Kelly’s Blue Book: How To Use It
If you don’t want to get ripped off, it’s 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 automobiles) in the United States is Kellys Blue Book. Its printed consumer blue book for cars has been available to buyers since 1993, while Kellys Blue Book’s version of the online car blue book has been running since 1995. Both the online and the online car blue book consumer are relatively easy to use.
For the print version, the cars are arranged alphabetically by manufacturer and then by model. For example, suppose you want to search for a Toyota Corolla: browse through the pages until you reach the Toyota section, then flip through the “C’s” until you find “Corolla.” If you’re looking at Kellys Blue Book’s version of the New Car Guide, what you’ll find next to your selection is: (1) a typically inflated Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), (2) Dealer invoice, (3) Kelly’s new car blue book value and (4) price of optional equipment. You will want to compare the first three values. If the dealer’s asking price is close to both the value of Kelly’s new car (the car’s actual selling price, which varies by region) and the Blue Book dealer’s invoice (the price the dealer paid the manufacturer for the car, minus all overhead expenses like advertising, etc.), then your dealer is offering you the car at a fair market price. Remember that a car’s fair market price is generally lower than its MSRP. If the price isn’t quite there yet, keep negotiating; You may even be able to get a price lower than the new car’s Blue Book value or you can find another dealer.
By comparison, if you’re using Kellys Blue Book Used Car Guide, find the car of your choice again by browsing through the car blue book pages alphabetically. Once you find your selection, you’ll have the following information: (1) Retail Value (the average “asking” price for dealers nationwide, (2) Private Value (estimated price you could expect to get for a car if you personally sold to a buyer) and Kellys Blue Book trade-in value (typical price a dealer would offer you for your used car). The final price of used cars and, in most cases, the actual “sale” price is lower than the Blue Book retail value.
While using the printed version of Blue Book car prices is quick and easy, using the online KBB is even simpler. With a simple click of a button, a wide variety of blue book car information is 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. To find out the blue book value of new cars, 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 along with a list of options (summary, prices, photos, reviews, free quote). Of course, if you want to know the price of KBB, click on the price tab. If different car body versions or finishes are available, choose the body finish for which you want the Blue Book Car Value. As an example, a car may be available as a 4-door or 2-door or hatchback, etc. The KBB website will show you pictures of your selection, your MSRP, the dealer invoice price, and the KBB price. If you enter your ZIP code, the available dealerships that sell 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 under the Used Cars tab. For example, if you want a 2005 Toyota Corolla model, select 2005 for the specific year, Toyota for the make, and Corolla for the model. Then, select your KBB Value, either as part of a trade-in, private party, or suggested retail value blue book for cars. You will then be redirected to choose a specific version or body trim. Next, you will need to select the necessary equipment and mileage.
Don’t be overwhelmed by the number of selections – 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 poor. Don’t worry if you don’t know the features of each Kelly Blue Book Used Cars condition category because a description is provided below each KBB condition category. And if you still can’t decide, fill out a condition questionnaire. The KBB website will show you pictures of their selection and their pricing information to give you an idea of how much to sell or buy for your car. If you’re looking to buy, you can even search the local listings by clicking on their tab.
Remember that the car blue book values provided by Kellys Blue Book are not the final value of the car of your choice, just its fair market value. Use the information you collect from Kellys only as a guide in negotiating the final price of your vehicle.