Savvy Shopper: Inspections, GM Certified and a Farewell to Saturn

When you're shopping for a used car it's essential to get it inspected by a professional before you decide whether to buy. But let's face it, schlepping to the mechanic is a hassle. Now there's an alternative. Alliance Inspection Management (AiM), based in Long Beach, Calif., is offering pre-purchase car inspections to consumers who are buying or selling a used vehicle.

A 150-point inspection can be scheduled online through AiM's website. AiM has conducted more than fifty million new and used vehicle inspections for corporate clients including auto manufacturers, financial organizations and daily car rental companies.

Consumers can schedule a vehicle inspection online at www.aimmobileinspections.com. Car inspections are usually conducted within 48 hours of scheduling and the resulting electronic vehicle inspection report is posted online. We recently posted an article comparing mobile inspections, such as those offered by AiM, to inspections in a garage where the car can be put on a lift.

Speaking of used cars, not all certified preowned car (CPO) programs are created equal. By using our Certified Preowned Comparator, you can see which companies offer the program that matches your needs. There are real differences between the programs that make them worth comparing. For example, we have learned that while most CPO are based on the calendar year, GM's certified cars are on a cycle ending in October. Not a big deal if you know about it. But you don't want to learn this the hard way.

We also wanted to give a heads up to bargain shoppers. Since Saturn has to close all its dealerships by October 2010, prices on its cars will begin falling. If you have any interest in buying one of these cars you will be facing a dilemma: the longer you wait the better the pricing but the skimpier the inventory. Take your pick.

And finally, a sign of the times: dealer cash from Honda? You've got to be kidding. No, Honda is offering dealer cash or low interest financing on many of its vehicles including the 2009 Ridgeline, Odyssey and Pilot, which have not had any incentives available for months now. Some $1500 dealer cash is offered on the Ridgeline, $1250 on the Odyssey and Pilot. Dealer cash is behind the scenes money offered from the manufacturer to the dealer to help push slow-selling vehicles.

Check out The Latest Incentives and Rebates.

Posted by

Philip Reed October 19, 2009, 12:34 AM

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The Savvy Shopper, Used Cars