Are you tired of going to Milwaukee or Madison dealerships and being asked for more money? You are not alone. As more people in Wisconsin realize that they can get better prices on used cars from their neighbors, they are taking advantage of this growing trend—buying used cars, prior to the winter season coming, has allowed for an increase in sales for individuals who would rather purchase from a friend than a dealership.

From buying your next work vehicle/family car, such as a Ford F-150/SUV Crossover for winter driving in Cedar Springs or an Audi A6 for commuting purposes while visiting Madison, the possibilities to find an excellent vehicle exist. How do I go about navigating through this environment of private sellers?

How can I be sure not to make a mistake in purchasing a vehicle? Most importantly, how is the paperwork and process presented to the State of Wisconsin (Wisconsin DMV) established and how can I get it done correctly in order to purchase the vehicle?

This "how-to" guide will walk you through everything we have researched throughout the state from Appleton to Sheboygan, how to buy privately, what kinds of vehicles are currently on the "hot list," and the necessary forms to complete in order to obtain ownership legally at the Wisconsin DMV. Let the adventure begin!

Why the Advantage of Going Private is Ideal for Wisconsin Drivers

By going directly to private sellers, you eliminate the middleman, or dealership. The dealership incurs costs such as rent, salaries of employees, utility bills, marketing costs, etc.; therefore, there is a markup in the final price of the vehicle you are purchasing.
A private seller in either Menomonee Falls or Delavan is interested only in selling his/her vehicle and does not have any quotas to meet. Therefore, you will have a greater opportunity to take advantage of the situation as the buyer.

The Financial Impact

Price is usually the number one motivation for any buyer. A private seller typically has his/her vehicle priced at a fair market price and not the inflated price you would see if you were purchasing through a dealership.

• Discounted Prices: A private seller's price will be lower than what you would see at a dealership. The private seller's price will reflect their motivation to sell.

• No Hidden Fees: You will not pay for any "document fees," "prep fees," or other expensive add-ons that are sometimes placed on your contract at the dealership.

• Negotiating Strength: Private sellers typically have more flexibility with the purchase price than a dealership. When you are standing in front of a private seller with cash in your hand, the private seller will have much less negotiating power than if you were negotiating at the finance office of a dealership.

Direct Communication with the Owner

A significant benefit of talking directly to the person that owned the car before you bought it. A dealer can only tell you what is on their reports, whereas a private seller will be able to tell you:

• How the car drives over long distances into the northern woods.

• The little things that might not be noted on the Carfax report, like "quirks" with the radio or the air conditioning.

• The complete maintenance history, in detail, won't show up on the Carfax report.

  
  

Pros & Cons of Private Sellers and Dealerships

We have created a chart to give you an overview of what you can expect when purchasing from either a private seller or dealer.

Available Car Buying Options In Wisconsin

Have you ever thought, "Okay, the price looks good, but do I even have anything to choose from?" The answer is:

If you’re shopping for a used vehicle in Wisconsin, there are plenty of different options within multiple price points of vehicles. Almost all online car listings have cars that will get you to your job as well as work trucks for those who do hard manual labor or higher-end vehicles (luxury).

Current Used Vehicle Listings

Let’s take a quick look at a few actual examples of what is currently available in Wisconsin:

1. SUVs and Trucks Suitable For Winter Living (also known as "Winter Warriors")

The Wisconsin weather requires that you drive a vehicle capable of performing well in snowy conditions, as well as performing well while you work. In Wisconsin, you can find many different listings for these types of vehicles, such as a 2008 Ford F-350 Super Duty locating in Tinley Park (available to the surrounding area), and a 2016 GMC Yukon located in Milwaukee, which can handle all those snow scenarios and also be used for strenuous work applications.

Example:

Check out the 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer located in Menomonee Falls which has nearly 200K miles on it and is available to be purchased for around $2200! This would make a very good "winter beater" car, and, for your teenager, it would make a great first vehicle.

2. Daily Commuter Options

There are numerous ways to get financially fit and/or reduce fuel costs while driving in Oshkosh and De Pere.

• If you are looking for a modern, fuel-efficient vehicle to use on your daily commute, a vehicle like this stylish and practical 2013 Hyundai Veloster for $8,000 may be worth your consideration.

• For those families or those needing more space than just a commuter vehicle, this 2014 Chrysler Town and Country comes from De Pere and is listed at a very low price of only $4,500.

3. Underpriced Luxury

You can find excellent deals on high-end luxury vehicles in the private sector. Many of these have seen significant depreciation over the years.

• Example of underpricing: A pristine 2015 Audi A6 sold for $15,000 in Madison, which is about the same as what you would pay for a used economy car.

• Example of rarity: A stunning 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class available from Ladysmith is priced at only $8,000 which makes that a fantastic bargain in the market.

Overview Of Inventory Available In Wisconsin

The following is a snapshot of what you may come across in your search for vehicles at local dealerships.

Nissan Rogue Mentioned: Private Sales: Did You Know That They Could Have High Mileage Heroes? You Read That Right: Private Sales: High Mileage Heroes Are Very Inexpensive!

Wisconsin: Where to Find Them

All zip codes across the state of Wisconsin contain vehicles, but certain locations within Wisconsin are centers of activity for private vehicle purchases. You will save yourself lots of time searching for a vehicle by knowing where to focus your search.

• Milwaukee: Being the largest city within Wisconsin means that Milwaukee will have the most listings and the greatest number to choose from: Milwaukee has tons of options from practical SUVs like a 2016 GMC Yukon to high-end Sedans like a 2016 Lincoln MKS.

• Madison: Madison is the capital city of Wisconsin and Therefore will have a lot of well-maintained commuter vehicles (i.e., Audi A6)

• Appleton And De Pere: Located in the Fox cities neighborhood, this area is also a good place to find family-friendly vehicles (e.g., Minivans And Crossover SUV, i.e.,2016 Kia Sportsman)

• Rural Locations: Do not ignore the smaller towns and rural areas. Many small towns are also a better place to search for trucks/work vehicles otherwise they may have the same vehicles for sale like your local town or city would have. Examples would be the 2004 Chevy Avalanches in Wild Rose and the Mercedes Benz in Ladysmith.

Step by Step Wisconsin Private Sales Guide!

So you're ready to buy a car from an individual instead of a dealership. Don't worry; it's different but not intimidating! Karkiosk is here to provide a straightforward process to make sure you feel secure and get an amazing deal from a private seller.

Step 1: Searching for Cars

To search for cars, use the 'Advanced Filters' on Karkiosk to filter cars:

• Price Range: Exclude all cars priced higher than your budget.

• Distance: Look for cars within your city in Wisconsin (e.g., Brookfield, Racine, Waukesha, Wausau).

• Make/Model: Decide on a specific make/model of car (e.g., Ford, Toyota) you want.

2. Communicating with the Seller

Once you locate a vehicle like that Sheboygan Subaru WRX 2020, you can send messages through the message center on the site.

• "Make an Offer": You should use this if you feel you can offer a fair deal.

• "Contact Dealer/Seller": Use this to answer questions before you make an offer.

• Tip: Don't pay for anything before you establish contact through the site.

3. Inspecting the Vehicle (Essentially the Most Important Step In The Purchase Process!)

Do not skip this step. You may think that the vehicle will be perfect from pictures, but you need to check the actual car out.

• Test Drive: Listen to the engine and the rear end. Are you hearing things you don't want to hear? Is it shifting correctly?

• Visual Check: Check for rust on both the body and the undercarriage. We live in Wisconsin and salt causes vehicles to rust.

• Mechanics Review: If you are not an auto enthusiast, find a trusted mechanic to do an inspection of the vehicle. It costs a little up front, but it could save you thousands in repairs.

• Vehicle History Report: Most of the time, when you look for a vehicle on Karkiosk, you will be able to get this and it will give you information about the accident history, owner history and all the service records. Does the owner from Oshkosh appear to have taken good care of the vehicle? The report will tell you.

4. Paperwork and Closing the Deal

For many individuals, closing the deal on a vehicle causes anxiety; however, in Wisconsin, the steps are clear-cut when you have a checklist for required documentation for Private Sales in WI.

Documents Needed for a Private Sale in WI:

• Title Transfer: a seller must have a signed title to transfer it to the buyer, and to ensure that there are no lien holders (unpaid loans) on the title.

• Bill of Sale: a bill of sale serves as a record of the sale and should contain: buyer's name, seller's name, vehicle identification number (VIN), purchase price, and date of sale (transaction).

• Odometer Disclosure Statement: Wisconsin Statute requires that all private sales must be documented as to mileage at the time of sale.

• Release of Liability: The seller may provide a Release of Liability to the DMV; as a buyer, it is important to know the buyer/seller records, so the vehicle will be registered in your name.

• Insurance: Before driving the new Ford Transit Van home to Oak Creek, it is imperative to obtain insurance for the vehicle.

Secure Your Purchase by Protecting Yourself while Surfing Online

Many people are searching for cars now that more cars are available than there ever have been in the past; however, there are also more opportunities for theft during this same time. In order to ensure that you purchase the car you are expecting, it is important that you protect yourself before purchasing a vehicle. The following tips will help you stay safe when buying a car online and reduce your risk of getting taken advantage of by an unscrupulous seller:

Identification Verification: When buying a car from someone online, ask for their driver’s licence number. Confirm that the name listed on the driver’s licence matches the name on the car's title. If the names do not match, you need to walk away from the transaction.

Location of Meeting: When meeting a seller to inspect the vehicle you are interested in purchasing, select a busy, well-lit location. Grocery store parking lots or shopping centres in Waukesha or Greenfield are examples of better locations than isolated driveways due to safety concerns during the night.

Follow Your Intuition: When looking at a vehicle being sold online, trust your gut instincts and listen to your feelings about the seller. If you think there is too much of a deal, or if the seller is acting oddly, it’s okay to leave.