By: Clyde Dennis
This is one of those things that to a lot of people will sound
too good to be true, but if you do your homework and follow my
advice you really can get a brand new car for free. Or get paid
to drive the car you currently own.
Yes you read it right.
There is no catch and there are no hidden costs.
Very large sponsor companies such as eBay, Yahoo, Coca Cola and
many more really will let you drive their new cars free, or pay
you to drive your own car just for decorating the car with their
advertising message.
You only pay for gas and insurance in these types of advertising
sponsorship arrangements.
It's a pretty simple concept really. One we had to know was
coming sooner or later.
It's here now, and in a big way.
This is advertising placed on moving vehicles such as cars or
trucks. Apparently some advertisers have realized this is a way
to promote their product or service at a substantially lower
cost than billboard, television or radio advertising.
Advertisers with these free cars are willing to allow qualified
program participants to drive them as a trade off for helping
them advertise.
As with any service you have to be careful which one of the free
car services you choose to use. There are quite a few sites
offering information online about how to get yourself into a
free car.
Since each of the services does charge a one time set up fee of
around $40.00, I recommend you select one of the services that
offers a no questions asked, 100% money-back guarantee for up to
atleast 90 days. That way you can actually try their services
for 3 months [90 days] and if you're not happy with the results,
they will refund your money. No questions asked.
Generally to qualify for one of these programs you must be 18
years or older, have a valid drivers license, and completely
fill out an application.
There are also some restrictions based on which country you
reside in, but if you live in the United States, Canada, the
United Kingdom, France or Spain you will have no problems
qualifying.
Selection depend on considerations such as driving records,
driving habits, location, etc. Most companies require a minimum
driving and a clean driving record. That means no violations
within the past 12 months.
After joining a program, and applying to several of their
resources, you can expect to be placed on several waiting lists.
Your position in the waiting line is determined by your
location, and your average daily mileage. For example, if you
live in Los Angeles and drive 50 miles every day, or sit on a
busy freeway for several hours per day, you will be much more
likely to receive a car quicker than a person who lives in a
small town and only drives 10 miles per day on rural roads.
If you can commit to driving 800-1,000 miles per month and you
live in or near a city of over 100,000 people, you have an
excellent chance of getting a free car quickly. And, if you
would rather put an advertisement on your own car, the more
miles you can drive, the more you will get paid.
For more information on this great opportunity to drive a free
car go to http://www.e
asyhow-to.com/Get-A-Free-Car.html
About the author:
Clyde Dennis, a.k.a. "Mr. How-To", is Editor at EASYHow-To
Publications and has been contributing articles that help people
make their lives better since 1999. At his web site, The "How
To" Library, you'll find a collection of the latest How To
Articles, Tips and Tools to help you get things done. For more
information visit The How To
Library @ EASYHow-To.com
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
"Gas-Saving" Products: Fact or Fuelishness?
By: Pierre Schexneider M. Ed.
Gas prices are up, and so is the volume of advertising for
"gas-saving" products. When gasoline prices rise, consumers
often look for ways to improve fuel efficiency. Although there
are practical steps you can take to increase gas mileage, the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns you to be wary of any
gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and gas
additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been
found to work, the savings have been small.
"Gas-Saving" Advertising Claims
Be skeptical of the following kinds of advertising claims.
"This gas-saving product improves fuel economy by 20 percent."
Claims usually tout savings ranging from 12 to 25 percent.
However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has evaluated
or tested more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices and has not
found any product that significantly improves gas mileage. In
fact, some "gas-saving" products may damage a car's engine or
cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions.
The gas-saving products on the market fall into clearly defined
categories. Although the EPA has not tested or evaluated every
product, it has tried to examine at least one product in each
category. See "Devices Tested by EPA" at the end of this
brochure for category descriptions and product names.
"After installing your product on my car, I got an extra 4 miles
[6.4 kilometers] per gallon [3.8 liters]."
Many ads feature glowing testimonials by satisfied customers.
Yet, few consumers have the ability or the equipment to test for
precise changes in gas mileage after installing a gas-saving
product. Many variables affect fuel consumption, including
traffic, road and weather conditions, and the car's condition.
For example, one consumer sent a letter to a company praising
its "gas-saving" product. At the time the product was installed,
however, the consumer also had received a complete engine
tune-up - a fact not mentioned in the letter. The entire
increase in gas mileage attributed to the "gas-saving" product
may well have been the result of the tune-up alone. But from the
ad, other consumers could not have known that.
"This gas-saving device is approved by the Federal government."
No government agency endorses gas-saving products for cars. The
most that can be claimed in advertising is that the EPA has
reached certain conclusions about possible gas savings by
testing the product or by evaluating the manufacturer's own test
data. If the seller claims that its product has been evaluated
by the EPA, ask for a copy of the EPA report, or check
www.epa.gov for information. In some instances, false claims of
EPA testing or approval have been made.
Product Complaints and Refunds
If you're dissatisfied with a gas-saving product, contact the
manufacturer and ask for a refund. Most companies offer
money-back guarantees. Contact the company, even if the
guarantee period has expired.
If you're not satisfied with the company's response, contact
your local or state consumer protection agency or the Better
Business Bureau.
EPA Evaluation Efforts
The EPA evaluates or tests products to determine whether their
use will result in any significant improvement or detriment to
fuel economy. However, the EPA cannot say what effect gas-saving
products will have on a vehicle over time because it hasn't
conducted any durability tests. It's possible that some products
may harm the car or may otherwise adversely affect its
performance. In fact, today's vehicles' emission control systems
are very sophisticated and complex. They have On Board
Diagnostic features that alert the driver to problems associated
with the emission control and fuel delivery systems. Retrofit
products may have an adverse effect on these systems.
Devices Tested by EPA
The following list categorizes various types of "gas-saving"
products, explains how they're used and gives product names.
Those with asterisks may save measurable, but small, amounts of
gas. All others have been found not to increase fuel economy.
Air Bleed Devices: These devices bleed air into the carburetor.
They usually are installed in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation
line or as a replacement for idle-mixture screws.
The EPA has evaluated the following products: ADAKS Vacuum
Breaker Air Bleed; Air-Jet Air Bleed; Aquablast Wyman Valve Air
Bleed; Auto-Miser; Ball-Matic Air Bleed; Berg Air Bleed; Brisko
PCV; Cyclone-Z; Econo Needle Air Bleed; Econo-Jet Air Bleed Idle
Screws; Fuel Max*; Gas Saving Device; Grancor Air Computer; Hot
Tip; Landrum Mini-Carb; Landrum Retrofit Air Bleed; Mini
Turbocharger Air Bleed; Monocar HC Control Air Bleed; Peterman
Air Bleed; Pollution Master Air Bleed; Ram-Jet; Turbo-Dyne G.R.
Valve.
Vapor Bleed Devices: These devices are similar to the air bleed
devices, except that induced air is bubbled through a container
of a water and anti-freeze mixture, usually located in the
engine compartment.
The EPA has evaluated: Atomized Vapor Injector; Frantz Vapor
Injection System; Hydro-Vac: POWERFUeL; Mark II Vapor Injection
System; Platinum Gasaver; V-70 Vapor Injector; SCATPAC Vacuum
Vapor Induction System: Econo-Mist Vacuum Vapor Injection
System; Turbo Vapor Injection System.
Liquid Injection: These products add liquid into the fuel/air
intake system and not directly into the combustion chamber.
The EPA has evaluated: Goodman Engine System-Model 1800;
Waag-Injection System*.
Ignition Devices: These devices are attached to the ignition
system or are used to replace original equipment or parts.
The EPA has evaluated: Autosaver; Baur Condenser; BIAP
Electronic Ignition Unit; Fuel Economizer; Magna Flash Ignition
Control System; Paser Magnum/Paser 500/Paser 500 HEI; Special
Formula Ignition Advance Springs.
Fuel Line Devices (heaters or coolers). These devices heat the
fuel before it enters the carburetor. Usually, the fuel is
heated by the engine coolant or by the exhaust or electrical
system.
The EPA has evaluated: FuelXpander; Gas Meiser I; Greer Fuel
Preheater; Jacona Fuel System; Optimizer; Russell Fuelmiser.
Fuel Line Devices (magnets). These magnetic devices, clamped to
the outside of the fuel line or installed in the fuel line,
claim to change the molecular structure of gasoline.
The EPA has evaluated: PETRO-MIZER; POLARION-X; Super-Mag Fuel
Extender; Wickliff Polarizer [fuel line magnet/intake air
magnet].
Fuel Line Devices (metallic). Typically, these devices contain
several dissimilar metals that are installed in the fuel line,
supposedly causing ionization of the fuel.
The EPA has evaluated: Malpassi Filter King [fuel pressure
regulator]; Moleculetor.
Mixture Enhancers: (under the carburetor). These devices are
mounted between the carburetor and intake manifold and
supposedly enhance the mixing or vaporization of the air/fuel
mixture.
The EPA has evaluated: Energy Gas Saver; Environmental Fuel
Saver; Gas Saving and Emission Control Improvement Device;
Glynn-50; Hydro-Catalyst Pre-Combustion Catalyst System;
PETROMIZER SYSTEM; Sav-A-Mile; Spritzer; Turbo-Carb; Turbocarb.
Mixture Enhancers: (others). These devices make some general
modifications to the vehicle intake system.
The EPA has evaluated: Basko Enginecoat; Dresser Economizer;
Electro-Dyne Superchoke; Filtron Urethane Foam Filter; Lamkin
Fuel Metering Device; Smith Power and Deceleration Governor.
Internal Engine Modifications: These devices make physical or
mechanical function changes to the engine.
The EPA has evaluated: ACDS Automotive Cylinder Deactivation
System*; Dresser Economizer; MSU Cylinder Deactivation*.
Accessory Drive Modifiers:. These devices reduce power to
specific auto accessories.
The EPA has evaluated: Morse Constant Speed Accessory Drive **;
P.A.S.S. Kit**; PASS Master Vehicle Air Conditioner**.
Fuels and Fuel Additives: These materials are added to the gas
tank.
The EPA has evaluated: Bycosin; EI-5 Fuel Additive; Fuelon
Power; Johnson Fuel Additive; NRG #1 Fuel Additive; QEI 400 Fuel
Additive; Rolfite Upgrade Fuel Additive; Sta-Power Fuel
Additive; Stargas Fuel Additive; SYNeRGy-1; Technol G Fuel
Additive; ULX-15/ULX-15D; Vareb 10 Fuel Additive; XRG #1 Fuel
Additive.
Oils and Oil Additives:. Usually these materials are poured into
the crankcase.
The EPA has evaluated: Analube Synthetic Lubricant; Tephguard.
Driving Habit Modifiers: These are lights or sound devices to
tell the driver to reduce acceleration or to shift gears.
The EPA has evaluated: AUTOTHERM**; Fuel Conservation Device;
Gastell; IDALERT**.
Miscellaneous: The EPA has evaluated: BRAKE-EZ; Dynamix; Fuel
Maximiser; Gyroscopic Wheel Cover; Kamei Spoilers**; Kat's
Engine Heater; Lee Exhaust and Fuel Gasification EGR; Mesco
Moisture Extraction System; P.S.C.U. 01 Device; Treis Emulsifier.
Legend: * Indicated a very small improvement in fuel economy but
with an increase in exhaust emissions. According to Federal
regulations, installation of this device could be considered
illegal tampering.
** Indicated a very small improvement in fuel economy without an
increase in exhaust emissions. However, cost-effectiveness must
be determined by the consumer for a particular application.
For more information on gas saving tips visit
---------------------------------------
About the author:
Pierre Schexneider is president of The Schexneider Group, LLC an
E-commerce consulting business. As a consultant his research
abilities have afforded him many opportunities to expand his
knowledge base. For gas saving tips please visit:
Gas prices are up, and so is the volume of advertising for
"gas-saving" products. When gasoline prices rise, consumers
often look for ways to improve fuel efficiency. Although there
are practical steps you can take to increase gas mileage, the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns you to be wary of any
gas-saving claims for automotive devices or oil and gas
additives. Even for the few gas-saving products that have been
found to work, the savings have been small.
"Gas-Saving" Advertising Claims
Be skeptical of the following kinds of advertising claims.
"This gas-saving product improves fuel economy by 20 percent."
Claims usually tout savings ranging from 12 to 25 percent.
However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has evaluated
or tested more than 100 alleged gas-saving devices and has not
found any product that significantly improves gas mileage. In
fact, some "gas-saving" products may damage a car's engine or
cause substantial increases in exhaust emissions.
The gas-saving products on the market fall into clearly defined
categories. Although the EPA has not tested or evaluated every
product, it has tried to examine at least one product in each
category. See "Devices Tested by EPA" at the end of this
brochure for category descriptions and product names.
"After installing your product on my car, I got an extra 4 miles
[6.4 kilometers] per gallon [3.8 liters]."
Many ads feature glowing testimonials by satisfied customers.
Yet, few consumers have the ability or the equipment to test for
precise changes in gas mileage after installing a gas-saving
product. Many variables affect fuel consumption, including
traffic, road and weather conditions, and the car's condition.
For example, one consumer sent a letter to a company praising
its "gas-saving" product. At the time the product was installed,
however, the consumer also had received a complete engine
tune-up - a fact not mentioned in the letter. The entire
increase in gas mileage attributed to the "gas-saving" product
may well have been the result of the tune-up alone. But from the
ad, other consumers could not have known that.
"This gas-saving device is approved by the Federal government."
No government agency endorses gas-saving products for cars. The
most that can be claimed in advertising is that the EPA has
reached certain conclusions about possible gas savings by
testing the product or by evaluating the manufacturer's own test
data. If the seller claims that its product has been evaluated
by the EPA, ask for a copy of the EPA report, or check
www.epa.gov for information. In some instances, false claims of
EPA testing or approval have been made.
Product Complaints and Refunds
If you're dissatisfied with a gas-saving product, contact the
manufacturer and ask for a refund. Most companies offer
money-back guarantees. Contact the company, even if the
guarantee period has expired.
If you're not satisfied with the company's response, contact
your local or state consumer protection agency or the Better
Business Bureau.
EPA Evaluation Efforts
The EPA evaluates or tests products to determine whether their
use will result in any significant improvement or detriment to
fuel economy. However, the EPA cannot say what effect gas-saving
products will have on a vehicle over time because it hasn't
conducted any durability tests. It's possible that some products
may harm the car or may otherwise adversely affect its
performance. In fact, today's vehicles' emission control systems
are very sophisticated and complex. They have On Board
Diagnostic features that alert the driver to problems associated
with the emission control and fuel delivery systems. Retrofit
products may have an adverse effect on these systems.
Devices Tested by EPA
The following list categorizes various types of "gas-saving"
products, explains how they're used and gives product names.
Those with asterisks may save measurable, but small, amounts of
gas. All others have been found not to increase fuel economy.
Air Bleed Devices: These devices bleed air into the carburetor.
They usually are installed in the Positive Crankcase Ventilation
line or as a replacement for idle-mixture screws.
The EPA has evaluated the following products: ADAKS Vacuum
Breaker Air Bleed; Air-Jet Air Bleed; Aquablast Wyman Valve Air
Bleed; Auto-Miser; Ball-Matic Air Bleed; Berg Air Bleed; Brisko
PCV; Cyclone-Z; Econo Needle Air Bleed; Econo-Jet Air Bleed Idle
Screws; Fuel Max*; Gas Saving Device; Grancor Air Computer; Hot
Tip; Landrum Mini-Carb; Landrum Retrofit Air Bleed; Mini
Turbocharger Air Bleed; Monocar HC Control Air Bleed; Peterman
Air Bleed; Pollution Master Air Bleed; Ram-Jet; Turbo-Dyne G.R.
Valve.
Vapor Bleed Devices: These devices are similar to the air bleed
devices, except that induced air is bubbled through a container
of a water and anti-freeze mixture, usually located in the
engine compartment.
The EPA has evaluated: Atomized Vapor Injector; Frantz Vapor
Injection System; Hydro-Vac: POWERFUeL; Mark II Vapor Injection
System; Platinum Gasaver; V-70 Vapor Injector; SCATPAC Vacuum
Vapor Induction System: Econo-Mist Vacuum Vapor Injection
System; Turbo Vapor Injection System.
Liquid Injection: These products add liquid into the fuel/air
intake system and not directly into the combustion chamber.
The EPA has evaluated: Goodman Engine System-Model 1800;
Waag-Injection System*.
Ignition Devices: These devices are attached to the ignition
system or are used to replace original equipment or parts.
The EPA has evaluated: Autosaver; Baur Condenser; BIAP
Electronic Ignition Unit; Fuel Economizer; Magna Flash Ignition
Control System; Paser Magnum/Paser 500/Paser 500 HEI; Special
Formula Ignition Advance Springs.
Fuel Line Devices (heaters or coolers). These devices heat the
fuel before it enters the carburetor. Usually, the fuel is
heated by the engine coolant or by the exhaust or electrical
system.
The EPA has evaluated: FuelXpander; Gas Meiser I; Greer Fuel
Preheater; Jacona Fuel System; Optimizer; Russell Fuelmiser.
Fuel Line Devices (magnets). These magnetic devices, clamped to
the outside of the fuel line or installed in the fuel line,
claim to change the molecular structure of gasoline.
The EPA has evaluated: PETRO-MIZER; POLARION-X; Super-Mag Fuel
Extender; Wickliff Polarizer [fuel line magnet/intake air
magnet].
Fuel Line Devices (metallic). Typically, these devices contain
several dissimilar metals that are installed in the fuel line,
supposedly causing ionization of the fuel.
The EPA has evaluated: Malpassi Filter King [fuel pressure
regulator]; Moleculetor.
Mixture Enhancers: (under the carburetor). These devices are
mounted between the carburetor and intake manifold and
supposedly enhance the mixing or vaporization of the air/fuel
mixture.
The EPA has evaluated: Energy Gas Saver; Environmental Fuel
Saver; Gas Saving and Emission Control Improvement Device;
Glynn-50; Hydro-Catalyst Pre-Combustion Catalyst System;
PETROMIZER SYSTEM; Sav-A-Mile; Spritzer; Turbo-Carb; Turbocarb.
Mixture Enhancers: (others). These devices make some general
modifications to the vehicle intake system.
The EPA has evaluated: Basko Enginecoat; Dresser Economizer;
Electro-Dyne Superchoke; Filtron Urethane Foam Filter; Lamkin
Fuel Metering Device; Smith Power and Deceleration Governor.
Internal Engine Modifications: These devices make physical or
mechanical function changes to the engine.
The EPA has evaluated: ACDS Automotive Cylinder Deactivation
System*; Dresser Economizer; MSU Cylinder Deactivation*.
Accessory Drive Modifiers:. These devices reduce power to
specific auto accessories.
The EPA has evaluated: Morse Constant Speed Accessory Drive **;
P.A.S.S. Kit**; PASS Master Vehicle Air Conditioner**.
Fuels and Fuel Additives: These materials are added to the gas
tank.
The EPA has evaluated: Bycosin; EI-5 Fuel Additive; Fuelon
Power; Johnson Fuel Additive; NRG #1 Fuel Additive; QEI 400 Fuel
Additive; Rolfite Upgrade Fuel Additive; Sta-Power Fuel
Additive; Stargas Fuel Additive; SYNeRGy-1; Technol G Fuel
Additive; ULX-15/ULX-15D; Vareb 10 Fuel Additive; XRG #1 Fuel
Additive.
Oils and Oil Additives:. Usually these materials are poured into
the crankcase.
The EPA has evaluated: Analube Synthetic Lubricant; Tephguard.
Driving Habit Modifiers: These are lights or sound devices to
tell the driver to reduce acceleration or to shift gears.
The EPA has evaluated: AUTOTHERM**; Fuel Conservation Device;
Gastell; IDALERT**.
Miscellaneous: The EPA has evaluated: BRAKE-EZ; Dynamix; Fuel
Maximiser; Gyroscopic Wheel Cover; Kamei Spoilers**; Kat's
Engine Heater; Lee Exhaust and Fuel Gasification EGR; Mesco
Moisture Extraction System; P.S.C.U. 01 Device; Treis Emulsifier.
Legend: * Indicated a very small improvement in fuel economy but
with an increase in exhaust emissions. According to Federal
regulations, installation of this device could be considered
illegal tampering.
** Indicated a very small improvement in fuel economy without an
increase in exhaust emissions. However, cost-effectiveness must
be determined by the consumer for a particular application.
For more information on gas saving tips visit
---------------------------------------
About the author:
Pierre Schexneider is president of The Schexneider Group, LLC an
E-commerce consulting business. As a consultant his research
abilities have afforded him many opportunities to expand his
knowledge base. For gas saving tips please visit:
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Mechanic reveals ways to make your car last longer
By: Pierre Schexneider M. Ed.
Every 2 weeks or 3,000 miles check engine oil, transmission
fluid and coolant.
Once a month or 1,000 miles check tire pressure - with tire
gauge. Check transmission fluid and brake fluid. Wax car to
protect finish and a smooth finish will reduce the wind drag
increasing your fuel economy. Check belts and hoses for
excessive wear.
Every 3 months or 3,000 miles Change oil and oil filter or every
6 months or 3,000 miles depending on your driving habits. You
will also want to lubricate the chassis check transmission fluid
and check all drive belts (fan belts) replace frayed or cracked
belts.
Every 6 months or 6,000 miles inspect suspension, rotate and
inspect tires.
Every 12 months or 12,000 miles flush radiator, replace
anti-freeze, check air conditioning system. Replace air filters
and lubricate chassis.
Every 2 years or 24,000 miles replace spark plugs (30,000 miles
average suggested for unleaded gas) and PCV valve. Change
automatic transmission fluid, filter and pan gasket. You should
also inspect brake linings at this time.
Every 3 years or 30,000 miles check and test ignition wires,
test cooling system, heating hoses and drive belts, check brake
shoes. (replace if needed)
Replace fluid in differential and manual transmission. (Every
50,000 miles)
If you have a major repair to do, it's wise to get at least 3
estimates, if possible, before you decide. It's hard to be
overcharged when you get three estimates before you have the
work done. Make sure you get promised repairs in writing
including how much it will cost.
Read and follow your car owner's manual - it's your car's bible
for making your car last longer.
Whether you are a man, woman, boy or girl; you should learn to
do some routine maintenance on your car yourself. A multitude of
books, videos, magazines and classes are available at your local
library that will teach you for free if you don't know. Learn
how to check your own oil, transmission fluid, tire pressure and
coolant, etc.
If you find a good mechanic who you can trust, stick with him
even if his prices are a bit higher - all things being equal.
You'll always save time, money and aggravation in the long run.
Beware: Cheapest is not always the best. Normally, the best
mechanics with the best equipment and training cost more. Often
mechanics that charge extremely low prices have inferior or
out-dated equipment, little to no formal training or are
under-insured.
Complex electrical problems are so involved that serious
electrical work should be done in an "Auto Electric" shop. They
have the equipment, tool and training to do the job more
efficiently than the average mechanic.
Avoid car dealers except to have highly specialized repairs done
that can't be done properly anywhere else.
The best as well as the easiest ways to find a good car repair
shop is by recommendation or referrals from satisfied customers.
To have work done on late model computer-controlled engines,
make sure the shop you choose has the equipment to handle
computer-electric service/repair. Sophisticated diagnostic
equipment is a must.
To choose the right repair shop for you, it's wise to have a
small or minor maintenance or repair job done first to see how
the repair shop and mechanic treat you and your car.
You should give detailed description of your car's problem when
you take it in for repairs. The more you can describe what your
car is doing or not doing (thumping, squealing, clacking sound,
etc.) the faster and less it will cost for your mechanic to fix
it.
When in doubt about the cost of a repair or a mechanic's honesty
get a second opinion. This is one of the best ways to protect
yourself from being ripped-off until you can find a permanent
repair shop.
Don't race or gun your engine when you start it up. Accelerate
slowly and smoothly when your engine is cold,
Stop and accelerate gradually avoiding jackrabbit starts and
stops. Avoid burning rubber it places excessive wear on the
transmission and rear end, not to mention your tires.
An international tire company estimated that 33% of all tires on
the road are under-inflated (low air). Under-inflated tires wear
out quicker and have a tendency to blow out easier. Keep
front-end aligned, for longer tire life and better gas mileage.
Tires driven at 70 mph. wear out almost twice as fast as those
driven 50 mph.
Avoid tailgating, tire squealing turns, flying over speed bumps,
pot holes and revving your engine.
When possible, avoid driving your car during rush hour stop and
go traffic periods.
If your car has "Cruise Control" use it. Using cruise control
will save you 5% to 10% of a gallon of gas on long trips.
Avoid constantly pressing and releasing the accelerator when
driving. This practice not only wastes fuel, but it puts
excessive wear on the drive train of your car.
Don't ride your brake pedal, this wears out your brake linings
pre-maturely, and wastes fuel.
Driving with your windows all the way down at higher speeds,
will waste 10% more gallons of gasoline than driving with them
closed. Research by a major car manufacturer has revealed that
neglect of proper routine maintenance is the number one reason
for the enormous increase in car repairs being required.
Tires purchased at department stores such as Sears, Montgomery
Wards, K-Mart etc., can be an excellent value because many are
made by leading tire manufacturers. When purchasing or changing
tires, make sure you have them spin balanced. For a list of what
manufacturer makes which tires for what department store, write
to: Tire Information Centre, P.O. Box 677, Syosset, NY 11791
Avoid cleaning your windshield with a dry rag or towel. Always
dampen with water or some other cleaning liquid. Dry towels
grind and scratch your windshield hindering your visibility.
Avoid turning on the car air-conditioning while running at
highway speeds as this tends to put an immediate heavy load on
your compressor and clutch. This could cause excessive wear and
tear on these components. Instead turn your air conditioner on
at car speeds below 25 to 30 mph. This helps to preserve your
expensive compressor.
Try to avoid running your car with the tank low on gas. Keeping
a low tank of gas increases the chance of dirt, water/moisture
and rust forming in your fuel system. Keeping a full tank
decreases the chance of dirt and other foreign matter forming in
your fuel system.
Regular oil changes are the most important thing you can do to
protect your engine and make it last longer. Each time you have
your engine oil checked; have your transmission fluid checked
also.
If you have a manual transmission it is better to down shift to
slow your car down instead of using your brakes. This will save
wear and tear on your braking system.
A garaged car lasts longer. A car port is next best, and a car
cover is a distant third. Protect your car's interior and make
it last longer - park your car in the shade or place a
windshield guard or cover in the windshield. If you spill
something inside your car, clean it up immediately before it
dries. Delaying even 30 minutes can sometimes leave a permanent
stain or spot. To better protect your car seats have them
treated with scotch guard.
NOTE: According to current auto insurance statistics, the
average U.S. car's useful life is 10 years or 100,000 miles. By
following proper preventative maintenance you can often double
your car's useful life, and spend less
About the author:
Pierre Schexneider is president of The Schexneider Group, LLC an
E-commerce consulting business. As a consultant his research
abilities have afforded him many opportunities to expand his
knowledge base. For gas saving tips please visit:
Every 2 weeks or 3,000 miles check engine oil, transmission
fluid and coolant.
Once a month or 1,000 miles check tire pressure - with tire
gauge. Check transmission fluid and brake fluid. Wax car to
protect finish and a smooth finish will reduce the wind drag
increasing your fuel economy. Check belts and hoses for
excessive wear.
Every 3 months or 3,000 miles Change oil and oil filter or every
6 months or 3,000 miles depending on your driving habits. You
will also want to lubricate the chassis check transmission fluid
and check all drive belts (fan belts) replace frayed or cracked
belts.
Every 6 months or 6,000 miles inspect suspension, rotate and
inspect tires.
Every 12 months or 12,000 miles flush radiator, replace
anti-freeze, check air conditioning system. Replace air filters
and lubricate chassis.
Every 2 years or 24,000 miles replace spark plugs (30,000 miles
average suggested for unleaded gas) and PCV valve. Change
automatic transmission fluid, filter and pan gasket. You should
also inspect brake linings at this time.
Every 3 years or 30,000 miles check and test ignition wires,
test cooling system, heating hoses and drive belts, check brake
shoes. (replace if needed)
Replace fluid in differential and manual transmission. (Every
50,000 miles)
If you have a major repair to do, it's wise to get at least 3
estimates, if possible, before you decide. It's hard to be
overcharged when you get three estimates before you have the
work done. Make sure you get promised repairs in writing
including how much it will cost.
Read and follow your car owner's manual - it's your car's bible
for making your car last longer.
Whether you are a man, woman, boy or girl; you should learn to
do some routine maintenance on your car yourself. A multitude of
books, videos, magazines and classes are available at your local
library that will teach you for free if you don't know. Learn
how to check your own oil, transmission fluid, tire pressure and
coolant, etc.
If you find a good mechanic who you can trust, stick with him
even if his prices are a bit higher - all things being equal.
You'll always save time, money and aggravation in the long run.
Beware: Cheapest is not always the best. Normally, the best
mechanics with the best equipment and training cost more. Often
mechanics that charge extremely low prices have inferior or
out-dated equipment, little to no formal training or are
under-insured.
Complex electrical problems are so involved that serious
electrical work should be done in an "Auto Electric" shop. They
have the equipment, tool and training to do the job more
efficiently than the average mechanic.
Avoid car dealers except to have highly specialized repairs done
that can't be done properly anywhere else.
The best as well as the easiest ways to find a good car repair
shop is by recommendation or referrals from satisfied customers.
To have work done on late model computer-controlled engines,
make sure the shop you choose has the equipment to handle
computer-electric service/repair. Sophisticated diagnostic
equipment is a must.
To choose the right repair shop for you, it's wise to have a
small or minor maintenance or repair job done first to see how
the repair shop and mechanic treat you and your car.
You should give detailed description of your car's problem when
you take it in for repairs. The more you can describe what your
car is doing or not doing (thumping, squealing, clacking sound,
etc.) the faster and less it will cost for your mechanic to fix
it.
When in doubt about the cost of a repair or a mechanic's honesty
get a second opinion. This is one of the best ways to protect
yourself from being ripped-off until you can find a permanent
repair shop.
Don't race or gun your engine when you start it up. Accelerate
slowly and smoothly when your engine is cold,
Stop and accelerate gradually avoiding jackrabbit starts and
stops. Avoid burning rubber it places excessive wear on the
transmission and rear end, not to mention your tires.
An international tire company estimated that 33% of all tires on
the road are under-inflated (low air). Under-inflated tires wear
out quicker and have a tendency to blow out easier. Keep
front-end aligned, for longer tire life and better gas mileage.
Tires driven at 70 mph. wear out almost twice as fast as those
driven 50 mph.
Avoid tailgating, tire squealing turns, flying over speed bumps,
pot holes and revving your engine.
When possible, avoid driving your car during rush hour stop and
go traffic periods.
If your car has "Cruise Control" use it. Using cruise control
will save you 5% to 10% of a gallon of gas on long trips.
Avoid constantly pressing and releasing the accelerator when
driving. This practice not only wastes fuel, but it puts
excessive wear on the drive train of your car.
Don't ride your brake pedal, this wears out your brake linings
pre-maturely, and wastes fuel.
Driving with your windows all the way down at higher speeds,
will waste 10% more gallons of gasoline than driving with them
closed. Research by a major car manufacturer has revealed that
neglect of proper routine maintenance is the number one reason
for the enormous increase in car repairs being required.
Tires purchased at department stores such as Sears, Montgomery
Wards, K-Mart etc., can be an excellent value because many are
made by leading tire manufacturers. When purchasing or changing
tires, make sure you have them spin balanced. For a list of what
manufacturer makes which tires for what department store, write
to: Tire Information Centre, P.O. Box 677, Syosset, NY 11791
Avoid cleaning your windshield with a dry rag or towel. Always
dampen with water or some other cleaning liquid. Dry towels
grind and scratch your windshield hindering your visibility.
Avoid turning on the car air-conditioning while running at
highway speeds as this tends to put an immediate heavy load on
your compressor and clutch. This could cause excessive wear and
tear on these components. Instead turn your air conditioner on
at car speeds below 25 to 30 mph. This helps to preserve your
expensive compressor.
Try to avoid running your car with the tank low on gas. Keeping
a low tank of gas increases the chance of dirt, water/moisture
and rust forming in your fuel system. Keeping a full tank
decreases the chance of dirt and other foreign matter forming in
your fuel system.
Regular oil changes are the most important thing you can do to
protect your engine and make it last longer. Each time you have
your engine oil checked; have your transmission fluid checked
also.
If you have a manual transmission it is better to down shift to
slow your car down instead of using your brakes. This will save
wear and tear on your braking system.
A garaged car lasts longer. A car port is next best, and a car
cover is a distant third. Protect your car's interior and make
it last longer - park your car in the shade or place a
windshield guard or cover in the windshield. If you spill
something inside your car, clean it up immediately before it
dries. Delaying even 30 minutes can sometimes leave a permanent
stain or spot. To better protect your car seats have them
treated with scotch guard.
NOTE: According to current auto insurance statistics, the
average U.S. car's useful life is 10 years or 100,000 miles. By
following proper preventative maintenance you can often double
your car's useful life, and spend less
About the author:
Pierre Schexneider is president of The Schexneider Group, LLC an
E-commerce consulting business. As a consultant his research
abilities have afforded him many opportunities to expand his
knowledge base. For gas saving tips please visit:
Thursday, June 23, 2005
A PRIMER ON GASOLINE PRICES
By: Pierre Schexneider M. Ed.
Gasoline, one of the main products refined from crude oil,
accounts for just about 17 percent of the energy consumed in the
United States. The primary use for gasoline is in automobiles
and light trucks. Gasoline also fuels boats, recreational
vehicles, farm equipment and various type of other equipment.
While gasoline is produced year-round, extra volumes are made in
time for the summer driving season. Gasoline is delivered from
oil refineries mainly through pipelines to a massive
distribution chain serving 167,000 retail gasoline stations
throughout the United States. There are three main grades of
gasoline: regular, mid-grade, and premium. Each grade has a
different octane level. Price levels vary by grade, but the
price differential between grades is generally constant. What
are the components of the retail price of gasoline? The cost to
produce and deliver gasoline to consumers includes the cost of
crude oil to refiners, refinery processing costs, marketing and
distribution costs, and finally the retail station costs and
taxes. The prices paid by consumers at the pump reflect these
costs, as well as the profits (and some- times losses) of
refiners, marketers, distributors, and retail station owners.
In 2003, the price of crude oil averaged $28.50 per barrel, and
crude oil accounted for about 44% of the cost of a gallon of
regular grade gasoline. In comparison, the average price for
crude oil in 2002 was $24.09 per barrel, and it composed 43% of
the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline. The share of the
retail price of regular grade gasoline that crude oil costs
represent varies somewhat over time and among regions. What Do
We Pay for in a Gallon of Regular Grade? Federal, State, and
local taxes are a large component of the retail price of
gasoline. Taxes (not including county and local taxes) account
for approximately 27 percent of the cost of a gallon of
gasoline. Within this national average, Federal excise taxes are
18.4 cents per gallon and State excise taxes average about 21
cents per gallon. 2 Also, eleven States levy additional State
sales and other taxes, some of which are applied to the Federal
and State excise taxes. Additional local county and city taxes
can have a significant impact on the price of gasoline. Refining
costs and profits comprise about 15% of the retail price of
gasoline. This component varies from region to region due to the
different formulations required in different parts of the
country. Distribution, marketing and retail dealer costs and
profits combined make up 14% of the cost of a gallon of
gasoline. From the refinery, most gasoline is shipped first by
pipeline to terminals near consuming areas, and then loaded into
trucks for delivery to individual stations. Some retail outlets
are owned and operated by refiners, while others are independent
businesses that purchase gasoline for resale to the public. The
price on the pump reflects both the retailer's purchase cost for
the product and the other costs of operating the service
station. It also reflects local market conditions and factors,
such as the desirability of the location and the marketing
strategy of the owner.
About the author:
Pierre Schexneider is president of The Schexneider Group, LLC an
E-commerce consulting business. As a consultant his research
abilities have afforded him many opportunities to expand his
knowledge base. For gas saving tips please visit:
http://www.how2saveongas.com/gastips
Gasoline, one of the main products refined from crude oil,
accounts for just about 17 percent of the energy consumed in the
United States. The primary use for gasoline is in automobiles
and light trucks. Gasoline also fuels boats, recreational
vehicles, farm equipment and various type of other equipment.
While gasoline is produced year-round, extra volumes are made in
time for the summer driving season. Gasoline is delivered from
oil refineries mainly through pipelines to a massive
distribution chain serving 167,000 retail gasoline stations
throughout the United States. There are three main grades of
gasoline: regular, mid-grade, and premium. Each grade has a
different octane level. Price levels vary by grade, but the
price differential between grades is generally constant. What
are the components of the retail price of gasoline? The cost to
produce and deliver gasoline to consumers includes the cost of
crude oil to refiners, refinery processing costs, marketing and
distribution costs, and finally the retail station costs and
taxes. The prices paid by consumers at the pump reflect these
costs, as well as the profits (and some- times losses) of
refiners, marketers, distributors, and retail station owners.
In 2003, the price of crude oil averaged $28.50 per barrel, and
crude oil accounted for about 44% of the cost of a gallon of
regular grade gasoline. In comparison, the average price for
crude oil in 2002 was $24.09 per barrel, and it composed 43% of
the cost of a gallon of regular gasoline. The share of the
retail price of regular grade gasoline that crude oil costs
represent varies somewhat over time and among regions. What Do
We Pay for in a Gallon of Regular Grade? Federal, State, and
local taxes are a large component of the retail price of
gasoline. Taxes (not including county and local taxes) account
for approximately 27 percent of the cost of a gallon of
gasoline. Within this national average, Federal excise taxes are
18.4 cents per gallon and State excise taxes average about 21
cents per gallon. 2 Also, eleven States levy additional State
sales and other taxes, some of which are applied to the Federal
and State excise taxes. Additional local county and city taxes
can have a significant impact on the price of gasoline. Refining
costs and profits comprise about 15% of the retail price of
gasoline. This component varies from region to region due to the
different formulations required in different parts of the
country. Distribution, marketing and retail dealer costs and
profits combined make up 14% of the cost of a gallon of
gasoline. From the refinery, most gasoline is shipped first by
pipeline to terminals near consuming areas, and then loaded into
trucks for delivery to individual stations. Some retail outlets
are owned and operated by refiners, while others are independent
businesses that purchase gasoline for resale to the public. The
price on the pump reflects both the retailer's purchase cost for
the product and the other costs of operating the service
station. It also reflects local market conditions and factors,
such as the desirability of the location and the marketing
strategy of the owner.
About the author:
Pierre Schexneider is president of The Schexneider Group, LLC an
E-commerce consulting business. As a consultant his research
abilities have afforded him many opportunities to expand his
knowledge base. For gas saving tips please visit:
http://www.how2saveongas.com/gastips
Buy or Sell a Car on eBay
By: John Lenaghan
Are you having trouble finding a great deal on a car in your
local area? Well, join the club. Using Online Bidding at eBay
Motors can be the perfect answer you've been looking for. More
and more people are discovering every day how perfectly easy it
is to purchase large items over the internet, including cars and
other motor vehicles. Skip the runaround you're going to get at
the local car dealer, and start saving money now when you buy
and sell eBay.
A car auction on eBay Motors works just like any other eBay
auction. You search for what you're looking for using eBay's
great search engine, then peruse the list of online auctions
that look as though they may be offering what you're looking
for. Once you see something that strikes your fancy, you can
give it a closer look by examining the listing for the vehicle
that you're interested in.
If the seller has prepared properly, you'll see in-depth
descriptions and well taken photographs that show the item from
every angle. You then have a chance to start to bid on whatever
items you are interested in bidding on.
Sell Your Vehicle with an eBay Auto Auction
Do you have a car or truck that you want to sell? You might want
to take a look at selling it on eBay Motors. You can reach many,
many more people, than you can using traditional car sales
methods, such as newspaper listings and large used car
dealerships. Some people even make their livings entirely off of
selling cars on-line.
eBay Motors is the largest seller of used cars in the United
States. You can reach people across town or across the country,
which would be next to impossible using traditional methods of
selling a car. Would you rather park it in front of your house
for the people driving by to see, or park it on eBay where
millions of people "drive by" every day?
About the author:
John Lenaghan writes about eBay and other online auctions for
the Online
Auction Advisor website, where he writes about things such
as dr
opshippers, how to make money on eBay and many other auction-related
topics.
Are you having trouble finding a great deal on a car in your
local area? Well, join the club. Using Online Bidding at eBay
Motors can be the perfect answer you've been looking for. More
and more people are discovering every day how perfectly easy it
is to purchase large items over the internet, including cars and
other motor vehicles. Skip the runaround you're going to get at
the local car dealer, and start saving money now when you buy
and sell eBay.
A car auction on eBay Motors works just like any other eBay
auction. You search for what you're looking for using eBay's
great search engine, then peruse the list of online auctions
that look as though they may be offering what you're looking
for. Once you see something that strikes your fancy, you can
give it a closer look by examining the listing for the vehicle
that you're interested in.
If the seller has prepared properly, you'll see in-depth
descriptions and well taken photographs that show the item from
every angle. You then have a chance to start to bid on whatever
items you are interested in bidding on.
Sell Your Vehicle with an eBay Auto Auction
Do you have a car or truck that you want to sell? You might want
to take a look at selling it on eBay Motors. You can reach many,
many more people, than you can using traditional car sales
methods, such as newspaper listings and large used car
dealerships. Some people even make their livings entirely off of
selling cars on-line.
eBay Motors is the largest seller of used cars in the United
States. You can reach people across town or across the country,
which would be next to impossible using traditional methods of
selling a car. Would you rather park it in front of your house
for the people driving by to see, or park it on eBay where
millions of people "drive by" every day?
About the author:
John Lenaghan writes about eBay and other online auctions for
the Online
Auction Advisor website, where he writes about things such
as dr
opshippers, how to make money on eBay and many other auction-related
topics.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Researching A Car Thats Right For You
By: Kevin Schappell
Researching your new vehicle is a daunting task in today's world. Once you have narrowed your next vehicle down to 2 or 3 choices it is time to research. Take out a sheet of paper for each vehicle and write down pros and cons for each one. Also on each sheet of paper list the attributes which are most important to you. This list might include:
MPG - if you put a lot of miles on your car this factor could make a big dent in your wallet if you pick the wrong car.
Engine power - HP is a big factor for many people out there.
Price - nothing needs to be said about this one.
Interior space
Repair costs - consider the average costs to repair a fender-bender.
Insurance costs - this is often overlooked by buyers and can catch you by surprise.
Standard options.
Anything else, which is a factor to you. The idea is to custom tailor your list to meet your needs. If you don't care about engine power then leave it off your list.
Now how do you get the information which is on your list? Here is a list of excellent resources to use in your search.
Offline: Consumer Reports Magazine Auto Week magazine Your local newspaper's auto section Local dealers
Online: Consumer Reports - requires a subscription just like the magazine. Edmunds.com Kelly Blue Book NADA guide book Car.com
After your research is done you should have a clear picture of which car is right for you. What do you say? Clear as mud? Well take a step back and if you have 2 vehicles which are comparable you will then have to resort to one of the following.
Go with your gut feeling. You know the one which says get the Porsche not the Yugo. Ask your wife, husband or SO. (you might want to let them in on the decision a little earlier than this if they will be driving the car too.) Flip a coin. Ask your god for some divine intervention?
Good luck!
About the Author
Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on car maintenance, buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles.
kevin@schappell.com
Researching your new vehicle is a daunting task in today's world. Once you have narrowed your next vehicle down to 2 or 3 choices it is time to research. Take out a sheet of paper for each vehicle and write down pros and cons for each one. Also on each sheet of paper list the attributes which are most important to you. This list might include:
MPG - if you put a lot of miles on your car this factor could make a big dent in your wallet if you pick the wrong car.
Engine power - HP is a big factor for many people out there.
Price - nothing needs to be said about this one.
Interior space
Repair costs - consider the average costs to repair a fender-bender.
Insurance costs - this is often overlooked by buyers and can catch you by surprise.
Standard options.
Anything else, which is a factor to you. The idea is to custom tailor your list to meet your needs. If you don't care about engine power then leave it off your list.
Now how do you get the information which is on your list? Here is a list of excellent resources to use in your search.
Offline: Consumer Reports Magazine Auto Week magazine Your local newspaper's auto section Local dealers
Online: Consumer Reports - requires a subscription just like the magazine. Edmunds.com Kelly Blue Book NADA guide book Car.com
After your research is done you should have a clear picture of which car is right for you. What do you say? Clear as mud? Well take a step back and if you have 2 vehicles which are comparable you will then have to resort to one of the following.
Go with your gut feeling. You know the one which says get the Porsche not the Yugo. Ask your wife, husband or SO. (you might want to let them in on the decision a little earlier than this if they will be driving the car too.) Flip a coin. Ask your god for some divine intervention?
Good luck!
About the Author
Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on car maintenance, buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles.
kevin@schappell.com
7 Hassle-Free ways to buying a new car
By: Prashant Desai
According to NADA, almost no single car model is sold at the
same fixed price by car dealerships in a particular area. Every
buyer receives a different final new car price quote.
In other words every Honda Accord buyer in your area would have
paid a different price for the car based on which car dealer
they went to and how well they negotiated the price. Therefore,
there is no level playing field on buying a new car.
As you may have guessed, this translates to either visiting as
many car dealers in your area as your time permits or
negotiating really hard with a shrewd car dealer.
My 7 hassle-free tips to buying a new car will certainly help
you save money and pay one of the lowest prices in your area for
any new car.
1.Finalize what car model you want and how much you're willing
to spend. This way you'll be less pressured into making hasty
decisions.
2.Identify two other competing car models that you might
consider buying or can use as a negotiating leverage with car
dealers.
By doing this you're showing the car dealer you have done your
research and are not emotionally attached to this particular
model (even though you may be).
3.Collect Internet new car price quotes for 3 competing car
models. Do not step into a dealership without getting online new
car price quotes. www.autoauctionbids.com
is a good website to receive new car price quotes from multiple
local dealers rather than just 1 car dealer as in the case of
most Internet websites. Through magazines and publication,
identify the dealer invoice price.
4.Take these new car price quotes and invoice price information
to the car dealers who provided the online new car price quote
to you. This not only shows the car dealer you have done your
research, but also shows you are serious about buying a car.
5.Now that you have invoice price & new car price quotes from 3
competing car models, stick to the total price of the car during
negotiations. The car dealer may lead you to monthly payments,
trade-ins etc., but only focus on negotiating the final price
down.
6.During the negotiation, mention about an even lower new car
price quote received on a competing car from www.autoauctionbids.com
. See if the dealer would match or beat it. Leave if you have to
and see if the car dealer calls you back.
7.At this point, you are already getting a great deal on the car
you want, so you can always go back to that dealership and buy
the car at that price, which is probably the lowest price in
town.
The advantage of this process is that, you're not engaging in
much face to face negotiation with the car dealer, since you
already have some facts to share like the new car price quote
and invoice price.
However, the disadvantage of this is that the car dealer who
made the lowest new car price quote on www.autoauctionbids.com
, will pretty much be the lowest price you would pay for the
car.
You may be leaving money on the table unless you keep going back
and forth from dealership to dealership to see if they would
beat you new low new car price quote.
An alternative to this and the ultimate hassle free way to
buying a new car would be to continue negotiating on the
Internet. AutoAuctionBids.com allows buyers to send back the
lowest price quote received for a particular car to all
participating dealers.
The car dealers can view this lowest new car price quote and
submit a lower quote. Another participating dealer can view this
new low price and submit an even lower price.
This can go on for up to 3 days and at the end of the car
auction, buyers can contact the lowest bidding car dealer and
buy the car most of the time at below invoice price.
The best part of it all is that you can conduct 3 separate
auctions for all 3 competing cars absolutely free, with no
obligation to buy at the end of the auction.
In summary, remember all new car price quotes are different and
car dealers will make a hefty profit if you cannot provide facts
about competing dealer new car price quotes and competing car
models new car price quotes. Collect these prices first and no
negotiation will be required.
About the author:
Prashant Desai, author of various consumer tips articles and
industry expert for AutoAuctionBids.com. Email him at
p_desai@autoauctionbids.com to sign up for e-Newsletter and
visit www.autoauctionbids.com
for more information.
According to NADA, almost no single car model is sold at the
same fixed price by car dealerships in a particular area. Every
buyer receives a different final new car price quote.
In other words every Honda Accord buyer in your area would have
paid a different price for the car based on which car dealer
they went to and how well they negotiated the price. Therefore,
there is no level playing field on buying a new car.
As you may have guessed, this translates to either visiting as
many car dealers in your area as your time permits or
negotiating really hard with a shrewd car dealer.
My 7 hassle-free tips to buying a new car will certainly help
you save money and pay one of the lowest prices in your area for
any new car.
1.Finalize what car model you want and how much you're willing
to spend. This way you'll be less pressured into making hasty
decisions.
2.Identify two other competing car models that you might
consider buying or can use as a negotiating leverage with car
dealers.
By doing this you're showing the car dealer you have done your
research and are not emotionally attached to this particular
model (even though you may be).
3.Collect Internet new car price quotes for 3 competing car
models. Do not step into a dealership without getting online new
car price quotes. www.autoauctionbids.com
is a good website to receive new car price quotes from multiple
local dealers rather than just 1 car dealer as in the case of
most Internet websites. Through magazines and publication,
identify the dealer invoice price.
4.Take these new car price quotes and invoice price information
to the car dealers who provided the online new car price quote
to you. This not only shows the car dealer you have done your
research, but also shows you are serious about buying a car.
5.Now that you have invoice price & new car price quotes from 3
competing car models, stick to the total price of the car during
negotiations. The car dealer may lead you to monthly payments,
trade-ins etc., but only focus on negotiating the final price
down.
6.During the negotiation, mention about an even lower new car
price quote received on a competing car from www.autoauctionbids.com
. See if the dealer would match or beat it. Leave if you have to
and see if the car dealer calls you back.
7.At this point, you are already getting a great deal on the car
you want, so you can always go back to that dealership and buy
the car at that price, which is probably the lowest price in
town.
The advantage of this process is that, you're not engaging in
much face to face negotiation with the car dealer, since you
already have some facts to share like the new car price quote
and invoice price.
However, the disadvantage of this is that the car dealer who
made the lowest new car price quote on www.autoauctionbids.com
, will pretty much be the lowest price you would pay for the
car.
You may be leaving money on the table unless you keep going back
and forth from dealership to dealership to see if they would
beat you new low new car price quote.
An alternative to this and the ultimate hassle free way to
buying a new car would be to continue negotiating on the
Internet. AutoAuctionBids.com allows buyers to send back the
lowest price quote received for a particular car to all
participating dealers.
The car dealers can view this lowest new car price quote and
submit a lower quote. Another participating dealer can view this
new low price and submit an even lower price.
This can go on for up to 3 days and at the end of the car
auction, buyers can contact the lowest bidding car dealer and
buy the car most of the time at below invoice price.
The best part of it all is that you can conduct 3 separate
auctions for all 3 competing cars absolutely free, with no
obligation to buy at the end of the auction.
In summary, remember all new car price quotes are different and
car dealers will make a hefty profit if you cannot provide facts
about competing dealer new car price quotes and competing car
models new car price quotes. Collect these prices first and no
negotiation will be required.
About the author:
Prashant Desai, author of various consumer tips articles and
industry expert for AutoAuctionBids.com. Email him at
p_desai@autoauctionbids.com to sign up for e-Newsletter and
visit www.autoauctionbids.com
for more information.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
3 Fast Tips on How To Sell Your Car for the Most
By: Graeme Sprigge
Tip 1 - Pick your time. If you can possibly help it, don't sell
your car after Christmas, when no one has any money. Consider
holiday periods: will the people be in town or away. Sometimes
this can work in your favour because if people are not at work
they have more time to look for cars, and they are usually
cashed up with nothing to do.
On the reverse side, when buyers are busy working, they don't
have the time to do a lot of car shopping, which can make
negotiating easier.
Additionally for this reason, if you get a buyer to come on a
week-night, it is unlikely he can compare yours to other cars -
which can sometimes work in your favour.
Tip 2 - First Impressions are everything Just like you are going
on a date - first impressions are everything. Get all the
rubbish and junk out of it. Deodorize it. Wash it, clean it.
Tip 3 - As the good boy scout says. Be prepared. Get your
paperwork in order. Find the spare keys. You don't want to be
rushing around at the last minute, just when the buyer is ready
to go for it. You can't find something. He may just say, he'll
get back to you. Believe me, it happens. So get organized before
hand and you'll have a much smoother run of it.
See my other articles for more tips.
About the author:
Graeme Sprigge is the webmaster of SellMyCarForCash.Com, a
website enlightening you on how to get the most for your car in
a private sale. The site includes more great articles.
For more cool articles, cool car selling tips, car finance tips
visit http://www.sellmycarforcash.com
Copyright 2005 Graeme Sprigge. This is a shareware article
meaning you can use it provided you include this resource box.
Copyright 2005 Graeme Sprigge
Tip 1 - Pick your time. If you can possibly help it, don't sell
your car after Christmas, when no one has any money. Consider
holiday periods: will the people be in town or away. Sometimes
this can work in your favour because if people are not at work
they have more time to look for cars, and they are usually
cashed up with nothing to do.
On the reverse side, when buyers are busy working, they don't
have the time to do a lot of car shopping, which can make
negotiating easier.
Additionally for this reason, if you get a buyer to come on a
week-night, it is unlikely he can compare yours to other cars -
which can sometimes work in your favour.
Tip 2 - First Impressions are everything Just like you are going
on a date - first impressions are everything. Get all the
rubbish and junk out of it. Deodorize it. Wash it, clean it.
Tip 3 - As the good boy scout says. Be prepared. Get your
paperwork in order. Find the spare keys. You don't want to be
rushing around at the last minute, just when the buyer is ready
to go for it. You can't find something. He may just say, he'll
get back to you. Believe me, it happens. So get organized before
hand and you'll have a much smoother run of it.
See my other articles for more tips.
About the author:
Graeme Sprigge is the webmaster of SellMyCarForCash.Com, a
website enlightening you on how to get the most for your car in
a private sale. The site includes more great articles.
For more cool articles, cool car selling tips, car finance tips
visit http://www.sellmycarforcash.com
Copyright 2005 Graeme Sprigge. This is a shareware article
meaning you can use it provided you include this resource box.
Copyright 2005 Graeme Sprigge
Saturday, June 18, 2005
What You Should Not Do When Buying A New Car
By:John G. Nuble
For people who have failed their mechanical aptitude test, the
difference between a handbrake and the fender would probably be
something that needs consulting in the dictionary. Buying a new
car is never easy but for some it can even rival the SAT.
With hundreds of articles handing out tips in buying a new car,
you should know by now what you should look for, what you should
bring and what else you should do, but do you know what you
should not do when buying that new car you want?
Never go without knowing what you want.
In buying a new car, it is not uncommon to have one or two
choices but please keep it at that. Having more than two choices
will spell not only trouble for your pocket but also a waste of
your time. Knowing what you want when buying a new car will give
you the confidence to talk to car dealers plus it will also
enable you to ask questions specific to the car model. This will
also allow you to do some research before hitting the stores.
Believe this, there is no one dubious car dealers want more than
buyers who do not have an idea what they want when buying a new
car.
Never negotiate for something that you know nothing of
When haggling with dealers, do not negotiate until you have
already canvassed the price. This is a no no in buying a new
car. If you have no time to scout for car prices, you can always
go to your car dealer's websites or even ask friends and people
you work with. Just tell them you are buying a new car and they
will be more than happy to help. That way, you know what the
bottomline and you know whether that bottomline can fit your
budget.
Never let on that you absolutely need the car
Attitude is the name of the game when buying a new car. Remember
that dealers need you more than you need them, so don't act as
if the car is the last of its model on earth (unless it's
vintage). In buying a new car, do it with professional savvy.
Never let on that you are desperate for their product or that
their price is the lowest you have seen in a hundred miles
radius. Be cool when buying a new car and you'll surely get a
cool deal.
Never let one dealer buy you a car from another dealer
While others do this because of the absolute lack of time, it is
still not advisable especially if you are buying a new car for
the first time. Some dealers may not only try to sell you the
car at a higher price, they might even try to scam you. If you
absolutely have to do it, do not sign anything or put down a
deposit until you have seen the product in the flesh.
Never take on add-on fees until you have reviewed them
Scammers plague people who are buying a new car for the first
time. Because they know that you don't have much experience in
buying a new car, dealers will sometimes put on additional
somethings to the final cost of the car such as "rustproofing,"
"environmental prep," and a host of others. Beware of this
first-time buyer scams.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
For people who have failed their mechanical aptitude test, the
difference between a handbrake and the fender would probably be
something that needs consulting in the dictionary. Buying a new
car is never easy but for some it can even rival the SAT.
With hundreds of articles handing out tips in buying a new car,
you should know by now what you should look for, what you should
bring and what else you should do, but do you know what you
should not do when buying that new car you want?
Never go without knowing what you want.
In buying a new car, it is not uncommon to have one or two
choices but please keep it at that. Having more than two choices
will spell not only trouble for your pocket but also a waste of
your time. Knowing what you want when buying a new car will give
you the confidence to talk to car dealers plus it will also
enable you to ask questions specific to the car model. This will
also allow you to do some research before hitting the stores.
Believe this, there is no one dubious car dealers want more than
buyers who do not have an idea what they want when buying a new
car.
Never negotiate for something that you know nothing of
When haggling with dealers, do not negotiate until you have
already canvassed the price. This is a no no in buying a new
car. If you have no time to scout for car prices, you can always
go to your car dealer's websites or even ask friends and people
you work with. Just tell them you are buying a new car and they
will be more than happy to help. That way, you know what the
bottomline and you know whether that bottomline can fit your
budget.
Never let on that you absolutely need the car
Attitude is the name of the game when buying a new car. Remember
that dealers need you more than you need them, so don't act as
if the car is the last of its model on earth (unless it's
vintage). In buying a new car, do it with professional savvy.
Never let on that you are desperate for their product or that
their price is the lowest you have seen in a hundred miles
radius. Be cool when buying a new car and you'll surely get a
cool deal.
Never let one dealer buy you a car from another dealer
While others do this because of the absolute lack of time, it is
still not advisable especially if you are buying a new car for
the first time. Some dealers may not only try to sell you the
car at a higher price, they might even try to scam you. If you
absolutely have to do it, do not sign anything or put down a
deposit until you have seen the product in the flesh.
Never take on add-on fees until you have reviewed them
Scammers plague people who are buying a new car for the first
time. Because they know that you don't have much experience in
buying a new car, dealers will sometimes put on additional
somethings to the final cost of the car such as "rustproofing,"
"environmental prep," and a host of others. Beware of this
first-time buyer scams.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
The Guide To Better Car Buying Deals
By:John G. Nuble
Buying a car is like making a journey into the unknown
especially if you do not know the meaning of mileage and the
only seats you have sat on inside a car are the ones for the
passengers. Without a map, one can get lost, confused by several
choices and generally duped into accepting a less than great a
deal.
Still like any journey, with the right guide to buying a car,
one can breeze through the experience with flying colors. Below
is a guide to getting better car buying deals not only in terms
of getting high quality cars but also in being aware of rebates
and discounts. Both online and offline transactions were
mentioned and discussed as some people are already doing their
shopping online.
Read on and see for yourself which car buying guide you already
know and which one you just heard for the very first time.
Car buying guide #1: List your requirements and stick to it.
Knowing what you need and what you want already takes you
halfway the decision-making process. List your requirements and
search for a perfect match out of the hundreds of car models
available. You can do this in the old fashion way by visiting
the car dealers near your area or the new age way through the
wonders of the World Wide Web. One car buying guide which you
should remember is to never go to dealers without having a car
in mind. Websites like CarDirect.com has a handy research tool
that can help you refine your search
Car buying guide #2: Have a budget and stick to it.
When you have already decided on your car model, you can now
look into the prices being offered by various car dealers. One
car buying guide that is really important is to do price
comparisons, which are available online at InvoiceDealers.com or
CarsDirect. You can also ask advice from people who have bought
cars in the last five years. Chances are, car dealers still have
the same practices.
Car buying guide #3: Be on the look out for special sales and
promos
Most car dealers and even websites will always come up with a
promo or a special deal guaranteed to outsell the competition.
You can also leave your contact details and ask the car dealers
that you have visited to inform you of upcoming promos. That
way, you will stay up to date and would be able to compare
different deals offered by different companies. One can also try
looking for great deals over the Internet.
Car buying guide #4: Buy at the right season
One car buying guide that is a sure hit is perfecting the timing
of buying a car. Usually, car dealers go on sale by the end of
December as there is low demand for expensive gadgets. Because
of the Christmas shopping rush, few actually buy a car at this
period of time. Another great time is on July to October where
new models have to replace the new. Sometimes, car manufacturers
even offer big discounts just to be rid of the stock.
Car buying guide #5: Beware of Add-ons
Some dealers would put add-on services that you do not really
need until the price skyrockets. Beware of these add-ons and
really determine if that is something that you would like for
your car.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
Buying a car is like making a journey into the unknown
especially if you do not know the meaning of mileage and the
only seats you have sat on inside a car are the ones for the
passengers. Without a map, one can get lost, confused by several
choices and generally duped into accepting a less than great a
deal.
Still like any journey, with the right guide to buying a car,
one can breeze through the experience with flying colors. Below
is a guide to getting better car buying deals not only in terms
of getting high quality cars but also in being aware of rebates
and discounts. Both online and offline transactions were
mentioned and discussed as some people are already doing their
shopping online.
Read on and see for yourself which car buying guide you already
know and which one you just heard for the very first time.
Car buying guide #1: List your requirements and stick to it.
Knowing what you need and what you want already takes you
halfway the decision-making process. List your requirements and
search for a perfect match out of the hundreds of car models
available. You can do this in the old fashion way by visiting
the car dealers near your area or the new age way through the
wonders of the World Wide Web. One car buying guide which you
should remember is to never go to dealers without having a car
in mind. Websites like CarDirect.com has a handy research tool
that can help you refine your search
Car buying guide #2: Have a budget and stick to it.
When you have already decided on your car model, you can now
look into the prices being offered by various car dealers. One
car buying guide that is really important is to do price
comparisons, which are available online at InvoiceDealers.com or
CarsDirect. You can also ask advice from people who have bought
cars in the last five years. Chances are, car dealers still have
the same practices.
Car buying guide #3: Be on the look out for special sales and
promos
Most car dealers and even websites will always come up with a
promo or a special deal guaranteed to outsell the competition.
You can also leave your contact details and ask the car dealers
that you have visited to inform you of upcoming promos. That
way, you will stay up to date and would be able to compare
different deals offered by different companies. One can also try
looking for great deals over the Internet.
Car buying guide #4: Buy at the right season
One car buying guide that is a sure hit is perfecting the timing
of buying a car. Usually, car dealers go on sale by the end of
December as there is low demand for expensive gadgets. Because
of the Christmas shopping rush, few actually buy a car at this
period of time. Another great time is on July to October where
new models have to replace the new. Sometimes, car manufacturers
even offer big discounts just to be rid of the stock.
Car buying guide #5: Beware of Add-ons
Some dealers would put add-on services that you do not really
need until the price skyrockets. Beware of these add-ons and
really determine if that is something that you would like for
your car.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
Friday, June 17, 2005
Tips In Buying The Ultimate Car At Low Cost
By:John G. Nuble
You don't really need to be the ultimate car geek to figure out
the ins and outs of savings when buying a new car. You just need
some car buying tips, a calculator, a notepad and pen and mental
savvy to play the cost game with a couple of car dealers.
To set you on the road to the car that you've always wanted
without the burden of high costs, here are some car buying tips
guaranteed to lighten your path.
Car buying tip #1: Do your price homework.
In order to get the best deal, you have to first determine what
the fair price is for the car that you want and what the car
costs in various car dealers. Researching for the fair price can
be a bit tricky as all dealers would have different prices. One
way to do this is to log on to websites such as Cars.com,
InvoiceDealers.com, CarsDirect.com, AutoWeb, Edmunds.com,
Car.com and AutoUSA and see what their prices are. After
comparing, you will have a fairly good idea how it costs.
Car buying tip #2: Price is not everything
While price is the motor that would keep your car buying
running, it is not the only thing that you should consider. Most
car dealers would have a promo of some sort whether it be a free
service, free parts or lower interest rates in financing. Look
at this also along with the price. One may have lower prices but
may not offer the same package.
Car buying tip #3: Compare and tell
Having done your price homework, you can now use the data to
haggle with car dealers. Tell each of them that you are looking
at the prices of several dealers. Quote some prices to make them
believe you. Knowing this, they will give you their lowest
possible price and may even offer some good deals just to
prevent you from buying your car at their competitor.
Car buying tip #4: Budget. Budget. Budget
Knowing how much you can shell out and sticking to it can help
you in negotiating for a better price. This is one car buying
tip that most buyers forget. Remember, dealers can sense your
indecision and may not give you the best price that they have in
the house.
Car buying tip #5: Secure your finances
Car dealers are not the only ones who can offer great financial
deals. You can get a loan from your bank or even from online
lenders like Capital One Auto Finance and E-loan.
Car buying tip #6: Consider trade-in
When you have an old car and you will not be using it anymore,
consider trading it in to lessen the costs of the other car.
Figure its trade-in value and start from there. Some dealers
accept trade in but oftentimes, you can get a better deal
selling your old car privately.
Car buying tip #7: Allow for a time leeway
Buying a car at the last minute will not only cut off the
possibilities of doing research and waiting for better deals but
it will also make you quite desperate to buy one. Desperation in
any car dealers' book equals high costs.
Car buying tip #8: Ask for rebates and rewards
When you pay in cash, car dealers offer special discounts,
rebates or rewards. Make sure that you ask your car dealer about
them as some can "conveniently" forget about them until after
you are out the door.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
You don't really need to be the ultimate car geek to figure out
the ins and outs of savings when buying a new car. You just need
some car buying tips, a calculator, a notepad and pen and mental
savvy to play the cost game with a couple of car dealers.
To set you on the road to the car that you've always wanted
without the burden of high costs, here are some car buying tips
guaranteed to lighten your path.
Car buying tip #1: Do your price homework.
In order to get the best deal, you have to first determine what
the fair price is for the car that you want and what the car
costs in various car dealers. Researching for the fair price can
be a bit tricky as all dealers would have different prices. One
way to do this is to log on to websites such as Cars.com,
InvoiceDealers.com, CarsDirect.com, AutoWeb, Edmunds.com,
Car.com and AutoUSA and see what their prices are. After
comparing, you will have a fairly good idea how it costs.
Car buying tip #2: Price is not everything
While price is the motor that would keep your car buying
running, it is not the only thing that you should consider. Most
car dealers would have a promo of some sort whether it be a free
service, free parts or lower interest rates in financing. Look
at this also along with the price. One may have lower prices but
may not offer the same package.
Car buying tip #3: Compare and tell
Having done your price homework, you can now use the data to
haggle with car dealers. Tell each of them that you are looking
at the prices of several dealers. Quote some prices to make them
believe you. Knowing this, they will give you their lowest
possible price and may even offer some good deals just to
prevent you from buying your car at their competitor.
Car buying tip #4: Budget. Budget. Budget
Knowing how much you can shell out and sticking to it can help
you in negotiating for a better price. This is one car buying
tip that most buyers forget. Remember, dealers can sense your
indecision and may not give you the best price that they have in
the house.
Car buying tip #5: Secure your finances
Car dealers are not the only ones who can offer great financial
deals. You can get a loan from your bank or even from online
lenders like Capital One Auto Finance and E-loan.
Car buying tip #6: Consider trade-in
When you have an old car and you will not be using it anymore,
consider trading it in to lessen the costs of the other car.
Figure its trade-in value and start from there. Some dealers
accept trade in but oftentimes, you can get a better deal
selling your old car privately.
Car buying tip #7: Allow for a time leeway
Buying a car at the last minute will not only cut off the
possibilities of doing research and waiting for better deals but
it will also make you quite desperate to buy one. Desperation in
any car dealers' book equals high costs.
Car buying tip #8: Ask for rebates and rewards
When you pay in cash, car dealers offer special discounts,
rebates or rewards. Make sure that you ask your car dealer about
them as some can "conveniently" forget about them until after
you are out the door.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
Thursday, June 16, 2005
IS YOUR CAR SAFE? ....KNOW THE FACTS ON CAR SAFETY FEATURES
By:Jinky C. Mesias
The car is one of the most utilized commodities second to food.
And because of this it is of great importance to make sure that
you and your family is safe and secure whenever you go out for a
ride. There are various car safety features readily available
either online or offline that car owners can readily turn to for
all their car safety feature requirements.
Some of the most commonly used and sought after car safety
devices are airbags with airbag shut-off switch, antilock
braking system, automatic locking retractor and emergency
retractor seatbelts, backup sensing system, child safety seat
tethers, crash resistant door pillars, and crumple zones.
AIRBAGS All vehicles sold especially in the United States are
required to have airbags in both the driver as well as the
passenger side of the car. The advantage of having an airbag is
that it prevents the driver as well as the passengers head from
hitting on the rigid areas of the vehicle especially during side
impact collisions. The airbag shut-off switch on the other hand,
switches off the airbag immediately since there are cases
wherein airbags has suffocated children as well as injured small
stature adults.
ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM The antilock braking system enables
drivers to quickly stop the car without the need to pump the
brakes thus preventing the locking of the wheels and the
skidding of the vehicle. The best feature of this device is that
you as the driver is left to concentrate on steering the car
since the device is the one that does all the pumping on the
brakes for you and thus allowing you to apply constant pressure
on the brake pedal. Moreover, this device can help drivers avoid
collision especially during bad weathers.
AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR AND EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR
SEATBELTS This device is best suited for couples with children
since it is important to ensure the safety of the your children
since you will never know just when accident will befall you.
And also this device comes with seatbelts that are especially
designed to automatically adjust and then lock in place to
ensure that the child seat is kept in place especially during
higher than normal speed driving. And also it is important that
when installing a child safety seat to make sure that the belts
are locked as tightly as possible.
BACK UP SENSING SYSTEM The back up sensing system prevents the
car from hitting another car, hitting the wall, etc. This device
is equipped with a proximity sensor located in the rear portion
of the vehicle that is why during backing it gives off a warning
that the rear end of your car is going to hit an object.
However, this device is optional.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT TETHERS This is actually the newest safety
seat tethers made easier to install for the comfort of the
parents since one of the most common problem faced by parents is
the proper installation of their child safety seat.
CRASH RESISTANT DOOR PILLARS This device was developed in order
to repel the force of a side-impact collision away from the head
area and toward the legs. This is achieved by means of keeping
the top portion or the head portion of the vehicle's side post
more unbending and then allowing the lower portion or the leg
portion to move inward.
CRUMPLE ZONES This devices are one of the most underrated safety
features in modern vehicles since vehicles are designed to
crumple in order to absorb the impact from a crash accident
nevertheless maintains the entirety of the passenger compartment
thus ensuring the safety of the driver as well as the
passengers.
For comments and suggestions about the article kindly log on to
http://www.caraccidentlawyerpros.com
About the author:
Jinky C. Mesias is a lover of simple things and of nature. She
spends most of her time reading and writing poetry.
The car is one of the most utilized commodities second to food.
And because of this it is of great importance to make sure that
you and your family is safe and secure whenever you go out for a
ride. There are various car safety features readily available
either online or offline that car owners can readily turn to for
all their car safety feature requirements.
Some of the most commonly used and sought after car safety
devices are airbags with airbag shut-off switch, antilock
braking system, automatic locking retractor and emergency
retractor seatbelts, backup sensing system, child safety seat
tethers, crash resistant door pillars, and crumple zones.
AIRBAGS All vehicles sold especially in the United States are
required to have airbags in both the driver as well as the
passenger side of the car. The advantage of having an airbag is
that it prevents the driver as well as the passengers head from
hitting on the rigid areas of the vehicle especially during side
impact collisions. The airbag shut-off switch on the other hand,
switches off the airbag immediately since there are cases
wherein airbags has suffocated children as well as injured small
stature adults.
ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM The antilock braking system enables
drivers to quickly stop the car without the need to pump the
brakes thus preventing the locking of the wheels and the
skidding of the vehicle. The best feature of this device is that
you as the driver is left to concentrate on steering the car
since the device is the one that does all the pumping on the
brakes for you and thus allowing you to apply constant pressure
on the brake pedal. Moreover, this device can help drivers avoid
collision especially during bad weathers.
AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR AND EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR
SEATBELTS This device is best suited for couples with children
since it is important to ensure the safety of the your children
since you will never know just when accident will befall you.
And also this device comes with seatbelts that are especially
designed to automatically adjust and then lock in place to
ensure that the child seat is kept in place especially during
higher than normal speed driving. And also it is important that
when installing a child safety seat to make sure that the belts
are locked as tightly as possible.
BACK UP SENSING SYSTEM The back up sensing system prevents the
car from hitting another car, hitting the wall, etc. This device
is equipped with a proximity sensor located in the rear portion
of the vehicle that is why during backing it gives off a warning
that the rear end of your car is going to hit an object.
However, this device is optional.
CHILD SAFETY SEAT TETHERS This is actually the newest safety
seat tethers made easier to install for the comfort of the
parents since one of the most common problem faced by parents is
the proper installation of their child safety seat.
CRASH RESISTANT DOOR PILLARS This device was developed in order
to repel the force of a side-impact collision away from the head
area and toward the legs. This is achieved by means of keeping
the top portion or the head portion of the vehicle's side post
more unbending and then allowing the lower portion or the leg
portion to move inward.
CRUMPLE ZONES This devices are one of the most underrated safety
features in modern vehicles since vehicles are designed to
crumple in order to absorb the impact from a crash accident
nevertheless maintains the entirety of the passenger compartment
thus ensuring the safety of the driver as well as the
passengers.
For comments and suggestions about the article kindly log on to
http://www.caraccidentlawyerpros.com
About the author:
Jinky C. Mesias is a lover of simple things and of nature. She
spends most of her time reading and writing poetry.
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Things You Should Know In Buying A Car Online
By:John G. Nuble
Buying a car online is not really so much a mystery anymore.
With most, if not all, commodities being sold in the World Wide
Web, clothes, food, insurance, music, film, computers, cars are
not exactly new residents in the virtual business zone. But
while buying a car online may offer people endless convenience,
fast service and deals not found in car dealerships in your
area, there are still buyers who are skeptical that the online
process actually works.
But it does work. In fact, for people who have been purchasing a
host of other merchandises on the Internet for years, buying a
car online is not really so different from let's say ordering a
new computer. Both deals with parts that you know next to
nothing of, both can cost a lot and both can be confusing for
the mechanically-challenged.
Still, in this age of information, there is no such thing as
"anything" challenged. With the right attitude and the right set
of information, you can also have a hassle-free virtual car
shopping spree. All you need to do is look for reputable
websites that would provide you with everything you need to know
and the rest is history.
The advantage of buying a car online from buying a car offline
is not really that far off. Except for the savings in time and
if you are good, in money, it also needs the same amount of
research and serious planning. Here are some of the things that
you should know about when buying a car online
Websites
In buying a car online, one should ask for sites with good
reputations. Ask for recommendations from your friends or search
for reviews in the Internet. There are a lot available. That
way, you will know what each site offer, guiding you as you are
buying a car. Some of the most popular sites are Cars.com,
InvoiceDealers.com, CarsDirect.com, AutoWeb, Edmunds.com,
Car.com, AutoByTel and AutoUSA
Frequently Asked Questions
Sites offer various resources in buying a car not just online
but also offline. With an aim to provide the buyers information
on the process of buying cars online, the sites also offer
articles with tips and tricks on buying a car. Another great
resource is their frequently asked questions. Click on the
section. Chances are, the question you are asking about buying a
car is there.
Services
Sites offer web forms and other features that may help you with
your decision. Sites like InvoiceDealers.com for example
provides multiple price quotes from various dealers. Others have
features you can use to compare the specs of one car model to
the other. This is especially handy if you have not yet made
your decision on which car to buy. Another great thing with
websites, it can show how many are available and what color the
car is available in. Clearly, it eliminates all the walking
around scouting for a better deal.
Links
Websites often serve as a portal to another portal. Sites like
AutobyByTel, for instance, can link you to their large network
of car dealers all over the US. This is actually one of the
original sites that have helped people when they were buying a
car over the Internet. Some sites also provide links to various
service and information in buying a car.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
Buying a car online is not really so much a mystery anymore.
With most, if not all, commodities being sold in the World Wide
Web, clothes, food, insurance, music, film, computers, cars are
not exactly new residents in the virtual business zone. But
while buying a car online may offer people endless convenience,
fast service and deals not found in car dealerships in your
area, there are still buyers who are skeptical that the online
process actually works.
But it does work. In fact, for people who have been purchasing a
host of other merchandises on the Internet for years, buying a
car online is not really so different from let's say ordering a
new computer. Both deals with parts that you know next to
nothing of, both can cost a lot and both can be confusing for
the mechanically-challenged.
Still, in this age of information, there is no such thing as
"anything" challenged. With the right attitude and the right set
of information, you can also have a hassle-free virtual car
shopping spree. All you need to do is look for reputable
websites that would provide you with everything you need to know
and the rest is history.
The advantage of buying a car online from buying a car offline
is not really that far off. Except for the savings in time and
if you are good, in money, it also needs the same amount of
research and serious planning. Here are some of the things that
you should know about when buying a car online
Websites
In buying a car online, one should ask for sites with good
reputations. Ask for recommendations from your friends or search
for reviews in the Internet. There are a lot available. That
way, you will know what each site offer, guiding you as you are
buying a car. Some of the most popular sites are Cars.com,
InvoiceDealers.com, CarsDirect.com, AutoWeb, Edmunds.com,
Car.com, AutoByTel and AutoUSA
Frequently Asked Questions
Sites offer various resources in buying a car not just online
but also offline. With an aim to provide the buyers information
on the process of buying cars online, the sites also offer
articles with tips and tricks on buying a car. Another great
resource is their frequently asked questions. Click on the
section. Chances are, the question you are asking about buying a
car is there.
Services
Sites offer web forms and other features that may help you with
your decision. Sites like InvoiceDealers.com for example
provides multiple price quotes from various dealers. Others have
features you can use to compare the specs of one car model to
the other. This is especially handy if you have not yet made
your decision on which car to buy. Another great thing with
websites, it can show how many are available and what color the
car is available in. Clearly, it eliminates all the walking
around scouting for a better deal.
Links
Websites often serve as a portal to another portal. Sites like
AutobyByTel, for instance, can link you to their large network
of car dealers all over the US. This is actually one of the
original sites that have helped people when they were buying a
car over the Internet. Some sites also provide links to various
service and information in buying a car.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
Drive away the car of your dreams
By:Ria Malhotra
Everyone has a dream of buying car these days. It is in the
human nature to want more and more than we need or can afford.
There is always wide range of cars in the market and all offers
high technology systems and handling better performance and
longevity. Once you get a new car then you have to decide how
will you be paying the monthly installments. Car loans are
becoming popular as a way to finance a new car or used car. For
car loan you need to prove to bank officer or lender. There many
car loans options available but sometimes it is difficult to
choose the right for you. In fact car dealers or manufacturers
offers car loans, often you will be paying more interest than
you need to.
How much you spend on buying new car depends on your financial
position or your credit reports. If you want to get your car
financed then you need to know how much down payment you have
and how much you can afford monthly installments.
No doubt paying cash for car loans saves interest, which you pay
on car loans. There are number of good reasons for not paying
cash. Because of the recent concerns about identity theft and
Homeland Security issues, many dealers do not want to accept
cash for a car. Some will not even accept bank or cashier's
checks. Of course, there may be hidden agenda in their refusals.
In order to decide how much money to spend on your vehicle you
need to evaluate how much you to want to borrow and how much you
can afford monthly installments. Do not forget to take into
consideration other vehicle's running costs such as insurance,
tax, servicing etc when deciding how much you have to spend,
also get personal recommendations if you know anyone who owns
the same type of vehicle that you are looking at. Once you are
clear with the idea of the costs involved and how much you would
like to borrow you can apply for car loan.
Shop Carefully Before finalizing the car loan or finding right
lender, get quotes from different banks, from the dealer and
other lenders. If you have a saving account in a bank then your
credit rating is good, then banker will offer you for a car
loan. Only people of age 18 or above are eligible for applying
for car loans. We all live in credit-based economy. For that
reason our financial and credit worthiness becomes more and more
important. If you have good credit reports then it will be easy
to buy new car. Over the years, credit reporting agencies like
trans union, experian and Equifax have developed a system of
predicting your credit-worthiness based on your past payment
history. Based on the score they give you, these agencies will
recommend whether to give you credit or not to buy that car or
home or to make you that loan. How timely you make your
payments, pay your dues, Phone bills, electricity bills etc.
tell your credit worthiness and you get final score by these
credit reporting agencies. Once you apply for car loans, the
lender or banker will go to one of these agencies for your score.
Now what are you waiting for .Get car loan tips from
http://www.carloanclues.com
About the author:
Ria malhotra writes for
Car loans .
Everyone has a dream of buying car these days. It is in the
human nature to want more and more than we need or can afford.
There is always wide range of cars in the market and all offers
high technology systems and handling better performance and
longevity. Once you get a new car then you have to decide how
will you be paying the monthly installments. Car loans are
becoming popular as a way to finance a new car or used car. For
car loan you need to prove to bank officer or lender. There many
car loans options available but sometimes it is difficult to
choose the right for you. In fact car dealers or manufacturers
offers car loans, often you will be paying more interest than
you need to.
How much you spend on buying new car depends on your financial
position or your credit reports. If you want to get your car
financed then you need to know how much down payment you have
and how much you can afford monthly installments.
No doubt paying cash for car loans saves interest, which you pay
on car loans. There are number of good reasons for not paying
cash. Because of the recent concerns about identity theft and
Homeland Security issues, many dealers do not want to accept
cash for a car. Some will not even accept bank or cashier's
checks. Of course, there may be hidden agenda in their refusals.
In order to decide how much money to spend on your vehicle you
need to evaluate how much you to want to borrow and how much you
can afford monthly installments. Do not forget to take into
consideration other vehicle's running costs such as insurance,
tax, servicing etc when deciding how much you have to spend,
also get personal recommendations if you know anyone who owns
the same type of vehicle that you are looking at. Once you are
clear with the idea of the costs involved and how much you would
like to borrow you can apply for car loan.
Shop Carefully Before finalizing the car loan or finding right
lender, get quotes from different banks, from the dealer and
other lenders. If you have a saving account in a bank then your
credit rating is good, then banker will offer you for a car
loan. Only people of age 18 or above are eligible for applying
for car loans. We all live in credit-based economy. For that
reason our financial and credit worthiness becomes more and more
important. If you have good credit reports then it will be easy
to buy new car. Over the years, credit reporting agencies like
trans union, experian and Equifax have developed a system of
predicting your credit-worthiness based on your past payment
history. Based on the score they give you, these agencies will
recommend whether to give you credit or not to buy that car or
home or to make you that loan. How timely you make your
payments, pay your dues, Phone bills, electricity bills etc.
tell your credit worthiness and you get final score by these
credit reporting agencies. Once you apply for car loans, the
lender or banker will go to one of these agencies for your score.
Now what are you waiting for .Get car loan tips from
http://www.carloanclues.com
About the author:
Ria malhotra writes for
Car loans .
Friday, June 10, 2005
How To Buy Used Vehicles Debt Free
By:John Cook
New cars are one of the worst purchases that we can make due to
the rapid decrease in value, especially over the first three
years. When we finance these vehicles, this turns a bad
situation even worse. We have now added a couple thousand
dollars in interest to the cost of a depreciating item.
Used cars are the answer to avoiding this big hit in
depreciation, but many people still finance the used car. Let's
take a look at how you can buy used vehicles even when you have
very little to start with.
Let's assume you wanted to purchase a 2005 Accord for $20,990
and financed it for 6 years at 5.95%. The payment would be
$341.85 per month for a total amount paid over the life of the
loan of $24,613.40. That includes $3,623.40 in interest paid.
Since you had decided that you could afford the $341.85 payment
to the finance company, we assume that you can afford to pay
yourself $341.85 into a savings account.
We round off this savings and do not account for any interest
and assume that you save $4,000 each year. We will also assume
that you can drive your current jalopy for one more year while
you save this money.
January 2006 you now have $4,000 saved and can afford to buy a
1992 Honda Accord.
January 2007 you can sell the 1992 for $1,400, add another
$4,000 to it and buy a 1995 Honda Accord.
January 2008 you can sell the 1995 for $2,000, add another
$4,000 to it and buy a 1997 Honda Accord.
January 2009 you can sell the 1997 for $2,300, add another
$4,000 to it and buy a 1999 Honda Accord.
January 2010 you can sell the 1999 for $2,600, add another
$4,000 to it and buy a 2000 Honda Accord.
In January 2011 you have reached the value of used car purchases
where selling the 2000 and adding $4,000 to it will not
substantially upgrade your car, so you continue to save.
January 2012 you can sell the 2000 for $2,400, add $8,000 (two
years of savings) to it and buy a 2006 Honda Accord.
Now we can compare the two decisions. If you had bought the new
2005 you would have a paid off 2005 in 2011 and you would have
paid interest ($3,623.40 to be exact) on top of the purchase
price. Using our example you could have had a 2006 one year
later in 2012 completely paid off and your money made interest
for you while in your savings account.
These numbers are all conservative and you could do much better
by continuing to save and delay your used car purchases longer
than one year. This would be the best thing to do so that you do
not keep losing value on selling cars.
For example, if you kept saving and bought a used car every two
years you could have bought a 2008 Honda Accord in 2012
completely paid for. When you stretch out your used car
purchases while continuing to save, you can purchase much newer
vehicles. With this method you can always purchase newer used
cars and never pay interest to anyone.
The key to making this work is the disciplined savings. If you
have decided that you can make a new car payment, you can put
the money in a savings account earmarked for used cars.
Also remember that since you do not have a car payment, if you
have a financial problem like a job layoff etc., you will not
have to worry about losing your vehicle. Driving paid for used
cars is a wise financial practice. It is said that it is the
millionaires that purchase and drive used cars. It is those in
deep debt that drive new and leased vehicles.
The prices for these vehicles all came from Kelley Blue Book.
The purchase prices are just under the KBB retail value and the
selling prices are just over the private party value. The values
that I used were conservative and you could do much better,
especially if you hold onto your vehicles longer while
continuing to save.
About the author:
John Cook is the author of Finance For Families.com, a website
designed to assist families in making smart financial decisions.
The burden of seemingly insurmountable debt is destroying too
many families. You can read more at
http://www.financeforfamilies.com.
New cars are one of the worst purchases that we can make due to
the rapid decrease in value, especially over the first three
years. When we finance these vehicles, this turns a bad
situation even worse. We have now added a couple thousand
dollars in interest to the cost of a depreciating item.
Used cars are the answer to avoiding this big hit in
depreciation, but many people still finance the used car. Let's
take a look at how you can buy used vehicles even when you have
very little to start with.
Let's assume you wanted to purchase a 2005 Accord for $20,990
and financed it for 6 years at 5.95%. The payment would be
$341.85 per month for a total amount paid over the life of the
loan of $24,613.40. That includes $3,623.40 in interest paid.
Since you had decided that you could afford the $341.85 payment
to the finance company, we assume that you can afford to pay
yourself $341.85 into a savings account.
We round off this savings and do not account for any interest
and assume that you save $4,000 each year. We will also assume
that you can drive your current jalopy for one more year while
you save this money.
January 2006 you now have $4,000 saved and can afford to buy a
1992 Honda Accord.
January 2007 you can sell the 1992 for $1,400, add another
$4,000 to it and buy a 1995 Honda Accord.
January 2008 you can sell the 1995 for $2,000, add another
$4,000 to it and buy a 1997 Honda Accord.
January 2009 you can sell the 1997 for $2,300, add another
$4,000 to it and buy a 1999 Honda Accord.
January 2010 you can sell the 1999 for $2,600, add another
$4,000 to it and buy a 2000 Honda Accord.
In January 2011 you have reached the value of used car purchases
where selling the 2000 and adding $4,000 to it will not
substantially upgrade your car, so you continue to save.
January 2012 you can sell the 2000 for $2,400, add $8,000 (two
years of savings) to it and buy a 2006 Honda Accord.
Now we can compare the two decisions. If you had bought the new
2005 you would have a paid off 2005 in 2011 and you would have
paid interest ($3,623.40 to be exact) on top of the purchase
price. Using our example you could have had a 2006 one year
later in 2012 completely paid off and your money made interest
for you while in your savings account.
These numbers are all conservative and you could do much better
by continuing to save and delay your used car purchases longer
than one year. This would be the best thing to do so that you do
not keep losing value on selling cars.
For example, if you kept saving and bought a used car every two
years you could have bought a 2008 Honda Accord in 2012
completely paid for. When you stretch out your used car
purchases while continuing to save, you can purchase much newer
vehicles. With this method you can always purchase newer used
cars and never pay interest to anyone.
The key to making this work is the disciplined savings. If you
have decided that you can make a new car payment, you can put
the money in a savings account earmarked for used cars.
Also remember that since you do not have a car payment, if you
have a financial problem like a job layoff etc., you will not
have to worry about losing your vehicle. Driving paid for used
cars is a wise financial practice. It is said that it is the
millionaires that purchase and drive used cars. It is those in
deep debt that drive new and leased vehicles.
The prices for these vehicles all came from Kelley Blue Book.
The purchase prices are just under the KBB retail value and the
selling prices are just over the private party value. The values
that I used were conservative and you could do much better,
especially if you hold onto your vehicles longer while
continuing to save.
About the author:
John Cook is the author of Finance For Families.com, a website
designed to assist families in making smart financial decisions.
The burden of seemingly insurmountable debt is destroying too
many families. You can read more at
http://www.financeforfamilies.com.
Thursday, June 09, 2005
The Cheap Car Sources That Your Used Car Dealer Doesn't Want You
By:Steve Shannon
Wouldn't it be nice to find the car or truck that you want, and
only pay a small fraction of what you would at a used car lot?
Wouldn't it be nice not to have to haggle with a used car
salesman and have your intelligence continually insulted, just
to "save" a couple hundred bucks? Have you ever wondered if
there was some secret source where these guys get their vehicles
and whether you could somehow buy from it, too?
The truth is - you can avoid a lot of the expense and
aggravation normally associated with buying a quality used car,
truck or van by simply cutting out the middle man. In other
words, go to the source.
There are several places where dealers can buy vehicles, but one
of the best are used car auctions. Some auctions require that
the buyer is an auto dealer, but others don't. Some auctions are
local, while others are online. Surprisingly, seized,
repossessed or impounded vehicles are very accessible to the
general public for purchase. Usually, you will be able to find
one or more of these auctions or sales very close to where you
live.
The reason vehicles at these auctions and sales go so cheap is
because it costs the government or banking / lending
institutions that hold them money to keep them stored. In some
cases, the institutions that are holding the vehicles have
already lost money on them and simply want to write them off of
inventory. Don't be thinking that all of these vehicles are just
drivable junk, either. Many of these vehicles are modern models,
and blemishes range from few to none.
You can easily access current lists of auctions and sales within
your area (that are open to the public) in several places
online. One of the best sources is through
http://www.cheapcarsources.com . Here you will get an extensive
(and updated) listing of not only cheap car sources, but also
similar places where you can buy discounted land, estate
jewelry, boats and more.
Within minutes, you can be contacting cheap car sources within
your area to see when the next auction or sale will be. Within
days, you can be driving your new used vehicle, which you may
have paid as little as 90% of retail for.
This is an excellent way to find your next vehicle for work or
family. It is also an excellent way to supply a vehicle for a
teenager or college student. Whatever your reason for wanting a
new used vehicle, this is definitely worth a look.
Just remember - cutting out the middle man will save you a load
of cash.
About the author:
Steve Shannon is owner of iTech Enterprises. One aspect of iTech
Enterprises is to search the net for "privileged", unique, and
hard to find information such as http://www.cheapcarsources.com
.
Wouldn't it be nice to find the car or truck that you want, and
only pay a small fraction of what you would at a used car lot?
Wouldn't it be nice not to have to haggle with a used car
salesman and have your intelligence continually insulted, just
to "save" a couple hundred bucks? Have you ever wondered if
there was some secret source where these guys get their vehicles
and whether you could somehow buy from it, too?
The truth is - you can avoid a lot of the expense and
aggravation normally associated with buying a quality used car,
truck or van by simply cutting out the middle man. In other
words, go to the source.
There are several places where dealers can buy vehicles, but one
of the best are used car auctions. Some auctions require that
the buyer is an auto dealer, but others don't. Some auctions are
local, while others are online. Surprisingly, seized,
repossessed or impounded vehicles are very accessible to the
general public for purchase. Usually, you will be able to find
one or more of these auctions or sales very close to where you
live.
The reason vehicles at these auctions and sales go so cheap is
because it costs the government or banking / lending
institutions that hold them money to keep them stored. In some
cases, the institutions that are holding the vehicles have
already lost money on them and simply want to write them off of
inventory. Don't be thinking that all of these vehicles are just
drivable junk, either. Many of these vehicles are modern models,
and blemishes range from few to none.
You can easily access current lists of auctions and sales within
your area (that are open to the public) in several places
online. One of the best sources is through
http://www.cheapcarsources.com . Here you will get an extensive
(and updated) listing of not only cheap car sources, but also
similar places where you can buy discounted land, estate
jewelry, boats and more.
Within minutes, you can be contacting cheap car sources within
your area to see when the next auction or sale will be. Within
days, you can be driving your new used vehicle, which you may
have paid as little as 90% of retail for.
This is an excellent way to find your next vehicle for work or
family. It is also an excellent way to supply a vehicle for a
teenager or college student. Whatever your reason for wanting a
new used vehicle, this is definitely worth a look.
Just remember - cutting out the middle man will save you a load
of cash.
About the author:
Steve Shannon is owner of iTech Enterprises. One aspect of iTech
Enterprises is to search the net for "privileged", unique, and
hard to find information such as http://www.cheapcarsources.com
.
A Car Buying Guide: The Resale Value Of Your Car
By:John G. Nuble
Right off the bat, let's clear one thing up. You will not profit
from buying a car unless you intend to, or are already in the
business of buying and selling cars. Depreciation will decrease
the value of your car the longer you use it, no matter what. It
isn't an investment, so no matter how you carefully treat it,
you can never make the money you bought your car with back, much
more make a profit off it.
Now with that out of the way, here are some tips to guide you in
your car buying expedition, particularly if you do not intend to
keep the car for life. These are tips to maintain the
substantial resale value of your new car. Think of it as
accepting the fate that your first car buying experience will
have to end in a break-up.
- Stick with classic colors and options. A neon green car may
strike your fancy, even if no one really understands why, but
buying a car fit for resale entails sticking to the basics.
- Remember that setting up the car's engines, audio and detail
accessories will not necessarily boost the resale value of your
car. Why juice it up anyway if you know you want a more
expensive car for keeps down the financially stable road?
- There are some detailing jobs that will remain classic resale
boosts: a nice stereo, sun roofs and leather seats.
- Buying a car that is easily maintained helps, too. Readily
available parts and a familiar engine will keep maintenance
hassles to a minimum. Polish it, have regular check ups and get
multi-point inspections done.
- Think about safety when buying a car. Check if the latest
technologies in car safety are present in the car. A safe car is
a more resalable car than muscle-packed, speed mobiles. Check
for airbags, anti-lock breaks, traction control, electronic
stability and side airbags.
- Look for technological adaptability when buying cars. Take
heed from future-minded car manufacturers that make simple cars
that can house future technological advances.
- Take a look at the prospect ten years later when buying cars.
Think if it fits the baseline profile of its type: compact,
sports, luxury, SUV etc. In short, know what buyers expect from
these types of cars.
- Don't go wild with it. A souped up vinyl tattered car is a
hard sell. Think about this before buying a car that costs more
and you plan to turn into a customized bullet.
- Keep your region in mind. Certain features and styles are
expected in certain regions dependent on the terrain and
lifestyle. Why settle for buying a compact car in a mountain
filled county?
- Despite the rising costs of fuel world wide, it is still a
safe bet to decide on buying a car that has a bigger engine. The
logic of which still escapes some.
- Beware of monthly payments for navigation systems and in car
communications systems when buying cars.
Finally, learn to buy a car that you'll enjoy. Financial advice
is wise, but worthless if you ride a vehicle you didn't want to
be caught dead in when you were still fantasizing about buying
your car.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
Right off the bat, let's clear one thing up. You will not profit
from buying a car unless you intend to, or are already in the
business of buying and selling cars. Depreciation will decrease
the value of your car the longer you use it, no matter what. It
isn't an investment, so no matter how you carefully treat it,
you can never make the money you bought your car with back, much
more make a profit off it.
Now with that out of the way, here are some tips to guide you in
your car buying expedition, particularly if you do not intend to
keep the car for life. These are tips to maintain the
substantial resale value of your new car. Think of it as
accepting the fate that your first car buying experience will
have to end in a break-up.
- Stick with classic colors and options. A neon green car may
strike your fancy, even if no one really understands why, but
buying a car fit for resale entails sticking to the basics.
- Remember that setting up the car's engines, audio and detail
accessories will not necessarily boost the resale value of your
car. Why juice it up anyway if you know you want a more
expensive car for keeps down the financially stable road?
- There are some detailing jobs that will remain classic resale
boosts: a nice stereo, sun roofs and leather seats.
- Buying a car that is easily maintained helps, too. Readily
available parts and a familiar engine will keep maintenance
hassles to a minimum. Polish it, have regular check ups and get
multi-point inspections done.
- Think about safety when buying a car. Check if the latest
technologies in car safety are present in the car. A safe car is
a more resalable car than muscle-packed, speed mobiles. Check
for airbags, anti-lock breaks, traction control, electronic
stability and side airbags.
- Look for technological adaptability when buying cars. Take
heed from future-minded car manufacturers that make simple cars
that can house future technological advances.
- Take a look at the prospect ten years later when buying cars.
Think if it fits the baseline profile of its type: compact,
sports, luxury, SUV etc. In short, know what buyers expect from
these types of cars.
- Don't go wild with it. A souped up vinyl tattered car is a
hard sell. Think about this before buying a car that costs more
and you plan to turn into a customized bullet.
- Keep your region in mind. Certain features and styles are
expected in certain regions dependent on the terrain and
lifestyle. Why settle for buying a compact car in a mountain
filled county?
- Despite the rising costs of fuel world wide, it is still a
safe bet to decide on buying a car that has a bigger engine. The
logic of which still escapes some.
- Beware of monthly payments for navigation systems and in car
communications systems when buying cars.
Finally, learn to buy a car that you'll enjoy. Financial advice
is wise, but worthless if you ride a vehicle you didn't want to
be caught dead in when you were still fantasizing about buying
your car.
About the author:
John G. Nuble 2005. For up to date links and information about
car buying, please go to: http://car-buying-guide.us/
4 tips to save a bundle on your next new car purchase
By:Prashant Desai
Many of us have been at the car dealership and have been
drained by a salesperson during price negotiations for the
purchase of a new car. Most people give in too easily or do not
negotiate at all to avoid the dreadful act. This only means more
money in the car dealers' pocket, while you are out of several
thousand dollars! Yes, they make that much in profit per car.
This article unveils the dealer's selling tactics and how you
can get around them. But before we dive into the new car buying
tips, we need to understand what makes up the dealer's profits.
In addition to the MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price),
which is the dealer's cost for the car plus an additional 20-25%
profit, a dealer also gets financial incentives from the
manufacturer when a new car is sold. This is called Holdback.
Depending on the car, dealers can make hundreds on each car
through holdbacks. Dealers also get additional incentives and
bonuses on selling a car before the end of the month and/or
quarter.
A shrewd dealer can make several thousand on a new car even by
selling it at invoice price. This is how new car buying can
become tricky for the consumer.
Ready to learn how not to put a dent in your wallet on your next
car purchase? Here are four tips to get you started. Each one is
a dealer tactic to watch out for.
1. The Guilt Trip
As you may have noticed, every desk in a dealership has photos
of the salesperson's family, instead of photos of cars. Midway
in the negotiation, the sales person will bring them up and make
it look like his little commission check can hardly pay for his
daughters college and little Bradley's braces.
A seasoned salesperson will soon have you feeling guilty for
driving the price down and hurting his commission. Watch out not
to fall for this tactic, since you already know about holdbacks
and incentive programs from manufacturers.
2. Wearing You Down
Come prepared to spend half a day at the dealership or pay
whatever the dealer asks for. Car Dealers are trained to delay
and tire you out to the point where you give in and accept their
price just to get out of there.
After you make your offer, sales people typically claim they
would have to run it by their manager. You may then have to
re-start negotiating with the manager, who is also a seasoned
salesperson. This dance goes on for a while until you give in.
Remember, there are multiple dealerships in a city, so they need
you more than you need them. Demand to speak to the manager
after a certain time period or threaten to leave. Because you
are devoting a lot of time to bargain with the dealer, they know
you are a serious buyer, so they will not let you leave. The
earlier you can speak with the manager, the faster you can leave.
3. The Test Drive
We all enjoy a good test drive and look forward to it. Although
it is essential to test drive a car before you buy it, remember
to not show your absolute love for the car to the salesperson.
Their goal is to get you emotionally attached to the car, so it
becomes a must have for you. I have learned it the hard way.
To hide your emotional tears from the salesperson, mention the
features of a competing car in the same class, like the new
shape, light, leg room, resale value etc. This will make the
salesperson a little vulnerable.
4. Monthly Payments
This one is to confuse you. Dealers will start talking about
monthly payments rather than the total price of the car. They
will start by asking how much you are willing to pay per month
and how much of a down payment you are willing to pay. Since
people don't want to look like they cannot afford a certain car,
they will usually give a higher number. Big Mistake!
You have left little room for negotiation when this happens.
Always steer the conversation to the total price of the car and
do NOT mention any trade-ins at this point. Only after the total
price of the vehicle is completely negotiated then talk about
interest, monthly payment and trade-ins.
General Rule;
As a general rule, remember to only focus and negotiate on the
Total Price of the vehicle. Everything else is pretty much the
car dealer's trough.
If the above new car buying tips seem like a lot of hassle, yet
you still want to get the best price in town, there are some
websites that do this for you. www.AutoAuctionBids.com for
example is a great website for this because you can collect
price quotes from multiple local dealers for a particular car as
well as its competing car models (like Honda Accord, Toyota
Camry and Ford Taurus) and compare them.
The website then allows you to send back the lowest quotes
received for each car make to all participating dealers in your
area through the website itself.
Dealers view this price and continue to submit new lower prices
over a 3 day period. By putting local car dealers in such a
price competition allows you to avoid the dreadful face to face
negotiation and yet gets you the lowest price in town for up to
3 competing car makes.
The best part about AutoAuctionBids.com is that it is absolutely
free for you and there is no obligation to buy after the new car
auction is over.
About the author:
Prashant Desai, author of various consumer tips articles and
industry expert for AutoAuctionBids.com. Email him at
p_desai@autoauctionbids.com to sign up for e-Newsletter and
visit www.autoauctionbids.com for more information.
Many of us have been at the car dealership and have been
drained by a salesperson during price negotiations for the
purchase of a new car. Most people give in too easily or do not
negotiate at all to avoid the dreadful act. This only means more
money in the car dealers' pocket, while you are out of several
thousand dollars! Yes, they make that much in profit per car.
This article unveils the dealer's selling tactics and how you
can get around them. But before we dive into the new car buying
tips, we need to understand what makes up the dealer's profits.
In addition to the MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price),
which is the dealer's cost for the car plus an additional 20-25%
profit, a dealer also gets financial incentives from the
manufacturer when a new car is sold. This is called Holdback.
Depending on the car, dealers can make hundreds on each car
through holdbacks. Dealers also get additional incentives and
bonuses on selling a car before the end of the month and/or
quarter.
A shrewd dealer can make several thousand on a new car even by
selling it at invoice price. This is how new car buying can
become tricky for the consumer.
Ready to learn how not to put a dent in your wallet on your next
car purchase? Here are four tips to get you started. Each one is
a dealer tactic to watch out for.
1. The Guilt Trip
As you may have noticed, every desk in a dealership has photos
of the salesperson's family, instead of photos of cars. Midway
in the negotiation, the sales person will bring them up and make
it look like his little commission check can hardly pay for his
daughters college and little Bradley's braces.
A seasoned salesperson will soon have you feeling guilty for
driving the price down and hurting his commission. Watch out not
to fall for this tactic, since you already know about holdbacks
and incentive programs from manufacturers.
2. Wearing You Down
Come prepared to spend half a day at the dealership or pay
whatever the dealer asks for. Car Dealers are trained to delay
and tire you out to the point where you give in and accept their
price just to get out of there.
After you make your offer, sales people typically claim they
would have to run it by their manager. You may then have to
re-start negotiating with the manager, who is also a seasoned
salesperson. This dance goes on for a while until you give in.
Remember, there are multiple dealerships in a city, so they need
you more than you need them. Demand to speak to the manager
after a certain time period or threaten to leave. Because you
are devoting a lot of time to bargain with the dealer, they know
you are a serious buyer, so they will not let you leave. The
earlier you can speak with the manager, the faster you can leave.
3. The Test Drive
We all enjoy a good test drive and look forward to it. Although
it is essential to test drive a car before you buy it, remember
to not show your absolute love for the car to the salesperson.
Their goal is to get you emotionally attached to the car, so it
becomes a must have for you. I have learned it the hard way.
To hide your emotional tears from the salesperson, mention the
features of a competing car in the same class, like the new
shape, light, leg room, resale value etc. This will make the
salesperson a little vulnerable.
4. Monthly Payments
This one is to confuse you. Dealers will start talking about
monthly payments rather than the total price of the car. They
will start by asking how much you are willing to pay per month
and how much of a down payment you are willing to pay. Since
people don't want to look like they cannot afford a certain car,
they will usually give a higher number. Big Mistake!
You have left little room for negotiation when this happens.
Always steer the conversation to the total price of the car and
do NOT mention any trade-ins at this point. Only after the total
price of the vehicle is completely negotiated then talk about
interest, monthly payment and trade-ins.
General Rule;
As a general rule, remember to only focus and negotiate on the
Total Price of the vehicle. Everything else is pretty much the
car dealer's trough.
If the above new car buying tips seem like a lot of hassle, yet
you still want to get the best price in town, there are some
websites that do this for you. www.AutoAuctionBids.com for
example is a great website for this because you can collect
price quotes from multiple local dealers for a particular car as
well as its competing car models (like Honda Accord, Toyota
Camry and Ford Taurus) and compare them.
The website then allows you to send back the lowest quotes
received for each car make to all participating dealers in your
area through the website itself.
Dealers view this price and continue to submit new lower prices
over a 3 day period. By putting local car dealers in such a
price competition allows you to avoid the dreadful face to face
negotiation and yet gets you the lowest price in town for up to
3 competing car makes.
The best part about AutoAuctionBids.com is that it is absolutely
free for you and there is no obligation to buy after the new car
auction is over.
About the author:
Prashant Desai, author of various consumer tips articles and
industry expert for AutoAuctionBids.com. Email him at
p_desai@autoauctionbids.com to sign up for e-Newsletter and
visit www.autoauctionbids.com for more information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
