Add 5% To The Resale Value Of Your Luxury Car With One Of These!
While the cost of a new economy car continues to follow inflation, the prices on luxury sedans, coupes and sports cars is going through the roof. More than ever, proper car care and protection is a necessity in order to retain as much residual value as possible. Come trade-in time, every luxury car owner will face a thorough evaluation of their vehicle before the purchase or trade. If you have not taken the proper precautions you will face expensive reconditioning services or a lower resale value. Why not start protecting your vehicle from day one with a car cover? It helps avoid all sorts of damage while the car is garaged or parked.
To see how using a cover will affect the resale value of your automobile you need to understand how the used car industry valuates cars. In most cases, buyers and sellers alike use the information published by Kelly Blue Book (KBB). The “Blue Book” value of any automobile is based on a condition grade of poor, fair, good or excellent. From research I’ve conducted on KBB, each grade your vehicle looses on its exterior condition will cost you around 5%. On a high value vehicle, that can really add up fast.
Let’s use a 2007 Mercedes-Benz S550 sedan as an example. With all other conditions being equal, a 2007 S550 sedan with an “excellent exterior” condition is valued $2,100 higher than the same vehicle with an exterior in “good condition.” This is only a single example. In my research, I discovered other Mercedes-Benz models with a much higher value difference between excellent and good, including the incredible CL65 AMG Coupe. A 2008 CL65 AMG Coupe in perfect condition is valued at $98,530 but drops a whopping $4,900 if the exterior condition is degraded to “good” condition. The difference between the excellent and good can be something as minor as a few door dings or paint scratches from shopping carts.
In case you’re wondering if a ready-fit car cover will protect your car, I suggest you do your research first. I realize the low price is compelling; however, my personal recommendation is to go with a custom-fit. My experience with ready-fit car covers is that they can do more harm than good. My personal choice is Covercraft or Coverking, and I’ll tell you why.
Not only are these the top two brands, but they are right here in the USA producing jobs. I like that. What you get for your money is quality, computer controlled construction, using only the very best fabrics. A perfect fit for your vehicle is guaranteed. A ready-fit hangs on a car like a sack. Custom-fit is pattern-perfect and snug so it shows off the beautiful lines of your vehicle. It’s the snug fit that prevents the possibility of damage to the paintwork.
There is one alternative, and that’s a visit to your car dealer. In most cases you can get a factory branded cover. It might even be made by one of the top manufactures. The problem here is that they treat it as if everyone has the same basic need. Don’t take me the wrong way; I’m not suggesting it’s inferior. It’s just that your car dealer can only offer you a single choice. If we all lived in sunny San Diego, California where the humidity is low and the rainfall is lower, what the factory offers would be okay. I say that because factory covers are light weight fabrics made for basic protection from the sun and dust.
For the money and piece of mind, a high-quality Covercraft or Coverking custom car cover is the smart choice. They offer the best fit and the widest selection of materials for indoor, outdoor, weatherproof or something for all use conditions. What’s more, you will have a choice of colors and specialty features, such as custom logos.
Attention ladies. Are you stumped trying to find the perfect gift for a man who has everything? A custom-fit car cover is a great gift. I speak from experience, because I still have mine. I received it as a holiday present over ten years ago and I still use it. Trust me on this suggestion. If your man is a car guy like me, he will love receiving one as a gift for his favored car.
If you’re considering giving one as gift for Christmas, Valentines Day or even a Birthday, think about where and how he will use it. If your guy pampers his car and tucks it away in the garage before going to bed, what he needs is an indoor car cover. If he drives a two door coupe or sports car, remember that storage space is tight, so a heavy 4-layer cover will be an issue. If he needs protection for outdoor parking, be sure to compare fabrics that work both indoors and out.
A custom-fit is a hot item, so make sure it doesn’t walk away. Use a locking cable when parked outside for long periods. It’s a great way to reduce the risk of car theft, too. Most professional thieves won’t take the risk of stealing a car that’s covered.
Custom car covers are one of the few car accessories that will keep your luxury car in excellent condition. Most late model luxury cars, including Lexus, Porsche or Audi, decreases in value by 5% or more when the exterior condition falls from “excellent” to “good”. With a few minor door dings or paint scratches your car will no longer be excellent. If you keep it covered while parked it will remain protected from most of the hazards that bump, scrape, fade, scratch and chip away at the fine finish.
On the hunt for the best deals on custom car covers? Let Autopia Car Covers do the shopping for you. It’s a complete custom car covers resource.
Tags: Car, car auctions, car maintenance