Toyota adds 5-door Yaris to U.S. lineup
July 2nd, 2008

Filed under: Car Buying, Economy, Hatchbacks, Toyota


Click above image for a gallery of the Yaris 5-door

Small cars are back en vogue thanks to lofty fuel prices. As a result, Toyota is completing is Yaris lineup in the U.S. by finally adding the 5-door liftback to its list of offerings for the 2009 model year. Available in other markets (including Canada) since inception, the 5-door Yaris occupies roughly the same footprint as the 3-door, but is a lot more practical if you’re going to be carrying backseat passengers frequently. Its powertrain will mirror the other Yaris offerings, and we’re assuming it’ll get the optional sport appearance package available on the 3- and 4-doors. Those sport models, by the way, get a new body kit and interior color schemes for MY09. Other ‘09 changes include the availability of cruise control on the hatch, as well as the addition of standard front side airbags and rear side curtains. Toyota hasn’t released pricing or photos of the U.S. spec Yaris 5-door yet. We imagine the former won’t stray too far off from the 3-door. In terms of photos, the gallery below shows you the base UK-market 5-door. Move the steering wheel over and you’ve pretty much got it. At least now when I catch the occasional episode of Psych, I won’t be muttering that the blue 5-door Yaris the lead characters drive isn’t available in the U.S.

[Source: Toyota]

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Tips for Buying a New Car
buying a new car Buying a new car is exciting, but stressful. Even if you can afford the monthly payments, you might not get approved for the auto loan. Additionally, you might get a higher interest rate.

However, buying a new car doesn’t have to be a stressful period. There are ways to get a new car with favorable rates and terms. This might require a little work on your part. In turn, you might have to postpone buying a new car.

1. Get a Free Credit Report: Before buying a new car, order a free credit report. Check the report for errors or unfamiliar accounts. Do you have a low score or too much debt? If so, improve credit before applying for an auto loan. Both factors warrant a higher loan rate.

2. Sell Your Old Car: If buying a new car, consider selling your old vehicle. Some people prefer to trade-in their cars. However, the dealer will not give full value for the vehicle. You can sell the car and use the money as a down payment on the new vehicle.

How To Save Money On A New Car

The price of cars these days is just out of this world. You can figure on spending upwards of $30,000 for a family van. No wonder a lot of people are opting for used cars. Even with prices creeping up and up there are still ways for you to save money if you have your heart set on a new car. The first advice I’ll offer is to do your homework before you approach a dealership. There is an endless amount of information available on the internet. Every car manufacturer has a website, dealerships have web sites. See what deals they are offering on what models. Check on the edmunds.com website for information on retail prices for new and used cars of any make and model. You should, before you even pull into the dealership, have a ballpark figure of what your new car should cost, including any special packages you may want. A lot of dealers have taken the haggling and pressure out of new car buying, which many of consumers like. Remember the days when you’d ask what the price of a car is and the salesman would reply “how much can you afford to pay a month?”. You never knew exactly what you were paying for your new car until you were at the desk ready to sign the contract. Today we are educated consumers and those days are gone forever. You will be able to get a good deal during the end of model year sales. The dealers will make just about any deal to get an older model off the lot to make room for a new one. Also, go into the dealership at the end of the month. Your salesman will be doing his best to sell a few more vehicles to up his commission payment. Get the bottom line price for that new car before you talk about a trade in. Generally the first thing a salesman will ask is if you have a trade in. Say “no”. If your salesman knows you have a trade in it will affect the price you pay for your new car, no doubt. If he makes you a ridiculously good deal for your trade in you can believe that the price of your new car will reflect this. Make sure you know what the value of your trade in is. Again you can check edmunds.com. Take you car to a variety of dealerships and get an idea of this price from them. The bottom line is to do your homework. Get a price for the new car from several different dealers. There is nothing wrong with each of them vying to give you the best deal. Consider your finance charges. Get a quote on the interest rate you’re offered from the dealership, then check with your bank or credit union to see what type of interest rates they offer.

Learn how to choose the right fuel treatments for your car

Choosing the right fuel treatments might be the difference between your car mechanism’s receiving bad deposits or not as well as it could reduce the engine’s wear or increase it in case it was wrongly chosen. Due to all these reasons, it is very important that you buy the right fuel treatments for your car instead of choosing them randomly. If you wish to learn which the right fuel treatments for your car are, you should start by consulting your car owner’s manual. Most car owner’s manuals come with indications regarding the use of fuel treatments and some of them would let you know which ones you should buy and which ones you should avoid since some of them could be very prejudicial. Fuel treatments are applied in order to improve specific car functioning areas and therefore you should have a clear idea on what you need to correct before buying the treatment fuel for it. This way, one of the best ways to make sure you will buy the right fuel treatment for your car is by choosing it according the specific problem it is going through. Although there are some low cost treatments which are not bad, you should always try to make sure you buy a well known one or one which has been recommended to you by your mechanic or someone who knows what he is talking about. Another great way to buy your treatments is when they are on sale which happens very often in many stores. After you have bought the right treatment, you should wait to add it until the next time you will add gas to the tank. This way, you should add the treatment, with a maximum of one bottle, and then add the gas you wish. If you have any doubts regarding fuel treatments you should ask your mechanic, or, in case you have doubts on how to use it you should ask the treatment manufacturer for further advice. You shouldn’t add any treatment to your car if you are not sure about it and what it could do to the car.

Car buying tips online
Planning on buying a new car? Visit Car Buying Tips.com. There is information about the new hybrid vehicles, and an article “Buying a car in 5 quick steps”. If you are planning on buying a new or used vehicle, be sure to read this article and have a good grasp of what to expect from a salesman on a car lot. You don’t want to pay too much for that vehicle.

Car Buying Tips.com is full of car buying advice that everyone should know. This is a site I bookmarked for further perusal, especially before I buy my next car or truck. You should do the same. There is a good deal of information for prospective car buyers on Car Buying Tips.com. I recommend you visit and look around the site and check out the car buying advice.

With knowledge on your side, you will be one step ahead in getting your vehicle at the right price from any dealer or car lot. There is also information on auto loans, tips, and scams. This is one of the best sites I’ve seen about buying cars.


Detroit 3 show restraint in tough times, continue to limit fleet sales
June 26th, 2008

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Ford, GM

Showing great discipline amid declining sales, the Detroit 3 have held back on the temptation to dump vehicles on fleet customers in order to boost numbers. As we reported last month, selling vehicles to corporate fleets and daily rental companies has been a long-practiced method to offload automobiles when sales slow down. Unfortunately, it also results in lowered residual values in the marketplace as these vehicles are dumped in quantity at auctions at the end of their service. Over the years, some models have even earned a “fleet” or “rental vehicle” stereotype, additionally damaging their public image, and sales, at the retail level. The Ford Taurus, for instance, was only sold to fleet customers during the last generation’s final year of production, which may have further damaged the brand and affected sales of the renamed 2008 Taurus.

Even though the Detroit 3 are limiting fleet sales, it is still a large chunk of their business that accounts for nearly 35 percent of total U.S. sales for Ford and Chrysler. While fleet sales to Chrysler, GM, and Ford are down, other automakers are increasing their volume. It is reported that Toyota sold an additional 10,000 units to fleets during the first four months of 2008.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd, Photo by Stan Honda, Getty Images]

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Volkswagen prices 2009 Jetta TDI from $21,990

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Volkswagen

Volkswagen revealed today that $21,990 will be the base price for its highly anticipated 2009 Jetta TDI, while the Sportwagen model will start at $23,590. This is extremely aggressive pricing on the part of Volkswagen that places the Jetta TDI in direct competition with the Toyota Prius, as eco-minded shoppers will surely cross-shop the two.

The TDI model will be the equivalent of the SE trim level for gas-powered Jettas. A 2009 Jetta SE 2.5L manual sedan starts at $19,990, which tells us that the high-tech, 50-state-compliant clean diesel engine is worth about a $2,000 premium. The Jetta TDI will, however, be available with either a manual or DSG transmission.

The EPA recently rated the 2009 Jetta TDI at 30 mpg city and 41 mpg highway, which were disappointing numbers for Volkswagen. It has since hired an independent, third-party certifier, AMCI, to ascertain what it refers to as the Jetta’s “true fuel economy”. AMCI came back with a better rating (surprise!) of 38 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. Whether or not you think it’s fair for Volkswagen to go around the EPA in search of a higher fuel economy rating, we were just as surprised at how low the EPA numbers were. We’re eager to get one in the Autoblog Garage ASAP for a review so we can test its “true fuel economy” for ourselves.

[Source: VW]

Continue reading Volkswagen prices 2009 Jetta TDI from $21,990

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Save Money with New Car Buying Tips
June 22nd, 2008


Buying a new car can either be a smart decision or a bad decision. Before completing an auto loan application and driving home in your new automobile, consider these new car buying tips. Remember, the goal with any new car purchase is to save money and get the best deal.

1. Don’t Buy New: New car buying tips available on the Internet normally encourage buyers to finance a used car. According to a few experts, new cars are a big rip-off. The moment you drive a new car off the lot, it depreciates several thousands of dollars. Thus, it’s almost better to wait and buy a car that’s a year old. You’ll save money on the purchase, and the vehicle won’t depreciate as fast.

2. Watch Your Credit: Believe it or not, but some people don’t know their credit score. In turn, they apply for a vehicle loan, and then have the audacity to act shocked when the loan is denied. New car buying tips advise every person to check their credit before applying for a loan. This way, you can make necessary improvements that may guarantee a better rate.

Beating The Used Car Salesman
June 18th, 2008

used car salesman, real life horror stories

Getting your first car can be a daunting task. That s why you really need to ask around for car buying tips so that you don t get fooled by the used car salesman. For most of us our first car will be a used car and therefore we will have to face off with the local used car salesman. You must go into that car lot with the attitude that you will eat that salesman alive he has nothing on you and you know it. Your local used car salesman can smell a sucker coming from miles away and can feel the fear in you, but these is no way you are going to let him see of feel any fear in you. Make sure that you go into that car lot with all the information you need about the car you want. Go online and check for the car s blue book value depending on mileage and the current quality of the car. Your local used car salesman knows all these numbers and you don t want to give him a leg up on you by not doing this very simple research. In addition, make sure you low ball the used car salesman but not too much where he gets mad at you. Depending on the blue book value, offer the used car salesman $200-$300 less than the price tag and he might agree to half of that going any lower might get you thrown out of the car lot. Before you buy the car, check the oil, I have heard some real life horror stories of people buying a used car and the engine breaking down on them, because the lot never checked the oil on any of the cars in the lot. So there it is. Go get your first car and if you follow these tips your dignity will come home with you too.

Car buying tips online
Planning on buying a new car? Visit Car Buying Tips.com. There is information about the new hybrid vehicles, and an article “Buying a car in 5 quick steps”. If you are planning on buying a new or used vehicle, be sure to read this article and have a good grasp of what to expect from a salesman on a car lot. You don’t want to pay too much for that vehicle.

Car Buying Tips.com is full of car buying advice that everyone should know. This is a site I bookmarked for further perusal, especially before I buy my next car or truck. You should do the same. There is a good deal of information for prospective car buyers on Car Buying Tips.com. I recommend you visit and look around the site and check out the car buying advice.

With knowledge on your side, you will be one step ahead in getting your vehicle at the right price from any dealer or car lot. There is also information on auto loans, tips, and scams. This is one of the best sites I’ve seen about buying cars.


Easy Car Buying Advice and Tips Three Do s at the Dealership
So you are looking at buying that shiny brand new car huh? There are some things that you should know about before heading out to the dealership and getting flagged by the new and used car salesmen. Allow me to offer you three candid new car buying tips that will surely save you some money. To give you an idea of where I am coming from I recently bought a $25k Sonata by Hyundai and I was able to trade a negative -$4k from my other trade and I only paid $19.5k out the door wow!

  1. The best new car buying tips that I can offer is never talk about the price only talk about the monthly payment and be prepared to walk out they will adjust the price to meet your expected monthly payment.
  2. When it comes to car buying advice always do your research. Check out the models, the pricing as suggested by factory and never back down from your research, no matter what they tell you at the dealership.
  3. The final bit of car buying advice that I can offer you is get pre-approved for the loan before you go to the dealership do not use their financing. This way they know you have a set spending limit and they will jump through hoops to accommodate your needs.

Good car buying advice

Most people are intimidated at the prospect of buying a new or used car at a dealership. And rightly so. We all grew-up hearing about “slick car salesmen” and how they can rip you off. Fret not my friends for help is available. The amount of information available on the Internet to even the negotiating field and actually give you an upper-hand is staggering. So go online for car buying advice and do some research. I’ll get you started with a few car buying advice tips.

Before you even set foot in a dealership, decide how much you can realistically afford to spend and decide how you plan on financing your new or used car. With this step out of the way you can now decide on what make and model, with the options, you want. Again, for car buying advice for this model go online to Edmonds.com and do you research. Step 2 on our car buying advice journey is to call 3 to 5 dealerships and ask for the bottom price for the car you are interested in. I know, you’re thinking —- “right, like they will tell me that!” Here is where your research on the internet gives you the upper-hand. Sites like Edmonds.com, Automotive and CarChex will provide you with best price quotes from your local dealerships and best of all this car buying advice is free. Armed with this information, call the same dealers again and compare what they told you over the phone and what they ACTUALLY will sell the car for. Let them know you are aware they can give you a better deal or you are going elsewhere. Now go get-em!

Car Buying Advice: Get a Low Rate
Whether you’re a new or experienced driver, there is plenty of good car buying advice to help you get the best deal. Buying a car is a relatively easy process. You’ll have to visit several dealerships, find the perfect car, and secure financing. In most instances, the entire process only takes a few hours. Still, it’s best to research car buying advice. This way, you don’t overpay for the vehicle.

It is common for car buyers to negotiate the dealer invoice price. Often times, savvy buyers can get a vehicle for thousands less. This keeps the monthly payments low and affordable. Additionally, car buyers have to worry about the interest rate. Individuals with good credit qualify for the best rates. On the other hand, if you have a few credit problems, you’ll likely pay a higher price. Even so, there is practical car buying advice to help you overcome this obstacle and maintain low payments.

The best car buying advice encourages consumers to get the lowest rate possible on their vehicle loan. This might involve making credit improvements first, and then applying for a car loan. What’s more, some buyers have been able to get a low rate by means of a co-signer and down payment.

Automobile Mag hands out Funky Ergonomics Awards
June 16th, 2008

Filed under: Car Buying, Contests, Etc., Humor

The scholars over at Automobile magazine have handed out their “Funky Ergonomics Awards” this year. As expected, BMW’s iDrive and 7 Series interior (shown above) remains their favorite pincushion. Rightly so. Their list includes convenience keys that are downright inconvenient, window switches that are out of reach, touchscreens that are dangerously slow to respond, all center-of-the-dashboard mounted instrument clusters, complicated navigation systems, reverse-action manu-matic transmissions, and dimly lit interiors.

While we generally agree with their list, our own ergonomic pet peeves include spinning seat adjusters mounted inaccessibly outboard (yeah, by the doors), cruise control stalks hidden out-of-sight by the wheel itself, and manual modes for old-fashioned “slushbox” automatic trannies. Oh yeah, the list goes on and on…

[Source: Automobile]

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Detroit 3 show restraint in tough times, continue to limit fleet sales

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Ford, GM

Showing great discipline amid declining sales, the Detroit 3 have held back on the temptation to dump vehicles on fleet customers in order to boost numbers. As we reported last month, selling vehicles to corporate fleets and daily rental companies has been a long-practiced method to offload automobiles when sales slow down. Unfortunately, it also results in lowered residual values in the marketplace as these vehicles are dumped in quantity at auctions at the end of their service. Over the years, some models have even earned a “fleet” or “rental vehicle” stereotype, additionally damaging their public image, and sales, at the retail level. The Ford Taurus, for instance, was only sold to fleet customers during the last generation’s final year of production, which may have further damaged the brand and affected sales of the renamed 2008 Taurus.

Even though the Detroit 3 are limiting fleet sales, it is still a large chunk of their business that accounts for nearly 35 percent of total U.S. sales for Ford and Chrysler. While fleet sales to Chrysler, GM, and Ford are down, other automakers are increasing their volume. It is reported that Toyota sold an additional 10,000 units to fleets during the first four months of 2008.

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd, Photo by Stan Honda, Getty Images]

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Lexus, Chrysler to join GM in adding CPO fleet to eBay

Filed under: Car Buying, Auction Action, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, GM, Lexus

Way back in February, General Motors announced it would be listing all of it Certified Pre-Owned vehicles on eBay Motors, and it took until now to actually make that happen. To go along with GM, Chrysler and Lexus have also joined up, with eBay Motors making a special section of its website specifically for CPO vehicles. The new site, which can be found here, went live yesterday and is sponsored exclusively by Lexus. It’s also provided at no cost to any dealer looking for another outlet to advertise its inventory.

A quick check of the new hub shows that both eBay’s classic auction-style listings and regular classified ads are listed together. The site’s search functionality allows users to find vehicles located near their zip code, meaning it should prove awfully easy to find that brand-spanking-used Chrysler Sebring you’ve been foaming at the mouth for.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

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Buying a used car: pain or gain?
June 15th, 2008


buying a used car

First and foremost, don’t be frightened off when considering the prospect of buying a used car. Why? There’s some great value and excellent quality out there when you’re in the market for buying a used car. But, you have to know what you’re doing. And, whether you like it or not, there are some real stinkers out there that try to pass of used cars that are pieces of horrible junk. Furthermore, there are used car dealers, and front-line dealerships, that knowingly sell used cars, cars that they perfectly know have terrible problems! So, get to know a good mechanic and be willing to pay him or her to test drive and inspect that vehicle for you. But, get online or to the library and check out the consumer magazines for all of the great buying tips when you’re considering buying a used car. There are cars out there that are incredible used cars and your research will narrow down your choices to a short list of the good ones before you ever pay that mechanic to check it out!

Buying a New Car with Bad Credit
buying a new carBuying a new car with bad credit is easy. On the other hand, getting a low rate on a new car with bad credit is a bit tricky. Car buyers know the importance of getting a low rate on their auto loan. The interest will either make the car affordable or too expensive. Individuals who have good credit don’t have to worry about this. They’ll likely qualify for a good rate, wherein their payments will remain low. However, if you’re buying a new car and need to secure an affordable rate, consider the following tips.

1. Simply Put…Wait: Buying a new car is a good feeling, especially if you’ve never owned a new car. However, if a high interest rate stands in your way, think about postponing the purchase. Rather, spend the next few months improving a low score. Reduce debts, pay your bills on time, etc. Once your score increases, you can purchase the new car and enjoy a low rate.

2. Have a Co-Borrower: If buying a new car and you want to get a low rate, a co-borrower can be the solution. The co-borrower must have good credit, and be willing to accept responsibility for the loan in the event of default.

Automobile Mag hands out Funky Ergonomics Awards

Filed under: Car Buying, Contests, Etc., Humor

The scholars over at Automobile magazine have handed out their “Funky Ergonomics Awards” this year. As expected, BMW’s iDrive and 7 Series interior (shown above) remains their favorite pincushion. Rightly so. Their list includes convenience keys that are downright inconvenient, window switches that are out of reach, touchscreens that are dangerously slow to respond, all center-of-the-dashboard mounted instrument clusters, complicated navigation systems, reverse-action manu-matic transmissions, and dimly lit interiors.

While we generally agree with their list, our own ergonomic pet peeves include spinning seat adjusters mounted inaccessibly outboard (yeah, by the doors), cruise control stalks hidden out-of-sight by the wheel itself, and manual modes for old-fashioned “slushbox” automatic trannies. Oh yeah, the list goes on and on…

[Source: Automobile]

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Only 5-10% of customers choose Chrysler’s $2.99 gas guarantee

Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Earnings/Financials

It looks like car shoppers have been smart enough to see past Chrysler’s cheap gas guarantee. Despite Chrysler’s extension of the offer for an extra month, a very small percentage of actual consumers have actually chosen the gas guarantee over the old fashioned cash back options. As we’ve reported in the past, the incentive wasn’t really as good as it seemed once the math was done. As was pointed out by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a 3 mpg bump in efficiency would be equal to the savings Chrysler was offering. Additionally, Chrysler not only has the worst fleet in terms of fuel efficiency, but many of its products haven’t exactly set the world on fire based solely on their own merit. The performance of the incentive deal suggests that in today’s world average consumers may not want to be seen driving gas guzzling vehicles, regardless of what they’re paying for fuel. Good products are still the only real way to guarantee sales, though cash back incentives still have an impact. Perhaps Chrysler should have offered firearms.

[Source: Auto Observer]

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Customer Service Is Most Important After You Buy Your Car
Hey folks. I ve got a little secret for you. Anybody can give you great customer service before you buy your new car because let s face it, if you get bad customer service before you buy, chances are you are not going to stick around and buy the car, unless your head is not firmly attached to your shoulders.

Check out the Crazy Larry video. He not only gives bad customer service after buying the car, but before buying the car, as well. If you encountered Larry or someone like him, you would likely not purchase anything from a person of that caliber, let alone something as important as a car. Personally, I d count my fingers after shaking hands with that clown.

I m sure that most of us have heard real life horror stories involving bad customer service and a used car salesman. Let s face it this is nothing new. About the only people with a lower approval rating than a used car salesman would be a lawyer or a politician, but I ll leave that for another day.

I ll give you one of the best used or new car buying tips you have ever gotten. Trust the Force, Luke. That s right, but in this case, trust your gut and your feelings about the person you are buying the car from. What is their body language? Do they look at you or past you? Do they look you in the eyes without doing the eyes boring into the back of the skull routine?

If you get a sense that this new or used car salesman would sell his own mother a Vauxhall with rusted floorboards, trust that feeling and get outta Dodge and get over to Courtesy Chevrolet if you are lucky enough to live in the Phoenix area. They know the difference between good and bad customer service and they insist their staff provide only the finest in customer service.

Why would they provide the finest customer service? Courtesy Chevrolet has been in business since 1955 and they want your repeat business. The real life horror stories are generally about the fly by night operators that are here today and not to be found anywhere on Earth, tomorrow. That is not the case with Courtesy. They moved to their current location at 1233 East Camelback Road in 1957 and they are still there today, with a few additional locations to serve you.

So there you have it. Courtesy Chevrolet can t promise you that you will never have a bad customer service experience again. They can t control how other people act, but if you do business with them, you have their promise that they will do the best by you. In this day and age, you can t ask for better.

Automobile Mag hands out Funky Ergonomics Awards
June 14th, 2008

Filed under: Car Buying, Contests, Etc., Humor

The scholars over at Automobile magazine have handed out their “Funky Ergonomics Awards” this year. As expected, BMW’s iDrive and 7 Series interior (shown above) remains their favorite pincushion. Rightly so. Their list includes convenience keys that are downright inconvenient, window switches that are out of reach, touchscreens that are dangerously slow to respond, all center-of-the-dashboard mounted instrument clusters, complicated navigation systems, reverse-action manu-matic transmissions, and dimly lit interiors.

While we generally agree with their list, our own ergonomic pet peeves include spinning seat adjusters mounted inaccessibly outboard (yeah, by the doors), cruise control stalks hidden out-of-sight by the wheel itself, and manual modes for old-fashioned “slushbox” automatic trannies. Oh yeah, the list goes on and on…

[Source: Automobile]

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Don’t Overlook These Car Buying Tips
Buying a new carDon’t want to become another one of those car buying horror stories?

There are so many options that exist in buying a car in this day in age. For example, buying a new car is certainly an option and buying a used car is another possibility. Add all the amenities that come with purchasing a car, especially a brand new car, and you’ve just increased your options.

With the widespread use of the internet, buying a car online is becoming a more common tactic in purchasing a new vehicle.

Here are some car buying tips that can prevent you from making a mistake that you could initially regret, whether it’s online or in a physical dealership.

Get your credit report. Go to annualcreditreport.com for a free credit report. This is one of the most important car buying tips because it effects your payments in the long run. You get 3 free chances to check your credit report per year through the following companies: Experian, Equifax, and True Credit. The rule of thumb as long as you verify that your credit score is above 680, you won’t have to pay a high APR. It’s important to be highly aware of what your credit score is, so you can prevent paying a high APR, especially when you don’t need to.

Get a vehicle history report. If you’re thinking about buying a used car, be sure to get a vehicle history report. Through using Experian AutoCheck Vehicle History Reports you can essentially avoid thousands in potential losses when you buy a used car. Through using AutoCheck Vehicle History Reports you can see if your used car has had any of the following problems: been stolen, flooded, totaled, accidents, etc. Imagine purchasing a used car that appears to be in great shape on the outside, but is actually falling apart in the inside? Checking a vehicle history report is one of the most important car buying tips in any used car sale.

Find government auctions for the best used car deals. This is certainly one of the lesser known car buying tips. Most car auctions are widely unknown. They are typically done by banks, IRS, and other government agencies that sell repossessed vehicle because failure to pay payments or seized by the police. Many of these cars that are given up for auction are fixed up and are in excellent condition. You can find these auctions online. Be sure to check the following government website: http://www.usa.gov/shopping/shopping.shtml

Do some research. In the end, it’s up to you to be smart enough to know exactly what you want. If you want to purchase a car online or at a dealership, you can do the bulk of your research online. Also, know if you can find the car cheaper, so that you can bargain with the car salesman.

Remember, in the end, it’s up to you whether or not you should take this car buying advice to heart.

Welcome to carbuyingtipsblog.com
June 14th, 2008


Welcome to carbuyingtipsblog.com

A Used Car Salesman Can Make or Break a Sale
real life horror stories, bad customer service Buying a car can be quite an experience, especially if you want to buy a used car. I was trying to buy a car a few months ago and would have paid cash for it, but the used car salesman was such an idiot that I ran out of the used car lot as fast as I could. He was rude, condescending, and insulting. I was really surprised because he seemed decent at first.

The transaction did not get uncomfortable until I started asking about specifics on the car, like the VIN so I could run it through the Internet. Then he got aggressive with me, and I think he must have had something to hide and hoped to get me off balance by putting on the black hat. Normally I don’t recount bad customer service issues like this, but this one I have a difficult time forgetting. The memory is not all that pleasant, so maybe this venting will help me forget it. I hate these real life horror stories about buying car, so maybe the best way is to just get a new one online, and just go pick it up at the dealership.

If you are buying a used car, you should check out car buying tips

Over the years we have bought more used cars than new. The price of buying a new car wasn’t the only reason for us buying a used car. A used car has already depreciated and so you are getting better value out of your money. If it is a newer used car, then most of the bugs have been worked out and sometimes it will still have a warranty. We found that when we bought a used car, we could get one with all the bells and whistles without having to pay the price for it. Another reason for us to buy a used car was the fact that we had teenagers who would be driving the car and we didn’t want to worry about damage every time they took it. That very thing happened just today. My daughter was rear ended and though there wasn’t much damage, there is a chunk of paint missing from the back of our used Honda Civic. I don’t know if we have been lucky when buying a used car or if we just have a good eye for used cars but every one we’ve ever bought has worked like a charm for a very long time. If you go to roadandtravel.com, you will find many helpful car buying tips.

Car Buying Advice: Get a Low Rate
Whether you’re a new or experienced driver, there is plenty of good car buying advice to help you get the best deal. Buying a car is a relatively easy process. You’ll have to visit several dealerships, find the perfect car, and secure financing. In most instances, the entire process only takes a few hours. Still, it’s best to research car buying advice. This way, you don’t overpay for the vehicle.

It is common for car buyers to negotiate the dealer invoice price. Often times, savvy buyers can get a vehicle for thousands less. This keeps the monthly payments low and affordable. Additionally, car buyers have to worry about the interest rate. Individuals with good credit qualify for the best rates. On the other hand, if you have a few credit problems, you’ll likely pay a higher price. Even so, there is practical car buying advice to help you overcome this obstacle and maintain low payments.

The best car buying advice encourages consumers to get the lowest rate possible on their vehicle loan. This might involve making credit improvements first, and then applying for a car loan. What’s more, some buyers have been able to get a low rate by means of a co-signer and down payment.

A Look at Used Forklifts -
June 9th, 2008


There is definitely a market for used and reconditioned forklifts. Used forklifts often sell for thousands of dollars less than new ones. A used forklift has all of the features and advantages of a new forklift at a much lower price. There are several ways to purchase a used forklift. People can purchase used forklifts on eBay, from stores or online retailers, or from forklift exchanges. It is a good idea to check out the used forklift before putting any money down. As with other used vehicles, used forklifts can be in bad shape and need extensive repair. It is important to be sure that the used forklift is not a lemon. Many used forklift dealers offer better than new guarantees that assure buyers that the used forklift is in good condition. Many of these warranties are longer lasting and offer more extensive coverage than warranties covering new forklifts. Many stores that sell new forklifts also sell old ones. They may take used forklifts as trade-ins for new ones, as many car dealerships do with cars. Several well-known and reputable used forklift dealers can be found in any region of the country, and similar services exist over the Internet as well. Internet purchases can be riskier because the buyer may not get to examine the used forklift before buying it, but, usually, it works out fine. There are some companies that specialize in used forklifts. They may buy them from sellers, fix them up a bit, and then resell them. These are often very good machines, as they are extensively improved before being resold. Other websites let people advertise their used forklifts for sale and take a percentage of the price if some one buys it. EBay is another place to find used forklifts, sometimes at a huge discount. Buyers may not get to test drive them before buying, so it is important that they know the exact make and model that they want before buying anything. Used forklifts can be a great deal for people with a limited budget. They often come with better warranties than new forklifts and are just as good.

Welcome to carbuyingtipsblog.com
Welcome to carbuyingtipsblog.com

Car Buying Advice for People with Bad Credit
car buying advice There is plenty of car buying advice available in books and on the Internet. However, the bulk of car buying advice is for people with good credit. These persons can walk into a dealership and easily drive away in a brand new car. On the other hand, if you have a low credit score, bankruptcy, or recent foreclosure, it might be harder to get approved for an auto loan.

Here is car buying advice to help people with less-than-perfect credit:

1. Buy a Car to Improve Credit: If you want to quickly re-establish credit, buying a car is a smart move. Yet, you’ll pay a higher loan rate. If you can afford the higher rate and payment, a new or used car loan is one of the easiest ways to boost a low score.

2. Open New Credit Accounts: If you don’t want a high rate on the auto loan, apply for a secured credit card before getting a new car. It’ll take about six months to one year to re-establish credit. Make on-time payments during this time. Afterwards, you should be able to qualify for a reasonable rate on a vehicle loan.

The Best Car Buying Tips

car buying tips

Whether you’re an experienced or new automobile owner, consider the following car buying tips. Everyone wants to get the best deal on their auto loan. Unfortunately, few people know how to negotiate the best price or secure the best rate.

1. Shop Around: There are several car buying tips to take into consideration. However, if your main objective is to get the best price on a vehicle, you’ve got to shop around. Visit several dealerships in your local area. If you like, look online and search for dealerships outside your immediate area. You might find the car of your dreams at an unbelievable price.

2. Check Your Credit: While getting a good price on the automobile is important, many car buyers also want the best interest rate. Car buying tips generally focus on getting the best rate on the vehicle loan. This way, you’ll enjoy affordable payments. In the long run, you’ll pay less for the car. Check your credit before applying for a car loan. Are there any inaccuracies or bad remarks? If, so, try and resolve these issues.

How to Buy Cheaper Auto Insurance Than Your Friends!

What if all of your friends are the same age as you, have similar driving records and credit reports, and own vehicles like yours? Believe it or not, that doesn’t necessarily mean you will have the same auto insurance premiums. Wouldn’t you like to be the one who gets the same policy, but gets it cheap? All it takes is some know-how, and realizing what to look for when shopping online for your auto insurance. Shop around and online. Consumer groups tell us that the primary reason people don’t get cheap auto insurance is because they don’t comparison shop. It is the simple truth that there are so many auto insurance companies out there, you’ll never find the same insurance quote twice. That’s why shopping online is the single best way to find cheap auto insurance. Online services offer quotes from multiple insurance companies, often within minutes. You can then choose the carrier that offers you the same policy at the cheapest rate. Your neighbor may be sticking with the same auto insurance company out of habit, but his failure to shop online for a cheaper rate is his first mistake. Get all the discounts. When you are shopping online for a cheap auto quote, make sure and read about the discounts that are offered. Most insurance companies offer, for example, a multi-car discount. In addition, there may be a good student discount that makes the policy cheaper for youthful drivers. Don’t think you or your kid will qualify? Read the fine print. Often, the good student discount isn’t as hard to get as you may think. Have you had insurance for the past six months? By providing the online service with proof of prior insurance, you may also qualify for a cheap rate with your new insurance company. What about your house do you own it? If so, many auto insurance carriers also offer homeowner insurance, or even insurance for your boat or other property, and that discount can bring that rate down to a level cheap enough to make even your brainy brother jealous. Check your driving record. Many people pay the pricey amount that shows up on their bill, never realizing that an error in their driving record is the culprit. Your insurance company usually gets an electronic copy of your driver history and applies any auto accidents and tickets toward your premiums. If you take the time to get a copy of your record and find an error, you can easily have it removed, bringing you closer to your dream of cheap auto insurance. Additionally, make sure that you have gotten credit for any safe driver courses you have taken in the past. Ditch the spouse and kids. No, you don’t have to leave your family to get cheap insurance. But your auto insurance company may allow a split policy, which could get you a cheaper premium. If there is a “certain someone” on your auto policy that has a bad driving record, the rates may be higher for everyone. Additionally, if there are any youthful drivers on the policy, they may be keeping the more experienced drivers from qualifying for the best rate. In many cases, it is just a matter of moving the offending driver to their own policy, and presto, cheap insurance! Make sure you know your options and check them all out when you’re shopping online for auto insurance. Even if you’ve got the best car on the block, the smartest kids, and the biggest house, there’s just something about buying cheap auto insurance that can make you feel superior.

2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 en route to dealers
June 8th, 2008

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupes, Chrysler, Dodge


Click the image above for more pics of the Challenger SRT8

If you’re one of the lucky 6,400 customers to lay claim to the 425 hp Dodge Challenger SRT8, we have good news. The first 1,000 special edition Challengers have already been built, and they’re en-route to a dealer near you. For those of you that won’t be getting your Hemi-powered muscle car in the first wave, you won’t have to wait long, either. Every SRT Challenger will be produced by the beginning of July, which means Woodward should be full of good-looking retro coupes come August. If you want a 6.1L Challenger, you’re going to have to hit eBay or wait for 2009, because all 2008 models have been spoken for.

The Challenger has been one of the few pieces of good news surrounding the Pentastar of late, and a hot product couldn’t be coming at a better time. We know gas if $4 per gallon and V8 muscle cars aren’t exactly what the doctor ordered, but we’re probably just as excited as the 6,400 Challenger SRT8 owners to get behind the wheel of this future classic.

[Source: Dodge]

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Top 10 Tips You Must Know When Buying a Car

1. You should purchase your new car at or around Christmas time because with everybody buying their Christmas presents, not many of them are looking to buy a new car, and it forces dealerships to up their sales strategies. Salesmen are more willing to haggle down to your prices to close the deal. 2. You can also get a good deal from July to October because that is the time of year when dealerships are trying to get rid of their inventory to make way for the new models. 3. Purchasing a car online is becoming a great way to get a new car. Just wait for good rebates and incentives online and shop around. Print out your information from the best quotes and bring it to the dealer that you are most willing to work with. Bringing in lower quotes from another company might be your best bet in getting a good deal. 4. You should visit FightingChance.com if you are hoping to find new car prices, dealer incentives, and the best rebate offers. This site is the first place that you should go for great advice on buying a car. It’s even more informative than the Kelley Blue book. This program for buying new cars can literally save you thousands of dollars. 5. A good place to start when going into a dealership is to bring a copy of your credit score with you. It can lower your interest rates on your car loan. Your car dealer should not know more about you than you do. 6. You can avoid a common scam that dealerships pull. You will often hear that your financing fell through and that you have to respond by paying more money on your loan. Don’t believe it. It’s another reason for you to get a copy of your credit score. 7. Another common scam by dealership salesmen is for them to tell you that they have found you a lower rate, but that they want you to re-sign your loan papers. Usually, that is a downright lie. Once they pull up your financing information, they have the upper hand if you don’t know the details about your credit information. You can get a copy of your credit information online at equifax.com for about $10-$15. It’s better to pay $15 now than thousands later. 8. Don’t bring in a car for trade in if you still owe money on it. The dealership rarely pays the rest of the loan on time which will result in you having to pay a great deal of late fees to the bank. If you do decide to bring a car in that you owe money on, get it in writing from the dealership that they will pay the balance on the car within 10 days. 9. Sometimes a dealership may not have all of your options and must order the car directly from the dealership. If this happens they will often ask you to pay $500-$1000 for a deposit on the car. Try not to pay more than $500 and be sure to pay with a credit card because sometimes the dealership will tell you that there was a price increase on the vehicle and will want more money. If you pay with a credit card you have room to dispute the amount being taken from you. If you pay by check, you can just consider the money gone. 10. You should never buy a car when you are in desperate need for one because a dealer will see that and take advantage. You should never wait until an old car is dead before searching for a new one because you should give yourself time to shop around for one and get the best deal possible. Desperation often clouds your judgment.

Prius sales tank in May, Toyota blames battery supply

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Toyota

This stat might seem confusing given the fact that fuel economy is king at dealerships right now, but Toyota just reported that Prius sales were down almost 40% in May compared to the same period in 2007. While overall 2008 sales of the hybrid postercar are up a little over 2%, this just doesn’t seem possible. Just over 15,000 Priuses were sold in May ‘08 compared to more than 24,000 in 2007. Overall sales in 2008 have slightly surpassed ‘07 sales through May, with a total of 79,675 units moved this year compared to 76,747 last year, but it seems like something is amiss. Then you read about a battery supply problem that’s affected production of the Prius and it all starts to make sense. AutoblogGreen reports that Toyota’s VP of Communications, Irv Miller, said batteries are in short supply worldwide and this is what affected Prius production and its sales last month in the U.S. He added that last year’s figures were slightly inflated due to, wait for it, incentives being used to move slow-selling hybrids. Ah, the good old days. While there is still an obvious demand for the Prius, our brothers at ABG surmise we’ll be on a one-day supply of Priuses until the new one comes out in January. Can you say mark up?

[Source: AutoblogGreen and Toyota]

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Car Buying Advice: Get a Low Rate
Whether you’re a new or experienced driver, there is plenty of good car buying advice to help you get the best deal. Buying a car is a relatively easy process. You’ll have to visit several dealerships, find the perfect car, and secure financing. In most instances, the entire process only takes a few hours. Still, it’s best to research car buying advice. This way, you don’t overpay for the vehicle.

It is common for car buyers to negotiate the dealer invoice price. Often times, savvy buyers can get a vehicle for thousands less. This keeps the monthly payments low and affordable. Additionally, car buyers have to worry about the interest rate. Individuals with good credit qualify for the best rates. On the other hand, if you have a few credit problems, you’ll likely pay a higher price. Even so, there is practical car buying advice to help you overcome this obstacle and maintain low payments.

The best car buying advice encourages consumers to get the lowest rate possible on their vehicle loan. This might involve making credit improvements first, and then applying for a car loan. What’s more, some buyers have been able to get a low rate by means of a co-signer and down payment.