If you are a prospective car buyer, finding just the right car for you is a decision not to be made lightly. Everyones needs are different and when you factor in personal tastes, theres just no telling what will push you into making the final decision.
Its easy to get carried away when you shop for a car: the smell of the brand-new upholstery, the satisfying purr of the motor, not to mention the slick salesman promising you outrageous deals, all conspire into making you part with your hard-earned money. Hopefully you will find a great deal for the amount of money that you are willing to pay. However you put it though, buying a car will cost a fair amount of money; you do want a car that is in decent condition and that will last for several years dont you? It is of utmost importance then to do research on the particular models you are most interested in, know the current market trends in car sales and weigh your options carefully so you are confident of making the right choice when it comes time to whip out your checkbook.
The type of car you choose will be dependent on several factors: are you looking for a roomy, comfortable way to truck your kids to ballet class or soccer practice or are you searching for a rugged, off-road trail warrior who willingly follows were your adventurous spirit leads? Maybe you want to tear it up at the racetrack in a screaming blaze of high-octane performance or perhaps gas mileage and ecological-friendliness are your primary concerns. Either way, consider what your expectations and projected requirements are for your planned vehicle and anticipate your need in the future. Youre family may grow beyond its current size or you may have a need to use your vehicle for an expanding business. Think of whats best for your needs and choose a solid, practical model; this years flashy, 2-seater with day-glow paintjob and shiny designer rims might get your pulse racing but is it really what you need and can use many years down the line?
Get up-to-date on the latest models though, so you at least know whats out there and get a feel for current market rates. Check out what new features and innovations have come out recently; the automobile industry is a fast-paced one and new enhancements are coming out all the time.
Tags: Adventurous Spirit, Amount Of Money, Ballet Class, Car Buyer, Day Glow, Decent Condition, Gas Mileage, Hard Earned Money, New Upholstery, Octane Performance, Outrageous Deals, Paintjob, Personal Tastes, Prospective Car, Pulse Racing, Purr, Racetrack, Right Car, Slick Salesman, Soccer PracticeRelated posts
For a woman buying a car alone, the experience falls somewhere south of having a root canal on the pleasure scale. Female car buyers often have to endure a subtle and sometimes not so subtle discrimination. They find themselves being shown cute cars. Salespeople discuss the choice of paint colors rather than the gas mileage. At worst, women are asked if they want to wait for their husbands to arrive before making the big decision. So, how does a woman purchasing a car on her own defend against this sort of behavior? Education. Learn what you need to know before you head to the showroom.
First, decide on the car you want. Consider what you are looking for in a vehicle size, style, and features. Use the websites of the major car manufacturers to build your dream car.
These programs will even given you the sticker price of your ideal vehicle. You can ignore this price during real negotiations, but you’ll have a idea of the general price range of the vehicle.
Still unsure about what you should buy? Look at car comparison websites such as Edmunds and NADA Guides that can help you compare cars side-by-side as well as offer reviews and guides for car buying.
Once you have found the perfect vehicle, its time to research the price. Using the internet, you can find out what the dealers invoice price is for your car. This is the price you want to work with, as it is the actual dealer cost.
In addition, check to see if there are any incentives available on the car. These can be incentives such as low-interest financing or cash back. There may also be incentives to the dealer from the manufacturer. That means that if the dealer sells a specific model, they receive a rebate. This means that a dealer can sell at or below invoice and still make a profit on the car.
Many websites will even give you information on actual selling prices of similar models in your area. By analyzing this information, you will be able to determine a reasonable sales price for the car you want.
Now that you have found your car and know how much you should reasonably pay, head out to the dealer. You can now negotiate effectively.
When you arrive, make it clear to the salesperson that you know exactly what you want and exactly how much you are willing to pay. In short, there should be very little negotiation. Make your offer and stand firm. You will likely get the usual, I have to check with my sales manager runaround.
If the dealer will not meet your price which you know is reasonable go to another dealer. In some cases, you can even get dealers to bid against each other. With a little homework beforehand and a little persistence at the dealership, you’ll have a better experience buying a car.
Tags: Addition Check, Behavior Education, Car Buyers, Car Buying Tips, Car Comparison, Car Manufacturers, Cute Cars, Dream Car, Edmunds, Gas Mileage, Incentives, Invoice Price, Mileage, Nada Guides, Paint Colors, Purchasing A Car, Root Canal, Salespeople, Sticker Price, Subtle DiscriminationRelated posts
Each year, out of all the vehicles bought in the U.S., 41 million are used cars compared to only 16 million new car purchases.
Since purchasing a car is the next financial investment made by US citizen other than housing, it is important to determine if buying a used car is worth your money.
1) CONS – Here is a list of the disadvantages of used-car buying:
* The options of cars are limited, so the search for the right vehicle could be lengthy.
* The buyers have no idea if the car was treated. Used cars usually have worn consumables such as hoses, tires, shocks, filters, fans and clutch.
* Although used car dealers provide a warranty, it is only limited to a couple of months unlike purchasing a new car with full warranty. Certain maintenance on your purchased second-hand car could be more expensive.
* Purchasing a second-hand vehicle would offer you a lower trade-in value.
* The main disadvantage of purchasing old cars is that it has an unknown quantity. Whether the dealer has worked the vehicle to make it attractive for the test drive, the buyers are still unaware of the repair bills, economical issues, and its reliable transportation.
* It is difficult to negotiate fair financing terms on an older vehicle.
2) PROS – On the other side, buying a used car could benefit the buyer in several ways:
* The original owner of the car received the depreciation hit. The market value of the new car decreases from year to year. An average 30% of its value within three years from the time it was bought, so buying their car would save you a lot of money.
* Unlike purchasing a new vehicle with high insurance fees, you will receive a lower cost of insurance if you choose to buy second-hand cars.
* Although buying new and used cars both provide loans, lease, or money-saving the majority of dealers who sell used cars often have shorter loan terms.
* If your investment is decided based on appearance and gas mileage, choosing a used car would guarantee the value and reliability it has provided over the years.
* A used car would provide your dollar more flexibility. Compared from buying a new car that would eat all your finances, buying a second-hand car would allow you to purchase other accessories such as air conditioning that would cost approximately US$200 to $900 extra.
Buying your used car could waste your money if you fail to do your research, compare dealerships, and be aware of the cars market value. Be a wise used-car buyer.
Tags: Buying A Used Car, Buying Used Cars, Car Purchases, Depreciation, Economical Issues, Financial Investment, Gas Mileage, Hoses, Insurance Fees, Loan Terms, Old Cars, Pros And Cons, Purchasing A Car, Purchasing A New Car, Repair Bills, Second Hand Car, Second Hand Cars, Several Ways, Unknown Quantity, Worth Your MoneyRelated posts
So your ready to take the plunge and buy a new car? Here’s a little guide to help get you through the process.
Know your credit score. The higher your credit score is, the lower your monthly car payment will be. You can obtain a free credit report by writing a credit bureau, or just do a search online , there are plenty of websites offering a free credit report.
Get an auto insurance quote. After you have narrowed down your choice of your new car’s make and model, get a free insurance quote. You should make sure your insurance payment fits into your budget. It’s a wise decision to get quotes from multiple insurance carriers , to nail down the best possible rate. Also, if you have enough money saved up, you can pay the policy in full, to get a discount, instead of making monthly payments.
Now its time to visit the dealer. Car salesman are fast talkers, make sure your in the right frame of mind to deal with them. They make a living off commissions, so they try very hard to make a sale. While you can admire their eagerness , they can be annoying. Just ask politely for the facts. What are the standard options, warranty info, gas mileage, and anything else you want to know about the car.
Haggling. Trying to haggle over a new car’s price is like an art form. While sales people would love to make a sale, and haggle with you, they have to answer to a higher power. Usually they are tough to budge on getting a great deal. It also depends how the dealership is doing at the time, if its a slow month or quarter, they may bend a bit more.
However, this is one method I tried , and it did work for me once.
I just told them I would pay x-amount, nothing more, and to give me a call if they can meet my price. About five days later, they did call me back.
Tags: Art Form, Auto Insurance Quote, Car Payment, Car Salesman, Credit Bureau, Credit Score, Dealer Car, Eagerness, Enough Money, Frame Of Mind, Free Credit Report, Free Insurance Quote, Gas Mileage, Insurance Carriers, Insurance Payment, Mileage, New Car, Plunge, Tips For Buying A Car, Wise DecisionRelated posts
For anyone interested in saving money at the gas pump and helping the environment, the new hybrid cars are an excellent choice. Small and fuel-efficient, hybrids are now being made by more manufacturers than ever.
Although hybrids cost more, and can be hard to find due to high demand, it still pays to choose a hybrid. Consider the following reasons to buy a hybrid next time you are in the market for a new car.
Smaller, More Efficient Engines
The hybrid’s fuel efficiency is increased by its small size and the use of lightweight materials. Periodic engine shut-off is another fuel saving feature of the hybrid. When it is stopped in traffic, the hybrid’s engine temporarily shuts off. The engine restarts automatically when the car is put back in gear.
Hybrids are powered by the combination of an efficient gasoline engine backed by an electric motor for acceleration. The electric motor is powered by batteries that are recharged automatically by recapturing the kinetic energy usually lost during braking, known as regenerative braking. When the car is slowing down, the electric motor runs backwards, acting as a generator to charge the battery.
With this collection of advanced fuel efficiency features, hybrids can outperform conventional cars in several arenas.
Environmental Friendliness
Another reason hybrids are more environmentally friendly than conventional gas engines is that they idle less and use fuel more efficiently. The hybrid not only gets better gas mileage, it produces less pollution than other, non-hybrid cars. Some hybrids are getting 10 to 20 miles per gallon more than a regular gas engine. They are also capable of reducing harmful emissions by 90%.
Many hybrids use aerodynamic design to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. Low rolling tires made of special resistant rubber reduce friction on the road. The high capacity, nickel-metal-hydride battery pack is reliable and available to power the hybrid when needed. Hybrids also use the latest in power-train technology, for integrated power management that contributes to fuel efficiency.
Popularity Enhances Styles And Choices
More makes and models are now being offered as the popularity of hybrid cars continues to escalate. Buyers can now purchase the Honda Civic and Accord, Ford Escape, and Toyota Camry in hybrids. GMC and Chevrolet are currently making 2 hybrid pick-up trucks. In the near future, Saturn, Lexus, Honda, and Chevrolet will make hybrid SUVs available to the public. Chevrolet has plans to offer its Malibu in hybrid form in 2007.
You can get a hybrid that looks like a conventional car, such as the Ford Escape. Or you can choose a hybrid that looks completely different from anything else on the road, such as the Toyota Prius. With so many hybrid cars on the market, there is a style to suit almost everyone.
Tax Incentives Available
People who buy hybrids can get significant tax breaks from the US Federal government through 2006. The amount of your tax break is determined by your tax bracket and when you file. Some states are also starting to offer hybrid car tax breaks as well. Tax breaks backed up over the long run by lower fuel costs make hybrid cars a good buy.
Fuel Efficiency Becomes A Reality
Although most people have been aware of hybrids only in recent years, the technology has actually been around for a long time. Ferdinand Porsche built the first successful hybrid car in 1899. But hybrids first began to catch on in the 1990s when Honda introduced the Insight and Toyota introduced the Prius.
It’s been a long wait, but fuel-efficient transportation is finally becoming a reality with the hybrid. As more of these cars take to the road, our air will become cleaner, and our country will be less dependent on foreign sources of oil.
Tags: Aerodynamic Design, Conventional Cars, Conventional Gas, Efficiency Features, Environmental Friendliness, Fuel Efficiency, Gas Engines, Gas Mileage, Gasoline Engine, Harmful Emissions, Helping The Environment, Hybrid Car, Hybrid Cars, Hybrids, Lightweight Materials, Nickel Metal Hydride, Nickel Metal Hydride Battery, Power Train, Regenerative Braking, Resistant Rubber