September 21, 2017

Trade-in your vehicle in Auburn

Trade-in your vehicle in Auburn, WA

If you are looking to Trade-in Your Auto in Auburn, head over to Del Toro Auto Sales. We make it super easy and our talented staff will ensure you get the best value for your trade-in and on your next vehicle. Not only that but  you can see first-hand how the buying and selling experience should be done.

 Check out our google reviews for past client references.

Trading your vehicle

 If you are looking to Trade-in your vehicle in the next few day, you should stop by and see what Del Toro auto sales can do for you. Our goal is to be able to get you the best deal for your trade-in. We have a track record of negotiating fair rates for vehicles, so you can expect to get the kind of value that will help you secure your next car, truck or SUV. After you have traded in your vehicle, you will be able to find an outstanding selection of cars and trucks. We safety inspect all vehicles before we sell them.  We have an array of high or low-mileage vehicles in a variety of makes, so whether you are a fan of foreign or domestic, we have you covered. When it come to getting finance for your next vehicle we can help too. Paid or not bring your trade in and we at Del Toro auto sales in Auburn we will pay your vehicle and get you into a new one in minutes. We make upgrading your ride super easy .We will be able get you financing that gets you a competitive interest rate and monthly payment.

 At time we had gotten lower payment on newer cars for some of our customers. Call or visit Del toro auto sales today in Auburn to see what your trade in is worth.

How to Get the Most from Trade-ins in Auburn

When you trade-in your at a Dealership, at time most dealers wont value your vehicle very high. Before you settle stop by Del toro auto sales in Auburn and let us bid your trade. We buy most trades we bid. There are a few steps to take that will allow you to get the best deal for you trade. Before you head over to Del Toro Auto Sales, make sure to know the value of your car. Once you know the high and low-end value for your car, you will be able to negotiate a better deal. Make sure to turn your vehicle in at the right time for resale or when dealers are in need of inventory. If you owe more on the car than it is worth, you will need some Down payment participation to be able to trade and get rid of the negative equity in your vehicle being traded. Make sure it is as close to paid off as possible if you don't have a down payment. Go through your vehicle and scrub it clean to ensure a positive reaction among any buyers. If you have kept all of your maintenance records, make sure to turn them in when it comes time to submit your vehicle. When you are trading in your vehicle, make sure to negotiate the trade-in and purchase of your next vehicle separately.

Do not play games when it comes time to negotiate the trade-in of your vehicle. Not only will you get a poor return on your trade-in, but you will be unable to get a fair deal on your next vehicle.


Our staff at Del toro Auto Sales will make it easier for you to part with the vehicle that has taken care of you. We will help you find the right vehicle that will not only get you to work on time, but save money over the long and short-term. You can contact us at (888) 324-2978 if you have any questions.

We buy car in Auburn
If you want to sell your vehicle for cash we can help you too. We love to buy street cars specially from previous customers. If you are moving or need cash, we would love to get a shot at bidding your vehicle. One of our profesional buyer will take a look at your vehicle at your convenience and make you an offer on the spot.

For more information about getting car for your vehicle in Auburn call (888) 324-2978.


We are open daily and we would love to see you soon.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Qualify for Auto Loans with Poor Credit in Auburn

Auto loans for used vehicles in Auburn, WA. Del toro auto sales


Trying to Qualify for Auto Loans with Poor Credit in Auburn can be a gruesome task if you do not know who to talk to. Luckily, Del Toro Auto Sales is here to make the process both easy and affordable! it is super easy to apply online or visit our dealer in Auburn. We are here to help.


Quickly Qualify for Auto Loans in Auburn WA

Through our many years of working with special financing cases, we have built a strong relationship with all the financial companies in our area. When you come to us, we can quickly diagnose your situation and determine the best lender to go with just by looking at some basic paperwork. Even if you have terrible credit, we still encourage you to work with us. All you have to do is basically prove to us that you have a steady income, after that, we will do the rest of the heavy lifting and provide you with a deal that leaves you with a car you like and a deal that makes you want to come back to us.


However, the question that remains is: how good of a deal are you going to get? First of all, getting a car that you do not want out of necessity is not something any of us want to do, especially if it is an older car. Unfortunately, many people still believe that there are no other options is they have poor credit. What we would like you to know is that there are lending companies who will give you better deals, and we happened to work with a number of them. Del Toro Auto Sales is here to get you the vehicle you want: one that matches your lifestyle, needs, and even your budget. You don't have to overspend to find the vehicle you want!
You can see some of our customers reviews on our google page. We make used car buying and financing in Auburn fast and easy.


 Transparent Auto Loans with Poor Credit in Auburn

When you Qualify for Auto Loans with Poor Credit in Auburn with us, we also promise complete transparency in our process. You will never be surprised with hidden fees is your next car leaves our lot. Our philosophy at Del Toro auto sales in Auburn is based on creating returning customers, and we do that by providing them with deals that they are happy with in the future.


Whether you are ready to Qualify for Auto Loans with Poor Credit in Auburn or not, we suggest speaking to one of our finance advisors before any decisions are made. Five minutes of your time can have a big impact on the next few years of your life. To reach us by phone, please dial 888-324-2978. If you want to visit us in person, we are located at 415 Auburn Ave, Auburn, WA 98002.

Our special finance profesional will always welcome you and will work hard to get you the best rate posible in your next auto loan.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have about buying a used car or financing questions.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Checklist tips everyone should know before buying a used car

CHECKLIST TIPS FOR BUYING A USED CAR

Del Toro auto sales used car buying tips

Here is a list to check when shopping for a used vehicle:

Body Damage
Is the bodywork straight? Sight down the fenders and doors for ripples. Look in the door frames and under the

hood and in the trunk for evidence of crash damage.

Paint
Dull paint can usually be buffed out, but peeling paint will have to be sanded down, maybe to bare metal, and then resprayed. Not a deal-breaker, but roll it into the price.

Mileage
A well-maintained car can often go 150,000 or 200,000 miles, so don't be afraid of a high-mileage car if everything else is fine. On the other hand, mileage significantly lower or higher than the national average of 14,000 per year is a red flag. Low mileage may mean one of two things: a garage queen or station car that got driven rarely. And that's not good, that's bad. Sludge and carbon may have affected the engine. Or the odometer may have rolled over one more time than the seller is letting on. Check that the driver's seat and pedals reflect the mileage on the odometer. A worn brake-pedal rubber cover means lots of aggressive city miles. A brand-new brake pedal may mean the seller has replaced it to cover up the worn older one.

Tires and wheels 
  Walking around the vehicle to see if the styles of wheels are the same or different. If they are different is suggesting that the driver had trouble with curbs. You don't need any more info. This is a sign that the car could have been treated poorly.

Engine
Obviously, you need a vehicle that starts readily, runs cleanly and doesn't leak. If the seller has maintenance records, peruse them carefully. A steady progression of oil-change appointments is a great sign.

Tires
Worn-out tires are an easy fix, just figure it into the offering price. But check the tire-tread wear for signs of misalignment. A front end that's out of line may mean that the suspension is worn out.

Suspension and shocks 
Add the cost of a set of good shocks if the ones on the car are sacked out—but be prepared for additional suspension work necessitated by a lot of mileage with the shocks worn out.

Check for water damage
Check for mud in the trunk or under the seats. If the owner's manual is papier-mâché or the interior smells moldy, you may have a car that's been underwater. Never buy a flood car—these are often reclaimed by insurance companies, rinsed off and sold at auction.

For more information on what to look for or if you need help with a vehicle purchase or finance, please call Del toro auto sales in Auburn at (888)324-2978 or visit us at 415 Auburn Ave, Auburn, WA 98002