Dealing With A Car Dealer

30-07-2010 by admin

Negotiating, haggling, horse trading, whatever you like calling it, is essential when it comes to buying a car. If you dont partake, for any reason, then youll pay more for the car than you had to. And dont forget, youll be paying interest throughout the life of your loan on an amount that could have been lower.

Negotiating the price of a car puts a lot of people into their uncomfortable zone. But, it really should not; especially today with all of the information available to the consumer. The key to confidence and a higher level of comfort comes in the form of knowledge and research.

Lets get a bit of a jump start on your research with some key points to keep in mind when you have decided that its about time to change your ride.

Since there is so much information available to you, dont try to commit your research to memory; even if you are only considering a couple of choices of vehicles. Take the time to organize your notes into a car buying possibilities folder. Make sure that you take your folder with you to the car dealer. Dont be embarrassed or self conscious about doing this; this is a business transaction and you should treat it as such.

As a rule of thumb, car dealers have a profit margin of about 10 to 20 percent. The 20% is theirs if you pay the sticker price and its 10% for the car dealer if you get closer to the dealer invoice price. Keep in mind if you want a specific car with specific options that you cant find on a dealers lot and you order the car; youll get exactly what you want, but your ability to negotiate the selling price will be greatly diminished.

Dont let emotions or car shopping fatigue get the best of you. If you find the exact car that you want and are ready to become a buyer, keep you thinking and your emotions close to the vest. If you find yourself getting tired and mentally beaten down to where you just want to get this over with take a break or come back another time. Remember, emotionally buying a car or buying when tired and fatigued will probably cost you money. Its important to remember that you have the ultimate trump card. You can always walk out of the dealership at any time. Without you there is no deal and car dealers certainly know this.

The early part of the car buying process is getting competitive prices. This may not be as easy for you as it sounds on the surface. Selling cars is an extremely competitive business for car dealers. They dont like to give out their very best price over the phone or with just a short visit to their lot. They know that no matter what price they quote you, if you take that price a few blocks down the road to the next dealer; of course theyll beat that price (if even by just a few dollars) just to get your business. So, you cant blame them for being a bit protective of what their actual bottom line figure to you may be.

But remember, you control the negotiations. At some point during the car buying process, if you are serious about getting your best deal, you will have to sit down and tell the salesperson straight out that you are a buyer and if they will work with you to put the deal together then a deal may very well come together. Be very serious about this. Get the car salesperson and the dealer excited about selling you car not you getting excited about buying a car from them.

Once the negotiating sleeves are rolled up, youll want to negotiate from the dealer invoice price up. Never, never, negotiate from the sticker price down. And never, never, never (notice the 3 nevers!) negotiate, buy, or otherwise discuss or reveal what youd like your monthly payments to be. DONT even discuss a monthly payment range! Youve done your research. You know the numbers. You know that if you get this car for that price; youll be in budget. Dont discuss this with ANYONE!

And finally as you move closer to closing the car negotiating, dont pay for things you dont need. Everyone at a car dealership is tasked with selling and making profit for the dealer. You will, of course, have to pay for taxes, registration fees, and destination charges. But dont pay for additional delivery charges, handling, marketing, promotional, floor charges, administrative fees, or any other dealer verbiage for things they are trying to add on to the deal. And be sure to say thanks, but not thanks to extras like pin stripping, rust proofing, fabric protection, paint sealant, or any thing else. These are just 99.44 percent pure profit for the dealer. And you sure dont want them in your financial contract where youll even be paying interest on them.

In summary, do your research and put your findings in a folder and use it. Knowledge is confidence and comfort level. Negotiate honestly and reasonably. Dont toss out ridiculous numbers and expect to be taken seriously. You want to be taken as a serious buyer. Dont get emotional or fatigued. If you do, take a break and come back later. Be prepared to spend some time and work getting your best car deal and a good deal you will get.

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Cars: The Used And The New Are Beautiful

by admin

Whether buying used or new cars, both options have advantages and disadvantages that the car buyer alone would be the best person to be knowledgeable about as he or she would know what would work well as according to his/her needs, wants, preference, budget and whim.

The following are basic factors to consider in buying a used or a new car:

The price.

Those on a stringent budget would find used cars a good deal. Though there are a handful of new cars that sell for less than ten thousand dollars, the ones that cost less usually have only a few amenities, with some having none of the following: air-conditioning, stereo. Sometimes the cars come with only two doors or one of the power windows is broken, if there are power windows at all. On the other hand, the availability of three to four-year old used cars loaded with more than the bare-boned features of a basic used car such as a CD player, air conditioning, airbags gives the used car buyer a great deal.

But still, the pricey new cars are costly because of the updated safety features they carry: de-powered airbags as well as smart front and side protection airbags. New vehicles also carry whimsical features such as: beverage holders that keep drinks cool or hot.

The choice depends on you, your priorities and your purchasing power.

The warranty.

New vehicles usually are under warranty for a minimum of three years to a maximum of ten. Hyundai and Kia provide ten year warranty for their vehicles. DaimlerChrysler offers a seven year warranty for their Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models. So does Isuzu.

Some eligible late-model used cars could complete their original warranty and could just as well be extended if they are protected by the vehicle certification program. If not, used car owners could shell out a few hundred to be able to extend their service warranty or contract.

The mileage.

Newly-bought used cars come with mileage already spent. New vehicles basically do not need maintenance for the first thousands of miles, and if they do, car manufacturers cover the oil change and their tune-up as well as other fundamental maintenance services.

Specially made cars

Used car buyers usually have to content themselves with as-is vehicles whose color may not be that perfect shade of red, green or blue. Buyers of new cars however, have the option of a varied range of colors or car features that used cars have not. Car dealers usually cater to the tastes and impulse of a car buyer and usually would even satisfy a customer by specially-ordering a vehicle.

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Something New With The Volvo XC90

29-07-2010 by admin

A quick history on the Volvo XC90. What is it?

The Volvo XC90 is actually a crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) and it is offered as a luxury SUV and is midsize. It has been created with the Volvo P2 platform that other Volvo vehicles also use. This vehicle is quite a sensation in the auto world in the United States for sales have been very kind to it. The Volvo XC90 has been created and produced by Volvo Car Corporation and the Ford Motor Company since 2003. Considered as its competition in the vehicle market are the BMW X5, Acura MDX, and the Infiniti FX.

And now, the Volvo has just announced that the existing Volvo XC90 line of vehicles would soon be welcoming a new variant. And they would be calling it the Volvo XC90 Sport. The company claims that this is all because of the demand from Volvo XC90 customers. And this new SUV would be offering consumers a dynamic chassis setting. It also would boast of a newer appearance plus, of course, added specifications.

According to Karin Falk, who is the head of the Special Vehicles division of Volvo Cars, We have had numerous requests for a sportier XC90. They are from customers who appreciate the versatility and comfort of an SUV but who also want a bit more driving pleasure. We have developed the Volvo XC90 Sport especially for them, with a dynamic sport chassis, stiffer anti-roll bars, firmer shock absorbers, a sport-tuned, speed dependent steering system, and larger 19 inch wheels.

Customers are sure demanding for a newer Volvo XC90 for it cannot be denied that the markets preferences and lifestyles are changing. And with the sportier Volvo XC90, it sure goes to show that Volvo is listening to what their market is telling them. Stores that sell Volvo C70 custom parts and other Volvo products must be ready to supply replacement parts and accessories for this new Volvo crossover SUV.

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Car Insurance: Types of Insurance You Need to Understand

27-07-2010 by admin

With all this traveling in and out, back and forth around the maze that is the United States infrastructure, its easy to understand why auto insurance is required in order to own an operate a car. For car buyers, an effort needs to be made on the part of insurance companies to provide information on the different types of auto insurance available. These include bodily injury and liability, collision, comprehensive, full glace, liability, medical coverage, personal injury protection, and underinsured or uninsured motorist.

Liability insurance coverage is imperative to have as a driver. This insurance covers any injuries or damages to property that may occur during an accident. Two types of liability include bodily injury liability insurance and property damage liability insurance.

Medical insurance is different in that it focuses on the driver and passengers of the car. This will cover any medical treatment for the driver and the passengers. In addition, the medical insurance may or may not offer disability insurance and pain and suffering compensation.

Uninsured or under-insured drivers insurance will pay any costs that you or your passengers may experience if an accident should occur with a driver who is uninsured or underinsured.

Collision insurance deals with the cost of damage caused by a collision to your car that may affect the book value. Comprehensive deals more with damage caused by vandalism, natural disasters, theft or other kinds of damage.

There are several other types of car insurance. These include glass replacement insurance, towing insurance etc. These types of insurance are often not required and are not popular as they are often costly.

Now that you know what types of car insurance are out there, the next step is to find a credible insurance agent. The first place to investigate this is through family and friends. Referrals will help you sort those agents that you want to investigate further. You will want to speak with several different agents before you make your final decisions. Ask any and all questions you may have. That is what the agent is there for.

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Hot Cars Take Time and Effort

26-07-2010 by admin

Auto show hobbyists find themselves meting new challenges as they begin the process of preparing their entries, whether they are working on an antique, a classic, or a new vehicle. Finding how to use the best automobile detailing supplies to achieve the wanted results is a matter of trial and error. Proper planning helps find the logical sequences for the best results. Also, the hobbyist must become an expert in many areas, knowing how to detail the tires and wheels of their cars as well as knowing how to clean automotive upholstery. (See the article, Automotive Detailing: How to Clean Automotive Upholstery.)

Preparing the wheels, wheel wells, tires, spokes, and hubcaps of a vehicle for a show demands consistent time and effort and the proper auto detailing cleaning products. Detailing on a regular schedule (for instance, once a month) prevents a final detailing before a show from being an overwhelming task. Working on this area first also saves time and effort. Tires, wheels, etc., should be detailed before the rest of the car because the products that are most efficient for this job can be harmful to the finish of the cars paint and can, at the least, spoil the polish job. You wont be accidentally splashing the just waxed body of your car with the tire cleaner. Perfection in the tire area truly gives the look of showroom condition.

Be sure to work in the shade and not in the heat or full sun. This is not the kind of hot car you are aiming for. Full sun can cause streaks. Have your automobile detailing supplies laid out and ready. Remove your hubcaps or any other part of your wheel area that can be taken off. This way, you can really get at the tires, and also wash all sides of the removable parts. Some serious detailers will even remove the tires. Take the time to wash, rinse, and dry each tire before moving on to the next one. Completing each in turn will prevent any water spots from drying on the surface of the wheel.

Begin by carefully rinsing away any dirt or mud that might have coated the underbelly of the car or wheel wells. A second type of soil that is found on the tire area is brake dust. This material is gray in color and caused by the wear and tear on the brake pads. Do not use an excessively forceful water stream to rinse your tire area, since small rocks or sand could spin with the force of the water and scratch the surface of the car. You may use a soft brush to dislodge soil as you rinse. Try a soft bristled brush like Fuller Brushs Vehicle Wash Brush. Mix a mild degreaser with water in a large bucket. Gently wash each tire and wheel with a soft wash mitt (or sponge. Each time you are ready to dip your mitt in the bucket of degreaser, remember to first rinse off your mitt so any particles of rock or sand will be removed. That way, you wont be simply moving the soil around, and you wont risk scratches to the wheel surfaces. (Also, to avoid scratches to the finish on the body of the car, use a different mitt for that area.) Finish with a detailing brush like Fullers Wheel and Spoke Detailing Brush. You will be able to thoroughly clean every bit of dirt from your tires without a scratch, and you will be ready for the next step, dressing and polishing the surfaces. Pay special attention to your manufacturers directions when you choose a treatment or polish for this part of your car. The wheel area and hubcaps can be painted or non-painted, and be made of a variety of different materials. Choose automobile detailing supplies that will be most effective for the materials in your car. Dont worry about treating the tread of the tire. It will just rub off. Treating it may also affect your warrantee.

As soon as the tire area is completely detailed, you are ready to move on to work on the rest of the car. Before you know it, others will be noticing your hot car.

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Car Bras For New Fashion

22-07-2010 by admin

Anytime you hit the road, your vehicle faces rocks, debris, bugs and many other enemies that are waiting to lay waste to your hood and grille. Safeguard your sensitive leading-end paint with a car bra, sometimes known as a car mask or front end mask, to:

- Preserve like-new paint

- Ensure resale value

- Eliminate worry from dings and dents

- Sport classic race-inspired looks that virtually scream speed

A guide to protecting your paint with a car bra

Your vehicle’s front end is confronted by a barrage of attackers every day. Whether it’s tire-tossed rocks, flying debris or exploding bugs, your paint ends up bearing the brunt of your commute. The results can be distressing: dings in your grille detail, chipping of your paint layers, and evil scratches. Not only are they unsightly, these damage marks also invite rust underneath your paint.

To stop this process, car bras employ thick vinyl material for deflecting these airborne adversaries away from your vehicle’s finish. Small dings and scratches can’t get through your car bra’s outer layer, leaving your paint pristine.

Car bras protect your finish underneath the vinyl layer, too. They employ soft, paint-safe linings that pamper your vehicle and complete the network of protection over your front end. When installed properly, the quality protective outer layer, soft inner lining and custom-tailored fit ensure perfect front-end paint condition. You get like-new looks, boosted resale value and extra satisfaction with your vehicle.

Each type of car bra has its own unique set of upsides to choose from:

Full front end car bras

The original bra design is still overwhelmingly popular with today’s cars, trucks, SUVs, vans and minivans.

These bras offer complete shielding for your vehicle’s front end and look great, too. They employ separate pieces for the hood and grille/bumper sections of the bra, allowing full engine compartment access. Plus, they’re designed to accommodate whatever factory air dams, pop-up headlights and driving/fog lamps your vehicle uses.

Sport bras

Same paint-protecting concept in a smaller-scale version. Sport bras fit just the leading end of the hood of your vehicle, stopping paint damage in the most commonly attacked area. The popular feature of sport bras is they allow the original looks of your vehicle to show through. And, they feature the same custom-tailored crafting as a full front end bra.

T-style bras

Designed from the same concept as sport bras, T-style bras stand guard over the larger hoods of trucks, SUVs, vans and minivans. Because these autos have raised hoods and significantly more vulnerable paint, T-style bras cover the leading edge and the center of the hood, stretching from front to back. They attach in much the same way as a sport bra and allow full hood access.

How much of your front end do you want to cover?

Each style and shape of car bra covers a different amount of the front end of your vehicle. The more paint your car bra covers, the more paint is protected. The less area the bra covers, the more your vehicle’s original looks can show through. It’s all a matter of personal preference.

When you want to cover the most possible area of your vehicle’s front end, select a full front end car bra If you want to protect the most vulnerable paint on your front end and still show the original looks of your vehicle, pick a sport bra To safeguard the exposed, sensitive hood of your truck, SUV, van or minivan, grab a T-style bra.

Although this might sound like more fashion information than the latest issue of Cosmopolitan, I’m convinced that car bras serve many purposes and will continue to be a hot dress-up item for vehicles in the future….:)

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Car Lemon Laws – You Don’t Have To Live With

by admin

Car Lemon Laws – You Don’t Have To Live With A Sour Deal

United States car lemon laws were enacted to protect consumers against buying defective, unrepairable vehicles. The major automobile manufacturers mass-produce their products, and generally the quality control is very good. However, when you connect more than a few parts together, you have a chance for a lemon.

What is a lemon car? A lemon or lemon car is an automobile that has a defect that cannot be repaired by the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts. Alternately, if the car has been in a repair garage for 30 calendar days or more for repairs on the same defect, it may also be classified as a lemon car. The term can also apply to a vehicle in which the defect negatively affects the value and safety of the vehicle. Car lemon laws vary by state, so you should consult your own state laws to determine the exact definition that applies to you.

Why is a terminally defective car called a lemon? One can only speculate why the name of a tart yellow citrus fruit came to be associated with defective cars. Lemons are very sour in taste, and traditionally sour tastes have been associated with bad luck. If something negative happens to a person, he or she might say, “It left a sour taste in my mouth.” A salesperson whose big deal falls through might say, “The deal went sour.” It seems plausible that the sour taste of the lemon, with its negative connotations, was used to coin the phrase “lemon car” to describe a car purchase gone sour.

Why were lemon laws needed to protect car consumers? Look at the general definitions of lemon cars shown above. Some quick math will show that a lemon car can be an extreme financial hardship. The last time you picked up your car from the repair garage, were you happy with the bill, or were you dreading it? A car with four to six (or more) attempted repairs, with all the parts and labor charges, can easily add up to thousands of dollars. If your car is stuck in a repair garage for 30 days or more, with the mechanics billing hour after hour of labor, the bill might approach the price of the car itself!

If your car meets your state’s lemon car criteria, you have the right to seek a refund or replacement from the car manufacturer (not the dealer from which you bought it). You are probably entitled to be reimbursed for related costs such as towing, rental cars, and maybe even long distance calls to the manufacturer. Be absolutely sure to keep all bills and invoices related to your attempts to get your car repaired.

If you decide to proceed with a lemon law claim against the manufacturer, it is beneficial to consult with a lawyer that specializes in lemon law cases. A lawyer can help make the stressful process go more smoothly. No doubt are already stressed enough over your lemon car.

Some states have passed lemon laws to protect consumers against defective purchases of boats and even pets. Regardless of the origin of the term, lemon laws are here to protect you. The car manufacturers can hire teams of expensive lawyers, and they know you can’t. Car lemon laws help to level the playing field in your favor.

If the guys at the car repair shop know you by your first name, you should consider the lemon law tips below.

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Something New For The Newest Mitsubishi Lancer

20-07-2010 by admin

Many car aficionados and followers may love cars and vehicles that were the very first in its batch. Classic car lovers would give an arm and a limb to own such vehicles. However, there is still quite a huge share of car lovers who would opt to purchase the most recent and the most high technology vehicles in the market.

As per the Mitsubishi Lancer, despite the fact that it has been in the market for ages already, it is still one of the most sought after vehicles. And its mother company has made sure that they restyle and refresh this vehicle. Mitsubishi makes sure that each time that they send a new model of the Mitsubishi Lancer to the streets and roads, it would be bringing with it something new and something high technology. This is most certainly why you would find quite a variety of Mitsubishi OEM parts in the market.

Mitsubishi has revealed that they are set on creating another updated model of the Mitsubishi Lancer. They claim that when it is on the streets and roads, the new vehicle would be all new. And, yes, it would now be boasting of a prowess that is very much like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution model which can speed up to high digits.

During the 61st Frankfurt International Motor show, Mitsubishi brought the curtains down and unveiled the concept vehicle that would soon become the production car known as the all new Mitsubishi Lancer. Auto lovers have found the new one to be aggressive looking and it seems to be destined to attract younger drivers and would-be buyers. Of course, those who simply adore sports cars might also take a liking to the new Lancer.

1973 was the year when production for the Mitsubishi Lancer started. It was sent out as a compact vehicle with only one body style which was the sedan that held four doors.

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Car Insurance, Save On Premiums!

19-07-2010 by admin

Everyone has to agree to an excess of some kind when getting a car insurance policy it’s the way the system works. Basically it means that if you have an accident and your car needs to be repaired, you will have to pay a set amount towards the bill. If the accident is your fault, you lose the money. If the accident is not your fault, the third party insurer reimburses you for the excess payment. If your car is written off, then your insurance company will deduct your excess from the settlement payment.

Things aren’t always that simple however, unfortunately there are a number of drivers on British roads that don’t have any insurance, so the question is, what happens with your claim if you have an accident with an uninsured driver?

The 1988 Road Traffic Act, section 143 clearly states that all drivers on the UK roads must have insurance for the vehicle that they are driving. The point of the insurance is that if you have an accident and it is your fault, you have the means to cover the cost of the damage incurred by way of your insurance policy. It’s a sad fact that a significant minority of drivers choose not to bother with insurance, disregarding UK law and saving themselves hundreds of pounds a year as a consequence. Someone has to pay for these drivers though, and it’s the people that do have insurance that foot the bill!

The Department of Transport estimates that as many as 5% of drivers are not insured on the vehicle which they are driving. Statistics also show that uninsured drivers are more likely to be involved in an accident. It’s a growing trend and is proving very difficult to eradicate.

If you have an accident, you are not at fault, and the third party is not insured, then you will be reimbursed by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau. Who funds them? The car insurance industry! That’s where some of your inflated premiums end up. You will also find that you’ll have to pay the agreed excess yourself, there will be no-one able to refund that for you.

Here’s the low-down on the basics about excess’:

Compulsory Excess this is the amount that the insurance company regards as the minimum amount that you must pay towards the cost of damages . This is agreed at the outset and depends on a few details you’re your age and your driving record. For example, if you are older and have a clean driving record, you could only have to pay a minimum of 50. Those with a more chequered driving history, or those that have not been driving for very long, could feasibly have to agree to pay 500. The average for most drivers is 100 .

Voluntary Excess this is the amount over and above the minimum compulsory’ amount set by the insurer that you are prepared to pay. This is an opportunity to lower your premiums, because if you can agree to a high excess, then the insurance company knows it won’t have to pay out as much if you need to make a claim. It’s one of the few sure fire ways of saving a few pounds on a car insurance policy, but you may not be offered the choice, it depends on individual insurers.

The garage won’t give my repaired car back until I give them a cheque for the excess is this what usually happens?

This is completely normal, and you will have to pay and then get the money back from the third party insurer. Always give the car a good once over to ensure that the repairs have been satisfactorily completed. You also need to keep the receipt to get the excess back from the insurer, and just in case they dispute the charges, get a copy of the repair schedule so the insurer can see exactly what work was completed on your vehicle.

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Helpful Car Buying Tips

17-07-2010 by admin

Purchasing a new vehicle is a stressful chore for many people. Ask the average person what they dread most and they will tell you that price haggling is the worst aspect of negotiating a price. Few people come away from the deal believing that they got a fair shake; a significant minority will admit that they got ripped off if you press the issue with them. Besides shopping at a no haggle dealer Saturn, for example how can you avoid an unpleasant experience? Better put, can you? Lets take a look at some ways you can gain better control over the car buying experience so that you can save yourself some time, money, and a whole lot of aggravation.

Stay away from the hot sellers. Many Japanese brands are sold at full price and bargains are hard to come by. Still, if you do a little bit of research you should be able to shave several hundred dollars off of the sticker price or secure a very low loan rate should you choose to finance your vehicle. If your dealer doesnt want to deal with you, go to another Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc. dealer to find a better deal.

Buy a left over. On the other hand, not all cars are hot sellers and many models do not sell out when the model year ends. If there is a particular car that you want, you should be able to realize significant savings off of the sticker price. Dont be wowed by an already reduced price touted by the dealership. Likely, they are getting a secret rebate from the manufacturer; learn what that rebate is and get as much of it as you can. Remember: you are already buying a car that is a year old. If it is a discontinued model or the latest version of that model is significantly changed, you have additional leverage.

Arrange your own financing. When purchasing a car, negotiate the lowest possible price before financing is discussed. If you come into the negotiation with your financing already covered, then you have additional leverage. If you are paying cash for the vehicle, demand an even greater discount.

Go in equipped. Consumer Reports will sell to you a print out of exactly how much a car should sell for. Purchase a report on the model you want to find out what the dealer likely paid for your car. The price you pay should be much closer to that amount than to the sticker price.

Buy through a car club. Car clubs, including those through warehouse clubs such as BJs, can be an alternative way to buying a car at a discounted rate without paying full price. Each club has their own way operating, but in all cases you should be able to pay less and leave the haggling out of the equation.

If you are the type of person who enjoys haggling, then your experience is not likely to be as bad. You know how to play the game and winning for you is simply securing the lowest possible price. For everyone else, a little outside help can save you money. Do not let your emotions tell you, I must have this car, or you are likely to pay much more than you should. Remember: dealer sob stories are just that; if they cant figure out a way to make money off of a sale, then they shouldnt be in business.

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