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 
Don’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.