Extending the Life of Your Car Through the Use of Car Covers
Extending the Life of Your Car Through the Use of Car Covers
With economy in, well, shambles, there are a lot of people that would like or have a strong need for a new car, but lack the means to get one Either nobody will finance a vehicle for them, or they can’t get enough value for their current vehicle, or they’re worried about losing their job and don’t want to get stuck with a car payment (which many car companies are helping with) So what are they to do when they can’t get a new car, but their current car is starting to show some age…
How to Prepare Your Car For Storage
Find out what the top 7 long term car storage tips are to prevent serious damages while your car is resting in a storage facility. From how to prep your tires to handling fuel, it is all explained here.
Buying A Used Car? Know The Basics
If you feel purchasing a new car is tricky, then buying a second hand car can be quite trickier. But don’t fret just yet–with these guidelines to keep you on track, that used car could be one of the sweetest deals you’ve ever had.
Where to Look
Snoop around. It pays to be on the lookout for owners wanting to shift to a newer model, and thus wanting to sell the car of your dreams. This is where your friends and family come in. Aside from referrals, they could more or less ensure that the price is reasonable and the car’s ownership history is satisfactory.
Asking the Right Questions
Why are the owners letting the car go? Make sure that they are not selling due to any major problems.
How long have they owned the car? Given proper maintenance, a five to seven year-old car would generally be in good condition. What repairs have been done, or are currently needed? How’s the mileage? The lower the mileage, the better. However, a used car with more miles could be satisfactory, too. In this case, ask about the vehicle’s use. Was it a family car limited to city driving? Does the car come with a warranty?
Take Note of the following:
Body rust or holes are difficult to repair. A body panel rusting through is to be replaced. Different paint shades from one panel to another, peeling and cracked paint, or smudges on other car part indicates a poor re-paint job, which needs to be re-done. Threadbare tires, chipped or cracked glass, the electrical work and what’s beneath the hood should be given proper attention, too.
Going Out for a Test Drive
If it’s a manual car, the clutch shouldn’t slip. If the clutch slips, instead of being steady as it accelerates, the motor will be revved up as when using neutral. If this happens get yourself a new clutch! Is the exhaust not chugging out excess smoke and noise? The car may need some good motor repair, or some of the exhaust system parts replaced. Do the pothole test. Overly shaky rides could indicate a suspension problem, an alignment problem and or a tire problem. Always have a trusted mechanic or a car aficionado friend to thoroughly go over the car with you.
The Turn Over, at Last
The number of previous owners, registration details, applicable taxes, and insurance papers - should all be properly documented. With the paperwork done and the payment terms agreed upon, you’re ready to hit the road, and enjoy the ride!
Gregory Ashton, your resident automobile enthusiast, bringing to you over 20 years of vehicular passion, and expertise; presents for your approval his insider secrets on selecting, buying, and maintianing the car that is ideal for you. <a href="http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com" title="http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com" target="_blank">http://www.best-car-buying-tips.com</a>
The Benefits of Owning a Hybrid Car in California
Twenty years ago the threat of global warming was just as abstract and surreal as the threat of alien invasion is to us today Yes, of course it’s a distinct possibility It’s something we’ll deal with when it gets here…
Rv Tires: Why Is It That These Tires Suffer From Sidewall Cracking!
It’s not the RV tire we ride on…
Spotlight on a Make: Chevrolet
Parent Company: General Motors Founded: 1911 Headquarters: Detroit, Michigan Products: Cars, Trucks, SUV, CUV History Chevrolet was founded in 1911 by Louis Chevrolet, a Swiss-French race-car driver, and William C Durant, an American and former founder of General Motors who had been forced out of the company in 1910 Durant and Chevrolet were previously acquainted as Durant had hired Chevrolet to drive Buicks in promotional races prior to his founding of GM…
Common mistakes people make when buying a car at a dealership
No one ever said buying a car is easy. However, it doesn’t have to be hard if you do a little homework first. There is tons of information about how to buy a car from a dealership, but here we thought we’d try a different tactic. Here we will show you some of the common mistakes people make at dealerships and how to avoid them.
Common mistakes
We may not cover them all, but here are some of the most common mistakes that will probably cost you money.
Falling in love
Lets face it, emotion has no place in any business transaction. Unfortunately car shopping and purchasing can easily be guided by emotions.
I’m not singling women out, because I am one, but the fact remains we tend to be the more emotionally driven gender. I must confess that emotion played a huge part in my last vehicle purchase.
Needless to say that now, as I tear up every time I have to fill my gas tank, I wish I had purchased with my head instead of my heart.
Keep your emotions in check. Be sure to react to fact rather than feeling. It is important to love what you drive. Like with people, superficial feelings don’t last but that uncomfortable drivers seat, or the squeaky sound under the hood will.
Not planning ahead
This is self explanatory. Research is king folks, the more you do the more you know, and knowledge is power. Car salesmen pressure will be easier to resist if you know your product.
Not taking a drive
Truly the most important part of the process is a test drive. Anyone who skips this vital step should not have the luxury of complaining when the vehicle they purchase doesn’t suit them.
Focusing on monthly payments
One of the oldest gimmicks in any sales mans repertoire is selling the package (full of stuff you don’t need) by breaking it down into monthly payments. It seems like they are being helpful when they ask you how much you can afford a month, however this is all part of their selling process.
Frankly waiting until you hit a dealership to consider your financing options is like showing up for a midterm unprepared. Have a ceiling price in your head, and make sure you have a calculated feel for the associated monthly payments.
If you can, apply for bank funding before you begin to shop. This will not only get you the best interest rate, but will also allow you to shop independent of dealership finance departments.
Good and bad options
No car dealership purchase would be complete without the salesmen pushing extras and options. Some of which are worth it, some not. Things such as rustproofing, stain resistant treatments for fabrics, and paint clear coats are all extras that carry a hefty price tag and no real economical value.
Safety features are a different story and clearly worth the money. Options like side airbags, anti-lock brake system (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC) could potentially be worth all the money in the world.
Use your salesman
The person trying to sell you a car doesn’t have to be your enemy, keeping your emotions out of the equation will help to ensure a smoother purchase. Your salesman is a wealth of information about the brand, the model, not to mention the options that you do want.
Ask questions, gather information from all possible sources. Chances are the salesman has driven every car on the lot multiple times. Ask their opinion, ask why, knowing what you want will help you zero in on important information that could influence your purchase.
<b>About the Author:</b> My name is Paige Filler and I'm a creative writer with a love of all things that go vroom. I do my homework to bring thought and innovation into everything I write about the auto industry. You can find more of my stuff at <a href="http://www.cash4usedcars.com/" target="blank">Cash4UsedCars.com</a>, and <a href="http://blog.cash4usedcars.com/" target="blank"> our blog.</a>
