By: Gregory Ashton
Scouting for price-cuts is a smart habit. And buying used cars
is no exception.
No wonder why many people are enticed to buy used cars. In fact,
statistics show that the number of people who buy used cars is
three times more than the number of people who buy new cars.
But then again, not all used cars are maintained equally by
their previous owners. Hence, it is important for those who wish
to purchase used cars to consider the different factors that
might affect the performance and the condition of the car.
Here is a list of some tips that will help buyers in choosing
their used cars.
1. Safety features should not be taken for granted.
Being old is not an excuse to justify the used car's lack of
safety features. Every car, whether old or new should have
safety features in order to prevent some possible accident while
driving.
Every used car should still have its anti-lock brakes working
properly and airbags that are still intact (for cars made after
this requirement).
2. The mileage is important
This is because the amount of mileage reflects the way the car
has been used by the previous owner. Moreover, the mileage will
denote the used car's age.
Normally, an average driver will drive 12, 000 to 15, 000 miles
in a year. In this way, the buyer will be able to estimate how
old the car is.
3. Over-all check up is important
Before buying the car, the buyer should first conduct an
over-all check up on the condition of the car, from its exterior
parts up to the very detail of its interior portion.
Being old does not mean any signs of wear and tear will be an
excused. Hence, people should be aware what they are paying for.
4. Test drive
There is no better way to know the condition of the car until it
has been test-driven. Hence, a buyer should make all the effort
to do a test drive first before he or she jumps into conclusion.
5. If possible, the over all service history of the car should
be checked.
This will provide the buyer solid information regarding the true
condition of the car. Here, the buyer can detect if the car has
so many technical problems before, if it has been into an
accident already, or if the owner was good enough to provide the
proper maintenance for the car.
Knowing these things is extremely important to avoid possible
risks in the future.
Boiled down, inspection is mportant especially if the
transaction concerns money. Cheap is no substitute for being a
smart buyer.
About the author:
Gregory Ashton, your resident automobile enthusiast, bringing to
you over 20 years of vehicular passion, and expertise; presents
for your approval his insider secrets on selecting, buying, and
maintianing the car that is ideal for you.
http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
How To Save Money By Properly Maintaining Your Car
By: Dr. Drew Henry
Did you know that you can substantially save a lot of money
simply by doing a quick 10-20 minute checkup on your car each
week? In this article, I will give you the information you need
properly maintain your car and saving money that would otherwise
be spent on expensive repairs.
My first advice to you is that you need to read and understand
your Owner's Manual for each car that you own. Next, follow the
tips below and inspect your car on a weekly basis (should take
no more than 10-20 minutes).
- If you can get someone to help you just for minute or two then
get them to watch your lights and turn signals to make sure they
are all working properly.
- Look at your tires and make sure that they look good without
cracks or cuts. You need also to check the air pressure in each
tire with a gauge. The tire will have a psi pressure on it and
it will also be printed in your manual. Tire pressure is very
important to the control of the vehicle.
- Look at your belts and hoses for cracks and tears and replace
as needed. Also check your hoses for any leaks.
- Check the oil in your engine with the vehicle "not running".
Pull out the stick and wipe it off then replace the stick in the
engine and then pull it out again and check the level. Add
proper oil if needed and be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3000 miles.
- Look under your car and look for any fluid leaks. Fluid leaks
are the most common failure of vehicles. The vehicle needs all
of its fluids and when it leaks the leaking part can fail at
great expense.
- Check your battery. Your battery will have two flat covers on
the top. Pull each cover off and check to make sure there is
enough water in each cell. Put distilled water in batteries.
Also check the connections and if they are corroded you will
need to take them off and clean them with a wire brush.
- Check your brakes. The brake master cylinder is normally
mounted on the fire wall just on front of the driver. It has a
flat cap on it and it just pops off. Make sure that your brake
fluid is kept full and if you keep having to add fluid you need
to check for a leak in the brake system. This is very important
as a brake failure can get you killed.
- Check your power steering. The power steering unit will be
located on the front of the engine and it normally has a screw
on cap that has a short stick gauge attached to it. The power
steering unit is a closed system and you want to be very careful
not to over fill the unit. If you have a power steering failure
the vehicle will be hard to steer and control.
- If you vehicle has a transmission stick pull it out and wipe
it off. Replace it in the transmission and then pull it out and
check the level and condition. The fluid should be red in color
and full on the stick. You should have your transmission filter
and fluid changed about every 30,000 miles unless you live in a
very hot or very cold climate. If you live in a harsh climate
you need to change your fluid and filter at least once a year.
Note that you should be careful to keep your hands and any
foreign objects away from the fan and the belts while the engine
is running. It is best to have a professional car technician
help you out if you are doing this for the first time.
By following the above tips and advice, you can quickly and
easily inspect your car each week and save a lot of money by
having a longer-lasting, more durable car!
About the author:
Dr. Drew Henry maintains a network of auto-related sites,
including Auto
Transport Secrets, Car Lease Secrets and
Car Accident
Online. Visit his sites today.
Did you know that you can substantially save a lot of money
simply by doing a quick 10-20 minute checkup on your car each
week? In this article, I will give you the information you need
properly maintain your car and saving money that would otherwise
be spent on expensive repairs.
My first advice to you is that you need to read and understand
your Owner's Manual for each car that you own. Next, follow the
tips below and inspect your car on a weekly basis (should take
no more than 10-20 minutes).
- If you can get someone to help you just for minute or two then
get them to watch your lights and turn signals to make sure they
are all working properly.
- Look at your tires and make sure that they look good without
cracks or cuts. You need also to check the air pressure in each
tire with a gauge. The tire will have a psi pressure on it and
it will also be printed in your manual. Tire pressure is very
important to the control of the vehicle.
- Look at your belts and hoses for cracks and tears and replace
as needed. Also check your hoses for any leaks.
- Check the oil in your engine with the vehicle "not running".
Pull out the stick and wipe it off then replace the stick in the
engine and then pull it out again and check the level. Add
proper oil if needed and be sure to change your oil and filter
every 3000 miles.
- Look under your car and look for any fluid leaks. Fluid leaks
are the most common failure of vehicles. The vehicle needs all
of its fluids and when it leaks the leaking part can fail at
great expense.
- Check your battery. Your battery will have two flat covers on
the top. Pull each cover off and check to make sure there is
enough water in each cell. Put distilled water in batteries.
Also check the connections and if they are corroded you will
need to take them off and clean them with a wire brush.
- Check your brakes. The brake master cylinder is normally
mounted on the fire wall just on front of the driver. It has a
flat cap on it and it just pops off. Make sure that your brake
fluid is kept full and if you keep having to add fluid you need
to check for a leak in the brake system. This is very important
as a brake failure can get you killed.
- Check your power steering. The power steering unit will be
located on the front of the engine and it normally has a screw
on cap that has a short stick gauge attached to it. The power
steering unit is a closed system and you want to be very careful
not to over fill the unit. If you have a power steering failure
the vehicle will be hard to steer and control.
- If you vehicle has a transmission stick pull it out and wipe
it off. Replace it in the transmission and then pull it out and
check the level and condition. The fluid should be red in color
and full on the stick. You should have your transmission filter
and fluid changed about every 30,000 miles unless you live in a
very hot or very cold climate. If you live in a harsh climate
you need to change your fluid and filter at least once a year.
Note that you should be careful to keep your hands and any
foreign objects away from the fan and the belts while the engine
is running. It is best to have a professional car technician
help you out if you are doing this for the first time.
By following the above tips and advice, you can quickly and
easily inspect your car each week and save a lot of money by
having a longer-lasting, more durable car!
About the author:
Dr. Drew Henry maintains a network of auto-related sites,
including Auto
Transport Secrets, Car Lease Secrets and
Car Accident
Online. Visit his sites today.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Used Car Buying Pointers
By: Jay Bauder
"Key-Pointers When Buying a Second Hand Car"
Buying a car from an individual or from a local car dealer is
one tedious task if the objective is to purchase a second car
that is still in good running condition. A buyer would never
trade his hard-earned money with just a complete wasted used
car. Whether new or used, when buying a car, it should be
treated with the same importance and value.
There are things to take into consideration before buying the
car and these are:
1. Educate yourself as a consumer 2. Prepare a list of your
needs. Prioritize between the necessities and the wants. 3.
Determine the budget and the kind of car that would best fit. 4.
Make a selection by models and types. Narrowing them will be
helpful. 5. Research both online and offline by dealers. 6. Know
the value of the second hand car in the market. 7. Research the
Vehicle Identification Numbers and history. 8. Take a mechanic
when checking the car whether buying from a friend or a dealer.
9. Never shy away from asking questions. 10. If there's a gut
feeling about it not being good, don't be afraid to walk away.
Bringing a mechanic along is always a good strategy. Make sure
your mechanic inspects the totality of the car, from the history
down to its last screw. It should be parked on a level spot. You
should make certain that it was driven for about an hour. This
should make it a good time to make the inspection. Always make
it on a well lit surrounding and in broad daylight.
How to inspect it thoroughly:
Checking the exterior. Walk around to see if there is damage to
the body. The corners of the car should be shaken and bounced up
and down to see if the shock absorbers are still in good
condition. Make sure that the wheel bearings do not make any
sound when trying to pull the front tires by tugging them. Open
the doors lift the hood and the trunk to see if all the rubber
seals are still in place. This will also tell if there's
anything loose around the hinges. Check for signs of repaint.
There will be difference in the color because shops can never
duplicate the original paint of the car. Ask someone to turn on
all the lights outside of the car and look if all are working.
Cars with only 30,000 miles of travel must still have its
original tires. Beware if you find a car with only a few miles
of travel but has new tires. When the test drive is done, check
the discs of the brakes, this should still be clean and smooth.
Check the windshield for cracks.
Checking the Interior. Though it sounds odd, smell the insides
of the car. Sniff under mats and the carpet. If it smells like
mildew then it's a sign that there is a leak somewhere or that
the car may have undergone flood damage. Switch on the
air-conditioning to make sure that it really turns the whole
inside of the car cold. Next, try the heater. Try out all lights
inside as well and never forget to blow the horn. Also try all
the seat adjustments. The upholstery should still be in good
shape too. There will be a lot more to check and here is where
the mechanic can help the buyer.
Looking inside the trunk. Once more, smell the insides and check
for any signs of leaks. Make sure that some basic car tools are
still present for the new user.
Checking under the hood. Feel the wiring for any cracks or
brittleness. Squeeze the hoses and the fan belt for any cuts and
possible electrical tape patches. Do not take off the cap of the
radiator until its cool enough. The greenish color indicates a
good condition where the coolant is. Beware of stains and
dirty-whitish color on the radiator. Again, let the rest be
checked by the mechanic like the batteries.
Checking under the car. Lie down if you must and use an
emergency light to see the engine underneath. Feel any signs of
residue. Check the pipes and examine any possibility of heavy
rusting.
Do the Test Drive. The owner or dealer should not stop a buyer
from going over about twenty minutes of test drive. This is a
special time to thoroughly look for any problems with the
air-conditioning, heater, steering wheel, brakes, transmission,
and most importantly, the comfort. Feel everything; it's okay to
try it on a hump or a slight bumpy road to really experience the
performance. Listen carefully to check any rattles. Have a pen
and paper, flashlight, gloves, magnet, towel, blanket and even
CD or tape when checking a car out.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.new-cars-in.com New Car Loans, a website
that provides information and resources on searching for new
cars, new car pricing, loans, and dealers. You can visit his
website at: http://www.used-cars-in.net Used Car Quotes
"Key-Pointers When Buying a Second Hand Car"
Buying a car from an individual or from a local car dealer is
one tedious task if the objective is to purchase a second car
that is still in good running condition. A buyer would never
trade his hard-earned money with just a complete wasted used
car. Whether new or used, when buying a car, it should be
treated with the same importance and value.
There are things to take into consideration before buying the
car and these are:
1. Educate yourself as a consumer 2. Prepare a list of your
needs. Prioritize between the necessities and the wants. 3.
Determine the budget and the kind of car that would best fit. 4.
Make a selection by models and types. Narrowing them will be
helpful. 5. Research both online and offline by dealers. 6. Know
the value of the second hand car in the market. 7. Research the
Vehicle Identification Numbers and history. 8. Take a mechanic
when checking the car whether buying from a friend or a dealer.
9. Never shy away from asking questions. 10. If there's a gut
feeling about it not being good, don't be afraid to walk away.
Bringing a mechanic along is always a good strategy. Make sure
your mechanic inspects the totality of the car, from the history
down to its last screw. It should be parked on a level spot. You
should make certain that it was driven for about an hour. This
should make it a good time to make the inspection. Always make
it on a well lit surrounding and in broad daylight.
How to inspect it thoroughly:
Checking the exterior. Walk around to see if there is damage to
the body. The corners of the car should be shaken and bounced up
and down to see if the shock absorbers are still in good
condition. Make sure that the wheel bearings do not make any
sound when trying to pull the front tires by tugging them. Open
the doors lift the hood and the trunk to see if all the rubber
seals are still in place. This will also tell if there's
anything loose around the hinges. Check for signs of repaint.
There will be difference in the color because shops can never
duplicate the original paint of the car. Ask someone to turn on
all the lights outside of the car and look if all are working.
Cars with only 30,000 miles of travel must still have its
original tires. Beware if you find a car with only a few miles
of travel but has new tires. When the test drive is done, check
the discs of the brakes, this should still be clean and smooth.
Check the windshield for cracks.
Checking the Interior. Though it sounds odd, smell the insides
of the car. Sniff under mats and the carpet. If it smells like
mildew then it's a sign that there is a leak somewhere or that
the car may have undergone flood damage. Switch on the
air-conditioning to make sure that it really turns the whole
inside of the car cold. Next, try the heater. Try out all lights
inside as well and never forget to blow the horn. Also try all
the seat adjustments. The upholstery should still be in good
shape too. There will be a lot more to check and here is where
the mechanic can help the buyer.
Looking inside the trunk. Once more, smell the insides and check
for any signs of leaks. Make sure that some basic car tools are
still present for the new user.
Checking under the hood. Feel the wiring for any cracks or
brittleness. Squeeze the hoses and the fan belt for any cuts and
possible electrical tape patches. Do not take off the cap of the
radiator until its cool enough. The greenish color indicates a
good condition where the coolant is. Beware of stains and
dirty-whitish color on the radiator. Again, let the rest be
checked by the mechanic like the batteries.
Checking under the car. Lie down if you must and use an
emergency light to see the engine underneath. Feel any signs of
residue. Check the pipes and examine any possibility of heavy
rusting.
Do the Test Drive. The owner or dealer should not stop a buyer
from going over about twenty minutes of test drive. This is a
special time to thoroughly look for any problems with the
air-conditioning, heater, steering wheel, brakes, transmission,
and most importantly, the comfort. Feel everything; it's okay to
try it on a hump or a slight bumpy road to really experience the
performance. Listen carefully to check any rattles. Have a pen
and paper, flashlight, gloves, magnet, towel, blanket and even
CD or tape when checking a car out.
About the author:
Jay is the web owner of http://www.new-cars-in.com New Car Loans, a website
that provides information and resources on searching for new
cars, new car pricing, loans, and dealers. You can visit his
website at: http://www.used-cars-in.net Used Car Quotes
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Honda Wins Big in Motor Trend Awards
By: Ryan Finney
Motor Trend magazine has awarded the Honda Ridgeline the 2006
Truck of the Year. It also named the Honda Civic as the 2006 Car
of the Year. For the first time in history, one manufacturer has
won both of the awards.
Honda is very proud of their achievements with the Ridgeline.
This was their first venture into the truck market in the U.S.
Historically, the American mid-sized truck market was dominated
by American manufacturers. Honda has answered the question on
whether a Japanese manufacturer can create a successful truck
that Americans will buy.
Innovations such as the weather tight cargo space in the bed,
bed lamps to illuminate the bed and a tailgate that opens like a
door or a standard tailgate helped it to win the Motor Trend
award. It seems that Honda is actually listening to the
consumer's needs and responding in a big way. The Ridgeline is
definitely an innovative truck design that was received well. In
the running for the award was the: Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram
Mega Cab, Honda Ridgeline, Isuzu i350, Lincoln Mark LT and
Mitsubishi raider.
In addition to the Honda Ridgeline, the Honda Civic was also
recognized by Motor Trend. The Civic was up agains 27 other
models ranging in price from $14,000 to $75,000. The Civic is
available in the sporty Si, coupe, sedan and hybrid variations.
The broad range of choices and technical innovations in the new
Civic are what helped it win the coveted award.
If you are looking for an online source for discount Honda
parts, visit http
://www.autohausaz.com/Honda-auto-parts/index.html . You can
use the online catalog to find all the parts you will need for
your Honda Civic, Ridgeline or any other Honda model.
Motor Trend magazine has awarded the Honda Ridgeline the 2006
Truck of the Year. It also named the Honda Civic as the 2006 Car
of the Year. For the first time in history, one manufacturer has
won both of the awards.
Honda is very proud of their achievements with the Ridgeline.
This was their first venture into the truck market in the U.S.
Historically, the American mid-sized truck market was dominated
by American manufacturers. Honda has answered the question on
whether a Japanese manufacturer can create a successful truck
that Americans will buy.
Innovations such as the weather tight cargo space in the bed,
bed lamps to illuminate the bed and a tailgate that opens like a
door or a standard tailgate helped it to win the Motor Trend
award. It seems that Honda is actually listening to the
consumer's needs and responding in a big way. The Ridgeline is
definitely an innovative truck design that was received well. In
the running for the award was the: Dodge Ram 1500, Dodge Ram
Mega Cab, Honda Ridgeline, Isuzu i350, Lincoln Mark LT and
Mitsubishi raider.
In addition to the Honda Ridgeline, the Honda Civic was also
recognized by Motor Trend. The Civic was up agains 27 other
models ranging in price from $14,000 to $75,000. The Civic is
available in the sporty Si, coupe, sedan and hybrid variations.
The broad range of choices and technical innovations in the new
Civic are what helped it win the coveted award.
If you are looking for an online source for discount Honda
parts, visit http
://www.autohausaz.com/Honda-auto-parts/index.html . You can
use the online catalog to find all the parts you will need for
your Honda Civic, Ridgeline or any other Honda model.
Saturday, December 24, 2005
Snow and Your Car
By: Matthew C. Keegan
Welcome to Winter! Snow, ice, and cold can be especially
challenging to the body and mind, as well as to important items
in your life, including your car. Is your vehicle ready for
winter? If not, there are some things you can do to help ensure
that your car will start on cold mornings and survive even the
nastiest winter weather.
Check under the hood. Make sure that your battery and all
of its connections are clean and fastened; hoses and belts
securely in place; your oil and oil filter changes up to date;
your air filter clean; the radiator flushed and refilled; and
your engine well tuned. One of the biggest contributors to a car
not starting is the battery. If it is old and needs to be
replaced, do it now before you take that long trip.
Look at the windshield. Besides obvious cracks in your
windshield which you can have replaced, make certain that the
wiper bay is free of debris. Ice and snow can freeze your wipers
in place making them completely ineffective. Never pour hot
water on a windshield to remove ice. You will remove ice all
right...and crack the glass in the process!
Observe the tires. Properly inflated all season tires are
usually all that you need for winter driving. In some areas,
however, chains may be required. Keep a set in your trunk for
emergency purposes.
Carry an emergency kit. It doesn't take much to get
stranded during winter. Even the best maintained vehicle can get
caught in a snow bank or stuck in a ditch. Carrying a fully
charged cell phone for emergency purposes is essential when
driving anywhere uninhabited. The following items should be a
part of an emergency kit you have stored in your vehicle at all
times:
*Flash light with spare batteries *Jumper cables *Tire chains
*Ice scraper/brush *Sand or kitty litter for traction *Auto
tools *Wire coat hanger *Flares *Candles, matches *Distress sign
*Medical kit *Gas line antifreeze; ice lock antifreeze spray
If you frequently travel back roads and find yourself in remote
areas, carrying an extra set of hats, gloves, and coats as well
as several blankets is wise. Some people carry chocolate with
them at all times which can be a great [and delicious!] energy
booster as well as fresh water [don't leave it in the car as it
will get frozen].
If you find yourself stuck in snow, make sure that the exhaust
pipe is free of all snow if you run your car while idled. Keep a
window cracked open to allow for air to circulate; turn the
engine off every ten minutes for a half hour or more to prevent
carbon monoxide build up inside of the car.
You can survive the hazards of winter by taking a little extra
care and caution. Properly equip your car today to ensure that
your next trip is a safe one regardless of the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
About the author:
Copyright 2006 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer
for the Auto Parts Warehouse where we encourage drivers to make
sure that their car's grille
free of snow and ice; ensuring that your car
fog lights are working, and your cargo
liner is clean.
Welcome to Winter! Snow, ice, and cold can be especially
challenging to the body and mind, as well as to important items
in your life, including your car. Is your vehicle ready for
winter? If not, there are some things you can do to help ensure
that your car will start on cold mornings and survive even the
nastiest winter weather.
Check under the hood. Make sure that your battery and all
of its connections are clean and fastened; hoses and belts
securely in place; your oil and oil filter changes up to date;
your air filter clean; the radiator flushed and refilled; and
your engine well tuned. One of the biggest contributors to a car
not starting is the battery. If it is old and needs to be
replaced, do it now before you take that long trip.
Look at the windshield. Besides obvious cracks in your
windshield which you can have replaced, make certain that the
wiper bay is free of debris. Ice and snow can freeze your wipers
in place making them completely ineffective. Never pour hot
water on a windshield to remove ice. You will remove ice all
right...and crack the glass in the process!
Observe the tires. Properly inflated all season tires are
usually all that you need for winter driving. In some areas,
however, chains may be required. Keep a set in your trunk for
emergency purposes.
Carry an emergency kit. It doesn't take much to get
stranded during winter. Even the best maintained vehicle can get
caught in a snow bank or stuck in a ditch. Carrying a fully
charged cell phone for emergency purposes is essential when
driving anywhere uninhabited. The following items should be a
part of an emergency kit you have stored in your vehicle at all
times:
*Flash light with spare batteries *Jumper cables *Tire chains
*Ice scraper/brush *Sand or kitty litter for traction *Auto
tools *Wire coat hanger *Flares *Candles, matches *Distress sign
*Medical kit *Gas line antifreeze; ice lock antifreeze spray
If you frequently travel back roads and find yourself in remote
areas, carrying an extra set of hats, gloves, and coats as well
as several blankets is wise. Some people carry chocolate with
them at all times which can be a great [and delicious!] energy
booster as well as fresh water [don't leave it in the car as it
will get frozen].
If you find yourself stuck in snow, make sure that the exhaust
pipe is free of all snow if you run your car while idled. Keep a
window cracked open to allow for air to circulate; turn the
engine off every ten minutes for a half hour or more to prevent
carbon monoxide build up inside of the car.
You can survive the hazards of winter by taking a little extra
care and caution. Properly equip your car today to ensure that
your next trip is a safe one regardless of the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
About the author:
Copyright 2006 -- Matt Keegan is a contributing writer
for the Auto Parts Warehouse where we encourage drivers to make
sure that their car's grille
free of snow and ice; ensuring that your car
fog lights are working, and your cargo
liner is clean.
Thursday, December 22, 2005
When do you need an oil change?
By: Donald Buske
The most important service you can perform to maintain your
vehicle is an automotive oil change. Engine oil is the life
blood of your vehicle, and if changed on a regular 3000 mile
interval, it will keep your automobiles engine running for
years. While oil keeps things lubricated, the oil filter keeps
out the impurities, so the oil filter needs to be changed at
every interval. Always consult your repair manual for proper oil
quantity, oil weight, and the proper oil filter when performing
an automotive oil change.
Most automotive manufacturers will suggest that you do an
automotive oil change between 5000 and 7500 miles, but I would
only recommend that interval for synthetic oil. The maintenance
schedules that they publish have two options, standard and
extreme. Most consumers think that the standard schedule is fine
no matter where you live, but 75% of the world lives in the
extreme, hot,cold,city driving,etc! Extreame heat as well as
extreame cold, will break engine oil viscosity and cause it to
loose its lubricating properties. So lets stick to an automotive
oil change every 3000 miles.
About the author:
I have over 25 years of automotive repair experience. I know
quite alot about everything that has to do with your auto. I am
ASE certified as well as GM certified. I am originally from
Wisconsin, born and raised, lived there for 38 years. I've spent
many years in the summer-humid /winter-icy/snowy climate and
have dealt with many repair conditions. Visit
http://www.your-auto-repair-help.com/automotive-oil-change.html
for great advice.
The most important service you can perform to maintain your
vehicle is an automotive oil change. Engine oil is the life
blood of your vehicle, and if changed on a regular 3000 mile
interval, it will keep your automobiles engine running for
years. While oil keeps things lubricated, the oil filter keeps
out the impurities, so the oil filter needs to be changed at
every interval. Always consult your repair manual for proper oil
quantity, oil weight, and the proper oil filter when performing
an automotive oil change.
Most automotive manufacturers will suggest that you do an
automotive oil change between 5000 and 7500 miles, but I would
only recommend that interval for synthetic oil. The maintenance
schedules that they publish have two options, standard and
extreme. Most consumers think that the standard schedule is fine
no matter where you live, but 75% of the world lives in the
extreme, hot,cold,city driving,etc! Extreame heat as well as
extreame cold, will break engine oil viscosity and cause it to
loose its lubricating properties. So lets stick to an automotive
oil change every 3000 miles.
About the author:
I have over 25 years of automotive repair experience. I know
quite alot about everything that has to do with your auto. I am
ASE certified as well as GM certified. I am originally from
Wisconsin, born and raised, lived there for 38 years. I've spent
many years in the summer-humid /winter-icy/snowy climate and
have dealt with many repair conditions. Visit
http://www.your-auto-repair-help.com/automotive-oil-change.html
for great advice.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
The Muscle Car Craze
By: Jason Tarasi
Somebody once asked me why I was so fascinated with muscle cars.
You know, it's hard for an outsider looking in to understand why
we muscle car lovers are so fanatical about our cars. Until
they've been behind the wheel of a newly restored '66 Pontiac
GTO, they just haven't a clue.
Why is it that we can browse through muscle car advertisements
for hours on end? Why do we have to go to every muscle car show
that comes near our town? Why do we drive out of our way to see
some of the hottest muscle cars around? Why do we seemingly pour
all of our extra money into our muscle cars?
Some people think a passion for muscle cars comes from peer
pressure - a need to impress other people per se. As a muscle
car enthusiast I can honestly say that's not it, at least not
for me. My interest in muscle cars dates way back to before I
was ever concerned about what anybody thought. I have always
found muscle cars to be fascinating and exciting.
First, muscle cars are original. Those who collect or restore
muscle cars put their heart and soul into their hobby which
makes every muscle car truly unique. Second, muscle cars are
powerful. There's nothing that gets the adrenaline pumping quite
like sitting behind the wheel of a classic, high-performance
muscle car. Third, when you take a classic car, restore it and
muscle it up, you really have something to be proud of. It's a
lot like an artistic ability for me - like taking a blank canvas
and creating an incredible piece of art out of it.
One thing is for certain, regardless of the reason a muscle car
devotee is interested in muscle cars, we all seem to talk the
same talk and walk the same walk. Dealing with muscle cars is an
incredible social outlet. Whether we collect, restore, show, or
race our muscle cars, it doesn't matter. We're all on the same
wavelength and we truly enjoy looking at and chatting about
muscle cars.
Some enthusiasts have specific lines of muscle cars that they
are interested in, while others are just crazy about muscle cars
in general. Some like imports, others like exports, and most all
muscle car enthusiasts have a strong interest in classics. We
can look at them, talk about them, drive them, or just work on
them. Muscle cars give us something to look forward to,
something fun to invest our time and money into, and the muscle
car hobby keeps us out of trouble - for the most part.
About the author:
Jason Tarasi is a muscle car enthusiast who runs the Muscle Car
Monster Website, where members can buy and sell muscle cars for
free through the site's online classifieds. http://www.musclecarmonster.com/
Somebody once asked me why I was so fascinated with muscle cars.
You know, it's hard for an outsider looking in to understand why
we muscle car lovers are so fanatical about our cars. Until
they've been behind the wheel of a newly restored '66 Pontiac
GTO, they just haven't a clue.
Why is it that we can browse through muscle car advertisements
for hours on end? Why do we have to go to every muscle car show
that comes near our town? Why do we drive out of our way to see
some of the hottest muscle cars around? Why do we seemingly pour
all of our extra money into our muscle cars?
Some people think a passion for muscle cars comes from peer
pressure - a need to impress other people per se. As a muscle
car enthusiast I can honestly say that's not it, at least not
for me. My interest in muscle cars dates way back to before I
was ever concerned about what anybody thought. I have always
found muscle cars to be fascinating and exciting.
First, muscle cars are original. Those who collect or restore
muscle cars put their heart and soul into their hobby which
makes every muscle car truly unique. Second, muscle cars are
powerful. There's nothing that gets the adrenaline pumping quite
like sitting behind the wheel of a classic, high-performance
muscle car. Third, when you take a classic car, restore it and
muscle it up, you really have something to be proud of. It's a
lot like an artistic ability for me - like taking a blank canvas
and creating an incredible piece of art out of it.
One thing is for certain, regardless of the reason a muscle car
devotee is interested in muscle cars, we all seem to talk the
same talk and walk the same walk. Dealing with muscle cars is an
incredible social outlet. Whether we collect, restore, show, or
race our muscle cars, it doesn't matter. We're all on the same
wavelength and we truly enjoy looking at and chatting about
muscle cars.
Some enthusiasts have specific lines of muscle cars that they
are interested in, while others are just crazy about muscle cars
in general. Some like imports, others like exports, and most all
muscle car enthusiasts have a strong interest in classics. We
can look at them, talk about them, drive them, or just work on
them. Muscle cars give us something to look forward to,
something fun to invest our time and money into, and the muscle
car hobby keeps us out of trouble - for the most part.
About the author:
Jason Tarasi is a muscle car enthusiast who runs the Muscle Car
Monster Website, where members can buy and sell muscle cars for
free through the site's online classifieds. http://www.musclecarmonster.com/
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
How To Buy Your Dream Car And Avoid Car Dealers' Dirty Tricks
By: Amit Laufer
How to buy a new Car
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our
home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our
life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste
and style, our economic status and our character. Some women
even claim that a car is a man's extension of his reproductive
organ. One the other hand (the good hand) there are women out
there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by
choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice
them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they "fall in
love" with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on
the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of
the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats
the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life it's almost impossible to function without
one and it's expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a new car is a lot of fun, the new car has its unique
smell no doubt about it, the very fact you can afford to own a
brand new car is a great feeling.
When is the best time to buy a new car?
There are two "best times" to buy a car. The end of December is
a good time for car buyers to buy a new car. Everyone is out
buying Christmas gifts, leaving new car dealer lots void of
customers, motivating dealers to cut costs, and break year end
sales records. Another good time to buy a car is July to October
as new car dealers sell off cars at low prices to clear space
for new car models. Secret factory to dealer incentives can be
$1000-$6000 in addition to new car consumer rebates!
How and where to search for prices:
Invoice price - what the dealer pays the manufacturer - has
become the real negotiating point. Allowing for the dealer's
need to make a profit, the price you pay should be somewhere
between sticker and invoice.
Virtually all car buying sites on the Internet show invoice and
in most cases their buying tools automatically add
option/package invoice amounts as you work your way through the
process.
Any car buyer, with very little effort, can get an accurate
summation of a car's value, which immediately puts him or her in
a stronger negotiating position.
Happily for the consumer, the Internet now allows a prospective
buyer to uncover market conditions at any moment in various
parts of the country. www.Edmunds.com/
for example, reveals the True Market Value: www.CarsDirect.com/,
which sells cars online, has its own version called Guaranteed
CarsDirect price www.Intellichoice.com/ sorts out the Best Deals
of the Month.
The negotiation phase and the dirty tricks:
After you made your research via the Internet, it's important
you make some phone calls to car dealers and ask for some
written offers to be sent to you via the fax or email for the
car of your dreams. That way, you can compare prices between
several dealers without being pressured by a salesperson.
You would be much better off selling your old car yourself
rather than to trade it in through the dealer because the dealer
will have to earn some money on it as well.
Remember, everything is a negotiable, car too. Buying a new car
is tricky from the moment you step into the car dealership
arena, you might be manipulated by scam artists, well trained
sales persons that will use every trick in their fat book of
tricks to extort every last Dollar out of your bank account.
There is one well known trick they teach in car dealers sales
courses, it's called "throwing a lowball", in this tactic a
customer is offered a very good price on a car, Perhaps as much
as $700 below competitors prices. The good deal, however, is not
genuine, its only purpose is to cause a prospect to decide to
buy at this dealership and not from the other dealers. Once the
decision is made a raft of purchase forms are filled out,
extensive financial terms are arranged. The dealer knows,
customers develop a range of new reasons to support the choice
they have now made.
Then something happens. All of a sudden an "error" in the
calculations is discovered, It might be the salesman forgot to
add in the cost of the air conditioner and if the customer
insists on having it, then $700 must be added to the price...
The cover up operation is played sophistically, some times they
let the bank handling the financing find the "mistake", other
times the boss is not approving the deal because "we'd be losing
money". They make it look as if it's not that big mistake as
it's a relatively small percentage of the price of the car and
as they stress out it only brings it to be equal to competitors.
The impressive thing about the lowball tactic is its ability to
make a person feel pleased with a poor choice. If anyone tries
to change the originally-quoted terms or talk you into buying a
different vehicle, just say "no" and go somewhere else.
If you are interested to learn about many others car dealers
scams and how to avoid them go to:
www.carbuyingtips.com/scams.htm
Until all the papers have been signed there are still ways in
which a shrewd dealer may add to his profit by talking you into
extras you don't want and probably don't need. These can include
added and overpriced insurance, extended warranties, rust
proofing (absolutely unnecessary), paint or fabric protection,
anti-theft plans, and more. Smile and firmly turn them all down.
Finally, before you drive away, do a careful inspection of the
car, looking for scratches or dents, anything that mars the
perfect finish. If you're not happy, get a written agreement
(known as a Due Bill). It means you have the right to later
return the vehicle in order that flaws can be corrected.
About the author:
MBA - International Trade & Finance - Heriot-Watt University.
Bsc. Computers and Information Systems - Long Island University
- C.W Post Campus. Hobby: Photography & Cars. Married with two
Children.
http://cars-i-like.com
How to buy a new Car
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our
home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our
life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste
and style, our economic status and our character. Some women
even claim that a car is a man's extension of his reproductive
organ. One the other hand (the good hand) there are women out
there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by
choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice
them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they "fall in
love" with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on
the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of
the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats
the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life it's almost impossible to function without
one and it's expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a new car is a lot of fun, the new car has its unique
smell no doubt about it, the very fact you can afford to own a
brand new car is a great feeling.
When is the best time to buy a new car?
There are two "best times" to buy a car. The end of December is
a good time for car buyers to buy a new car. Everyone is out
buying Christmas gifts, leaving new car dealer lots void of
customers, motivating dealers to cut costs, and break year end
sales records. Another good time to buy a car is July to October
as new car dealers sell off cars at low prices to clear space
for new car models. Secret factory to dealer incentives can be
$1000-$6000 in addition to new car consumer rebates!
How and where to search for prices:
Invoice price - what the dealer pays the manufacturer - has
become the real negotiating point. Allowing for the dealer's
need to make a profit, the price you pay should be somewhere
between sticker and invoice.
Virtually all car buying sites on the Internet show invoice and
in most cases their buying tools automatically add
option/package invoice amounts as you work your way through the
process.
Any car buyer, with very little effort, can get an accurate
summation of a car's value, which immediately puts him or her in
a stronger negotiating position.
Happily for the consumer, the Internet now allows a prospective
buyer to uncover market conditions at any moment in various
parts of the country. www.Edmunds.com/
for example, reveals the True Market Value: www.CarsDirect.com/,
which sells cars online, has its own version called Guaranteed
CarsDirect price www.Intellichoice.com/ sorts out the Best Deals
of the Month.
The negotiation phase and the dirty tricks:
After you made your research via the Internet, it's important
you make some phone calls to car dealers and ask for some
written offers to be sent to you via the fax or email for the
car of your dreams. That way, you can compare prices between
several dealers without being pressured by a salesperson.
You would be much better off selling your old car yourself
rather than to trade it in through the dealer because the dealer
will have to earn some money on it as well.
Remember, everything is a negotiable, car too. Buying a new car
is tricky from the moment you step into the car dealership
arena, you might be manipulated by scam artists, well trained
sales persons that will use every trick in their fat book of
tricks to extort every last Dollar out of your bank account.
There is one well known trick they teach in car dealers sales
courses, it's called "throwing a lowball", in this tactic a
customer is offered a very good price on a car, Perhaps as much
as $700 below competitors prices. The good deal, however, is not
genuine, its only purpose is to cause a prospect to decide to
buy at this dealership and not from the other dealers. Once the
decision is made a raft of purchase forms are filled out,
extensive financial terms are arranged. The dealer knows,
customers develop a range of new reasons to support the choice
they have now made.
Then something happens. All of a sudden an "error" in the
calculations is discovered, It might be the salesman forgot to
add in the cost of the air conditioner and if the customer
insists on having it, then $700 must be added to the price...
The cover up operation is played sophistically, some times they
let the bank handling the financing find the "mistake", other
times the boss is not approving the deal because "we'd be losing
money". They make it look as if it's not that big mistake as
it's a relatively small percentage of the price of the car and
as they stress out it only brings it to be equal to competitors.
The impressive thing about the lowball tactic is its ability to
make a person feel pleased with a poor choice. If anyone tries
to change the originally-quoted terms or talk you into buying a
different vehicle, just say "no" and go somewhere else.
If you are interested to learn about many others car dealers
scams and how to avoid them go to:
www.carbuyingtips.com/scams.htm
Until all the papers have been signed there are still ways in
which a shrewd dealer may add to his profit by talking you into
extras you don't want and probably don't need. These can include
added and overpriced insurance, extended warranties, rust
proofing (absolutely unnecessary), paint or fabric protection,
anti-theft plans, and more. Smile and firmly turn them all down.
Finally, before you drive away, do a careful inspection of the
car, looking for scratches or dents, anything that mars the
perfect finish. If you're not happy, get a written agreement
(known as a Due Bill). It means you have the right to later
return the vehicle in order that flaws can be corrected.
About the author:
MBA - International Trade & Finance - Heriot-Watt University.
Bsc. Computers and Information Systems - Long Island University
- C.W Post Campus. Hobby: Photography & Cars. Married with two
Children.
http://cars-i-like.com
Monday, December 19, 2005
How to Find A Great Clean Used Car and Pay Less
By: Amit Laufer
buying a Car
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our
home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our
life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste
and style, our economic status and our character. Some women
even claim that a car is a man's extension of his reproductive
organ. One the other hand (the good hand) there are women out
there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by
choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice
them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they "fall in
love" with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on
the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of
the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats
the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life it's almost impossible to function without
one and it's expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a Used Car
The question I would like to bring up here is whether it's wise
to buy a used car or to make an additional effort and buy a new
car.
If you look at it purely from an economical stand point then
it's quiet obvious that due to the fact that you miss out on the
heaviest depreciation hit the average car absorbs in the first
two and three years it's wise to buy a used car. A car of two or
even three years on the road is basically a new car and in some
cases didn't even finished the manufacturers original bumper to
bumper warranty. (Not included labor 8-(
On the average you might save on a used car anywhere between $
3,000 to $ 8,000. In case you know how to do it via a car dealer
that will buy the car for you at a car auction limited to car
dealers only (for a couple of hundreds of Dollars commission)you
might even get a real bargain. See:
www.carbuyingtips.com/auto-auctions.htm
Another good reason to buy a used car is the fact you can put
your hands on a bigger or better or in other words more car for
the same budget as the new smaller car would have cost you.
More and more manufacturers offer "certified pre-owned"
programs. Cars sold as certified pre-owned (CPO) bridge the gap
between new and used. They are subject to a rigorous inspection
and repair process, and usually are covered by a warranty from
the manufacturer. CPO cars will usually cost a bit more, but the
added warranty and peace of mind makes them a good value.
If you want to get extended warranty look at:
www.carbuyingtips.com/warranty.htm
Where do you get the market value of the cars, that's pretty
easy, all you have to do is follow this link: Blue Book - Used
Car Values at:www.cars.com/go/index.jsp
When purchasing a used car you should protect yourself from
buying a flood damaged vehicle by doing a little research and by
having the vehicle thoroughly checked by a mechanic.
Rain, thunderstorms, swelling rivers and seasonal hurricanes
hitting the coastlines all contribute to flooding disasters that
can mean serious water damage to vehicles in those areas. Water
damage from 1999's Hurricane Floyd ruined approximately 75,000
vehicles and more than half of those ended up back on the road.
Tropical Storm Allison damaged another 95,000 in 2001 and
Hurricane Ivan left more than 100,000 vehicles water-logged.
The numbers for Hurricane Katrina are expected to skyrocket
above half-a-million and safety experts warn that many of these
flood damaged vehicles also will be dried out and offered for
sale. Hurricanes and tropical storms, however, are only part of
the problem.
Flooding can occur throughout the year and in any part of the
country. however, auto industry analysts caution consumers that
the risk of buying a flood damaged car is not limited to these
areas. Flood damaged cars are often repaired cosmetically, and
moved to adjacent states or even across the country where they
are sold to unsuspecting consumers.
These floodwaters can cause damage to vehicle computer and
electrical systems, as well as potentially causing anti-lock
braking and airbag systems to malfunction.
World Trade Center Damaged Cars, thousands of cars were damaged
in New York City on 9/11/2001. It's a prime example of disasters
having long term effects other than the initial death and
destruction. These cars will no doubt be salvaged, rebuilt, sold
at car auctions and have their titles rebuilt, most likely out
of state.
An important help is the nationwide history data base of the
cars in terms of damages, salvaged, lemon, flooded, fraud,
accidents, rental etc' you can look it up at: www.carfax.com/
In addition it's recommended you have a mechanic check it out -
A certified, trusted mechanic will test the electrical and
safety systems, two of the major components that water can
affect. They can also look for signs of water damage that may
not be visible to the untrained eye.
Car Donation
It is estimated that every year, more than a million Americans
donated their cars. Why do they donate their car? Well, few
reasons: A. The proceeds go to charity organizations and it
provides for the donor a good feeling of contributing to
society. B. its tax deductible (Less than it used to). C. The
car is being towed or driven away by the company who arranged
the deal.
Unfortunately, whether through ignorance, confusion or greed, a
substantial percentage of car donors have been deducting the
full "suggested retail price" - what a dealer would get for
reselling your trade-in instead of the fair market value. That's
far more than the IRS had intended, costing the government
millions in lost tax revenue.
The charities weren't making much, either. Most of the donated
cars were sold by the charities for a pittance at auction, and
middlemen who administered the programs on behalf of the
charities took a large percentage of those meager profits.
So IRS changed the rule last year. From now on, if your car is
valued more than $500, the deduction is limited to the charity's
actual selling price. The donor must attach a statement of sale
to the tax return in order to receive the deduction. (The
charity is obligated to provide the statement within 30 days.)
You are not entitled to know the deduction amount before
donating your car. Although the IRS has closed the loophole in
the law, there is still a way to deduct full market value of
your vehicle: If the charity uses the car itself to further its
specific purpose
About the author:
MBA - International Trade & Finance - Heriot-Watt University.
Bsc. Computers and Information Systems - Long Island University
- C.W Post Campus. Hobby: Photography & Cars. Married with two
Children.
http://www.cars-i-like.com/
buying a Car
Buying a car is usually our second biggest investment after our
home purchase and most of us will do it more than once in our
life.
There is something emotional about cars, it represents our taste
and style, our economic status and our character. Some women
even claim that a car is a man's extension of his reproductive
organ. One the other hand (the good hand) there are women out
there that might express their exhibitionism and extravagance by
choosing to drive a red flashy car for the whole world to notice
them. Both sexes would agree they sometimes feel they "fall in
love" with a certain car model.
There are people who get very existed from a small scratch on
the cars lower side, as if it were their own skin. The beauty of
the car, its aerodynamics shape, the gadgets inside, the seats
the feel of it all play a major part in our decision making.
In our modern life it's almost impossible to function without
one and it's expensive to acquire, to finance and to maintain.
Buying a Used Car
The question I would like to bring up here is whether it's wise
to buy a used car or to make an additional effort and buy a new
car.
If you look at it purely from an economical stand point then
it's quiet obvious that due to the fact that you miss out on the
heaviest depreciation hit the average car absorbs in the first
two and three years it's wise to buy a used car. A car of two or
even three years on the road is basically a new car and in some
cases didn't even finished the manufacturers original bumper to
bumper warranty. (Not included labor 8-(
On the average you might save on a used car anywhere between $
3,000 to $ 8,000. In case you know how to do it via a car dealer
that will buy the car for you at a car auction limited to car
dealers only (for a couple of hundreds of Dollars commission)you
might even get a real bargain. See:
www.carbuyingtips.com/auto-auctions.htm
Another good reason to buy a used car is the fact you can put
your hands on a bigger or better or in other words more car for
the same budget as the new smaller car would have cost you.
More and more manufacturers offer "certified pre-owned"
programs. Cars sold as certified pre-owned (CPO) bridge the gap
between new and used. They are subject to a rigorous inspection
and repair process, and usually are covered by a warranty from
the manufacturer. CPO cars will usually cost a bit more, but the
added warranty and peace of mind makes them a good value.
If you want to get extended warranty look at:
www.carbuyingtips.com/warranty.htm
Where do you get the market value of the cars, that's pretty
easy, all you have to do is follow this link: Blue Book - Used
Car Values at:www.cars.com/go/index.jsp
When purchasing a used car you should protect yourself from
buying a flood damaged vehicle by doing a little research and by
having the vehicle thoroughly checked by a mechanic.
Rain, thunderstorms, swelling rivers and seasonal hurricanes
hitting the coastlines all contribute to flooding disasters that
can mean serious water damage to vehicles in those areas. Water
damage from 1999's Hurricane Floyd ruined approximately 75,000
vehicles and more than half of those ended up back on the road.
Tropical Storm Allison damaged another 95,000 in 2001 and
Hurricane Ivan left more than 100,000 vehicles water-logged.
The numbers for Hurricane Katrina are expected to skyrocket
above half-a-million and safety experts warn that many of these
flood damaged vehicles also will be dried out and offered for
sale. Hurricanes and tropical storms, however, are only part of
the problem.
Flooding can occur throughout the year and in any part of the
country. however, auto industry analysts caution consumers that
the risk of buying a flood damaged car is not limited to these
areas. Flood damaged cars are often repaired cosmetically, and
moved to adjacent states or even across the country where they
are sold to unsuspecting consumers.
These floodwaters can cause damage to vehicle computer and
electrical systems, as well as potentially causing anti-lock
braking and airbag systems to malfunction.
World Trade Center Damaged Cars, thousands of cars were damaged
in New York City on 9/11/2001. It's a prime example of disasters
having long term effects other than the initial death and
destruction. These cars will no doubt be salvaged, rebuilt, sold
at car auctions and have their titles rebuilt, most likely out
of state.
An important help is the nationwide history data base of the
cars in terms of damages, salvaged, lemon, flooded, fraud,
accidents, rental etc' you can look it up at: www.carfax.com/
In addition it's recommended you have a mechanic check it out -
A certified, trusted mechanic will test the electrical and
safety systems, two of the major components that water can
affect. They can also look for signs of water damage that may
not be visible to the untrained eye.
Car Donation
It is estimated that every year, more than a million Americans
donated their cars. Why do they donate their car? Well, few
reasons: A. The proceeds go to charity organizations and it
provides for the donor a good feeling of contributing to
society. B. its tax deductible (Less than it used to). C. The
car is being towed or driven away by the company who arranged
the deal.
Unfortunately, whether through ignorance, confusion or greed, a
substantial percentage of car donors have been deducting the
full "suggested retail price" - what a dealer would get for
reselling your trade-in instead of the fair market value. That's
far more than the IRS had intended, costing the government
millions in lost tax revenue.
The charities weren't making much, either. Most of the donated
cars were sold by the charities for a pittance at auction, and
middlemen who administered the programs on behalf of the
charities took a large percentage of those meager profits.
So IRS changed the rule last year. From now on, if your car is
valued more than $500, the deduction is limited to the charity's
actual selling price. The donor must attach a statement of sale
to the tax return in order to receive the deduction. (The
charity is obligated to provide the statement within 30 days.)
You are not entitled to know the deduction amount before
donating your car. Although the IRS has closed the loophole in
the law, there is still a way to deduct full market value of
your vehicle: If the charity uses the car itself to further its
specific purpose
About the author:
MBA - International Trade & Finance - Heriot-Watt University.
Bsc. Computers and Information Systems - Long Island University
- C.W Post Campus. Hobby: Photography & Cars. Married with two
Children.
http://www.cars-i-like.com/
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Auto Financing Online
By: Mike Hamel
More and more consumers are getting their auto financing online
instead of from the dealerships where they buy their vehicles.
Getting auto financing from a dealership has some benefits:
* Convenience - vehicles and financing are in one place and the
dealer is motivated to find financing for buyers, no matter
their circumstances.
* More options - a dealer's relationships with a variety of
banks and finance companies mean they can offer a range of loans
to fit a buyer's credit rating.
* Special programs - sometimes dealers can offer
manufacturer-sponsored, low-rate programs, but usually only to
people with good credit.
But getting auto financing online offers even more advantages:
* Certainty - buyers know how much they can spend before setting
foot on a dealer's lot.
* Clout - buyers with financing in hand are treated like cash
customers and are in a stronger negotiating position.
* Cash savings - because of competition, online buyers often get
the lowest interest rate possible for someone with their credit
rating.
* Calmness - buyers aren't subjected to the high-pressure
tactics of a dealer's finance department.
Shopping for your financing first can save you a lot of
headaches. If you know how much money you're qualified to
borrow, you can limit your search to a vehicle you'll actually
be able to afford. Why set your heart on a Hummer when your
checkbook says Hyundai.
Play it safe Due to advances in Internet security, online
financial transactions are for the most part safe and secure.
Still, The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice
regarding online transactions:
* Use a secure browser - software that encrypts or scrambles the
purchase information you send over the Internet - to help guard
the security of your information as it is transmitted to a
website. Be sure your browser has the most up-to-date encryption
capabilities by using the latest version available from the
manufacturer.
* Check the site's privacy policy, before you provide any
personal financial information to a website. In particular,
determine how the information will be used or shared with
others. Also check the site's statements about the security
provided for your information.
* Keep your personal information private. Don't disclose your
personal information - your address, telephone number, Social
Security number, bank account number or e-mail address - unless
you know who's collecting the information, why they're
collecting it and how they'll use it.
* Give payment information only to businesses you know and
trust, and only when and where it is appropriate - like an order
form. Never give your password to anyone online, even your
Internet service provider. Source:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/payments.htm
A leading provider of online auto financing is Pre Approved
Autos. Visitors to the site can fill out a simple app, which is
instantly submitted to reputable dealers and finance companies
in their area. The lender with the best offer wins the right to
contact the applicant with a pre-approved loan amount, usually
within a few hours. The loan quotes are free and the inquirer is
under no obligation to accept the offer.
About the author:
Mike Hamel is Senior Writer for Sales and Marketing LLC
(www.salesandmarketingllc.com), an Internet marketing company
offering everything from website development and optimization to
creating and monitoring cost-effective ad programs. Our
specialty is increasing site traffic and improving
visitor-to-sale conversion rates using proprietary software and
advanced SEM techniques. Mikehamel@salesandmarketingllc.com
More and more consumers are getting their auto financing online
instead of from the dealerships where they buy their vehicles.
Getting auto financing from a dealership has some benefits:
* Convenience - vehicles and financing are in one place and the
dealer is motivated to find financing for buyers, no matter
their circumstances.
* More options - a dealer's relationships with a variety of
banks and finance companies mean they can offer a range of loans
to fit a buyer's credit rating.
* Special programs - sometimes dealers can offer
manufacturer-sponsored, low-rate programs, but usually only to
people with good credit.
But getting auto financing online offers even more advantages:
* Certainty - buyers know how much they can spend before setting
foot on a dealer's lot.
* Clout - buyers with financing in hand are treated like cash
customers and are in a stronger negotiating position.
* Cash savings - because of competition, online buyers often get
the lowest interest rate possible for someone with their credit
rating.
* Calmness - buyers aren't subjected to the high-pressure
tactics of a dealer's finance department.
Shopping for your financing first can save you a lot of
headaches. If you know how much money you're qualified to
borrow, you can limit your search to a vehicle you'll actually
be able to afford. Why set your heart on a Hummer when your
checkbook says Hyundai.
Play it safe Due to advances in Internet security, online
financial transactions are for the most part safe and secure.
Still, The Federal Trade Commission offers the following advice
regarding online transactions:
* Use a secure browser - software that encrypts or scrambles the
purchase information you send over the Internet - to help guard
the security of your information as it is transmitted to a
website. Be sure your browser has the most up-to-date encryption
capabilities by using the latest version available from the
manufacturer.
* Check the site's privacy policy, before you provide any
personal financial information to a website. In particular,
determine how the information will be used or shared with
others. Also check the site's statements about the security
provided for your information.
* Keep your personal information private. Don't disclose your
personal information - your address, telephone number, Social
Security number, bank account number or e-mail address - unless
you know who's collecting the information, why they're
collecting it and how they'll use it.
* Give payment information only to businesses you know and
trust, and only when and where it is appropriate - like an order
form. Never give your password to anyone online, even your
Internet service provider. Source:
www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/payments.htm
A leading provider of online auto financing is Pre Approved
Autos. Visitors to the site can fill out a simple app, which is
instantly submitted to reputable dealers and finance companies
in their area. The lender with the best offer wins the right to
contact the applicant with a pre-approved loan amount, usually
within a few hours. The loan quotes are free and the inquirer is
under no obligation to accept the offer.
About the author:
Mike Hamel is Senior Writer for Sales and Marketing LLC
(www.salesandmarketingllc.com), an Internet marketing company
offering everything from website development and optimization to
creating and monitoring cost-effective ad programs. Our
specialty is increasing site traffic and improving
visitor-to-sale conversion rates using proprietary software and
advanced SEM techniques. Mikehamel@salesandmarketingllc.com
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Top 5 reasons to buy a hybrid car
By: Rick Tames
1. - Gas Savings - Hybrid cars can get up to 60 mpg (miles per
gallon), due to their advanced aerodynamics, engine efficiency,
tire technology (which is so different to the standard cars)
just to mention some of its characteristics.
2. - Environmental Issues - Reduced gas emissions equals less
air pollution because a hybrid car has an electric motor and
batteries to rely on when the gasoline engine is not in use.
They can reduce smog up to 90%.
3. - Better engine efficiency - Reducing the overall weight of
the hybrid car is a way to increase its efficiency, smaller
engines equals better efficiency. Another way is how the hybrid
cars recharge they batteries, the hybrid's battery pack never
needs to be charged from an external source, every time you hit
the brake, the brake system stores some of the energy to the
batteries (this is known as regenerative braking). Also the
batteries get recharged by the gasoline engine when necessary.
4. - Low Maintenance costs - The electrical motor and the
batteries don't require any maintenance; they have the same life
span as the car itself. The gas engine doesn't require any more
maintenance than any other normal car.
5. - Government Incentives - There's a federal tax deduction for
hybrid cars; the new hybrid car tax credit is divided into two
parts with tax credits ranging from $400 to $3400. The great
news is that a credit is much better than a deduction since the
credit does reduce the taxes that are owed. The deduction simply
reduces the amount of taxable income.
About the author:
Rick Tames is a researcher and a webmaster; you can find much
more information on hybrid cars at www.hybridcars.theknowledgesite.com
1. - Gas Savings - Hybrid cars can get up to 60 mpg (miles per
gallon), due to their advanced aerodynamics, engine efficiency,
tire technology (which is so different to the standard cars)
just to mention some of its characteristics.
2. - Environmental Issues - Reduced gas emissions equals less
air pollution because a hybrid car has an electric motor and
batteries to rely on when the gasoline engine is not in use.
They can reduce smog up to 90%.
3. - Better engine efficiency - Reducing the overall weight of
the hybrid car is a way to increase its efficiency, smaller
engines equals better efficiency. Another way is how the hybrid
cars recharge they batteries, the hybrid's battery pack never
needs to be charged from an external source, every time you hit
the brake, the brake system stores some of the energy to the
batteries (this is known as regenerative braking). Also the
batteries get recharged by the gasoline engine when necessary.
4. - Low Maintenance costs - The electrical motor and the
batteries don't require any maintenance; they have the same life
span as the car itself. The gas engine doesn't require any more
maintenance than any other normal car.
5. - Government Incentives - There's a federal tax deduction for
hybrid cars; the new hybrid car tax credit is divided into two
parts with tax credits ranging from $400 to $3400. The great
news is that a credit is much better than a deduction since the
credit does reduce the taxes that are owed. The deduction simply
reduces the amount of taxable income.
About the author:
Rick Tames is a researcher and a webmaster; you can find much
more information on hybrid cars at www.hybridcars.theknowledgesite.com
Monday, December 12, 2005
Perform Your Own Automobile Maintenance
By: David Maillie
Today's cars can typically be expected to pass the 200,000 mile
mark with consistent automobile maintenance. With the price of
automobiles, you will want to protect that investment by
performing regular maintenance. If you can do much of the work
yourself, you will save a lot of money in labor. Invest in a
good set of tools and choose quality parts when performing your
own automobile maintenance.
If you have some skill, but want to learn more look for courses
in general repairs and maintenance. These can often be found at
your local community center, Community College or an automotive
technical school in your area. Consider investing in a good
repair manual for your car, such as a Chilton's manual. The
internet is a good place to look for articles and information.
There are many sites devoted to auto repair and maintenance.
You will want to keep track of all maintenance performed on your
car. You can do this in a log, a notebook or on your home
computer. There is software available to help you keep track of
maintenance. These programs track repairs, maintenance,
replacement parts used on the vehicle and fuel consumption. You
can use the same software for multiple vehicles.
Most software allows you to create a service schedule and will
remind you when it's time to perform maintenance tasks on each
vehicle in your household. The software contains a wide variety
of tips for car care. In addition, many have reference and
diagnostic tools to help you diagnose various problems with your
cars. Many companies offer a free trial that can be downloaded
on the internet. This allows you to try out the program before
investing your money.
Your owner's manual will give you some basic information about
when certain maintenance tasks should be done. Most tasks will
be listed according to the mileage on the car.
3000 Mile Maintenance
Change the oil in your engine every 3000 miles. The filter
should be changed at the same time. Newer synthetic oils are
said to last longer without breaking down. When you change the
oil, check the fluids, the air filter, tires, hoses and belts.
At this time check the battery cables and terminals for
corrosion. This can be removed with a wire brush or sandpaper.
5000-10,000 Miles:
Have your tires rotated and balanced every five to ten thousand
miles. This helps the tires wear evenly and extends the life.
The best tires should be put in the front of the car. Check the
tire pressure regularly and check the tread for signs of uneven
wear or damage.
15,000 Miles:
Change the air filter every 15,000 miles. A clean air filter
improves the fuel economy of your car. A dirty air filter can
cause the engine to run rough and stall. At this time you should
also check the pads and shoes on your brake system. Check the
brake fluid and top it of, as needed. The fluid should be clear.
If you notice noise when the brakes are applied or the steering
wheel shakes or vibrates, this can be an indication that the
brakes need replacing. In this case, don't wait check the brakes
and replace as needed.
30,000 Miles:
Check the fluid level on your transmission. The owner's manual
will have information about the kind of fluid that should be
used in your car. The manual should have directions on how to
drain and replace the fluid. The pan gasket should be changed
when the fluid is drained. Also at this time, give the car a
tune up. Replace all spark plugs and wires.
50,000 Miles:
Change the coolant at 50,000 miles. See the owner's manual for
directions on how to perform this task.
Remember to take care of your car's finish. You want the paint
to remain in good condition for as long as possible. Wash the
car regularly, even in the winter when salt from the roads can
ruin the finish. Apply wax to protect the paint from the sun,
salt and weather conditions. Don't neglect the headlights, which
can become cloudy and won't operate as well. New Lite Headlight
Cleaner and Restorer will return cloudy headlights to like new
condition. Learn more about this product at http://www.mdwholesale.com
About the author:
David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in
biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of
Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for
public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous
patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight
cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale:
http://www.mdwholesale.com
Today's cars can typically be expected to pass the 200,000 mile
mark with consistent automobile maintenance. With the price of
automobiles, you will want to protect that investment by
performing regular maintenance. If you can do much of the work
yourself, you will save a lot of money in labor. Invest in a
good set of tools and choose quality parts when performing your
own automobile maintenance.
If you have some skill, but want to learn more look for courses
in general repairs and maintenance. These can often be found at
your local community center, Community College or an automotive
technical school in your area. Consider investing in a good
repair manual for your car, such as a Chilton's manual. The
internet is a good place to look for articles and information.
There are many sites devoted to auto repair and maintenance.
You will want to keep track of all maintenance performed on your
car. You can do this in a log, a notebook or on your home
computer. There is software available to help you keep track of
maintenance. These programs track repairs, maintenance,
replacement parts used on the vehicle and fuel consumption. You
can use the same software for multiple vehicles.
Most software allows you to create a service schedule and will
remind you when it's time to perform maintenance tasks on each
vehicle in your household. The software contains a wide variety
of tips for car care. In addition, many have reference and
diagnostic tools to help you diagnose various problems with your
cars. Many companies offer a free trial that can be downloaded
on the internet. This allows you to try out the program before
investing your money.
Your owner's manual will give you some basic information about
when certain maintenance tasks should be done. Most tasks will
be listed according to the mileage on the car.
3000 Mile Maintenance
Change the oil in your engine every 3000 miles. The filter
should be changed at the same time. Newer synthetic oils are
said to last longer without breaking down. When you change the
oil, check the fluids, the air filter, tires, hoses and belts.
At this time check the battery cables and terminals for
corrosion. This can be removed with a wire brush or sandpaper.
5000-10,000 Miles:
Have your tires rotated and balanced every five to ten thousand
miles. This helps the tires wear evenly and extends the life.
The best tires should be put in the front of the car. Check the
tire pressure regularly and check the tread for signs of uneven
wear or damage.
15,000 Miles:
Change the air filter every 15,000 miles. A clean air filter
improves the fuel economy of your car. A dirty air filter can
cause the engine to run rough and stall. At this time you should
also check the pads and shoes on your brake system. Check the
brake fluid and top it of, as needed. The fluid should be clear.
If you notice noise when the brakes are applied or the steering
wheel shakes or vibrates, this can be an indication that the
brakes need replacing. In this case, don't wait check the brakes
and replace as needed.
30,000 Miles:
Check the fluid level on your transmission. The owner's manual
will have information about the kind of fluid that should be
used in your car. The manual should have directions on how to
drain and replace the fluid. The pan gasket should be changed
when the fluid is drained. Also at this time, give the car a
tune up. Replace all spark plugs and wires.
50,000 Miles:
Change the coolant at 50,000 miles. See the owner's manual for
directions on how to perform this task.
Remember to take care of your car's finish. You want the paint
to remain in good condition for as long as possible. Wash the
car regularly, even in the winter when salt from the roads can
ruin the finish. Apply wax to protect the paint from the sun,
salt and weather conditions. Don't neglect the headlights, which
can become cloudy and won't operate as well. New Lite Headlight
Cleaner and Restorer will return cloudy headlights to like new
condition. Learn more about this product at http://www.mdwholesale.com
About the author:
David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in
biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of
Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for
public, private, and governmental interests. He holds numerous
patents including his recently awarded patent for headlight
cleaner and restorer. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale:
http://www.mdwholesale.com
Friday, December 09, 2005
The Makings of a Safe Car
By: David Maillie
Over the years, the minimization of vehicular related accidents
has been gaining ground. In fact, different sectors of society
have contributed to ensure that motorists should be protected
from unnecessary road mishaps. The government, car
manufacturers, and even motorists and passengers themselves have
been conscientious about this, making plans and creating devices
in order to decrease the possibility of road hazards.
There have been countless pieces of legislation enacted by the
government in order to ensure the reduction of vehicular
accidents. The government has enacted a law about the use of
seatbelts. There is also a prescribed speed limit for vehicles.
Even the use of alcoholic beverages has been banned if a person
has been designated to drive a vehicle. Car manufacturers, on
the other hand, have devised various ingenious mechanisms to
reduce the impact of collision and accidents. Brakes, tires, air
bags, safety belts, seat belts are among the many things added
into a car to ensure the safety of its users and passengers.
These and many others are cautious steps and devices designed in
order to curb road and vehicular accidents.
However, safety is not only limited to external factors and
other people's acts. It also requires a personal undertaking on
the part of the car owner to ensure car safety. A car owner can
maintain a good and safe vehicle by regularly making safety
inspections on its various parts. Checking the brakes, ensuring
that the seatbelts are still intact, recharging or changing the
batteries are ways that could prevent car collisions or other
similar accidents.
One of the more important parts of the car to consider are the
headlights. Good headlights are considered a vital safety
feature for driving at night and even in places where there are
poor lighting conditions. Headlights provide a better view of
the road and its adjacent sites. A good headlight, therefore,
gives the motorist an advantage to foresee any possible road
distractions that lies ahead.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety mentions that an average
of 9 out of 10 cars has seedy or cloudy headlights. With seedy
or cloudy headlights, night vision is reduced to a drastic
percentage up to 90 percent, according to Road and Travel
Magazine. Having cars with cloudy headlight affects the car's
ability to clearly see the road. This, in turn, is responsible
for poor vision, which could result in a vehicular accident. An
effective way to tackle this problem is through using a quality
headlight cleaner / restorer. It has been reported that many
road accidents result from inadvertence. People fail to strap
their seatbelts while driving cars. This results to almost 50
deaths due to road crashes every year. Even the simple acts of
checking the tires and brakes have been constantly ignored that
have caused pointless accidents. These things and many others
could have been averted had the car owners been more responsible
in checking and ensuring car maintenance.
Car safety does not end in finding the perfect or safest car.
Purchasing a safer vehicle is merely the start of being a
responsible car owner. The key to having a safe vehicle is the
act of treating and ensuring that the entire vehicle is a safe
machine. The act requires a mentality of viewing the different
features as an entire team working together to prevent collision
and to protect its occupants. By knowing each part's
characteristic and mechanism, there is a more proactive approach
to the prevention of vehicular mishaps. It only takes a positive
disposition, an informed choice, and regular maintenance.
Over the years, the minimization of vehicular related accidents
has been gaining ground. In fact, different sectors of society
have contributed to ensure that motorists should be protected
from unnecessary road mishaps. The government, car
manufacturers, and even motorists and passengers themselves have
been conscientious about this, making plans and creating devices
in order to decrease the possibility of road hazards.
There have been countless pieces of legislation enacted by the
government in order to ensure the reduction of vehicular
accidents. The government has enacted a law about the use of
seatbelts. There is also a prescribed speed limit for vehicles.
Even the use of alcoholic beverages has been banned if a person
has been designated to drive a vehicle. Car manufacturers, on
the other hand, have devised various ingenious mechanisms to
reduce the impact of collision and accidents. Brakes, tires, air
bags, safety belts, seat belts are among the many things added
into a car to ensure the safety of its users and passengers.
These and many others are cautious steps and devices designed in
order to curb road and vehicular accidents.
However, safety is not only limited to external factors and
other people's acts. It also requires a personal undertaking on
the part of the car owner to ensure car safety. A car owner can
maintain a good and safe vehicle by regularly making safety
inspections on its various parts. Checking the brakes, ensuring
that the seatbelts are still intact, recharging or changing the
batteries are ways that could prevent car collisions or other
similar accidents.
One of the more important parts of the car to consider are the
headlights. Good headlights are considered a vital safety
feature for driving at night and even in places where there are
poor lighting conditions. Headlights provide a better view of
the road and its adjacent sites. A good headlight, therefore,
gives the motorist an advantage to foresee any possible road
distractions that lies ahead.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety mentions that an average
of 9 out of 10 cars has seedy or cloudy headlights. With seedy
or cloudy headlights, night vision is reduced to a drastic
percentage up to 90 percent, according to Road and Travel
Magazine. Having cars with cloudy headlight affects the car's
ability to clearly see the road. This, in turn, is responsible
for poor vision, which could result in a vehicular accident. An
effective way to tackle this problem is through using a quality
headlight cleaner / restorer. It has been reported that many
road accidents result from inadvertence. People fail to strap
their seatbelts while driving cars. This results to almost 50
deaths due to road crashes every year. Even the simple acts of
checking the tires and brakes have been constantly ignored that
have caused pointless accidents. These things and many others
could have been averted had the car owners been more responsible
in checking and ensuring car maintenance.
Car safety does not end in finding the perfect or safest car.
Purchasing a safer vehicle is merely the start of being a
responsible car owner. The key to having a safe vehicle is the
act of treating and ensuring that the entire vehicle is a safe
machine. The act requires a mentality of viewing the different
features as an entire team working together to prevent collision
and to protect its occupants. By knowing each part's
characteristic and mechanism, there is a more proactive approach
to the prevention of vehicular mishaps. It only takes a positive
disposition, an informed choice, and regular maintenance.
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
What To Do With Your Old Car?
By: Ali Moazami
You can keep it, sell it or trade it in. You will receive the
best price for your car if you sell it yourself, but it requires
a lot of work on your part. You can visit the following web
sites for some help.
kbb.com, edmunds.com, nada.com
The above web sites help you research the prices and give you an
idea for how much your car is worth. Once you know the value of
your car, you can place an ad in your local newspaper, or on the
Internet. Some popular web sites that you can sell your car on
are:
ebaymotors.com, yahoo.com
Make sure that you have the car cleaned and detailed by a detail
shop. The $75 or $100 detailing can only help in bringing a
higher value for your car.
If you don't have the time and need to get rid of your car
immediately you can trade it in and have the dealership offer
you the wholesale price. Keep in mind that the dealer needs to
perform any necessary cleaning or repairs on your used car
before selling it at a profit.
About the author:
Copyright © 2005 AutoDiscover. All rights reserved. Ali Moazami
owns and operates an auto consulting firm. The company was
established to change the way the consumers buy and lease their
cars by providing unbiased advice. For more information visit:
http://www.autodiscover.com
You can keep it, sell it or trade it in. You will receive the
best price for your car if you sell it yourself, but it requires
a lot of work on your part. You can visit the following web
sites for some help.
kbb.com, edmunds.com, nada.com
The above web sites help you research the prices and give you an
idea for how much your car is worth. Once you know the value of
your car, you can place an ad in your local newspaper, or on the
Internet. Some popular web sites that you can sell your car on
are:
ebaymotors.com, yahoo.com
Make sure that you have the car cleaned and detailed by a detail
shop. The $75 or $100 detailing can only help in bringing a
higher value for your car.
If you don't have the time and need to get rid of your car
immediately you can trade it in and have the dealership offer
you the wholesale price. Keep in mind that the dealer needs to
perform any necessary cleaning or repairs on your used car
before selling it at a profit.
About the author:
Copyright © 2005 AutoDiscover. All rights reserved. Ali Moazami
owns and operates an auto consulting firm. The company was
established to change the way the consumers buy and lease their
cars by providing unbiased advice. For more information visit:
http://www.autodiscover.com
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
Researching Your New Car Before You Buy it
By: Tim Moore
What should you really consider when buying a new car? Judging
by the conversations of many would-be car buyers, the make,
model, and color of a prospective new vehicle are among the
first thoughts in a buyer's mind, followed closely by issues of
performance (transmission type and horsepower) and available
vehicle amenities (for example, leather seats versus cloth,
standard locks versus power).
However, as worthy (and sometimes fun) as these car purchase
issues are to ponder, there are other issues that are more
substantial and weigh in more heavily. What are those issues?
Let's start with a vehicle's warranty.
The purpose and function of a warranty, of course, is quite
plain. It serves as a good faith statement from a seller to a
buyer that a quality product has been sold. But what is a
"better" car warranty? And what makes one warranty better than
another? In all cases, the most basic criteria will be the
warranty length (i.e. the longer the better). Most vehicles come
with at least a three year 36,000 mile warranty, with an option
to purchase an extended warranty. But since the cost of
extending a warranty can be considerable, it may make more sense
to buy a car...with a longer warranty. And some automakers
actually offer a ten year 100,000 mile warranty bumper to
bumper. Now we're talking value.
Another car buying issue that is of equal importance is the
residual value of a car after its purchase. As everyone knows,
as soon as a car leaves a buyer's lot, it loses a portion of its
value. For this reason, it is definitely a good idea to research
the make and model of a vehicle you are thinking of buying. This
will provide information on its current value retention, as well
as information on how its been holding up in recent years. After
all, you aren't going to feel too good about that nice new set
of wheels if it takes more than the average 15% "hit" after it
has been driven off the lot.
Finally, here's a consideration for leasers. Make sure when you
lease a vehicle that you check for mileage limitations. On
average, these are 12-15 thousand miles per year--with a price
per mile penalty for anything in excess of that. The kicker is
some of these penalties are big and can add up to thousands of
dollars when turning in your vehicle. Also make sure you
purchase the available extended warranty to cover your lease
term; that way you aren't paying repair bills for a car that you
don't even technically own.
Selecting a car that has the look and feel you want will go a
long way toward guaranteeing that you stay satisfied with your
purchase. But doing a little research into your prospective new
car's resale value and warranty coverage may go even further
toward retaining satisfaction in the vehicle you end up buying.
About the author:
The author of this article is Tim Moore, who publishes a website
on Vitamins, herbs, and
nutrition which features a section on Antioxidants
What should you really consider when buying a new car? Judging
by the conversations of many would-be car buyers, the make,
model, and color of a prospective new vehicle are among the
first thoughts in a buyer's mind, followed closely by issues of
performance (transmission type and horsepower) and available
vehicle amenities (for example, leather seats versus cloth,
standard locks versus power).
However, as worthy (and sometimes fun) as these car purchase
issues are to ponder, there are other issues that are more
substantial and weigh in more heavily. What are those issues?
Let's start with a vehicle's warranty.
The purpose and function of a warranty, of course, is quite
plain. It serves as a good faith statement from a seller to a
buyer that a quality product has been sold. But what is a
"better" car warranty? And what makes one warranty better than
another? In all cases, the most basic criteria will be the
warranty length (i.e. the longer the better). Most vehicles come
with at least a three year 36,000 mile warranty, with an option
to purchase an extended warranty. But since the cost of
extending a warranty can be considerable, it may make more sense
to buy a car...with a longer warranty. And some automakers
actually offer a ten year 100,000 mile warranty bumper to
bumper. Now we're talking value.
Another car buying issue that is of equal importance is the
residual value of a car after its purchase. As everyone knows,
as soon as a car leaves a buyer's lot, it loses a portion of its
value. For this reason, it is definitely a good idea to research
the make and model of a vehicle you are thinking of buying. This
will provide information on its current value retention, as well
as information on how its been holding up in recent years. After
all, you aren't going to feel too good about that nice new set
of wheels if it takes more than the average 15% "hit" after it
has been driven off the lot.
Finally, here's a consideration for leasers. Make sure when you
lease a vehicle that you check for mileage limitations. On
average, these are 12-15 thousand miles per year--with a price
per mile penalty for anything in excess of that. The kicker is
some of these penalties are big and can add up to thousands of
dollars when turning in your vehicle. Also make sure you
purchase the available extended warranty to cover your lease
term; that way you aren't paying repair bills for a car that you
don't even technically own.
Selecting a car that has the look and feel you want will go a
long way toward guaranteeing that you stay satisfied with your
purchase. But doing a little research into your prospective new
car's resale value and warranty coverage may go even further
toward retaining satisfaction in the vehicle you end up buying.
About the author:
The author of this article is Tim Moore, who publishes a website
on Vitamins, herbs, and
nutrition which features a section on Antioxidants
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Beware of Hurricane Damaged Vehicles!
By: Matthew C. Keegan
Nearly a half million cars were destroyed by two of this past
season's biggest hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. Some of these
cars may not have received much apparent damage but they were
totaled nevertheless because of water, mud, and debris which
flooded engine bays and the interior. Damaged cars are supposed
to make their way to the junkyard for scrap, unfortunately some
unscrupulous parties are gaining a hold of the vehicle titles
and turning around and selling damaged cars to the public.
Should you be concerned? Absolutely! Read on to learn more about
this problem and what you can do to avoid being stuck with a
vehicle that is certain to be a lemon.
Let me just say this: it is not illegal for weekend mechanics to
buy a salvaged vehicle, repair it, and sell it to you. What they
must disclose to you is this: you are buying a salvaged vehicle.
This is where most of the problems begin: the dishonest
purveyors are not sharing this information.
Only 22 states require that the titles of flood damaged vehicles
[which were totaled by insurers] be stamped with that
information. So, if you live in any one of the 28 other states,
be extremely cautious about buying any used car [check your
local laws to see which group you belong to].
One organization is doing its part to help fight the problem.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau [NICB] this past summer and
fall sent teams to flood damaged areas in affected states to
work with local police authorities. What the teams did was try
to catalog all of the flood damaged vehicles and enter that
information in a database, which is accessible online. Because
of their diligence, nearly 200,000 car identification numbers
are now available for car buyers to search at www.nicb.org
Car shoppers should always invest in obtaining a car history
report from an independent company, such as Car Fax, as a back
up source to verify information about a vehicle. Although the
information supplied by these types of companies isn't always
100% accurate, it can usually reveal whether a car has been
salvaged, rebuilt, is a lemon, or has been flood damaged. Some
guarantee their information so check the individual
contract/agreement before you use their services to see what
recourse you would have in the event a lemon sneaks by them and
you purchase one.
So, how can we know for sure that there will be problems? Well,
if Hurricane Floyd is a measuring stick then the potential for
fraud is huge. In 1999, nearly 80,000 cars were damaged by Floyd
and taken off of the roads due to storm damage. About half of
that number were repaired and resold, many to unsuspecting
consumers.
You don't have to be a victim, so get informed. If a car is
priced well below book value that can be a big clue that a
problem exists, however don't rely on price, instead do some
research first before buying your next used car.
About the author:
Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Race Pages, a
supplier of quality Honda catalytic
converters and Toyota oxygen
sensors at discount prices.
Nearly a half million cars were destroyed by two of this past
season's biggest hurricanes, Katrina and Rita. Some of these
cars may not have received much apparent damage but they were
totaled nevertheless because of water, mud, and debris which
flooded engine bays and the interior. Damaged cars are supposed
to make their way to the junkyard for scrap, unfortunately some
unscrupulous parties are gaining a hold of the vehicle titles
and turning around and selling damaged cars to the public.
Should you be concerned? Absolutely! Read on to learn more about
this problem and what you can do to avoid being stuck with a
vehicle that is certain to be a lemon.
Let me just say this: it is not illegal for weekend mechanics to
buy a salvaged vehicle, repair it, and sell it to you. What they
must disclose to you is this: you are buying a salvaged vehicle.
This is where most of the problems begin: the dishonest
purveyors are not sharing this information.
Only 22 states require that the titles of flood damaged vehicles
[which were totaled by insurers] be stamped with that
information. So, if you live in any one of the 28 other states,
be extremely cautious about buying any used car [check your
local laws to see which group you belong to].
One organization is doing its part to help fight the problem.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau [NICB] this past summer and
fall sent teams to flood damaged areas in affected states to
work with local police authorities. What the teams did was try
to catalog all of the flood damaged vehicles and enter that
information in a database, which is accessible online. Because
of their diligence, nearly 200,000 car identification numbers
are now available for car buyers to search at www.nicb.org
Car shoppers should always invest in obtaining a car history
report from an independent company, such as Car Fax, as a back
up source to verify information about a vehicle. Although the
information supplied by these types of companies isn't always
100% accurate, it can usually reveal whether a car has been
salvaged, rebuilt, is a lemon, or has been flood damaged. Some
guarantee their information so check the individual
contract/agreement before you use their services to see what
recourse you would have in the event a lemon sneaks by them and
you purchase one.
So, how can we know for sure that there will be problems? Well,
if Hurricane Floyd is a measuring stick then the potential for
fraud is huge. In 1999, nearly 80,000 cars were damaged by Floyd
and taken off of the roads due to storm damage. About half of
that number were repaired and resold, many to unsuspecting
consumers.
You don't have to be a victim, so get informed. If a car is
priced well below book value that can be a big clue that a
problem exists, however don't rely on price, instead do some
research first before buying your next used car.
About the author:
Matt Keegan is a contributing writer for the Race Pages, a
supplier of quality Honda catalytic
converters and Toyota oxygen
sensors at discount prices.
Saturday, December 03, 2005
The Secret To Getting The Best Car Lease Deal
By: Daniel DeHaven
When you lease an automobile, you are paying for the
depreciation from the final sale price to the residual value
once your lease term is finished.
Let's use a simple example, the final sale price of the car is
$30,000 and the residual value after a 3-year lease will be
$17,000. You will pay $13,000 plus interest during the 3-year
lease term of your car lease deal.
The secret to negotiate the best car lease deal is
to expose the "capitalized cost" or a.k.a. final sale price.
Aside from your money factor and residual value, the
"capitalized cost" is one of the main variables of the auto
lease that controls what your monthly payment will be and if
you'll get the best deal.
And this is the first mistake people make: not knowing that they
still have to negotiate the final sale price when leasing an
auto, just as if they were buying it. This mistake can cost
thousands of dollars over the course of a typical 3-year lease.
Always compare models for good residual values on your car lease
deal. Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) provides leasing residual
values for all new automobiles and gives awards to specific
models and manufacturers for residual value excellence.
Typically, an auto will depreciate 30%-40% of the original sale
price during the first 3 years of ownership.
Let's do the simple math: 35% depreciation of a $30,000 vehicle
= $10,500. As compared to 43% of $30,000 = $12,900. That's a
difference of $2,400 that you would pay during your lease term!
Among this year's auto industry brand winners are Honda, Toyota
and Nissan for excellence, and BMW, Lexus, and Acura for luxury.
Lastly, know how to translate an interest rate into a money
factor for your car lease deal. Translating the interest rate on
your auto loan into the money factor is easy: Money Factor
multiplied by 2400 = Interest Rate.
To get the best lease deal you should pay the same interest on
your lease as you would on your auto loan, so it makes sense to
research this on your own to know if the quote you get from the
dealer is reasonable.
You can find more information on how to get the best car lease deal or
apply for an online auto
loan quote to see what kind of interest rate you receive!
About the author:
Daniel DeHaven is the Editor in Chief of the BuyingAdvice Team. He
understands the auto business. He's been around it - all of his
life. Daniel has been a consumer advocate voice for over 15
years. He has learned every trick and profit ploy car
salespeople use... and mistakes buyers tend to make.
Copyright © 2002-2005 BuyingAdvice.com, INC
When you lease an automobile, you are paying for the
depreciation from the final sale price to the residual value
once your lease term is finished.
Let's use a simple example, the final sale price of the car is
$30,000 and the residual value after a 3-year lease will be
$17,000. You will pay $13,000 plus interest during the 3-year
lease term of your car lease deal.
The secret to negotiate the best car lease deal is
to expose the "capitalized cost" or a.k.a. final sale price.
Aside from your money factor and residual value, the
"capitalized cost" is one of the main variables of the auto
lease that controls what your monthly payment will be and if
you'll get the best deal.
And this is the first mistake people make: not knowing that they
still have to negotiate the final sale price when leasing an
auto, just as if they were buying it. This mistake can cost
thousands of dollars over the course of a typical 3-year lease.
Always compare models for good residual values on your car lease
deal. Automotive Lease Guide (ALG) provides leasing residual
values for all new automobiles and gives awards to specific
models and manufacturers for residual value excellence.
Typically, an auto will depreciate 30%-40% of the original sale
price during the first 3 years of ownership.
Let's do the simple math: 35% depreciation of a $30,000 vehicle
= $10,500. As compared to 43% of $30,000 = $12,900. That's a
difference of $2,400 that you would pay during your lease term!
Among this year's auto industry brand winners are Honda, Toyota
and Nissan for excellence, and BMW, Lexus, and Acura for luxury.
Lastly, know how to translate an interest rate into a money
factor for your car lease deal. Translating the interest rate on
your auto loan into the money factor is easy: Money Factor
multiplied by 2400 = Interest Rate.
To get the best lease deal you should pay the same interest on
your lease as you would on your auto loan, so it makes sense to
research this on your own to know if the quote you get from the
dealer is reasonable.
You can find more information on how to get the best car lease deal or
apply for an online auto
loan quote to see what kind of interest rate you receive!
About the author:
Daniel DeHaven is the Editor in Chief of the BuyingAdvice Team. He
understands the auto business. He's been around it - all of his
life. Daniel has been a consumer advocate voice for over 15
years. He has learned every trick and profit ploy car
salespeople use... and mistakes buyers tend to make.
Copyright © 2002-2005 BuyingAdvice.com, INC
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
The Hidden Costs of Car Leases
By: Amy Metz
Be honest- are you one of those people who just loves new cars?
I knew it. That's OK, we are in the same boat. I love new cars
just as much as you do. But I like not overpaying just as much
if not more than you do. That's why, when it comes to car
leases, I make sure and really get to know my options and
whether I should be leasing or buying my vehicles. As I've
learned (the hard way) a few times, there are all sorts of
hidden costs involved in leasing a new car. And they aren't what
you think they are. Lets look at a few of them.
1)The monthly lease payment. Did you know that there are
unscrupulous car dealers out there who will blindly rip you off
if you let them. That's right. And your monthly payment might
have been arbitrarily made up by one of these dealers on the
spot just by looking at you and deciding how much money they
should charge you. Make sure and question everything on the
lease form and ask in depth questions as to why you should be
paying what you are. The fine print can be your friend, use it
against the car dealer to negotiate a better deal somewhere else.
2)Keep an eye on your mileage. This is a biggie. A lot of people
get wooed by the idea of a lease and it's low payments. However,
these same people are living the high life until the day comes
when they have to finally return their vehicle. This is the day
of reckoning because they get charge for overage miles. It's not
a pretty site and it can seriously damage your bank account. If
you lease your car, make sure your mileage doesn't exceed it's
limit.
3)The lack of equity. When you buy a car, you own it (or the
bank owns the note on it). You don't build equity with a car
lease. Your car is basically being rented. Compare the equity
costs and gains before deciding on a least.
There are a ton of other hidden costs involved in car leases
that make points #1-3 look small by comparison. Learn all about
them.
About the author:
Amy Metz is author of "The Car Lease Hidden Cost
Guide." Grab your copy at http://www.learncarleases.com.
Be honest- are you one of those people who just loves new cars?
I knew it. That's OK, we are in the same boat. I love new cars
just as much as you do. But I like not overpaying just as much
if not more than you do. That's why, when it comes to car
leases, I make sure and really get to know my options and
whether I should be leasing or buying my vehicles. As I've
learned (the hard way) a few times, there are all sorts of
hidden costs involved in leasing a new car. And they aren't what
you think they are. Lets look at a few of them.
1)The monthly lease payment. Did you know that there are
unscrupulous car dealers out there who will blindly rip you off
if you let them. That's right. And your monthly payment might
have been arbitrarily made up by one of these dealers on the
spot just by looking at you and deciding how much money they
should charge you. Make sure and question everything on the
lease form and ask in depth questions as to why you should be
paying what you are. The fine print can be your friend, use it
against the car dealer to negotiate a better deal somewhere else.
2)Keep an eye on your mileage. This is a biggie. A lot of people
get wooed by the idea of a lease and it's low payments. However,
these same people are living the high life until the day comes
when they have to finally return their vehicle. This is the day
of reckoning because they get charge for overage miles. It's not
a pretty site and it can seriously damage your bank account. If
you lease your car, make sure your mileage doesn't exceed it's
limit.
3)The lack of equity. When you buy a car, you own it (or the
bank owns the note on it). You don't build equity with a car
lease. Your car is basically being rented. Compare the equity
costs and gains before deciding on a least.
There are a ton of other hidden costs involved in car leases
that make points #1-3 look small by comparison. Learn all about
them.
About the author:
Amy Metz is author of "The Car Lease Hidden Cost
Guide." Grab your copy at http://www.learncarleases.com.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Basic auto tune up
By: Jerry Lemke
A tune up is a simple task that almost anyone can do. This will
make your vehicle more fuel efficient. This applies for any
motorized vehicle. The filters are a good place to start.
Depending how often you do a tune up will affect how much of an
improvement that you will see. Most mechanics suggest a tune up
by 60,000 miles. The engine air filter can be your first tune up
item. The air filter is located over a carburetor on older cars.
The air filter is in the airbox on fuel injected motors. The
fuel filter can be located anywhere between your engine and the
fuel tank and should also be replaced. If the fuel filter is
clogged it can make your engine run lean. Many times if your
check engine light has been on it is due to the o2 sensor not
working correctly. This is normally only replaced when it fails
but usually will not last long anyways. Now is also a good time
to have your transmission filter replaced. If the transmission
filter has alot of miles on it the transmission could be
slipping.Replacing this may need to be done by a mechanic,
unless you feel comfortable enough to it. The filter is usually
found under the transmission pan. The transmission filter will
usually pull straight down and out. Unless you have the scarce,
screw on filter like saturns. The ignition system is also very
important and requires attention. The spark plug wires will
usually wear out even faster than the 60,000 mile tune up. Try
half that mileage and it will save you money and troubles. Spark
plug wires wear out and lose resistance, making the car run
rough and use more fuel. While replacing the spark plug wires it
is also a good idea to replace the distributor cap and rotor.
The engine's distributor cap will come off easy, usually with
two screws. It may be easiest to remove the distributor cap
first to keep the wires running to the correct spark plug. When
the cap is removed, the rotor will be located under it and
usually has a push in tab to release it. Reinstall the new
distributer cap and proceed to remove one spark plug wire only.
Now it is time to replace the spark plugs. The spark plugs will
usually come out with a 5/8" or 13/16" socket. Replace the spark
plug with a new compatible plug. Check the gap with a feeler
gauge and tap on or pry the electrode back in until you have the
gap the size it needs to be. Most engines run the spark plug gap
between .030" and .045" depending on the vehicle. Now refer to
the wire set up on the old distributor cap. Trace the one wire
back to where it needs to be on the new cap. Do this to all the
wire and plugs so that they can't be mixed up. The ignition
timing should also be checked by connecting a timing light to #1
spark plug wire. The timing setting should be around 8 to 12
degrees advanced or zero on newer cars. The actual timing spec,
along with the spark plug gap, will be displayed under the hood
on a tag. Also if excessive oil was found in the air filter, you
should replace the PCV (positive crankcase valve) which will be
usually be found in the head, valve cover or air cleaner/box. If
there is no oil in the air filter then the PCV valve is o.k.
This will return your car to the factory oem specs and will
probably improve the power, smoothness and fuel economy.
About the author:
Glad to have you on my site. I have worked in the engine
industry for the last ten years. Everywhere from outboard motor
companies (Mercury Marine), to working with direct injection
lightweight motors that will burn any fuel, to nascar (Joe Gibbs
Racing). www.freeengineinfo.com
A tune up is a simple task that almost anyone can do. This will
make your vehicle more fuel efficient. This applies for any
motorized vehicle. The filters are a good place to start.
Depending how often you do a tune up will affect how much of an
improvement that you will see. Most mechanics suggest a tune up
by 60,000 miles. The engine air filter can be your first tune up
item. The air filter is located over a carburetor on older cars.
The air filter is in the airbox on fuel injected motors. The
fuel filter can be located anywhere between your engine and the
fuel tank and should also be replaced. If the fuel filter is
clogged it can make your engine run lean. Many times if your
check engine light has been on it is due to the o2 sensor not
working correctly. This is normally only replaced when it fails
but usually will not last long anyways. Now is also a good time
to have your transmission filter replaced. If the transmission
filter has alot of miles on it the transmission could be
slipping.Replacing this may need to be done by a mechanic,
unless you feel comfortable enough to it. The filter is usually
found under the transmission pan. The transmission filter will
usually pull straight down and out. Unless you have the scarce,
screw on filter like saturns. The ignition system is also very
important and requires attention. The spark plug wires will
usually wear out even faster than the 60,000 mile tune up. Try
half that mileage and it will save you money and troubles. Spark
plug wires wear out and lose resistance, making the car run
rough and use more fuel. While replacing the spark plug wires it
is also a good idea to replace the distributor cap and rotor.
The engine's distributor cap will come off easy, usually with
two screws. It may be easiest to remove the distributor cap
first to keep the wires running to the correct spark plug. When
the cap is removed, the rotor will be located under it and
usually has a push in tab to release it. Reinstall the new
distributer cap and proceed to remove one spark plug wire only.
Now it is time to replace the spark plugs. The spark plugs will
usually come out with a 5/8" or 13/16" socket. Replace the spark
plug with a new compatible plug. Check the gap with a feeler
gauge and tap on or pry the electrode back in until you have the
gap the size it needs to be. Most engines run the spark plug gap
between .030" and .045" depending on the vehicle. Now refer to
the wire set up on the old distributor cap. Trace the one wire
back to where it needs to be on the new cap. Do this to all the
wire and plugs so that they can't be mixed up. The ignition
timing should also be checked by connecting a timing light to #1
spark plug wire. The timing setting should be around 8 to 12
degrees advanced or zero on newer cars. The actual timing spec,
along with the spark plug gap, will be displayed under the hood
on a tag. Also if excessive oil was found in the air filter, you
should replace the PCV (positive crankcase valve) which will be
usually be found in the head, valve cover or air cleaner/box. If
there is no oil in the air filter then the PCV valve is o.k.
This will return your car to the factory oem specs and will
probably improve the power, smoothness and fuel economy.
About the author:
Glad to have you on my site. I have worked in the engine
industry for the last ten years. Everywhere from outboard motor
companies (Mercury Marine), to working with direct injection
lightweight motors that will burn any fuel, to nascar (Joe Gibbs
Racing). www.freeengineinfo.com
Friday, November 25, 2005
Reducing cost of gas with hybrid cars
By: Dylan Miles
The first successfully designed, engineered and launched hybrid
car was by Ferdinand Porsche all the way back in 1899. How
surprisingly long ago it has been since the first hybrid car and
only of recent years have we been able to find a way to bring
hybrid cars to the home users.
With the continual rise in the cost of gasoline, most consumers
welcome the new breed of cars in the form of hybrid cars. Hybrid
cars use multiple propulsion systems to provide power. It
combines the use of gas and also electric to power up the car.
Hybrid cars are comparatively smaller than the usual internal
combustion engines and have been known to save consumers quite a
bit of money every month on gas.
One question lingers on...how can a hybrid car save me, the
consumer, money? Well, the basic reason is because hybrid cars
don't use as much gas as the normal cars we see on the road.
When the hybrid car is being driven or in use, they are
recharging their batteries. And when the hybrid car is cruising
or stationary, it also charges the batteries.
Of course, we've heard of the all-electric cars which use
nothing but electric which requires one to charge the car up
whenever not in use through an external source and we've also
heard of the range extending trailer. But if convenience, safety
and money are important to you, consider the hybrid car as a
complete life saver. Although not completely certified to be so
because the hybrid car continues to use gas (which is not
environmental friendly), the hybrid car, when compared to the
conventional car, is more environmentally-friendly. In fact, the
fuel economy advantage provided by hybrid cars is good enough
for the US Government because they provide a tax credit of up to
$3,400 for owners of hybrid cars.
How can a hybrid car save me money? Because the use of
self-charging electrical components within the car means that
the hybrid car uses less fuel.
Because the internal combustion engine in a hybrid car is much
smaller than the conventional car. Therefore, it is not only
smaller, but it is much lighter and more efficient than any
other cars we've known.
Because when the car is moving, is idle or stationary or when
the car brakes, it is a chance for the batteries to recharge
itself. The more electricity it uses from the batteries, the
less fuel it uses. Simple and logical.
About the author:
Dylan Miles, journalist, and website builder, lives in Texas. He
is the owner and co-editor of http://www.gascosts.info on which
you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.
The first successfully designed, engineered and launched hybrid
car was by Ferdinand Porsche all the way back in 1899. How
surprisingly long ago it has been since the first hybrid car and
only of recent years have we been able to find a way to bring
hybrid cars to the home users.
With the continual rise in the cost of gasoline, most consumers
welcome the new breed of cars in the form of hybrid cars. Hybrid
cars use multiple propulsion systems to provide power. It
combines the use of gas and also electric to power up the car.
Hybrid cars are comparatively smaller than the usual internal
combustion engines and have been known to save consumers quite a
bit of money every month on gas.
One question lingers on...how can a hybrid car save me, the
consumer, money? Well, the basic reason is because hybrid cars
don't use as much gas as the normal cars we see on the road.
When the hybrid car is being driven or in use, they are
recharging their batteries. And when the hybrid car is cruising
or stationary, it also charges the batteries.
Of course, we've heard of the all-electric cars which use
nothing but electric which requires one to charge the car up
whenever not in use through an external source and we've also
heard of the range extending trailer. But if convenience, safety
and money are important to you, consider the hybrid car as a
complete life saver. Although not completely certified to be so
because the hybrid car continues to use gas (which is not
environmental friendly), the hybrid car, when compared to the
conventional car, is more environmentally-friendly. In fact, the
fuel economy advantage provided by hybrid cars is good enough
for the US Government because they provide a tax credit of up to
$3,400 for owners of hybrid cars.
How can a hybrid car save me money? Because the use of
self-charging electrical components within the car means that
the hybrid car uses less fuel.
Because the internal combustion engine in a hybrid car is much
smaller than the conventional car. Therefore, it is not only
smaller, but it is much lighter and more efficient than any
other cars we've known.
Because when the car is moving, is idle or stationary or when
the car brakes, it is a chance for the batteries to recharge
itself. The more electricity it uses from the batteries, the
less fuel it uses. Simple and logical.
About the author:
Dylan Miles, journalist, and website builder, lives in Texas. He
is the owner and co-editor of http://www.gascosts.info on which
you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Tips to Buying a Car
By: Steven Anderson
I need a car. I've been a pedestrian for too long. I need
information. I'll hop on the web. Search for "car buying
guides." Whoa! Over 15 million sites/pages! Refine my search.
"Free first time car buyer guides" and narrow it down to only 4
million. That's about as refined as I can get right now. Look
over the first page of my results, chose some links with names I
recognize. Open some pages. Lots of interesting articles. Let's
see if I can pull together a cohesive list.
What type of vehicle do I need? Notice I wrote "need" not want?
I want a cool car, but this is a major investment and cool
doesn't really last that long. Do I buy new or used? What kind
of driving am I really going to be doing, and in what kind of
conditions? How much can I reasonably spend for monthly
maintenance? How much can I spend on a loan or lease payment?
Should I buy from a dealer, an auction or private sale? How's my
credit rating? Where should I buy insurance? Lots of questions
to answer, and probably some I haven't included here.
Before you search for that cool car," decide exactly what your
needs and wants are. Don't buy what you want, buy what you need.
Don't get into a cash bind because you spent more than you can
really afford because the "cool" factor fades fast but those
monthly payments continue. Review your budget to determine how
much you can really afford. That means not only the car payment,
but insurance and an estimate of your monthly maintenance (gas,
oil, etc.) Check your credit so you have an idea of what type of
loan you can qualify for. Decide on a firm price (payment or
full-purchase), because dealers and salespeople will be doing
their best to get more out of you. Be firm and stick to your
dollar amount. If financing, decide on a realistic maximum
payment you can make. If possible, check with your bank to see
what type of loan you qualify for.
With the internet, it's now much easier to compare vehicles.
Take the time to check out some websites that offer information
about vehicles and compare. Don't just rush out and buy the
first car you see. Remember, your vehicle is a major investment
and unless you can change vehicles every year, this car will
probably have to last you 4 or 5 years. Be choosy. Look at the
pictures, sure, but READ the information. Check to see if the
dealership offers web discounts (that is, if you buy from them
they will offer some discount for using the web).
Educate yourself about vehicle pricing. Dealerships have to make
a profit; otherwise they would not be in business! Simple
economics. Dealers will negotiate, but YOU have to be prepared
as well. The dealers and salespeople know their bottom line on
any vehicle. Again, check the web for information regarding
pricing. Ask family and friends to help you learn about vehicle
pricing. There are many factors that most people don't even know
about.
Make certain you qualify for insurance. Check out your state's
department of motor vehicles website and learn the minimum
insurance necessary. Check around the web and you'll find many
major insurance companies with rate comparison features. Use
those resources. Be very aware that your past driving record
will affect your rates, but also if you are a first time buyer,
be ready for slightly higher rates to begin with. After all, the
insurance company is really gambling on your not making any
claims against the insurance. Think about the type of driving
you will be doing and review the "extras" offered by the
insurance provider. Also, the type of vehicle you are looking to
purchase will affect your rates as well. Older cars usually mean
less safety features, so rates will be higher. Your vehicle
insurance is just as important as your health insurance.
A short note here about car dealerships (and not just the new
vehicle showroom guys). I personally have not had good results
buying from a private seller. Way too many variables and
basically no recourse if something isn't right. Dealers have
certain rules and restrictions they must comply with, such as
title registration time limits, the lemon law, and the "buyers
remorse" (3 day changed my mind) rules. Dealerships must be
licensed and follow the laws; private sellers often don't.
Dealerships also can provide a wider range of options than a
private seller. Go to your state motor vehicle or department of
licensing website and educate yourself. What you don't know can
hurt you.
Also, there is a list called the Customer Service Index (or
something similar) which each car maker maintains for
dealerships. The ranking indicates who a dealership satisfies
customers not only in sales, but also in service. Basically, go
to the manufacturer's website, search for customer service index
and then navigate the website to find that manufacturer's
criteria for a great dealership. Yes it takes time, but this is
a major investment. Family and friends can help here as well.
Once you have decided what type of vehicle you want, and which
dealerships you want to check out (always try at least 2
dealerships, don't just settle on one!), take someone with you,
preferably someone knowledgeable about the vehicle you have
chosen (a family member or friend you feel comfortable with).
That person will probably ask some questions you didn't think
of! I'm a wimp when it comes to negotiating, but my hubby isn't,
and he knows about cars. I let him do most of the questioning,
even though I was the one purchasing the car. Believe me, it
helped, because he asked questions I really never thought about.
Last, but certainly not least, TEST DRIVE THE CAR! Sounds
simple, but it is very important. Just because you found what
looks like the car of your dreams, it may still not be right.
You need to be comfortable behind the wheel, your sight lines
should be clear, you should be able to judge your surroundings
based on the size of the vehicle, and you should be able to find
all those little areas of vehicle maintenance you can do
yourself.
Remember, a vehicle is a major investment. It should be chosen
with care and deliberate thought. There a many factors to
consider and, ultimately, you are the one that has to pay for
any mistakes in your choice.
About the author:
Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian
Discount Car Rentals, specialists in car rentals
Kauai. He has personally researched and experienced many of
the Hawaiian activities and as described above.
I need a car. I've been a pedestrian for too long. I need
information. I'll hop on the web. Search for "car buying
guides." Whoa! Over 15 million sites/pages! Refine my search.
"Free first time car buyer guides" and narrow it down to only 4
million. That's about as refined as I can get right now. Look
over the first page of my results, chose some links with names I
recognize. Open some pages. Lots of interesting articles. Let's
see if I can pull together a cohesive list.
What type of vehicle do I need? Notice I wrote "need" not want?
I want a cool car, but this is a major investment and cool
doesn't really last that long. Do I buy new or used? What kind
of driving am I really going to be doing, and in what kind of
conditions? How much can I reasonably spend for monthly
maintenance? How much can I spend on a loan or lease payment?
Should I buy from a dealer, an auction or private sale? How's my
credit rating? Where should I buy insurance? Lots of questions
to answer, and probably some I haven't included here.
Before you search for that cool car," decide exactly what your
needs and wants are. Don't buy what you want, buy what you need.
Don't get into a cash bind because you spent more than you can
really afford because the "cool" factor fades fast but those
monthly payments continue. Review your budget to determine how
much you can really afford. That means not only the car payment,
but insurance and an estimate of your monthly maintenance (gas,
oil, etc.) Check your credit so you have an idea of what type of
loan you can qualify for. Decide on a firm price (payment or
full-purchase), because dealers and salespeople will be doing
their best to get more out of you. Be firm and stick to your
dollar amount. If financing, decide on a realistic maximum
payment you can make. If possible, check with your bank to see
what type of loan you qualify for.
With the internet, it's now much easier to compare vehicles.
Take the time to check out some websites that offer information
about vehicles and compare. Don't just rush out and buy the
first car you see. Remember, your vehicle is a major investment
and unless you can change vehicles every year, this car will
probably have to last you 4 or 5 years. Be choosy. Look at the
pictures, sure, but READ the information. Check to see if the
dealership offers web discounts (that is, if you buy from them
they will offer some discount for using the web).
Educate yourself about vehicle pricing. Dealerships have to make
a profit; otherwise they would not be in business! Simple
economics. Dealers will negotiate, but YOU have to be prepared
as well. The dealers and salespeople know their bottom line on
any vehicle. Again, check the web for information regarding
pricing. Ask family and friends to help you learn about vehicle
pricing. There are many factors that most people don't even know
about.
Make certain you qualify for insurance. Check out your state's
department of motor vehicles website and learn the minimum
insurance necessary. Check around the web and you'll find many
major insurance companies with rate comparison features. Use
those resources. Be very aware that your past driving record
will affect your rates, but also if you are a first time buyer,
be ready for slightly higher rates to begin with. After all, the
insurance company is really gambling on your not making any
claims against the insurance. Think about the type of driving
you will be doing and review the "extras" offered by the
insurance provider. Also, the type of vehicle you are looking to
purchase will affect your rates as well. Older cars usually mean
less safety features, so rates will be higher. Your vehicle
insurance is just as important as your health insurance.
A short note here about car dealerships (and not just the new
vehicle showroom guys). I personally have not had good results
buying from a private seller. Way too many variables and
basically no recourse if something isn't right. Dealers have
certain rules and restrictions they must comply with, such as
title registration time limits, the lemon law, and the "buyers
remorse" (3 day changed my mind) rules. Dealerships must be
licensed and follow the laws; private sellers often don't.
Dealerships also can provide a wider range of options than a
private seller. Go to your state motor vehicle or department of
licensing website and educate yourself. What you don't know can
hurt you.
Also, there is a list called the Customer Service Index (or
something similar) which each car maker maintains for
dealerships. The ranking indicates who a dealership satisfies
customers not only in sales, but also in service. Basically, go
to the manufacturer's website, search for customer service index
and then navigate the website to find that manufacturer's
criteria for a great dealership. Yes it takes time, but this is
a major investment. Family and friends can help here as well.
Once you have decided what type of vehicle you want, and which
dealerships you want to check out (always try at least 2
dealerships, don't just settle on one!), take someone with you,
preferably someone knowledgeable about the vehicle you have
chosen (a family member or friend you feel comfortable with).
That person will probably ask some questions you didn't think
of! I'm a wimp when it comes to negotiating, but my hubby isn't,
and he knows about cars. I let him do most of the questioning,
even though I was the one purchasing the car. Believe me, it
helped, because he asked questions I really never thought about.
Last, but certainly not least, TEST DRIVE THE CAR! Sounds
simple, but it is very important. Just because you found what
looks like the car of your dreams, it may still not be right.
You need to be comfortable behind the wheel, your sight lines
should be clear, you should be able to judge your surroundings
based on the size of the vehicle, and you should be able to find
all those little areas of vehicle maintenance you can do
yourself.
Remember, a vehicle is a major investment. It should be chosen
with care and deliberate thought. There a many factors to
consider and, ultimately, you are the one that has to pay for
any mistakes in your choice.
About the author:
Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian
Discount Car Rentals, specialists in car rentals
Kauai. He has personally researched and experienced many of
the Hawaiian activities and as described above.
Monday, November 21, 2005
3 Secret Tips Before You Buy A Used Car
By: Charlie E. Hendersen
I have always purchased my cars used. And every single time, I
got a great deal because of a few secrets that is easy to do.
These secrets will save you money. And the good news is there is
no luck involved.
If you follow these steps you are guaranteed to save lots of
money, so please pay attention.
BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #1 - Check Consumer Reports on the
safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but never ignore
safety.
Here's what you do: Go to a reputable car repair shop and ask if
you can bring the vehicle by for a look-over.
There is a 99% chance they will say "yes".
While you're there, ask what cars they have to repair most
often. Also, ask what the inspection includes, how long it
takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing -
just to be safe.
Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a
written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs.
Be sure the report includes the vehicle's make, model and VIN.
If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the
inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate
the price of the vehicle.
Do you see how easy it is?
Are you going to purchase from an individual? If yes, then here
is your next tip.
BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #2
Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the Used
Car Rule and don't have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you
can use the Guide's list of an auto's major systems as a
shopping tool.
It's simple.
You can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by
your mechanic. If he/she says no... beware. No matter how nice
the car appears, something fishy is going on.
Now, a private sale likely will be on an "as is" basis, unless
your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states
otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller has to
live up to the contract.
The car also may be covered by a manufacturer's warranty or a
separately purchased service contract. But that doesn't mean
that the warranty and service contract are transferable.
Plus, other limits or costs may apply. Before you buy the car,
ask if it's still under warranty or service contract, and review
that baby carefully.
Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle
inspection before a sale is made. That's not always the case,
though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state
Attorney General's office or a local consumer protection agency.
Hey, it's just a phone call. And it will take less than 5
minutes.
Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker,
or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can
about the car:
BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #3
Examine the car carefully yourself using an inspection
checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine
articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used
car.
Once I bought a used car in August, and never thought to test
the rear defroster. Guess what? Come November, I found out it
didn't work. If you're shopping in the summer, don't forget to
check the heater. And if it's cold as ice outside, still turn
that air on full blast and make sure it works!
Test drive the car under varied road conditions--on hills,
highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
Ask for the car's maintenance record. If the owner doesn't have
copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the
work was done. They may share their files with you.
Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is
unfamiliar with the car's history.
Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.
There you go.
Follow those three "used car buying" tips and you are guaranteed
to save a ton of money buying a used car.
About the author:
Charlie E. Hendersen is the author and creator of the FREE
website: GetAnotherCar.com A site
dedicated to providing useful tips for buying and maintaining
your car.
I have always purchased my cars used. And every single time, I
got a great deal because of a few secrets that is easy to do.
These secrets will save you money. And the good news is there is
no luck involved.
If you follow these steps you are guaranteed to save lots of
money, so please pay attention.
BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #1 - Check Consumer Reports on the
safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but never ignore
safety.
Here's what you do: Go to a reputable car repair shop and ask if
you can bring the vehicle by for a look-over.
There is a 99% chance they will say "yes".
While you're there, ask what cars they have to repair most
often. Also, ask what the inspection includes, how long it
takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing -
just to be safe.
Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a
written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs.
Be sure the report includes the vehicle's make, model and VIN.
If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the
inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate
the price of the vehicle.
Do you see how easy it is?
Are you going to purchase from an individual? If yes, then here
is your next tip.
BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #2
Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the Used
Car Rule and don't have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you
can use the Guide's list of an auto's major systems as a
shopping tool.
It's simple.
You can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by
your mechanic. If he/she says no... beware. No matter how nice
the car appears, something fishy is going on.
Now, a private sale likely will be on an "as is" basis, unless
your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states
otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller has to
live up to the contract.
The car also may be covered by a manufacturer's warranty or a
separately purchased service contract. But that doesn't mean
that the warranty and service contract are transferable.
Plus, other limits or costs may apply. Before you buy the car,
ask if it's still under warranty or service contract, and review
that baby carefully.
Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle
inspection before a sale is made. That's not always the case,
though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state
Attorney General's office or a local consumer protection agency.
Hey, it's just a phone call. And it will take less than 5
minutes.
Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker,
or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can
about the car:
BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #3
Examine the car carefully yourself using an inspection
checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine
articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used
car.
Once I bought a used car in August, and never thought to test
the rear defroster. Guess what? Come November, I found out it
didn't work. If you're shopping in the summer, don't forget to
check the heater. And if it's cold as ice outside, still turn
that air on full blast and make sure it works!
Test drive the car under varied road conditions--on hills,
highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.
Ask for the car's maintenance record. If the owner doesn't have
copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the
work was done. They may share their files with you.
Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is
unfamiliar with the car's history.
Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.
There you go.
Follow those three "used car buying" tips and you are guaranteed
to save a ton of money buying a used car.
About the author:
Charlie E. Hendersen is the author and creator of the FREE
website: GetAnotherCar.com A site
dedicated to providing useful tips for buying and maintaining
your car.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Buyer Beware of Flood Damaged Used Cars
By: Austin Davis
Is a flood car coming to a town near you?
Hurricanes have done major devastation to the southern
coastline, and the clean up project will likely take years to
return things to some what normal. What I am concerned about is
the potentially HUGE number of vehicles that will soon come on
the market to be sold as used cars. The problem is not that the
vehicle is used, but that it is potentially a casualty of the
hurricanes and high water. These used cars are generally known
in the business as "flood cars."
Now I know what you are thinking, "I don't live in these
Southern areas, so I am not at risk of unknowingly purchasing
one of these flood cars." Sorry, but you are dead
wrong...actually the farther away you live from the hurricane
damage, the greater you are at risk for being scammed into
buying one of these cars.
Why are you more at risk? Think about it. The flood damage took
place in New Orleans, don't you think that the residents there
know that used cars on the market in that area have a HUGE
potential to be flood cars? You bet they know that.
But do you think the used car buyers in Arizona would suspect
flood cars were brought into their area? Probably not, and the
scam artists behind these flood cars know this. I would suspect
theses car will be on the used car market for about a
year...maybe more. This issue is huge and will hurt many people
who make the mistake and purchase one of these vehicles.
What is the big deal about a car that got water inside it if it
seems to run just fine? Great question...even if I made it up
myself. The engine itself might be fine, and long term engine
damage might not have occurred, but there are many other
components of the vehicle that can seem to be working normally
now, but can deteriorate in the near future.
Electrical components and wiring are usually affected most.
There is a ton of complex wiring under the hood, in the
dashboard, and under the carpeting of the vehicle. Water gets
inside the vehicle from underneath from holes in the frame and
body and around the door openings. If the carpet gets wet, so
does the vast network of wiring under the carpet. The carpet can
easily be replaced, but the wiring under the vehicle is usually
too complex and therefore too expensive to replace, so new
carpet is laid on top of them, concealing potential damage.
So what if the wires get wet? Rust my dear friend. Rust is your
enemy, and rust you will soon have. These wires will now slowly
begin to break down and rust will form on any part of the wire
that is not protected. When the electricity traveling inside
these wires makes contact with this rust, it will make a ground,
and the electricity will stop traveling. Whatever component the
electricity was traveling to, a fuel pump for instance, will
soon stop working. Finding the trouble spot in the miles of wire
is not an easy task. The carpets and seat will probably have to
be removed and hours of diagnostic time will probably be
accumulated as the mechanic tries to find the trouble spot.
In most cars, the onboard computer system is located in the
lower part of the passenger dashboard area, just inches above
the carpeting. Some Japanese vehicles have the computer located
under the passenger seat, on top of the carpet! If the computer
system gets wet, not only will it need to be replaced, but it
can damage many other electrical components as well.
The computer can be replaced now, and all might seem well, but
the rust will soon make its way to these other electrical
components and a domino effect will probably start to happen.
One sensor after another will fail, intermittent electrical
problems will begin to happen, and your pocketbook will soon
start to feel the ill effects of multiple monthly mechanic
visits. I consider rust the cancer of automobiles, you have to
keep cutting and cutting and cutting to stop its growth.
Transmissions are another big ticket item that can be affected
by water and not show symptoms for some time. When moisture
enters the transmission, the normally light pink fluid becomes a
light white/pinkish frothy mix, like a strawberry milkshake. The
entire workings of the transmission are extremely complex and
full of wires, sensors, and lots of rubber seals and O-rings.
The water will cause the rubber parts to swell and leak, and the
sensors and electrical components will soon succumb to rust and
water damage as well.
So what can you do to protect yourself from buying a flooded
time bomb?
1. Be cautious of every used car on the market.
2. Take your time inspecting and test driving. A good deal today
is usually a good deal tomorrow too, so don't succumb to pushy
sales people.
3. Inspect under the driver and passenger seats for obvious
signs of rust on the seat tracks and metal seat frame.
4. Look at the headliner (the fabric on the roof inside the
car). Once wet, the glue that holds this fabric in place will
begin to weaken, and the fabric will begin to fall down
completely, or will fall in small sections that will look like
bubbles.
5. Inspect the undercarriage and the exhaust system for signs of
large scale rust. I would expect a small amount of rust as being
normal; ask your mechanic if you have questions.
6. Use your nose. If the inside of the vehicle smells damp and
moldy, or feels damp to your skin...run!
7. Remove the wheels and inspect the brakes. This should be done
anyway if you are inspecting a used car, but rust damage will
really show itself on the brake components.
8. Inspect all under-hood fluids for water contamination. Oil
and water will look like a chocolate milkshake, oil and
transmission or power steering fluid will look like a strawberry
milkshake.
9. Get the dealership or the seller to give you a written
statement that to the best of their knowledge that 1. the car
has not been in a flood, and 2. the car was not involved in any
type of insurance claim that might have resulted in the original
owner selling the vehicle to their insurance company as a "total
loss."
10. Get a CarFax report. These reports can provide very valuable
information about the car, but I would not rely solely on them.
CarFax may not have complete or updated information critical to
your decision.
11. Look in the trunk under the caper ting and under the spare
tire. Water and rust will tend to puddle here since it is one of
the lowest places of the vehicle. If you see standing water, or
signs of rust in and around the spare tire area it is probably a
flood damaged vehicle and should be avoided.
My website provides one of the best used car checklists I have been able to
find. I highly recommend a would-be-buyer to print it out and
follow the step-by-step guide. If you aren't in the market for a
used car yourself, be sure to pass this article and checklist
information on to your co-workers, friends, and family who are.
About the author:
Austin Davis operates a car repair advice website filled with
insider tips about auto repair related issues. Visit his site
at http://www.trustmymechanic.
com to learn more about your vehicle.
Is a flood car coming to a town near you?
Hurricanes have done major devastation to the southern
coastline, and the clean up project will likely take years to
return things to some what normal. What I am concerned about is
the potentially HUGE number of vehicles that will soon come on
the market to be sold as used cars. The problem is not that the
vehicle is used, but that it is potentially a casualty of the
hurricanes and high water. These used cars are generally known
in the business as "flood cars."
Now I know what you are thinking, "I don't live in these
Southern areas, so I am not at risk of unknowingly purchasing
one of these flood cars." Sorry, but you are dead
wrong...actually the farther away you live from the hurricane
damage, the greater you are at risk for being scammed into
buying one of these cars.
Why are you more at risk? Think about it. The flood damage took
place in New Orleans, don't you think that the residents there
know that used cars on the market in that area have a HUGE
potential to be flood cars? You bet they know that.
But do you think the used car buyers in Arizona would suspect
flood cars were brought into their area? Probably not, and the
scam artists behind these flood cars know this. I would suspect
theses car will be on the used car market for about a
year...maybe more. This issue is huge and will hurt many people
who make the mistake and purchase one of these vehicles.
What is the big deal about a car that got water inside it if it
seems to run just fine? Great question...even if I made it up
myself. The engine itself might be fine, and long term engine
damage might not have occurred, but there are many other
components of the vehicle that can seem to be working normally
now, but can deteriorate in the near future.
Electrical components and wiring are usually affected most.
There is a ton of complex wiring under the hood, in the
dashboard, and under the carpeting of the vehicle. Water gets
inside the vehicle from underneath from holes in the frame and
body and around the door openings. If the carpet gets wet, so
does the vast network of wiring under the carpet. The carpet can
easily be replaced, but the wiring under the vehicle is usually
too complex and therefore too expensive to replace, so new
carpet is laid on top of them, concealing potential damage.
So what if the wires get wet? Rust my dear friend. Rust is your
enemy, and rust you will soon have. These wires will now slowly
begin to break down and rust will form on any part of the wire
that is not protected. When the electricity traveling inside
these wires makes contact with this rust, it will make a ground,
and the electricity will stop traveling. Whatever component the
electricity was traveling to, a fuel pump for instance, will
soon stop working. Finding the trouble spot in the miles of wire
is not an easy task. The carpets and seat will probably have to
be removed and hours of diagnostic time will probably be
accumulated as the mechanic tries to find the trouble spot.
In most cars, the onboard computer system is located in the
lower part of the passenger dashboard area, just inches above
the carpeting. Some Japanese vehicles have the computer located
under the passenger seat, on top of the carpet! If the computer
system gets wet, not only will it need to be replaced, but it
can damage many other electrical components as well.
The computer can be replaced now, and all might seem well, but
the rust will soon make its way to these other electrical
components and a domino effect will probably start to happen.
One sensor after another will fail, intermittent electrical
problems will begin to happen, and your pocketbook will soon
start to feel the ill effects of multiple monthly mechanic
visits. I consider rust the cancer of automobiles, you have to
keep cutting and cutting and cutting to stop its growth.
Transmissions are another big ticket item that can be affected
by water and not show symptoms for some time. When moisture
enters the transmission, the normally light pink fluid becomes a
light white/pinkish frothy mix, like a strawberry milkshake. The
entire workings of the transmission are extremely complex and
full of wires, sensors, and lots of rubber seals and O-rings.
The water will cause the rubber parts to swell and leak, and the
sensors and electrical components will soon succumb to rust and
water damage as well.
So what can you do to protect yourself from buying a flooded
time bomb?
1. Be cautious of every used car on the market.
2. Take your time inspecting and test driving. A good deal today
is usually a good deal tomorrow too, so don't succumb to pushy
sales people.
3. Inspect under the driver and passenger seats for obvious
signs of rust on the seat tracks and metal seat frame.
4. Look at the headliner (the fabric on the roof inside the
car). Once wet, the glue that holds this fabric in place will
begin to weaken, and the fabric will begin to fall down
completely, or will fall in small sections that will look like
bubbles.
5. Inspect the undercarriage and the exhaust system for signs of
large scale rust. I would expect a small amount of rust as being
normal; ask your mechanic if you have questions.
6. Use your nose. If the inside of the vehicle smells damp and
moldy, or feels damp to your skin...run!
7. Remove the wheels and inspect the brakes. This should be done
anyway if you are inspecting a used car, but rust damage will
really show itself on the brake components.
8. Inspect all under-hood fluids for water contamination. Oil
and water will look like a chocolate milkshake, oil and
transmission or power steering fluid will look like a strawberry
milkshake.
9. Get the dealership or the seller to give you a written
statement that to the best of their knowledge that 1. the car
has not been in a flood, and 2. the car was not involved in any
type of insurance claim that might have resulted in the original
owner selling the vehicle to their insurance company as a "total
loss."
10. Get a CarFax report. These reports can provide very valuable
information about the car, but I would not rely solely on them.
CarFax may not have complete or updated information critical to
your decision.
11. Look in the trunk under the caper ting and under the spare
tire. Water and rust will tend to puddle here since it is one of
the lowest places of the vehicle. If you see standing water, or
signs of rust in and around the spare tire area it is probably a
flood damaged vehicle and should be avoided.
My website provides one of the best used car checklists I have been able to
find. I highly recommend a would-be-buyer to print it out and
follow the step-by-step guide. If you aren't in the market for a
used car yourself, be sure to pass this article and checklist
information on to your co-workers, friends, and family who are.
About the author:
Austin Davis operates a car repair advice website filled with
insider tips about auto repair related issues. Visit his site
at http://www.trustmymechanic.
com to learn more about your vehicle.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Oxygen Sensor Solutions
By: Matthew C. Keegan
Virtually every car produced since the early 1980s contains a
sensor that regulates oxygen flow to your engine. The oxygen
sensor works by sending information to your vehicle's engine
management system to help your car fun efficiently as well as to
reduce noxious emissions. When an oxygen sensor fails your
vehicle will run less effectively and devour more fuel. Thus,
when oxygen sensor failure has been determined the sensor must
then be replaced, a costly proposition if you rely on a garage
to do the work for you. However, replacing an oxygen sensor is a
task that you can do yourself, thereby saving you precious time
and money. Let's take a closer look at just what an oxygen
sensor does and the steps you can take to do the work yourself.
As a backgrounder, your oxygen sensor works like this: placed
inside of your exhaust pipe, the oxygen sensor detects the ratio
of air and gasoline your engine is fed. If the mixture is too
rich or too lean than the oxygen sensor adjusts the amount of
fuel entering your engine accordingly. The wrong mix of gasoline
and oxygen can increase pollutants that exit your vehicle --
thereby harming the environment -- as well as potentially
causing your catalytic converter to fail or even damage your
engine. So, a properly working oxygen sensor is a must for any
vehicle.
There are some clear signs that your oxygen sensor is no longer
functioning. They can include:
--A rotten egg odor emitting from the exhaust.
--A reduction in fuel economy.
--Your catalytic converter fails unexpectedly.
--Exhaust emissions reach undesirable levels.
--Your engine surges or hesitates.
You can diagnose the problem yourself if you have access to the
right tools including a digital voltmeter, an oxygen sensor
socket, and a propane enrichment device. These specific tools,
along with a proper Haynes or Chilton manual by your side,
should be all that you need to determine if the oxygen sensor is
no longer working. If it has failed, than consider ordering your
replacement part online through a reliable wholesaler such as
the Oxygen Sense shop to obtain a high quality OEM part at
discounted prices. Once your part has arrived than all you will
need is one or two automotive wrenches to accomplish the job.
Again, reference your car's manual for exact instructions.
With the abundance of sensors and technical gadgetry on today's
vehicles it can seem fairly intimidating to do the work
yourself. Fortunately, an oxygen sensor is one of the easier
parts to replace, so if you do the work yourself you will save
time and money as well as gain an important sense of
achievement. Go ahead you weekend mechanic, you can do it!
About the author:
Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a automotive fan and a writer
for Oxygen Sense site,
a leading retailer of BMW oxygen
sensors. Please click here
for information on how to replace an oxygen sensor.
Virtually every car produced since the early 1980s contains a
sensor that regulates oxygen flow to your engine. The oxygen
sensor works by sending information to your vehicle's engine
management system to help your car fun efficiently as well as to
reduce noxious emissions. When an oxygen sensor fails your
vehicle will run less effectively and devour more fuel. Thus,
when oxygen sensor failure has been determined the sensor must
then be replaced, a costly proposition if you rely on a garage
to do the work for you. However, replacing an oxygen sensor is a
task that you can do yourself, thereby saving you precious time
and money. Let's take a closer look at just what an oxygen
sensor does and the steps you can take to do the work yourself.
As a backgrounder, your oxygen sensor works like this: placed
inside of your exhaust pipe, the oxygen sensor detects the ratio
of air and gasoline your engine is fed. If the mixture is too
rich or too lean than the oxygen sensor adjusts the amount of
fuel entering your engine accordingly. The wrong mix of gasoline
and oxygen can increase pollutants that exit your vehicle --
thereby harming the environment -- as well as potentially
causing your catalytic converter to fail or even damage your
engine. So, a properly working oxygen sensor is a must for any
vehicle.
There are some clear signs that your oxygen sensor is no longer
functioning. They can include:
--A rotten egg odor emitting from the exhaust.
--A reduction in fuel economy.
--Your catalytic converter fails unexpectedly.
--Exhaust emissions reach undesirable levels.
--Your engine surges or hesitates.
You can diagnose the problem yourself if you have access to the
right tools including a digital voltmeter, an oxygen sensor
socket, and a propane enrichment device. These specific tools,
along with a proper Haynes or Chilton manual by your side,
should be all that you need to determine if the oxygen sensor is
no longer working. If it has failed, than consider ordering your
replacement part online through a reliable wholesaler such as
the Oxygen Sense shop to obtain a high quality OEM part at
discounted prices. Once your part has arrived than all you will
need is one or two automotive wrenches to accomplish the job.
Again, reference your car's manual for exact instructions.
With the abundance of sensors and technical gadgetry on today's
vehicles it can seem fairly intimidating to do the work
yourself. Fortunately, an oxygen sensor is one of the easier
parts to replace, so if you do the work yourself you will save
time and money as well as gain an important sense of
achievement. Go ahead you weekend mechanic, you can do it!
About the author:
Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a automotive fan and a writer
for Oxygen Sense site,
a leading retailer of BMW oxygen
sensors. Please click here
for information on how to replace an oxygen sensor.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
The Importance of Wheel Alignment
The Importance of Wheel Alignment and of Having High Quality
Auto Wheels
By: Sarah McBride
Motorists or car users are luckier nowadays for having millions
of choices of top quality replacement auto parts. Maintaining a
vehicle, upgrading it or even modifying it has never been easier
than it is today. Every auto part is virtually available for a
common car user who wants to work on his own vehicle. Whether he
wants to improve its safety features, enhance its gas mileage
and fuel efficiency or upgrade its style, he can do it with ease
and convenience through these available replacement auto parts.
Among the leading auto parts dealers that provide the best
quality replacement Ford truck parts, Chevrolet parts, Toyota parts, Volkswagen parts, GMC parts, Jeep parts and more top-rated auto
parts is Auto parts Deal. This store offers you not only a wide
variety of automotive parts but great auto parts discount deals
as well.
This time it features finest line of auto wheels, including
premium class alloy Ford wheels,Mazda wheels, Jeep wheels and Mercedes Benz wheels.
Auto Parts Deal high quality wheels are all sourced from the
most reliable auto wheels manufacturers so you can be sure of
their toughness, durability, and excellent finish.
As we all know the wheels are the closest car parts to the road
so they must be kept in excellent form and condition as much as
possible. They also significantly affect handling and ride
quality so they must be properly taken cared of. Moreover, the
wheels lend the vehicle a more stylish look and thus, they too
can make the car a lot more fun to drive.
When it comes to quality, design and durability, Auto Parts Deal
wheels including GMC truck wheels, Toyota wheels, and Ford wheels are stand out. They
are made to match every make and models specifications and
various likes of auto users.
Auto Parts Deal provides the best deals on auto
wheels and other auto parts like Ford bumpers, Dodge fog lights, Chevrolet headlights, Toyota radiator and Mazda spoilers, so you can
truly enjoy shopping for your replacement part needs. And with
its long-time experience in the auto parts business, you can be
confident that your getting only the best replacement auto parts
for your car.
However, every auto user must not only concern himself with the
quality of the parts he is purhasing but also on how he is going
to install the parts to his vehicle. In installing the wheels,
proper wheel alignment is important so as not to sacrifice the
tires life and hence, the cars ride and handling.
Often times, wheel alignment is confused with wheel balancing;
the two, however are two different terms. Wheel alignment
consists of adjusting the angles of the car wheels so that they
are perpendicular to the road or the ground and are parallell to
each other.
Improper alignment of the wheels result to excessive tire wear,
steering and tracking problems so make sure you check your car
wheels proper alignment before you hit your hot new car wheels
from to the road.
About the author:
Sarah McBride As a manager of one of the largest auto stores in
Springfield,Massachussets, Sarah has extensive experties on auto
parts and automotives in general. This 42 year old is a
certified car enthusiast.
Auto Wheels
By: Sarah McBride
Motorists or car users are luckier nowadays for having millions
of choices of top quality replacement auto parts. Maintaining a
vehicle, upgrading it or even modifying it has never been easier
than it is today. Every auto part is virtually available for a
common car user who wants to work on his own vehicle. Whether he
wants to improve its safety features, enhance its gas mileage
and fuel efficiency or upgrade its style, he can do it with ease
and convenience through these available replacement auto parts.
Among the leading auto parts dealers that provide the best
quality replacement Ford truck parts, Chevrolet parts, Toyota parts, Volkswagen parts, GMC parts, Jeep parts and more top-rated auto
parts is Auto parts Deal. This store offers you not only a wide
variety of automotive parts but great auto parts discount deals
as well.
This time it features finest line of auto wheels, including
premium class alloy Ford wheels,Mazda wheels, Jeep wheels and Mercedes Benz wheels.
Auto Parts Deal high quality wheels are all sourced from the
most reliable auto wheels manufacturers so you can be sure of
their toughness, durability, and excellent finish.
As we all know the wheels are the closest car parts to the road
so they must be kept in excellent form and condition as much as
possible. They also significantly affect handling and ride
quality so they must be properly taken cared of. Moreover, the
wheels lend the vehicle a more stylish look and thus, they too
can make the car a lot more fun to drive.
When it comes to quality, design and durability, Auto Parts Deal
wheels including GMC truck wheels, Toyota wheels, and Ford wheels are stand out. They
are made to match every make and models specifications and
various likes of auto users.
Auto Parts Deal provides the best deals on auto
wheels and other auto parts like Ford bumpers, Dodge fog lights, Chevrolet headlights, Toyota radiator and Mazda spoilers, so you can
truly enjoy shopping for your replacement part needs. And with
its long-time experience in the auto parts business, you can be
confident that your getting only the best replacement auto parts
for your car.
However, every auto user must not only concern himself with the
quality of the parts he is purhasing but also on how he is going
to install the parts to his vehicle. In installing the wheels,
proper wheel alignment is important so as not to sacrifice the
tires life and hence, the cars ride and handling.
Often times, wheel alignment is confused with wheel balancing;
the two, however are two different terms. Wheel alignment
consists of adjusting the angles of the car wheels so that they
are perpendicular to the road or the ground and are parallell to
each other.
Improper alignment of the wheels result to excessive tire wear,
steering and tracking problems so make sure you check your car
wheels proper alignment before you hit your hot new car wheels
from to the road.
About the author:
Sarah McBride As a manager of one of the largest auto stores in
Springfield,Massachussets, Sarah has extensive experties on auto
parts and automotives in general. This 42 year old is a
certified car enthusiast.
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