Car Leasing Special: Smart Fortwo, More Than What Meets the Eye

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Car Leasing Special: Smart Fortwo, More Than What Meets the Eye

With the skyrocketing oil price at /gallon, the Smart Fortwo micro car has been gaining popularity among consumers. Enthusiasts are willing to shell out and wait for nine months to drive the fuel-efficient and compact Fortwo.

The pod-shaped micro car gains an audience of different ages ranging from the school kid to a regular working adult, garnering comments like introducing “the coming of space age.”

All packed tightly with 1,800 pounds, the Fortwo is equipped with regular side airbags, anti-rollover technology, steel-cage structure, and top-rate side- and front-impact crashworthiness awarded by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

With its 70-horsepower, 1-liter, three-cylinder engine, the micro car does not have the makeup for a mischievous getaway car. It will be left trailing among Mini Coopers, Honda Civic, and Saturn SL. But whatever lack it has in aggressiveness, it makes up with its tiny size. At a length of 8 feet, 10 inches and about three feet shorter than a Mini Cooper, it can easily crawl into narrow parking lanes. Its length also allows you to cut corners without worrying about its back sticking out.

At a gas mileage of 33 miles per gallon, running in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, Fortwo performs behind Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid but is better than Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit.

There are a couple of downsides with its smallness, however. The transmission can be sluggish and halting and its compact size jerks when one tries to change gears abruptly. You’ll find its engine struggling to come up a hilly area; and even with improved suspension, you’ll feel each bump as you drive.

Nevertheless, it’s surprising that with its compact size, it has a spacious interior. It stands higher than a standard car, and the sunroof gives one the feeling of a larger interior. The Smart car has helped Daimler’s sales to go up after it has sold 11,399 units in the United States. This can be attributed to the affordability of the micro car with a cost of ,000.

It is said that 30,000 customers are on waiting list and 80% of which are to buy when the units are available, a proof that Smart Fortwo has attained significant attention from consumers.

Martin Schwoerer, an online writer, wrote in his car review: “The new ForTwo maintains its Tonka-toy proportions and look at me I’m wearing designer glasses (without a prescription) unconventionality. There’s now a painted parenthesis around the driver’s compartment: a clever if unsuccessful attempt to reassure drivers that Smart’s got their back (as there’s nothing much behind them). From certain angles, the slash-marked Four Two looks like a Pokemon with weird sideburns. Anyway, there’s no denying that observers (especially women) fight the urge to muss the ForTwo’s metaphorical hair and pinch its figurative cheeks.”

 

Sources:

http://autos.yahoo.com

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

 

More car lease specials information can be found at the Car Leasing Secrets website.

 

Run Your Car On Water Hoax

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Run Your Car On Water Hoax

I receive countless emails every week from people asking me this question: is it possible to run your car on water, or is it a complete hoax. In a way I am not totally surprised – I was very skeptical when I first invested in a run your car on water system. With oil prices at an all time high of nearly 0US per barrel, it was inevitable that such a system would be marketed to the masses.

So in essence it is not a hoax – it is possible to run your car on a mixture of gasoline and water. To be more accurate the proper term is an HHO (Hydroxy or Browns) Gas Car Modification System. The idea has actually been around for a while; the problem has been designing an easy to use system and finding commonly available parts to assemble it from. That has all changed now.

How It Works

Basically you combine bi-carb of soda with water in a small canister which receives power off your car battery. This reaction produces HHO gas which is fired in to the carburetor or manifold. The end result is a noticeable increase in mileage, an overall decrease in engine noise and wear and tear on the engine.

This might sound ridiculous, but it does work. There are certainly limitations and newer model cars will be harder to configure with a run your car on water system such as water4gas. Furthermore the system will not work in extreme temperatures – both cold and heat extremes. Further to increasing mileage, utilizing a run your car on water system will reduce emissions produced by your engine and your car will run quieter. Some people claim to notice a drop off in acceleration – this might be a slight trade off for increasing you MPG by well over 30%. I don’t know about you, but I don’t mind going a bit slower if it going to potentially save me thousand’s of dollars a year on gasoline.

Conclusion

There are legitimate HHO gas car modification systems which enable you to run your car on a mixture of water and gasoline. You need to be wary of scam products, and to always seek testimonials and some form of money back guarantee. You must be prepared to assemble the apparatus yourself from the blueprint supplied – although there are many suppliers who will happy assemble your run your car on water system for you.

Car Leasing Special – an Attempt for Greener Pastures: 2010 Mercedes-benz S400 Bluehybrid

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Car Leasing Special – an Attempt for Greener Pastures: 2010 Mercedes-benz S400 Bluehybrid

The world’s premier car-manufacturing company, BMW, is now offering S400 BlueHybrid. Besides being powered by 3.5 liter V-6, it has a lithium-ion battery, which Daimler R&D boss Thomas Weber described the hybrid as “a crucial breakthrough.”

The main aim for S400 manufacturing is fuel efficiency and not performance. Its V-6 engine comes encumbered with a 20-hp electric motor. It stands proud of its combustion efficiency: when the car is not moving, the V-6 will turn off and it kicks back on as soon as the driver moves the car. When stationary, the battery will be charging; the electric motor assists in acceleration though it can’t propel the car.

Integrated in the car’s cooling system is the compact lithium-ion battery module, which is a pure Mercedes production initiative. BMW has 25 patents on the battery. It is even more powerful than the usual nickel-metal hydride batteries whose main purpose is to ensure optimal operating temperature.

The S400 can go for a super-speed sprint of 0-to-62 mph in 7.3 seconds with a governed pull of 155 mph. This magnificent product of car-manufacturing ingenuity can produce 295 horsepower and torque of 277 pound-feet; it delivers 30 mpg on the European cycle, all in S-class comfort and class. Having a tight package, the car has all the hybrid equipment under the hood, not causing any space incursion and discomfort on its passengers.

The BlueHybrid has 7.9 liter gasoline consumption per 100 km in the NEDC, resulting to a low CO2 emission, which is only 190 grams per kilometer, very low for its class type.

Car buyers or prospective buyers for luxury cars, sedans in particular, have no environment-friendly alternatives to the V8 models, but with the Blue Hybrid one can enjoy the S-class luxury and comfort with improved fuel economy.

Dr. Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler AG Board of Management and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development has this to say: “What we have here is a groundbreaking key technology that is going to be a decisive factor for the future success of the automotive industry. That is a tribute to our intensive research efforts, which we have been conducting in this area since 1992.”

 

Sources:

http://autos.yahoo.com

http://www.cars.com

http://www.autobloggreen.com

 

Sources:

http://autos.yahoo.com

 

More car lease specials information can be found at the Car Leasing Secrets website.

 

Eco Friendly & Green Driving ? Endless Money & Fuel Saving Car Tips Part1

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Eco Friendly & Green Driving Endless Money & Fuel Saving Car Tips Part1

You are on a constant quest to enhance your fuel efficiency and save from fuel costs, regardless of whether you are driving a hybrid, compact or cng driven car. Your quest continues on the back of fluctuating car fuel prices which had been on a constant hike for a good part of 2008H1.

Shared below are simple yet proven effective ways on achieving fuel efficiency, saving gasoline and attaining maintenance cost savings:

• Get a car with high MPG, which calculates miles per gallon. Even better, check out the low GPM cars, gallons per mile which is logically lower the better. This is the ultimate objective, and really what we are discussing here, ie. the lesser the gasoline usage, the more miles coverage and the more savings from your higher fuel consumption.

• If you own a vehicle which heats up your car seats at the touch of a button, Do Not Touch that button. The energy consumption is exceptionally high. If your human counterparts have all survived the harsh winter without heated car seats, you could too.

• Eco friendly car washing is another money saving idea. But, let me qualify that if you have to do it at home, you need to use biodegradable soap specifically formulated for automotive parts. Do it on your lawn instead of your driveway, so that the dirt and toxic waste water are absorbed and neutralized in soil. Otherwise, just patronize your local car wash. Their toxic waste water is drained into proper sewer systems and treated before being discharged.

• In summer, run your air conditioner sparingly at a low setting. When the car is sufficiently cool, switch to fan mode instead. Ensure that windows are tightly shut and not rolled down when the air conditioning is running

• Rotate your tires to ensure even tire threading. This causes less strain to the engine.

• Avoid traffic congestion as travelling in jam condition could consume more fuel. Rise early and get to work early whenever possible.

• In all weather all season, use windshield shades to cut down the summer heat and reduce frost in winter.

• When travelling at high speed, for instance, along highways, keep windows tightly closed. Open windows cause additional drag, making your engine work harder, and consuming more fuel.

• Plan trips well ahead before you set off to reduce unnecessary driving. Remember to check out the road conditions especially when driving in hash winter weather.

• Over inflated tires can reduce your fuel efficiency. Remember to check your tire pressure and never overfill them. This is because you need to leave space air expansion when the tires get hot when driving.

• Conversely, you should avoid driving with soft tires. When soft and not at the correct PSI pounds per square inch, your car requires more energy to move and maintain speed as well as increase fuel emissions. According to a Carnegie Mellon University informal study, majority of cars on the roads are only 80% inflated to capacity and inflating tires to the proper pressure improves mileage by about 3.3%. And the best part is that it is definitely safer too. Stay tuned and check out even more environmentally friendly green car driving tips at my site.

Dude? Where?s My Flying Car?

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Dude Wheres My Flying Car

We’ve all gone to the Auto Shows to look at the new models coming out in the coming year and they usually look impressive enough, but what we really go to see are the automakers visions of the future. The Concept Cars.

As much as we can drool over a Lamborghini or pant at a Lotus, it’s the designs of next generation vehicles that truly get our blood pressure rising and eyeball spinning in the back of our heads. We love to look at space like shapes of things to come especially if it’s something we can sit in and drive off. If it’s something we can fly, then even better.

Real cars of the future are not vehicles that will roll on four wheels and look like sleek streaks of lightning or oblong tear drops that hum instead of roar. No, the true prospect of visionary transport is not bound by the winding roads but by the rush of the winds in the sky.

Behold the dream of travel that has been dogging humans and festering in their nightmares since people realized we could indeed see life in the 21st century – Flying cars.

Ever since the new millennium burst upon us without imploding our hard drives or exploding our CPU’s, mankind has been asking – “Where’s my flying car“

Wasn’t this the ever present solitary symbol of our accent into the era of space age travel, that we’d all get our own private vehicles that we could roll out of the garage, glide down the drive way and take off into the wild blue yonder I see the wild blue but how am I going to get to the “yonder”

Apparently the age of cars that have a vertical lift still has a little ways to go, but not too far. In fact there are a number of intrepid invertors and companies that have prototypes right now that can take us into the Jetson stream.

The Moller company’s latest design is it‘s Skycar M400. This two seat personal flying craft has vertical lift and landing and can cruise at a maximum speed of 375 mph at a height of 13,200 feet. That’s the perfect speed and height for the modern skyway. George would be proud.

Although George Jetson could never afford the million dollar price tag, considering what Mr. Spacely pays him, with a little luck the manufacture hopes to bring it down to the more earthly bargain of just ,000 once it goes into mass production.
The road-able aircraft made by Terrafugia is called the Transition. With a price of 8,000 this little beauty has foldable wings allowing it to sail in the clouds or drive the winding roads. It looks like this could be in production and ready as soon as 2009.

The Transition will have a fuel capacity of 20 gallons with a cruising speed of 120 miles per hour which uses about 75% power. Gas mileage is better than most mid-sized cars with 30 mpgs in the air and 40 mile per gallon on the highway. When fully folded out the wing span stretches to 27 feet and the total length of the aircar is just 225 inches.

Most flying concept cars tend to look more like small planes or a hybrid of plane and helicopter, most except for the LaBiche Aerospace FSC-1TM. Truly a treat for sky jockey desiring to soar into the Stratosphere at hair-raising speeds while sitting in a beautiful sleek folding design.

The LaBiche has wings and rear propeller that will automatically hide inside the car when you’re on the street but when you’re ready to take off she’ll spread out and blow away the birds at a top speed of 275 mph. Not one for the mass produced crowd because the LaBiche is a build it yourself kit that costs 5,000. Air plane glue not included.

Urban Aeronautics introduces us to a revolutionary type of personal transport in the X Hawk. Developed for real world urban applications, the X Hawk has vertical lift and landing abilities and uses a vane control system which is comprised of cascading vanes at the inlet duct which gives this air ambulance looking vehicle unique maneuverability options. This amazing system of control allows the craft to move up, down, forward, back and sideways. This type of mobility is unheard of and is a much more complete articulation of movement from the standards of roll, pitch and yaw.

Control of this kind gives the X Hawk tremendous stability, whether flying in gusty winds or having your passengers jump out, hopefully with parachutes. The rotor-less design of vane control systems does away with complicated and expensive rotor head which drops the craft’s purchase and maintenance costs.

Imagine a world where you can take off into the sky, fly to the office and land on the roof or the street. With advancements in aerospace technologies rapidly coming into reality, the day of our flying cars could literally been seen within our lifetimes.

Now I want my personal jet pack.

10 Ways to Make Car Fuel Last Longer

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10 Ways to Make Car Fuel Last Longer

Fuel prices are steep and always rising. Car owners need to find ways to make their car fuel last longer. If you can squeeze a few more miles out of every gallon imagine the savings you can make on fuel costs. The world is constantly finding out ways to use transportation that is affordable and eco-friendly. There are solar battery powered cars as well as hybrid cars in use. However the majorities are still using petrol or diesel powered vehicles.

Whether you drive a two seat car, economy car or a sedan or a sports model that runs on gas you need to master ways in which you can make fuel last long. Here are a few tips given by automobile experts that will give an increase in miles per gallon (MPG):

1. Read driving tips give by the AAA. Drive at optimal fuel efficacy speeds and use the right gears at the right time.

2. Keep the car serviced and in top mechanical condition. Learn how to listen to the car and diagnose any knocks or strange sounds.

3. Ensure that the car air filter is clean. Fuel economy is greatly enhanced with a clean air filter. When an air filter gets clogged it blocks air flow and reduces engine efficacy. So remove the filter and hold it up to check if you can see light through it. Use a filter that can be cleaned and is better for the environment.

4. Always ensure that tires are in good condition and that they are properly inflated. Use the parameters recommended by the car manufacturer and make it a point to check tire pressure whenever you fuel the car.

5. Watch the speed fuel economy decreases with increased speeds. So drive within the speed limits and watch the difference in fuel consumption.

6. Try not to speed and brake constantly. Driving at a steady pace keeps shifting to a minimum and aids fuel economy. Ever watch how trucks drive at a constant pace They don’t brake and speed like cars do and yet arrive at a destination in the same time frame. When you brake to a stop and restart the car much more fuel is used.

7. Learn all about acceleration and revs. Stopping and starting hurts the car and fuel use. If your car is an automatic accelerate moderately and allow the transmission to shift gear smoothly. Otherwise shift gear early so that the engine does not go wroom. Slowdown if you see a stop light changing well in advance so that you don’t have to brake suddenly.

8. Use the air conditioning sparingly. At lower speeds the AC will gobble fuel. So get used to air from the outside. Enjoy the breeze and roll down the windows.

9. For long road trips used recommended stock wheels. They offer greater fuel efficiency than wider cooler looking tires.

10. When you buy a car don’t go for looks look at aspects of fuel efficiency and mechanics.

Log on to the internet and keep abreast with reviews and tips given by automobile gurus on saving fuel and increasing the efficiency of the car. Websites like that of the AAA and road safety police also have great recommendations for motorists.

Drive happily and save fuel.

Getting a Car Cheap Across the Pond

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Getting a Car Cheap Across the Pond

Car prices are becoming unpredictable in the UK, so many car enthusiasts are opting to look over the waters instead. Importing a car can be a good way of getting yourself a bargain car, often one that is unique or rarely seen in the UK.

There are two types of imports; parallel and grey. A parallel import is a make and model available in the UK and abroad, and a grey import is a vehicle which can’t be purchased in the UK.

Buying and importing a car from within the EU is generally easier than from outside the EU, as it will have what’s called Type Approval, which is a certificate showing the car passes EU standards of use and safety. All new cars sold in the EU will have this certificate – so check when buying.

Cars outside the EU will have to go through a Single Vehicle Approval test, similar in theory to an MOT, but much more indepth. They cost around £250, and because they are more rigorous than the standard MOT, more faults are usually found. This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the car, but that the country of origin may simply have different standards. When calculating the cost of importing a car, allow a certain amount for any changes an SVA may bring to light.

Getting car insurance for an imported car is important, as you’re best to get covered as soon as you purchase the vehicle. If something goes wrong while the car is in transit and you don’t have insurance, you could end up out of pocket. It’s advisable to take out temporary cover for up to a month, which will cover transportation and enable you to look for cheap car insurance when you’ve actually got the car in your possession. If you’re planning on modifying the vehicle, this could be the best option.

If you decide to use a shipping broker, make sure they have a good reputation for importing other cars from the region you’re buying from. Insist they keep you updated at every stage of the import process, and give you a date when your car is due to arrive. Find out what the full balance for importation is, and confirm it covers all taxes, shipping costs and paperwork, and that there are no hidden charges. Don’t pay the full balance until your car is in front of you and you have all the relevant documentation in your hands. Any reputable broker will be perfectly agreeable to this.

It’s worth doing your research before buying your import, and finding out exactly what the car will cost you to run in the UK. Get a car insurance quote or two, check the price of replacement parts and tyres, find out what the mpg is, and above all, if it’s a parallel import, check that you couldn’t get it cheaper here after all!

A Look at Some of the Cars With Best Gas Mileage

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A Look at Some of the Cars With Best Gas Mileage

Today the numbers of people who drive cars are increasing rapidly and therefore Environmental Protection Agency has assembled a guide to educate the prospective car hunters about the fuel efficient cars that are available in market. Therefore, Environmental Protection Agency currently modified their testing methods along with lowering the MPG estimates for almost all vehicles. All the car models that have been launched in 2008 cars need to undergo new testing methods to decide whether they deserve the title of being the cars with best gas mileage.

If you are looking to save fuel, i have listed below Cars With Best Gas Mileage, but the list is not exhaustive. You will find that the cars mentioned below can be considered one of the very few cars that offer excellent gas mileage. I would only consider you as a smart buyer if you went for any of this models. This is not just a list, but a selection of the best in the market today.

1) Toyota Yaris:

This compact car is introduced in the year of 2007. This is a inexpensive car model. The EPA fuel economy of this car will allow you to travel across nearly 29 cities and 63 highways. The engine, which can be used with this compact, is of around 106 horsepower, with around 1.5liter I-4. Available transmission is of four speed automatic w/OD or 5-speed manual w/OD. This car designed squat and has miniscule overhangs. The car is 3 feet shorter and around an inch taller.

2) Honda Fit:

Honda also launched this car in the year of 2007. It is entry level subcompact void car. The EPA fuel economy of this car is for city is about 27 to 28 and that is for highway is around 33 to 34. For this compact car available engine is of about 109 horsepower and around 1.5 liters I-4. Available transmission with this car is 5 speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual. Another is 5-speed manual w/OD.

3) Hyundai Elantra:

This is the mid sized car having electronic stability system. Therefore it is safety consciousness. EPA economy of this midsize car is of about 24 to 25 cities and that is for the highways are about 33. Available engines with this car are 4-speed automatic w/OD and other is 5-speed manual w/OD. This is registered in 2007 and we will get both automatic and manual and most important gas mileage is around 30.

4) Pontiac Vibe:

This is the 2007 launched vehicle and is facilitate with a tire pressure monitoring system. This is the product from Toyota and General Motors. This car gives the EPA fuel economy for city is about 25-26 and that is for the highway is around 31 to 33. You can accommodate the engine; which are available is around 126 horsepower and 1.8 liters I-4. The available transmission is around 4-speed automatic w/OD and 5-speed manual w/OD. This car is able to give high gas mileage along with optional stability system.

Hybrid Cars, To Have Or Not To Have?

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Hybrid Cars, To Have Or Not To Have

Hybrid cars are powered by a combination of an efficient gas engine and by electric motor that helps with accelerations. Batteries that recharge automatically power the electric motor. Hybrid cars are built with much smaller, more efficient engines than regular cars. Most of the time, you don’t need the extra power afforded by the larger engine, anyway. Hybrid cars are propelled by a combination of a gas engine and an electric motor – a complicated technology that still draws blank stares, even though hybrids have been on the market for nearly five years.

Hybrid cars are cars that are powered by an electric battery as well as a gasoline engine. A hybrid vehicle contains parts of both gasoline and electric vehicles in an attempt to get the best of both worlds. With these configurations, hybrid cars are able to have a fuel mileage of 60-70 mpg as compared to 20-40 in conventional cars. Hybrid cars are particularly fuel efficient in the city, but they are also suitable for country trips. Examples were cited of how they are being used as delivery vehicles around the city such as pizza or postal deliveries. Hybrid cars are powered by internal combustion engines, but are also equipped with batteries recharged during driving and an electric motor to assist with power demand. Hybrids do not need to be plugged in, yet they deliver exceptional mileage compared to their gas-only counterparts.

Hybrid cars are also designed to be more aerodynamic than most cars, allowing them to “slice” through air instead of pushing it out of the way. All these factors combined equate to a super efficient form of car that gets excellent fuel economy and helps the environment by cutting down on pollution. Hybrid cars are made with a gas engine, an electric motor and a high powered battery. The battery provides energy to the electric motor, which recharges by recapturing energy that normally would be lost when decelerating. Hybrid cars are not the final answer, but they are a good start.

Hybrid cars are better than most alternative energy sources in dealing with the energy crisis. The Japanese have led the way in hybrid cars with their outstanding Toyota Prius. Hybrid cars are designed to operate in the same range of conditions and temperatures as conventional vehicles. For example, Honda’s specs indicate that its Integrated Motor Assist system will operate as low as 22 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. Hybrid cars are essentially gasoline-powered vehicles. All the electricity they use comes ultimately from the gasoline engine.

Hybrid cars are starting to become more popular in America, but they are still new to the car market. In the years to come even more hybrids will become available.

6 Essential Steps for Buying a Car

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6 Essential Steps for Buying a Car

Over the many years I’ve spent working in the car business, I’ve personally been involved, to one degree or another, with thousands of vehicle sales. I’ve compiled these steps simply by observing the customers buying these vehicles, and what they did that made the process easier for them and saved them the most money. So here we go…

#1 You must know you’re credit score. If you don’t know your credit score and what’s on your credit file, it will not only make selecting the appropriate lender for you more difficult, but it could lead to a costly surprise (high finance rates) when it’s time to buy. A ,000 loan for 72 months at a 6.9% APR has a monthly payment of 0, which fits into most peoples budgets. On the flip side, if you thought you’d qualify for the 6.9% rate, but it actually turned out you qualified for a 18.99% APR, you’d be looking at a 7 payment. Surprise!

#2 Get pre-approved for a loan. Now that you know you’re credit/FICO score, you definitely want to get pre-approved for an auto loan. Getting pre-approved gives you the ability to “Buy Like a Cash Buyer,” which greatly increases the leverage you have when negotiating the best possible deal. I recently observed the last 40 deals at my dealership, and found that cash buyers saved over 00 per car deal, compared to those that financed. If that’s not a call to action, I don’t know what is! You can get pre approved with your local bank or credit union, and with most banks and credit unions you can apply directly from their websites.

Another benefit of securing your own financing, is that you take away the dealerships ability to profit from an over inflated finance rate. This is big money to a dealership. For instance, if a dealer was able to get a 5.9% buy rate from a lender the lender will, on average, allow a two point markup. This means the dealership would sell the loan to you at 7.9%, and over the term of the loan this could equate to 00 or more in profits that you paid unecessarily to the dealer.

#3 Start your shopping online. You must not walk into a dealership and have no clue what average prices are for the new or used vehicle your considering. Most people that walk into a dealership with no clue what the average prices are for the new vehicle they’re considering will typically get caught up in the emotion of the moment and pay way more then they could have. Get a whiff of that new car smell and suddenlt you’re taken away to a distant, far away place…

I’d personally suggest that you find your next vehicle online. This will save you a lot of time not having to go dealership, to dealership, to dealership, it increases your leverage in a big way, and will typically save you money right out the gate, because of the competitive nature of the Internet. It also allows you an easier way to turn someone off, i.e. a sales person, if you don’t like what they are offering, simply stop responding to them.

#4 You must know what your trade in is worth. Check out sites like Kelley Blue Book, or NADA to get a feel for what your trade is worth. Keep in mind both of these sources are simply guides, and are not set in stone values. For instance some vehicles may be “soft” (not worth as much as it’s book value), like a truck with a V10 engine. With gas prices where they are at a V10 truck that has a book value of ,000 may only be worth ,000 to ,000. What That’s right. If a dealership were buying a V10 truck with the intention of reselling it, they’d have to be in a position to sell it quickly, or else they risk it collecting dust on their lot for the next year. People aren’t exactly jumping through burning hoops to rush out and buy 6 MPG trucks with the current gas prices.

If you need additional help with determining your trade ins value to a dealer, please email me and I can help. By the way, you’ll need to expect to get less trading your vehicle in to the dealer than selling it on your own. There are some benefits though. By trading your vehicle in to the dealer you will not have to do any selling, telling, or explaining to an assortment of interested buyer’s, have random people come to your home to view the vehicle, and you won’t have two payments to make each month.

If you do expect to sell the vehicle on your own, I’d recommend posting it for sale online with one of the large car websites that are out there. This way you’ll get maximum exposure, and you’ll have a description with photos of the vehicle posted, which should save you a lot of the selling, telling and explaining to people that may just be kicking tires.

#5 Get insurance quotes. I can’t even begin to tell you how many customers I’ve seen go through the whole buying process (usually hours), get all excited about their new vehicle, maybe agreed to a month more in monthly payment, because they had to have that one, and then they call to get insurance quotes. Two words, Big Mistake! Using the same scenario above, the customer is already paying more a month than they had figured and now they call for insurance only to find that their insurance is going to go up another a month. This can be disastrous to your financial future!

Remember there is more to car payment than the actual car payment itself. Get insurance quotes before you ever go to the dealership. It’s FREE, and doesn’t affect your credit, so let the insurance companies compete for your business.

#6 Be prepared. Now that you’ve got all your ducks in a row, print all related information you’ve found and bring it to the dealership with you. If you really want to fluster the car dealer, bring a financial calculator with you and use it while you’re negotiating, car salesmen love that (sarcasm).

I hope my affection for the Internet really came through to you. For car shopping/buying the Internet is truly the way of the future. It’s a very easy way to gain knowledge, which translates into leverage for you. Remember, a vehicle is typically the second largest purchase you’ll make, and if you don’t do your homework a car dealer will make you pay. Trust me I’ve seen it every day for the last nine years.

Take care and beware, J the Car Guy

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