Tips to Buying a Car

By: Steven Anderson

I need a car. I've been a pedestrian for too long. I need
information. I'll hop on the web. Search for "car buying
guides." Whoa! Over 15 million sites/pages! Refine my search.
"Free first time car buyer guides" and narrow it down to only 4
million. That's about as refined as I can get right now. Look
over the first page of my results, chose some links with names I
recognize. Open some pages. Lots of interesting articles. Let's
see if I can pull together a cohesive list.

What type of vehicle do I need? Notice I wrote "need" not want?
I want a cool car, but this is a major investment and cool
doesn't really last that long. Do I buy new or used? What kind
of driving am I really going to be doing, and in what kind of
conditions? How much can I reasonably spend for monthly
maintenance? How much can I spend on a loan or lease payment?
Should I buy from a dealer, an auction or private sale? How's my
credit rating? Where should I buy insurance? Lots of questions
to answer, and probably some I haven't included here.

Before you search for that cool car," decide exactly what your
needs and wants are. Don't buy what you want, buy what you need.
Don't get into a cash bind because you spent more than you can
really afford because the "cool" factor fades fast but those
monthly payments continue. Review your budget to determine how
much you can really afford. That means not only the car payment,
but insurance and an estimate of your monthly maintenance (gas,
oil, etc.) Check your credit so you have an idea of what type of
loan you can qualify for. Decide on a firm price (payment or
full-purchase), because dealers and salespeople will be doing
their best to get more out of you. Be firm and stick to your
dollar amount. If financing, decide on a realistic maximum
payment you can make. If possible, check with your bank to see
what type of loan you qualify for.

With the internet, it's now much easier to compare vehicles.
Take the time to check out some websites that offer information
about vehicles and compare. Don't just rush out and buy the
first car you see. Remember, your vehicle is a major investment
and unless you can change vehicles every year, this car will
probably have to last you 4 or 5 years. Be choosy. Look at the
pictures, sure, but READ the information. Check to see if the
dealership offers web discounts (that is, if you buy from them
they will offer some discount for using the web).

Educate yourself about vehicle pricing. Dealerships have to make
a profit; otherwise they would not be in business! Simple
economics. Dealers will negotiate, but YOU have to be prepared
as well. The dealers and salespeople know their bottom line on
any vehicle. Again, check the web for information regarding
pricing. Ask family and friends to help you learn about vehicle
pricing. There are many factors that most people don't even know
about.

Make certain you qualify for insurance. Check out your state's
department of motor vehicles website and learn the minimum
insurance necessary. Check around the web and you'll find many
major insurance companies with rate comparison features. Use
those resources. Be very aware that your past driving record
will affect your rates, but also if you are a first time buyer,
be ready for slightly higher rates to begin with. After all, the
insurance company is really gambling on your not making any
claims against the insurance. Think about the type of driving
you will be doing and review the "extras" offered by the
insurance provider. Also, the type of vehicle you are looking to
purchase will affect your rates as well. Older cars usually mean
less safety features, so rates will be higher. Your vehicle
insurance is just as important as your health insurance.

A short note here about car dealerships (and not just the new
vehicle showroom guys). I personally have not had good results
buying from a private seller. Way too many variables and
basically no recourse if something isn't right. Dealers have
certain rules and restrictions they must comply with, such as
title registration time limits, the lemon law, and the "buyers
remorse" (3 day changed my mind) rules. Dealerships must be
licensed and follow the laws; private sellers often don't.
Dealerships also can provide a wider range of options than a
private seller. Go to your state motor vehicle or department of
licensing website and educate yourself. What you don't know can
hurt you.

Also, there is a list called the Customer Service Index (or
something similar) which each car maker maintains for
dealerships. The ranking indicates who a dealership satisfies
customers not only in sales, but also in service. Basically, go
to the manufacturer's website, search for customer service index
and then navigate the website to find that manufacturer's
criteria for a great dealership. Yes it takes time, but this is
a major investment. Family and friends can help here as well.

Once you have decided what type of vehicle you want, and which
dealerships you want to check out (always try at least 2
dealerships, don't just settle on one!), take someone with you,
preferably someone knowledgeable about the vehicle you have
chosen (a family member or friend you feel comfortable with).
That person will probably ask some questions you didn't think
of! I'm a wimp when it comes to negotiating, but my hubby isn't,
and he knows about cars. I let him do most of the questioning,
even though I was the one purchasing the car. Believe me, it
helped, because he asked questions I really never thought about.

Last, but certainly not least, TEST DRIVE THE CAR! Sounds
simple, but it is very important. Just because you found what
looks like the car of your dreams, it may still not be right.
You need to be comfortable behind the wheel, your sight lines
should be clear, you should be able to judge your surroundings
based on the size of the vehicle, and you should be able to find
all those little areas of vehicle maintenance you can do
yourself.

Remember, a vehicle is a major investment. It should be chosen
with care and deliberate thought. There a many factors to
consider and, ultimately, you are the one that has to pay for
any mistakes in your choice.

About the author:
Steven Anderson is the Reservations Director for Hawaiian
Discount Car Rentals, specialists in car rentals
Kauai. He has personally researched and experienced many of
the Hawaiian activities and as described above.

3 Secret Tips Before You Buy A Used Car

By: Charlie E. Hendersen

I have always purchased my cars used. And every single time, I
got a great deal because of a few secrets that is easy to do.

These secrets will save you money. And the good news is there is
no luck involved.

If you follow these steps you are guaranteed to save lots of
money, so please pay attention.

BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #1 - Check Consumer Reports on the
safest cars out there. Looks are one thing, but never ignore
safety.

Here's what you do: Go to a reputable car repair shop and ask if
you can bring the vehicle by for a look-over.

There is a 99% chance they will say "yes".

While you're there, ask what cars they have to repair most
often. Also, ask what the inspection includes, how long it
takes, and the price. Always get this information in writing -
just to be safe.

Once the vehicle has been inspected, ask the mechanic for a
written report with a cost estimate for all necessary repairs.

Be sure the report includes the vehicle's make, model and VIN.
If you decide to make an offer to the dealer after approving the
inspection, you can use the estimated repair costs to negotiate
the price of the vehicle.

Do you see how easy it is?

Are you going to purchase from an individual? If yes, then here
is your next tip.

BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #2

Remember, private sellers generally are not covered by the Used
Car Rule and don't have to use the Buyers Guide. However, you
can use the Guide's list of an auto's major systems as a
shopping tool.

It's simple.

You can ask the seller if you can have the vehicle inspected by
your mechanic. If he/she says no... beware. No matter how nice
the car appears, something fishy is going on.

Now, a private sale likely will be on an "as is" basis, unless
your purchase agreement with the seller specifically states
otherwise. If you have a written contract, the seller has to
live up to the contract.

The car also may be covered by a manufacturer's warranty or a
separately purchased service contract. But that doesn't mean
that the warranty and service contract are transferable.

Plus, other limits or costs may apply. Before you buy the car,
ask if it's still under warranty or service contract, and review
that baby carefully.

Some states will require vehicle sellers to pass a vehicle
inspection before a sale is made. That's not always the case,
though. To find out what your state requires, contact your state
Attorney General's office or a local consumer protection agency.

Hey, it's just a phone call. And it will take less than 5
minutes.

Whether you end up buying a used car from a dealer, a co-worker,
or a neighbor, follow these tips to learn as much as you can
about the car:

BUYING A USED CAR Power Tip #3

Examine the car carefully yourself using an inspection
checklist. You can find a checklist in many of the magazine
articles, books and Internet sites that deal with buying a used
car.

Once I bought a used car in August, and never thought to test
the rear defroster. Guess what? Come November, I found out it
didn't work. If you're shopping in the summer, don't forget to
check the heater. And if it's cold as ice outside, still turn
that air on full blast and make sure it works!

Test drive the car under varied road conditions--on hills,
highways, and in stop-and-go traffic.

Ask for the car's maintenance record. If the owner doesn't have
copies, contact the dealership or repair shop where most of the
work was done. They may share their files with you.

Talk to the previous owner, especially if the present owner is
unfamiliar with the car's history.

Have the car inspected by a mechanic you hire.

There you go.

Follow those three "used car buying" tips and you are guaranteed
to save a ton of money buying a used car.

About the author:
Charlie E. Hendersen is the author and creator of the FREE
website: GetAnotherCar.com A site
dedicated to providing useful tips for buying and maintaining
your car.

Buyer Beware of Flood Damaged Used Cars

By: Austin Davis


Is a flood car coming to a town near you?



Hurricanes have done major devastation to the southern
coastline, and the clean up project will likely take years to
return things to some what normal. What I am concerned about is
the potentially HUGE number of vehicles that will soon come on
the market to be sold as used cars. The problem is not that the
vehicle is used, but that it is potentially a casualty of the
hurricanes and high water. These used cars are generally known
in the business as "flood cars."



Now I know what you are thinking, "I don't live in these
Southern areas, so I am not at risk of unknowingly purchasing
one of these flood cars." Sorry, but you are dead
wrong...actually the farther away you live from the hurricane
damage, the greater you are at risk for being scammed into
buying one of these cars.



Why are you more at risk? Think about it. The flood damage took
place in New Orleans, don't you think that the residents there
know that used cars on the market in that area have a HUGE
potential to be flood cars? You bet they know that.



But do you think the used car buyers in Arizona would suspect
flood cars were brought into their area? Probably not, and the
scam artists behind these flood cars know this. I would suspect
theses car will be on the used car market for about a
year...maybe more. This issue is huge and will hurt many people
who make the mistake and purchase one of these vehicles.



What is the big deal about a car that got water inside it if it
seems to run just fine? Great question...even if I made it up
myself. The engine itself might be fine, and long term engine
damage might not have occurred, but there are many other
components of the vehicle that can seem to be working normally
now, but can deteriorate in the near future.



Electrical components and wiring are usually affected most.
There is a ton of complex wiring under the hood, in the
dashboard, and under the carpeting of the vehicle. Water gets
inside the vehicle from underneath from holes in the frame and
body and around the door openings. If the carpet gets wet, so
does the vast network of wiring under the carpet. The carpet can
easily be replaced, but the wiring under the vehicle is usually
too complex and therefore too expensive to replace, so new
carpet is laid on top of them, concealing potential damage.



So what if the wires get wet? Rust my dear friend. Rust is your
enemy, and rust you will soon have. These wires will now slowly
begin to break down and rust will form on any part of the wire
that is not protected. When the electricity traveling inside
these wires makes contact with this rust, it will make a ground,
and the electricity will stop traveling. Whatever component the
electricity was traveling to, a fuel pump for instance, will
soon stop working. Finding the trouble spot in the miles of wire
is not an easy task. The carpets and seat will probably have to
be removed and hours of diagnostic time will probably be
accumulated as the mechanic tries to find the trouble spot.



In most cars, the onboard computer system is located in the
lower part of the passenger dashboard area, just inches above
the carpeting. Some Japanese vehicles have the computer located
under the passenger seat, on top of the carpet! If the computer
system gets wet, not only will it need to be replaced, but it
can damage many other electrical components as well.



The computer can be replaced now, and all might seem well, but
the rust will soon make its way to these other electrical
components and a domino effect will probably start to happen.
One sensor after another will fail, intermittent electrical
problems will begin to happen, and your pocketbook will soon
start to feel the ill effects of multiple monthly mechanic
visits. I consider rust the cancer of automobiles, you have to
keep cutting and cutting and cutting to stop its growth.



Transmissions are another big ticket item that can be affected
by water and not show symptoms for some time. When moisture
enters the transmission, the normally light pink fluid becomes a
light white/pinkish frothy mix, like a strawberry milkshake. The
entire workings of the transmission are extremely complex and
full of wires, sensors, and lots of rubber seals and O-rings.
The water will cause the rubber parts to swell and leak, and the
sensors and electrical components will soon succumb to rust and
water damage as well.



So what can you do to protect yourself from buying a flooded
time bomb?

1. Be cautious of every used car on the market.

2. Take your time inspecting and test driving. A good deal today
is usually a good deal tomorrow too, so don't succumb to pushy
sales people.

3. Inspect under the driver and passenger seats for obvious
signs of rust on the seat tracks and metal seat frame.

4. Look at the headliner (the fabric on the roof inside the
car). Once wet, the glue that holds this fabric in place will
begin to weaken, and the fabric will begin to fall down
completely, or will fall in small sections that will look like
bubbles.

5. Inspect the undercarriage and the exhaust system for signs of
large scale rust. I would expect a small amount of rust as being
normal; ask your mechanic if you have questions.

6. Use your nose. If the inside of the vehicle smells damp and
moldy, or feels damp to your skin...run!

7. Remove the wheels and inspect the brakes. This should be done
anyway if you are inspecting a used car, but rust damage will
really show itself on the brake components.

8. Inspect all under-hood fluids for water contamination. Oil
and water will look like a chocolate milkshake, oil and
transmission or power steering fluid will look like a strawberry
milkshake.

9. Get the dealership or the seller to give you a written
statement that to the best of their knowledge that 1. the car
has not been in a flood, and 2. the car was not involved in any
type of insurance claim that might have resulted in the original
owner selling the vehicle to their insurance company as a "total
loss."

10. Get a CarFax report. These reports can provide very valuable
information about the car, but I would not rely solely on them.
CarFax may not have complete or updated information critical to
your decision.

11. Look in the trunk under the caper ting and under the spare
tire. Water and rust will tend to puddle here since it is one of
the lowest places of the vehicle. If you see standing water, or
signs of rust in and around the spare tire area it is probably a
flood damaged vehicle and should be avoided.



My website provides one of the best used car checklists I have been able to
find. I highly recommend a would-be-buyer to print it out and
follow the step-by-step guide. If you aren't in the market for a
used car yourself, be sure to pass this article and checklist
information on to your co-workers, friends, and family who are.

About the author:


Austin Davis operates a car repair advice website filled with
insider tips about auto repair related issues. Visit his site
at http://www.trustmymechanic.
com to learn more about your vehicle.

Oxygen Sensor Solutions

By: Matthew C. Keegan

Virtually every car produced since the early 1980s contains a
sensor that regulates oxygen flow to your engine. The oxygen
sensor works by sending information to your vehicle's engine
management system to help your car fun efficiently as well as to
reduce noxious emissions. When an oxygen sensor fails your
vehicle will run less effectively and devour more fuel. Thus,
when oxygen sensor failure has been determined the sensor must
then be replaced, a costly proposition if you rely on a garage
to do the work for you. However, replacing an oxygen sensor is a
task that you can do yourself, thereby saving you precious time
and money. Let's take a closer look at just what an oxygen
sensor does and the steps you can take to do the work yourself.

As a backgrounder, your oxygen sensor works like this: placed
inside of your exhaust pipe, the oxygen sensor detects the ratio
of air and gasoline your engine is fed. If the mixture is too
rich or too lean than the oxygen sensor adjusts the amount of
fuel entering your engine accordingly. The wrong mix of gasoline
and oxygen can increase pollutants that exit your vehicle --
thereby harming the environment -- as well as potentially
causing your catalytic converter to fail or even damage your
engine. So, a properly working oxygen sensor is a must for any
vehicle.

There are some clear signs that your oxygen sensor is no longer
functioning. They can include:

--A rotten egg odor emitting from the exhaust.

--A reduction in fuel economy.

--Your catalytic converter fails unexpectedly.

--Exhaust emissions reach undesirable levels.

--Your engine surges or hesitates.

You can diagnose the problem yourself if you have access to the
right tools including a digital voltmeter, an oxygen sensor
socket, and a propane enrichment device. These specific tools,
along with a proper Haynes or Chilton manual by your side,
should be all that you need to determine if the oxygen sensor is
no longer working. If it has failed, than consider ordering your
replacement part online through a reliable wholesaler such as
the Oxygen Sense shop to obtain a high quality OEM part at
discounted prices. Once your part has arrived than all you will
need is one or two automotive wrenches to accomplish the job.
Again, reference your car's manual for exact instructions.

With the abundance of sensors and technical gadgetry on today's
vehicles it can seem fairly intimidating to do the work
yourself. Fortunately, an oxygen sensor is one of the easier
parts to replace, so if you do the work yourself you will save
time and money as well as gain an important sense of
achievement. Go ahead you weekend mechanic, you can do it!

About the author:
Copyright 2005 -- Matt Keegan is a automotive fan and a writer
for Oxygen Sense site,
a leading retailer of BMW oxygen
sensors. Please click here
for information on how to replace an oxygen sensor.

The Importance of Wheel Alignment

The Importance of Wheel Alignment and of Having High Quality
Auto Wheels

By: Sarah McBride

Motorists or car users are luckier nowadays for having millions
of choices of top quality replacement auto parts. Maintaining a
vehicle, upgrading it or even modifying it has never been easier
than it is today. Every auto part is virtually available for a
common car user who wants to work on his own vehicle. Whether he
wants to improve its safety features, enhance its gas mileage
and fuel efficiency or upgrade its style, he can do it with ease
and convenience through these available replacement auto parts.

Among the leading auto parts dealers that provide the best
quality replacement Ford truck parts, Chevrolet parts, Toyota parts, Volkswagen parts, GMC parts, Jeep parts and more top-rated auto
parts is Auto parts Deal. This store offers you not only a wide
variety of automotive parts but great auto parts discount deals
as well.

This time it features finest line of auto wheels, including
premium class alloy Ford wheels,Mazda wheels, Jeep wheels and Mercedes Benz wheels.
Auto Parts Deal high quality wheels are all sourced from the
most reliable auto wheels manufacturers so you can be sure of
their toughness, durability, and excellent finish.

As we all know the wheels are the closest car parts to the road
so they must be kept in excellent form and condition as much as
possible. They also significantly affect handling and ride
quality so they must be properly taken cared of. Moreover, the
wheels lend the vehicle a more stylish look and thus, they too
can make the car a lot more fun to drive.

When it comes to quality, design and durability, Auto Parts Deal
wheels including GMC truck wheels, Toyota wheels, and Ford wheels are stand out. They
are made to match every make and models specifications and
various likes of auto users.

Auto Parts Deal provides the best deals on auto
wheels and other auto parts like Ford bumpers, Dodge fog lights, Chevrolet headlights, Toyota radiator and Mazda spoilers, so you can
truly enjoy shopping for your replacement part needs. And with
its long-time experience in the auto parts business, you can be
confident that your getting only the best replacement auto parts
for your car.

However, every auto user must not only concern himself with the
quality of the parts he is purhasing but also on how he is going
to install the parts to his vehicle. In installing the wheels,
proper wheel alignment is important so as not to sacrifice the
tires life and hence, the cars ride and handling.

Often times, wheel alignment is confused with wheel balancing;
the two, however are two different terms. Wheel alignment
consists of adjusting the angles of the car wheels so that they
are perpendicular to the road or the ground and are parallell to
each other.

Improper alignment of the wheels result to excessive tire wear,
steering and tracking problems so make sure you check your car
wheels proper alignment before you hit your hot new car wheels
from to the road.

About the author:
Sarah McBride As a manager of one of the largest auto stores in
Springfield,Massachussets, Sarah has extensive experties on auto
parts and automotives in general. This 42 year old is a
certified car enthusiast.