If an ad says a car has been "well maintained," don't just take it on faith. Ask to see the service records. |
|
| |
When the interest rates are low,it is better to buy a new car; however, when interest rates are high, savvy auto consumers prefer car leasing to avoid hefty interest financing fees. Consumers lease new cars for two reasons:
. To be under warranty without having to worry about serious maintenance repairs
. The ability to drive a fully-loaded luxurious vehicle without making the long term commitment of a regular new car purchase.
|
|
| |
|
A car's history and a certified pre-owned (CPO) program can make a consumer feel confident about buying an almost new vehicle. The car history alone may not include every single mechanical problem. As a result, manufacturer certified pre-owned CPO programs are more thorough than the programs offered at car dealerships because they follow specific guidelines. Just about every auto manufacturer operates a certified pre-owned CPO program with defined standards:
-- Eligibility of the car based on its history and age
-- A safety and inspection procedure
-- Warranty Coverage
-- The terms and guidelines of the warranty policy
As many certified pre-owned vehicle owners have expressed customer satisfaction of their car purchase, certification should not replace the comprehensive inspection of a mechanic and a car history of the make and model. |
|
| |
|
Despite the number of prime and sub-prime loans, not all new car financing options are ideal. Use the following checklist to avoid damaging car financing alternatives:
· Thoroughly review any auto financing agreement meticulously
· Inquire about any mystery figures to make sure that each calculation is accurate
· Compare the actual cost of the automobile to how much the car will cost after you have satisfied the car loan (longer auto financing terms mean paying more for the car than its true value)
· A loan where the interest is paid up front is a warning sign of an illicit company. (Companies using these tactics rarely grant the loan and disappear with the funds). |
|
| |
|
In order to qualify for financing a used car or new car, most financial institutions will require a down payment of between 20 and 25 percent down. The lending agency will authorize a maximum amount, referred to as a finance value or loan value. The value will qualify the borrower for a specific car model and year. Generally, the finance value is approximately 25 percent less than the normal retail value of the vehicle. As a result, the loan value or finance value are excellent ways to gauge the affordability of the seller's asking price. |
|
| |
|
If you are uncomfortable revealing your contact information to car dealers using an online car finder service, you can always resort to the traditional used car classifieds. Local and regional newspaper print classifieds and display ads are still hugely popular with both dealers and private sellers alike.
If you are selling a used car, placing an ad with your local or regional newspaper may be the best advertising buy for your buck. Most newspapers will not only run your ad in the print version, but will include it in their online classified listings as well. |
|
| |
|
Vehicle Identification number (VIN) searches are critical security features to buying a car. VINs serve several key purposes:
-- Defend against consumer fraud and theft
-- Assure accurate information regarding a vehicle's history
-- Identify any glitches in the vehicle's title
When used cars are certified, the VIN is verified against a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) database.
Since VIN records are centralized, it is simple for any person to access the records of a prospective used car. As a result, conducting a VIN number search is essential to making the right car buy. |
|
| |
| Smart Car Warranty Shopping |
If you are considering purchasing a car warranty either from a dealer or direct from the warranty company, there are some key questions you should ask up front to make sure you aren't being taken for a ride. Make sure you ask:
How long does the warranty last?
What, if any, is the mileage limitation?
What is covered?
What is the deductible amount?
Who does the repairs?
Who pays the bill?
What, if any, maintenance requirements exist?
Can you cancel without penalty?
You should also check the warranty company out with both the Better Business Bureau and a rating agency such as A.M. Best or Standard & Poor's.
| |
|
| |
| Online Car Finder Services |
The advent of the Internet has really altered the used car buying process. While many people still buy and sell used cars via the classifieds, many more have taken to the information superhighway to track down their next ride. There are many online car finder services, such as Vehix.com, that can help you with your hunt.
Once you find an online car finder service, simply plug in the make and model you're looking for, your zip code, and how far you're willing to travel to a dealership. A virtual smorgasbord of available vehicles will display for you to view. For example, if you're looking for a Honda Element, just enter a few pieces of information and you'll be eyeing a list of available, in-stock Elements, including a variety of information such as color, mileage, options, and dealer.
| |
|
| |
| Battery Problems |
There’s nothing worse than getting stranded when your battery conks out. To avoid this situation, it’s a good idea to remember to check your battery each time you have the oil changed. All you need is a good set of eyes. If there is corrosion on your battery terminals, they should be cleaned to ensure smooth starts. However, completely replace your battery if:
If the battery’s casing is cracked
If the battery cables are frayed
If there is anything leaking from the battery
If you can’t remember how long your battery has been in your car
If you have an extended warranty, a new battery may be covered. Check with your warranty company. | |
|
| |
Washing your car... You wouldn't wash your hair with laundry detergent, so why wash your car with dish detergent? When it's time to wash their car, many people fill a bucket with water and dish detergent. Of course, you aren't trying to get last night's lasagna off your car, so today's dish detergents are far too harsh for your car's paint job.
Washing your used gem is an essential part of use car maintenance that can help maintain your used car value! Pick a soap that is designed to clean today's car finishes. Your car will look great, and your paint job will last a lot longer! You can find car wash detergent at any department store. |
|
| |
Windshield wiper blades are made of rubber and easily deteriorate due to exposure to sun, extreme weather, and pollution. Manufacturers recommend replacing the blades on your new car every few years as a regular part of car maintenance.
Windshield wiper blades are inexpensive and provide a key line of defense when it comes to your safety on the road. Top off your windshield wiper fluid reservoir often (especially in foul weather months).
|
|
| |
| Inspect engine belts regularly. Worn belts will affect the engine performance. Look for cracks and missing sections or segments. |
|
| |
| Check windshield washer blades for cracks, tears and windshield contact. Replace them approximately once a year or sooner if streaking begins. |
|
| |
| Have the lighting system checked frequently, including headlights, turn signals, and brake and tail lights. |
|
| |
| Check battery cables and posts for corrosion and clean them as needed. The battery fluid should also be checked and filled if it is low, except in the case of maintenance-free batteries. |
|
| |
| Have the chassis lubricated frequently. This step extends the life of the moving components of the vehicle's suspension system. |
|
| |
| Keep your engine tuned. A fouled spark plug or plugged/restricted fuel injector can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. |
|
| |
| Check tire inflation. Under-inflated tires can result in a loss of fuel efficiency. This is the least expensive form of preventive and safety maintenance. Tires should be checked once a month. |
|
| |
| Have all fluids checked, including brake, power steering, transmission/transaxle, windshield washer solvent and antifreeze. These fluids play a large role in the safety and performance of the vehicle. |
|
| |
| Always consult your owner's manual, but a good rule of thumb is to have the oil filter changed regularly, every 3,000 to 4,000 miles. |
|
| |
| With gas at all-time highs, more and more people are asking themselves if they really need premium octane gas. However, it may actually be an essential part of your new car maintenance. The most common octane ratings range from 87 to 93 and represent the gas's resistance to detonation (also known as "knock"). Knock is a process when more combustion than normal occurs within the engine causing the pistons and related engine parts to knock around resulting in damage to your car's engine. |
|
| |
New and used car brake fluid is essential to proper braking and should be flushed at least once every two years (make this a step in your usual car maintenance). If your brake pedal feels noticeably more soft then usual, or if it sinks to the floor when pressed, that indicates your car has a brake fluid leak or a defective master cylinder. This needs to be checked immediately.
|
|
| |
A fuel injector is like a small nozzle. After a period of time, it can get clogged with deposits and debris from the fuel you use (this decreases both engine performance and efficiency).
While you certainly can put additives in your gas to clean the injectors, it is important to have your mechanic clean your new or used car fuel injector every 20,000 to 30,000 miles or so (we're not all car maintenace pros so don't feel like this is something you should do on your own). Depending on how clogged your fuel injector is, doing so will improve your fuel efficiency, sometimes dramatically. |
|
| |
| Replacing a fuel filter used to be done in the course of routine car maintenance every 10,000 to 15,000 miles. Today's fuel filter keeps debris and other deposits from entering your engine. A clogged fuel filter can result in reduced engine performance and fuel efficiency, and will ultimately lead to more serious problems. If you have an older car, change the fuel filter every year. Fuel tanks corrode and debris accumulates inside over the years, this can clog the fuel filter much faster than on newer cars. |
|
| |
| Your new car engine is basically an air pump. The more efficiently it can suck air in and expel spent gasses out, the better it will perform. To ensure that your engine runs as efficiently as possible, make sure you change your air filter regularly.The air filter removes harmful particles from the air before they enter your engine. Check your air filter at every other oil change. If it looks dirty, replace it. And even if it doesn't look dirty, you should replace the air filter every 15,000 miles or so. |
|
| |
| Regular vacuuming of your vehicles carpeting will help it to last longer by keeping fiber-cutting grit and dirt from doing damage to the carpet. |
|
| |
