Record Breaking Used Car Sales

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By Holly Zuluaga

Story Published: Feb 28, 2010 at 11:40 PM PDT

KENNEWICK--It's a good month for car sales as people start getting their tax returns,
But finding that perfect, $2,500 ride is almost out of the question.

Art Garcia has been in the car business for 15 years.

He works with Warner Auto Sales and says right now the used car business is booming.

“Business is picking up we're seeing you know right now, it's tax season and a lot of people are coming in with their tax dollars and coming in and buying a lot of these used cars. We're having one of the best months we've had here for a while,” Art Garcia said.

That tax cash is driving a 10 to 15% spike in sales.

In fact the company says it's sold more cars this month than ever before.

Two cars were sold while Action News was on the lot.

“The shortest month of the year and we broke a record,” Art Garcia said.

Lots of sales, but at higher prices.

The demand for used cars; drives up prices for car dealers.

“It is tougher to buy cars right now at the auction. The prices are being raised because business is picking up and when business is picking up dealers are selling a lot more cars so when you go by the auction and go replace them, they are bidding higher and paying more money for these then they would be when times were slow,” Art Garcia said.

Cash for Clunkers also took its toll on used car inventory as people traded up and the government disabled those "clunkers".

So if you're looking for a $2,500 car to buy with your tax refund, dealers say you're out of luck.

They're tougher to find these days, that goes for customers and the dealers.

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