How to find and buy a classic Citroen
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In 1919, the French car manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroen Group began production of its line of Citroen vehicles, including the world's first mass-produced front-wheel drive car. In search of a classic...
With many firsts, including the world's first mass-produced front-wheel drive car, the French car manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroen Group launched its Citroen line in 1919. Finding classic Citroen cars is much easier when you know what you're looking for. search and where to search.
Part 1 of 6. Calculate your budget
Before you start researching and finding your classic luxury car, it's important to work out your budget so you know exactly what kind of classic car you can afford. Doing the financial part first will save you time and energy and prevent you from searching for your favorite car only to find it is out of your price range. It's also an important step to make sure you don't overstretch yourself financially, even if you qualify for higher payouts.
Step 1. Calculate your monthly payments.. You can find many sites on the internet that offer calculators to help you figure out how much your car payment will cost, including the cost of the rental car and the annual interest rate. Some sites to use include:
- AutoTrader.com
- Cars.com
- CarMax
Use the total amount of tax, title, tags, and fees when calculating your monthly payments to get an accurate amount. CarMax has a useful calculator to help you figure out how much these fees will cost you.
Part 2 of 6. Search the Internet
The easiest way to find a Citroen is to search the Internet for it. Buying a classic car is just like buying any other used car. You need to compare the asking price with the real market value, take it for a test drive and have a mechanic check it out.
Step 1. Check online. You have several options for searching for Citroen on the Internet.
First, it's eBay Motors. eBay Motors USA has several offerings to check out, while eBay Motors UK has plenty to choose from. Another good site for selling classic Citroen cars is Hemmings.
Step 2: Compare with real market value. Once you've found a few classic Citroens that interest you, you need to determine how much they cost.
Hagerty.com offers a wide range of vehicle descriptions, including a suggested price depending on the condition of the vehicle. The site further breaks down the listings by car model, year, and trim level.
Step 3: Consider Additional Factors. There are a few more factors that can affect the overall cost of a classic Citroen.
Some of the other factors to keep in mind include:
Customs: Car enthusiasts wishing to import Citroen into the US from abroad will have to deal with any taxes or import duties. You should also keep in mind that no Citroen under 25 years old can be imported into the US.
Insurance: If you want to drive your classic Citroen on US roads, you need to take out insurance and register the car.
InspectionsA: You also need to make sure the vehicle is roadworthy in your state. Depending on the condition, as detailed on DMV.org, you may need to get your car up to speed when it comes to emissions before you can drive it.
License plateA: If you decide not to keep it, you need to register your Citroen and get a license plate for it.
Delivery: The main problem when buying a classic Citroen is delivery. You can find the vehicle in the US, although you can choose to ship from Europe. In this case, shipping to the states can become quite expensive.
StorageA: Once you receive the Citroen you bought, you must decide if you want to store it. There will be fees associated with storage facilities.
Test DriveA: Most likely, if you want to test drive, you need to hire a professional inspector to do it for you, especially if you are planning to buy a Citroen from a foreign seller. If you are buying from a US dealer, have a trusted mechanic inspect the Citroen during a test drive to make sure everything is working properly.
Step 4: Read reviews. Read as many reviews as you can about specific vehicles on your list.
- Edmunds started as a book in the 1960s and is considered the best third party automotive website by JD Powers.
- AutoTrader attracts over 14 million monthly users and has helpful calculators to guide you through the checkout and purchase process.
- Car and Driver is known for its depth and rigor and offers critical car reviews.
- Car Connection provides a score for every car it reviews and offers an easy-to-read list of likes and dislikes.
- Consumer Reports has been publishing product reviews and comparisons for 80 years - they accept no advertising and have no shareholders, so you can be sure reviews are unbiased *MotorTrend first appeared in September 1949 and has a monthly circulation of over a million readers
Part 3 of 6: Finding a dealership with a classic car of your choice
Step 1. Check local dealers. Once you have chosen the luxury car you would like to purchase, take a look at your local dealerships.
If the car is available at your local dealership, you will be able to get it faster and you won't have to pay for shipping.
Call your local dealerships, look at their ads in the papers, or visit them. Many luxury goods dealers also have their entire range on their website.
- FunctionsA: If you can find your car nearby, be sure to test it before buying.
Step 2: Check out other dealers. Even if the car you want to buy is in one of your local dealerships, you should still visit some dealerships outside the city.
With a thorough search, you may be able to find a car at a much better price or with the options or color schemes you like.
- FunctionsA: If you find the luxury car you want but it's out of town, you can still go and take it for a test drive. During this process, you can figure out what features you would like for your vehicle.
Part 4 of 6: Negotiating with the seller and buying a car
Once you have decided how much a Citroen costs and how much you are willing to spend on it, it's time to approach the seller with your offer. If you have been able to test drive and have your Citroen checked by a trusted mechanic, you can use any information you get about the car's condition in your negotiations.
Step 1: Find a lender. Compare rates and conditions with several lenders and choose the one that offers the best option.
- FunctionsA: It's a good idea to find out what your credit score is before talking to a lender. Your credit score helps determine what annual interest rate, also known as interest rate, you are eligible for.
A good credit score means you can get a lower overall rate by paying less money over the term of the loan.
You can check your credit online for free with Credit Karma.
Step 2: Apply for a loan. Apply for a loan and receive notification of approval. This will let you know in what price range you can look for new cars.
Step 3: Know Your Exchange Value. If you have another vehicle that you would like to trade in, please inquire about the cost of your trade. Add this amount to your approved loan amount to see how much you can spend on a new car.
You can find out how much your car is worth on the Kelley Blue Book website.
Step 4: Negotiate a Price. Start negotiations with the seller by contacting him by email or phone.
Make an offer that suits you. It's a good idea to offer a little less than what you think the car is worth.
Then the seller can make a counter offer. If this amount is in the price range you are willing to pay, then take it unless you think you can negotiate further.
Be aware of anything the mechanic found wrong with the car and remind the seller that you will have to fix it at your own expense.
If, in the end, the seller refuses to give you a price that suits you, thank him and move on.
Part 5 of 6. Completing a Domestic Purchase
Once you and the seller have agreed on a price, it's time to buy your classic Citroen. There are a few things that need to be done before the car is legally yours and ready to drive.
Step 1. Arrange payment. More often than not, merchants have a preferred payment method. This is usually stated in the vehicle description.
Step 2: Sign the documents. Sign all required documents.
This includes the title and invoice of the sale.
You also need to pay any taxes and other fees, such as registration, when you take possession of a classic car.
Step 3: Get insurance. Call your insurance company to add a new car to your current policy.
You also need to purchase GAP insurance to cover you until your vehicle is insured. This is usually offered by the dealership for a small fee.
The dealership must also give you some timestamps that will be displayed until you can register your car and put a license plate on it.
Step 4: Register your vehicle. Register your vehicle and pay sales tax with the State Department of Motor Vehicles.
Part 6 of 6. Completing your overseas purchase
Now that you and the seller have agreed on a price that will satisfy both of you, you must determine the method of payment for the car, arrange delivery and complete the necessary paperwork. Keep in mind that you may need to use an intermediary when buying a car from abroad.
Step 1: Arrange delivery. If you are sure that the car belongs to you, contact a company that specializes in delivering cars abroad.
You can do this in one of two ways: contact the company in the US that ships from overseas, or contact the shipping company located near the vehicle you wish to ship.
Step 2: Fill out the paperwork. In addition to the title deed and bill of sale, you will need to complete the relevant paperwork to import Citroen.
A transport company, vehicle manufacturer, or even your local motor vehicle authority can help you fill out the necessary paperwork.
You also need to pay any duties or import charges before shipping the vehicle to a US port.
Step 3: Make sure the vehicle meets US standards.A: Any vehicle entering the US must meet all emission, bumper, and safety standards.
You will need to hire a certified registered importer to bring Citroen into compliance.
Step 4. Arrange payment. Arrange payment with the seller using their preferred payment method.
Do not forget to take into account exchange rates when paying.
If you plan to go to the seller to pay in person, give yourself plenty of time. Funds transferred abroad take longer to pass through the banking system than in the US.
- A warningA: Beware of car importers who require payment via Western Union or other money transfer services as this is most likely a scam to steal your money. Contact your bank, who can provide you with instructions on how to securely transfer your money to a foreign source.
While buying a classic Citroen might seem like a daunting task at first, especially if you're buying from a retailer overseas, you can streamline the whole process by following the steps above. Be sure to research any car you are interested in and make sure you understand the import process when buying from overseas. If you are buying a vehicle in the USA, you should also have the vehicle pre-inspected by one of our experienced mechanics at AvtoTachki before purchasing.
