More than 60 percent of cars, vans, and trucks on the road are 12 years old or older, and the used-car business is booming -- yet most consumers don't know how much to ask for their vehicle when selling it, or what to pay when buying a used car. Everyone has heard of the Blue Book value of a used car, but until 1993, the Blue Book was sold only to auto dealers, financial institutions, and other businesses. Now anyone can own this recognized authority in used vehicle pricing -- the only guide to cover up to 15 years of values. Updated twice a year, the consumer edition of the Kelley Blue Book:
-- Includes the VIN (Vehicle information Number), original list price, and two retail values (for good and excellent condition) on both domestic and imported vehicles, from 1982 through 1996
-- Gives acceptable mileage ranges for each year of production
-- Tells how specific optional factory features (sun roofs, sound systems, power accessories, and transmission types) should affect the asking price
-- Provides easy-to-use schedules listing yearly retail values for optional factory equipmentThe introduction explains how to use the various tables and the difference between an excellent and a good vehicle. It details the kind of reconditioning consumers should perform before putting their vehicle on the market, and alerts buyers to the not-so-obvious reconditioning dealers often perform.