Ask Swant Graber: Car-Buying Questions in the Barron Area

Buyer questions

• What does 'out the door' price mean?

  The out-the-door price is the total you actually pay to drive the vehicle home: the selling price, minus any trade-in, plus sales tax, the Wisconsin title fee, registration (plates), the $127.50 dealer service fee and the $38 electronic processing fee. It's the one number to compare between dealers.

• Can I buy a car in Wisconsin if I live in Minnesota (or out of state)?

  Yes. You can buy from a Wisconsin dealer if you live in Minnesota or another state. If you take the vehicle straight home, Wisconsin sales tax generally doesn't apply, and you pay your home state's tax and fees when you title and register it there.

• How many miles is too many on a used truck?

  There's no single mileage number that's too many. A higher-mile truck with service records and a solid frame can be a better buy than a lower-mile truck that worked hard, missed maintenance or has rust.

• What is the Wisconsin Buyers Guide on the window?

  The Wisconsin Buyers Guide is the window label Wisconsin dealers must post on most used vehicles. It shows how the vehicle was used, any title brands, whether it's sold with a warranty or as-is, the results of the dealer's inspection, the price and any service fee.

• Does Wisconsin's lemon law cover used cars?

  No. WisDOT says Wisconsin's Lemon Law covers new vehicles, and used vehicles aren't considered lemons. On a used vehicle, your protection comes from any remaining manufacturer warranty, any dealer warranty, and the disclosures on the Wisconsin Buyers Guide.

• How does a trade-in with a loan payoff work?

  The dealer pays off your old loan and credits your trade-in value toward the new vehicle. If the trade is worth more than you owe, the difference lowers your price. If you owe more than it's worth, that negative equity is paid in cash or added to the new loan.

Swant Graber tools and guides

• Out-the-door price calculator
• Value your trade
• Apply for financing
• Finance FAQ
• Wisconsin Buyers Guide explained
• Used vehicle history checklist
• Certified pre-owned
• Shop new and used inventory
• All buyer guides

Next steps at Swant Graber

Two stores across Highway 8 from each other in Barron, serving Rice Lake, Cumberland, Chetek, Cameron and the whole Barron area. Ask for an itemized out-the-door quote on any vehicle.