Terry Parker asked:


Getting a new car thrills and excites. Sometimes it is easy to get carried away in our initial response to a car. No matter how much you like a certain vehicle, take it for a long, serious test drive.

You should first plan on spending as long as possible on your test drive. Fifteen minutes is not enough time. You want to thoroughly examine the car and definitely have a mechanic check it out.

Take a look at the vehicle overall. Do the body parts line up? Does the paint match? Will doors open and close easily? Do the tires look like they wear evenly?

Check under the hood. You may not know exactly what you are looking at, but thats okay. Look for leaky hoses, worn belts, and dirty oil. Ask the dealer to show you the automatic transmission fluid. Smell it. If there is a burned odor, steer clear. The fluid should be clear and reddish. Transmission repair costs are not pretty.

Have someone show you the radiator water. It should have a light yellow or green color. Make sure all of the warning lights and gauges work. Start the car and check all lights and functions. And here is a no brainer make sure no warning lights remain lit on the dashboard.

Look at the airbag indicator lights. If these lights do not illuminate as you start the car, or if they stay lit after the car is running, they are not working correctly.

Try on the seat belt. Test the vehicle in the early evening to determine the headlight visibility. If you already have a child safety seat, go ahead and install it. Not all seats are compatible with all cars.

Accelerate up to 35 40 MPH. Is shifting smooth and steering straight? When braking, a pull to the left or the right could indicate a problem.

If you buy via the classifieds, make sure to check the name on the title and match it to the name on the sellers drivers license. Just to be safe.

It would be nice to find the little ladys almost new car that was not driven more than 15,000 miles a year. Of course, low miles on the odometer would be a big plus, too. Even then, you can not assume that a low mileage car is necessarily in great shape.

One major concern is odometer tampering. So do your homework. Ask for a detailed service history report. If records were not kept, you can check things out for yourself with the vehicle identification number. Provide this VIN number to your state vehicle history company to get a record of the cars former life.

Remember, no matter how in love you are with a car, think twice before purchasing one thats been wrecked. You do not need anyone elses problems. There are dozens of other cars you could enjoy just as much.

So test drive more than one car. You will never regret a wise, well thought out purchase.



SANFORD

Isa Kain asked:


Of late the Indian car market seems to have arrived. After the arrival of foreign car companies Indian car makers have done quite well and have proved their mettle. Tata Nano is a fascinating new car India made that symbolizes the might of the Indian cars in the car market where new cars by foreign companies are getting launched regularly.

Foreign car companies have flocked to the Indian car market sensing a hugely potential and untapped auto market. With the booming economy and rising purchasing power of the middle class Indians, the market offers lots of potential for auto companies that have stopped growing fast largely due to the mostly saturated markets of the developing countries. Of late the foreign companies have started getting aggressive with their plans in the Indian car market. New cars are getting launched frequently.

However, among all these cars Tata Motors has announced the launch of Nano, billed as the world’s least expensive car. I has generated free publicity worth millions of dollars for the company. It has generated interest all over the world like never before and highlighted the potentials of Indian car market and showed to the world the strength of the Indian cars.

Nano is expected to help millions of Indians realize their dream of owning a car in a country where only a small part of the population owns four-wheelers. Tata Nano is in process of production and will be soon in the Indian market. This new car India made has also showed to the world that the Indian companies are capable of innovations and should not be taken lightly.



ELIZA

Ethan Williams asked:


Are you planning to buy a brand new car this year? And you are already in dilemma which one to buy and which one not! Do not get confused. There are experts to guide choosing your new car. A car is worth buying if it passes the road test. So, the new car road test is a must before you actually buy it. It may happen that you are charmed by the look and features of the car that you have chosen. But the time you go for a road test you at once realize that the car is not made for you.

Where to go for a test drive:

It is wise to follow what the experts say while buying any kind of vehicle. Many of the cars for sale look like a new one. The best way to find out the truth is a test drive. A half-an hour test drive is sufficient to understand the condition of a car. Choose roads that have winding curves and rough surface. Highways are also a good option for test drives. Roads with frequent stop-and-go signals help to find out whether brakes are functioning properly or not.

What to check during test drive:

During test drive do not turn the music on as it will bar you from hearing noises made by the vehicle itself. Accelerate hard and take sharp but smooth turns. If there is problem in the car’s drive train or transmission then you will get a noisy drive. Modern diesel fueled automobiles do not make sound and give smoother ride. So, noise is an indication of problem in the vehicle. Take a couple of miles ride with and without the AC turned on to check the power drain.

Check the position of the steering wheel. See whether the seats are lighter and comfortable enough for you. Simplified dash board ensures easy operation. Use brake while driving at least 50mph to know the car’s emergency performance. If you are not driving a heavy vehicle then pressing clutch should not feel like working out at the gym. As you end your drive leave the motor running for a while and remove the oil-filler cap. Emission of white smoke is an indication of serious engine problem.

Choosing the right model:

It is not always that going for a hi-fi model will do. Your focus should be on purpose. You may have the money to buy a Ferrari or a Ford Mustang. But they are not a good choice for a traffic congested roads in a metro. Think about the condition of the roads where you are going to drive the car. If you need a car to pick your kids from school or drive down to your office every morning then a Ferrari will not do, although it has high speed and powerful engine. On the contrary, GMC trucks are heavy duty vehicles that are ideal for a family ride.

Now, you know the importance of road test and how to choose the right model. So, follow the tips to ensure the best buy. The more cars you take for test drive the easier it becomes for you to find the gem and weed out the lemons.



EARTHA

Levi Quinn asked:


You’ve recently purchased a new car and you’re obsessed with keeping it clean. After all, you don’t want your car to end up looking like most used cars: dusty, full of crumbs, and with coins stuck to the beverage tray. A new car is much easier to maintain because you’re starting out with a spotless vehicle that doesn’t have any nagging problems, like rusting or upholstery tears. If you incorporate the following tips into your car maintenance routine, your car will feel brand new for years to come. 

REGULAR MAINTENANCE IS KEY: 

The car manual will outline the different things you need to do to keep your car running smoothly. It will also tell you how often you should perform those tasks and with what type of fluid. The most common maintenance tasks are: 

- Checking the oil level at least 4 times a year.  

- Checking the brake fluid level regularly, especially if you notice a difference in the brake pedal.  

- Checking the automatic transmission fluid once a month  

- Having the engine cleaned every one to two years  

- Refilling the antifreeze/coolant fluid regularly  

- Refilling the windshield washer fluid regularly  

- Checking your tires regularly 

KEEP IT TIDY: 

- Keep a small plastic bag in the car for trash and dispose of it every week. If you don’t let trash accumulate in your car, it will be easier to keep the interior clean. 

- Use a UV resistant car cleaner to wipe down the dashboard, the steering wheel, the inside door panels and any other hard surfaces. This should be done weekly; it will keep these areas clean and it will provide UV protection in the sunlight. 

- Clean up any spills as soon as possible to prevent mold and bad smells. 

- Avoid eating or smoking in your new car but if you must, be attentive to bits of food that drop to the floor or cigarette flints that fly off within the car. 

GIVE YOURSELF SPACE: 

- Avoid parking in tight spots. Even if you don’t tap the other car’s bumper as your parking, there’s a good chance other drivers will bump into your car while trying to get out of a tight space. 

- In a parking lot, choose a space that has empty spaces on each side. This will lessen the possibility of your car brushing other cars as you enter the parking spot. 

- Park in well lit or common areas. Leaving your car in a dark alley will increase the chance of a break in and of your car being stripped; it can also put you in a dangerous situation when you get to your car. 

LISTEN TO YOUR DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS: 

If a dashboard light stays on, refer to your car manual to diagnose the problem. Most car manuals have an illustrated page at the end that shows dashboard symbols and their possible meanings. Whatever you do, don’t ignore the light because even if the car is functioning normally, it’s just a matter of time before it will fail in some way or brake down. Most problems, such as a low oil level, can be fixed quite easily if they’re addressed as soon as the dashboard warning light goes on.

CHECK YOUR TIRES: 

Checking your tires regularly will make driving both safer and more fuel efficient. 

- You can check the tire pressure with an inexpensive tire pressure gauge. Remove the valve cap on the tire and place the tire gauge onto the valve; watch the tire gauge for a reading. Your car manual or a label on the inside of the driver’s door will tell you how much tire pressure you should have; add air to match that number. 

- Have your wheels aligned and balanced every year or when you buy new tires. You can check the tread wear by comparing the inner tread of the tire to the level of the tread markers; if it’s lower than the tread markers, the tires need to be replaced. You can also check the tread wear using the penny test: put a penny with Abraham Lincoln upside down into a tire groove and if the tire tread is lower than the top of Lincoln’s head, the tires need to be replaced. 

FIX DENTS AND CRACKS AS THEY HAPPEN: 

A small ***** in your windshield doesn’t have to mean a full windshield replacement if you have it repaired as soon as you notice it. If you let it go, the ***** will expand and it will then become a safety hazard if it affects your view. Similarly, a scrape or a dent on the body of the car can easily morph into a rusty spot. It’s best to have the car fixed professionally but you can use fill in pens on smaller areas. 

Buying a new car makes it easier to keep your car in top condition but these tips apply to all cars. Many drivers focus only on their insurance coverage and on driving safely, and they neglect the car itself. If you take the time to check your car for things like leaks and low fluid levels, you can prevent unnecessary damage and costly repair bills; you can also keep your car in excellent condition for many years.



JERAMY

Andrew Regan asked:


It is Christmas financial fallout time; a time when everyone adds up their festive excesses and most realise that yet again they spent much more than they had intended. The credit card bills have started arriving, prompting a massive collective intake of breath throughout the UK as most people work out just how skint they are.

But, for those wanting a new car, excessive Christmas spending and a greatly diminished bank balance needn’t prove a problem. There are plenty of garages, used car dealers and car supermarkets offering great deals at this time of the year. All are anxious to get stock off their forecourts at a traditionally slow time of the year for car sales, so canny buyers could bag themselves a bargain motor.

In addition, most used car dealers and car supermarkets offer finance packages tied directly to the purchase of the car. Because their own loans are secured on the car, it tends to be a lot easier to get a yes to car credit at the dealers than by applying for a personal loan at a financial institution. Plus, applicants won’t have to make a special trip to the bank or building society either!

To make it even easier many dealers allow buyers to drive the car away once finance has been approved and after making only a small deposit, in many cases less than £100. Or, if the buyer has a car to sell, the dealer will typically offer a minimum of £1,000 part-exchange against the purchase of a replacement vehicle, meaning no cash deposit is required at all – extremely handy for those left skint by Christmas spending!

But, if you want to buy a car before you say yes to car credit make sure you understand exactly what you are getting. Despite what might be reported in the popular press most garages aren’t in the habit of ripping off their customers as in this day and age major businesses in a competitive marketplace cannot survive if they show scant disregard for their customers.

However, there are some disreputable traders out there, and if you encounter any problems be aware of your rights. Under the Sales of Goods Act, 1979 used cars must be in satisfactory condition when sold, both in appearance and mechanically. So, if bits start falling off your newly acquired vehicle or it stops working all together, be assured that you are covered by UK legislation and you’ll be able to return the car to the dealer without any financial penalty to you.



JC

E Jonas asked:


How would you like to drive a brand-new car for free? Or, even better, get paid to drive your own car?

Imagine driving a new car that someone else has paid for. You don’t have to buy it, pay a deposit, take out a lease or sign a Hire-Purchase agreement. All you pay for is the petrol you use, and your own car insurance. Stuff you would have to pay for in anycase if you drive your own car.

It may sound too good to be true but there are actually companies that will give you a new car to drive around in. No, the car does not belong to you so you can’t sell it, and once you’ve driven it for a specified time or distance you have to return it to the company. So you don’t get to keep it.

Once you’ve returned their car they will then give you a new car to drive around in. The only catch is that the car they give you has to be your primary car, and you have to be the principal driver – in other words you should use their car as much as you can, and you’re not allowed to let other people borrow it. No worries, I’ll drive their car as much as I can thanks!

All you need is to be a resident of the USA, the UK, France, Spain, or Canada, you need a valid driving license with no violations on it and you need to be 18 years old or older.

Should you prefer you can drive your own car, you will then get paid every month for displaying an advertisement from the sponsor on your car.

While you can’t really choose the exact car you want (I would have chosen a Ferrari if I could have!) you will have some choice between models. It all depends on what is available at the time. Obviously they wouldn’t expect someone with four kids to drive a two seat convertible, and neither would they expect a newly married twenty-something year old to drive a ten seater people carrier.

In these times when cars are so ridiculously expensive this is a very handy method of saving some extra cash every month instead of spending it on a car that loses value from the moment you drive it out of the showroom.

Go ahead, take a look and see if you qualify on my Squidoo page dealing with the subject. What do you have to lose?



GUADALUPE

Paul McIndoe asked:


Purchasing a new car is one of the biggest decisions a household can make, and one that can have long-lasting financial implications. Therefore it is important to make sure the financial planning behind the purchase is sound and able to deal with unforeseen incidents that could require a shift in resources to other expenses.

There are two main options to new car financing; either a traditional loan from a bank, building society or dealership or a hire-purchase agreement.

The biggest decision regarding a loan is the interest rate – dealerships can provide finance deals but often their interest rates compare less favourably than banks or building societies. Compare the APR offered from the different potential lenders in order to effectively compare how much you will end up paying back each year.

If you find it hard to make sense of the different options, the Office of Fair Trading can provide free resources, such as the APR and rebate calculator, to help make comparison easier. A longer repayment period will cost less month to month, but more in total over the term of the loan. In addition to the loan itself, it is important to calculate related costs such as road tax and car insurance before negotiating the terms of a loan.

If the repayment period is fairly lengthy it may be worthwhile looking for a lender that offers repayment holidays. Though it’s not advisable to repeatedly delay payment, a one-off deferral may be useful should unexpected household expenses arise. Payment holidays should be agreed upon during the initial term negotiations, as lenders frown upon renegotiations during the repayment period to ask for it.

A hire-purchase agreement is generally a more complex form of car finance, and requires more attention to detail when agreeing on the terms of repayment. Hire-purchase agreements essentially differ from loans in that ownership remains with the lender until all payments have been made. The agreement should therefore contain all the details on the number of instalments and the full hire-purchase price of the car.

There are also a number of pitfalls to watch out for. For instance, interest-free credit offers might sound appealing, but failing to make all the payments in the stated period could result in significant interest rates being imposed on the loan.

So if you’re looking to purchase a new car in the near future, keep in mind the aforementioned points to make sure your car is financed by terms that suit your household budget and can accommodate any unforeseen bumps in the road.



HELENA

Andrew Regan asked:


Does this sound familiar? You’ve been thinking about getting a new car for ages but you’ve never quite got round to taking the plunge. There are always other things that need to be paid for – every day bills, that summer holiday you’ve booked, and even some new clothes to keep up appearances in your job.

If you’re in this situation right now then it might be time to sit down and create a plan of action to help you turn that new car into a reality. Block off a few hours where you won’t be disturbed, grab a pen and a notepad and use the following steps to get you closer to your goal.

The first area to look at is your household bills. You can often save a lot of money here. Make a note of what you currently pay and go online to do a price check to see how much you could reduce your payments by if you swapped companies. Keep this saving in mind as it can be put towards paying for your new car.

The same applies to any credit card bills you have. If you don’t pay the balance in full every month you could be paying a fortune in interest. Move the balance to an interest free card and you’ll free up another sum of money to fund the purchase of your next car.

You can also approach the issue of finding the money for a new car from another angle. There are plenty of excellent value car finance deals on the market which will enable you to get your next car much sooner than you think. If you combine a good car finance option with the money saving tips mentioned above you will probably find your monthly payments can be met with the money you’ve saved.

You can also save money quite easily by shopping around for your car insurance. If you can get an idea in advance of the type of car you want to buy, you’ll be able to get rough quotes to go on when you’re figuring out what your outgoings are likely to be on your new vehicle each month.

In this sense the repayments on your car finance agreement won’t be the only thing to consider. You could find that by changing the type of car you buy and reducing your insurance payments (and perhaps even paying less in road tax) you could afford a newer car than you’d otherwise be able to.

In short, whatever financial situation you are in it’s more than possible to buy a new car if you take the time to work things out in your favour. All you need is perseverance, the right information and the best finance quotes you can find.



MOLLIE

Dave Foord asked:


Using the words of Bob Dylan, “Times, they are a changing” and this is certainly true when we look at the habits of the new car buyer. Successive governments have failed to curb our excessive fuel demands, indeed, for many years cars just seemed to get bigger and bigger, with fuel consumption figures dropping, sometimes barely hitting double figures. Then came the troubles in the oil producing regions of the world, swiftly followed by the credit crunch and all of a sudden attitudes have changed. Market forces have influenced the new car buyer and as a result, the car manufacturers have moved swiftly to fill the chasm that is opening in the marketplace, the need for comfortable, but fuel efficient new cars. Listed below are ten economical new cars, not in any particular order, or indeed, not even market leaders, what they do have in common though is their ability to travel over fifty miles per gallon on the combined cycle. They may not be the answer to all our problems, buy they are certainly a step in the right direction.

MINI Cooper 1.6 D

The 1.6 diesel MINI Cooper has had the EfficientDynamics treatment by BMW, low rolling resistance tyres, electric power steering, an intelligent alternator control / brake energy regeneration system, an automatic stop-start function and a high precision Direct Injection system are amongst the advances that have been applied to the new diesel Cooper and as a result it achieves a staggering 72.4 miles per gallon on the combined cycle.

Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion

Powered by a 1.4 litre, three cylinder, diesel engine that is fitted with a with a variable-geometry turbocharger that gives maximum assistance at low speeds, the Polo Bluemotion is one of the leaders in its class. Volkswagen have used a few tricks to get the Polo Bluemotion to perform as frugally as it does, the obligatory low-rolling-resistance tyres, lightweight alloy wheels and improved aerodynamics all contribute to the Bluemotion achieving 74.3 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. Exhaust gas recirculation and a particulate filter give the Polo another advantage over most cars in the UK market, Co2 emissions of only 99g/km, resulting in zero road tax. Low cost motoring at its best.

Audi A3 1.9 TDIe

Audi may not be the first manufacturer that comes to mind when it comes to economical cars, but this just goes to show how serious manufacturers are now taking the situation we find ourselves in. The A3 1.9 TDIe is powered by a reworked diesel unit and this combined with aerodynamic tweaks, low-resistance tyres and a ‘recommended gear’ display mean the Audi will travel 62.8 miles for every gallon on the combined cycle. So, if you you’re looking for a car with green credentials, but don’t want to compromise on quality, the A3 1.9 TDIe may tick all the boxes you require.

Citroen C1 1.0i Vibe 3 door

The Citroen C1 could just as easily be substituted with the Peugeot 107 or the Toyota Aygo as they all share the same platforms and the same engines, that said the C1 was chosen for one thing and one thing alone, price. Designed in collaboration between the three manufacturers, all are extremely capable city cars with low road fund bandings and good mpg figures, slight cosmetic differences are really the only things that set the models apart, that and the fact that Citroen run slightly better offers making them the lowest priced model. Powered by a one litre petrol engine the C1 will return 61.8 miles per gallon on the combined cycle and has Co2 emissions of 108 g/km.

New BMW 1 Series 118d EfficientDynamics

Voted World green car of the year in 2008 by 47 journalists from 24 different countries, the BMW 118d EfficientDynamics makes use of energy capture systems, brake energy regeneration, auto stop-start, optimum gear-shift change indicators, electric power steering and lightweight body panels to achieve a quite remarkable 62.8 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. With BMW expecting sales of 700,000 cars a year in Europe that have EfficientDynamics incorporated, the fuel savings are estimated to be in the region of 33 million gallons, quite a substantial saving by anyone’s book

Ford Fiesta ECOnetic

When it comes to economical new cars the Ford Fiesta ECOnetic has to be up there with the best of them. Powered by a specially tuned 1.6 litre diesel engine the Fiesta ECOnetic is the most economical Ford and possibly the most economical car around at the moment. Longer gear ratio’s, a gear change indicator, aerodynamic wheel trims, low rolling resistance tyres, lowered suspension and the fact that it weighs about 40 kgs less than the outgoing Fiesta mean that the ECOnetic will let you drive 76.3 miles on the combined cycle for every gallon of diesel you put in. Ford may be struggling in the US, but with figures like these the Fiesta ECOnetic it sure to prove a big hit in Europe.

Volkswagen Touran 1.9 TDI DPF BlueMotion S 105 5dr

Unfortunately not everybody can utilise a small city car or hatchback, after all some people do have families and this obviously restricts their choice when it comes to buying a new car. For those in that position, Volkswagen has come to the rescue in the form of the Touran Bluemotion. The Extremely popular MPV sports a new front grille and air intake, optimised aerodynamics, lower suspension and higher gearing along with low rolling resistance tyres, combined, these improvements mean that the Touran Bluemotion will return 52.3 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. Proving you don’t necessarily have to downsize to do your little bit.

New Toyota Prius 1.5 VVT-i

When launched, the Toyota Prius was seen by many as just a gimmick, as a result both Lexus and its parent company, Toyota, have stolen a bit of a march over their competitors. Exemption from the London congestion charge has certainly helped to raise the profile of the Prius and as a result it has become a common sight on the roads throughout the UK. Powered by a 1.5 litre petrol engine and a high output electric motor the Prius switches between the two, the electric motor takes charge at low speeds (up to 28 mph), with the petrol engine taking the strain at higher speeds. The result, a combined cycle of 65.7 miles per gallon, making the Toyota Prius an ideal car not only for the city, but also for those who choose to commute.

Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI PD 80 GreenLine

Another offering from the Volkswagen stable to take a trip down to the wind tunnel is the Skoda Fabia Greenline, it may not quite match up to the Polo Bluemotion or the Seat Ibiza Ecomotive, it is however, quite a bit more frugal than the rest of the Fabia range. Achieving 68.9 miles per gallon on the combined cycle, the Greenline should theoretically drive 689 miles on a full tank, put into perspective, that’s seventy miles more than a standard Fabia 1.4 TDI. The Greenline may cost a little more than its siblings, but with petrol and diesel prices as they are, it won’t take very long before you’ve recouped the cash.

New Mazda 2 1.3 TS

Generally, as we get older, we add weight, something that also seems to happen to cars. Redesigns and facelifts always seem to add a few pounds here and there and as a result larger, more powerful engines are required just to achieve the same performance. Not so with the new Mazda 2. When Mazda launched the new 2 model it weighed in an incredible 100 kgs lighter than the model it replaced. It’s safer (five stars from EuroNCAP for adult occupants), has more equipment as standard, yet still manages 52.3 miles per gallon on the combined cycle, quite an achievement really.



CARMA

Jhoana Cooper asked:


Whether you buy a new car or a used one, one of the most important ways to enjoy your experience is the car dealer you will discuss with.  Nowadays, car dealers can be found anywhere but the fact is that you need a car you like for the best rate you can obtain. Fortunately, the internet represents a wonderful tool which can help you locate any dealer you please.

Car dealers that you can rely on are exactly what you need when shopping for a new car. They will put at your disposal a variety of makes and models to choose from, the essential thing being having enough money at your disposal. Car dealers will present you all the possibility and we advice you not to limit yourself to just one model. The availability of the model you are keen on will restrict your ability to negotiate a better price.

New car prices can be quite overwhelming, but we say it is worth it as long as you find your dream car. However, once you have spotted something you like, you have checked out its price and talked to the dealer, don’t forget to take the car for a spin in order to see if it really is what you are looking for. The test drive will enable you to feel the real performance of the vehicle and if it meets your expectations. Car dealers who don’t let you take the car for a drive because of certain reasons must be avoided.

New car prices can also be a good deal as long as you buy the vehicle in a certain period when you can find discounts on car prices. Car dealers companies offer special promotions, especially on holidays and long weekends. If you want to get a discount for the car, we suggest keeping an eye on local newspapers and TV commercials.

Another good period for purchasing a new car is the end of the year, because most car dealers want to sell their vehicles. The only disadvantage is the fact that the value of the vehicle will depreciate faster because it will be one year old, but if you are planning to keep the car for a longer period of time this doesn’t have any importance.

New car prices can be lower at the end of the month, because car dealers have monthly quotas that they must meet.  Thus, you will obtain a better new car pricing and if the dealers haven’t met their quota yet, they will offer you a good deal so that they can close the sale. Also, don’t forget about the end of the model year, since dealers want to sell previous models and their price goes down.

There are several advantages to purchasing a new car but this represents your most expensive option. New car prices are higher than used cars prices because new cars will offer you the newest comfort and safety features, being dependable and not needing repairs for a period of time.

As you can see, buying a new car is quite a challenge but it presents several advantages that you will enjoy, even if you will have to pay more than for purchasing a used car. However, don’t rush into purchasing a car, without thinking exactly of what you need and how much you can afford. Once you narrow down your options, you will know what to buy and how much to pay for it.



JACQULINE

Victor Epand asked:


What one is better for your situation? You may not know because cars are so expensive and those that are higher priced may be too much for you.

New Cars

There are many different cars that you can pick from. Most new cars will have some great advantages in regards to finding your auto parts. You may also notice that the new cars are easier on gas than the other used cars that you may find. Another good thing about a new car is that you will get all the newest auto parts and accessories for it and can find them very easily. New cars also give you the look of having some money and knowing how to use it. You will find that you are looked at differently than if you go with a car that is used and may have dents in it or make a loud noise when you are driving it. On the other hand, you will have to pay a lot of money for a new car and financing is not always available to everyone.

Used Cars

When you are looking into used cars, you may not know what you should be looking for. These cars can be hard to find auto parts for if you get a car that is really very old. Sometimes you can get a good used car that looks and runs like it was a new one. These are really very rare and you may have to deal with problems that you didn’t see before you got it. Used cars are also not the best on gas sometimes. This is because they are not using the newest technology as well as not having the better engines. You can get a used car for a nice chunk of money instead of going into a whole bunch of debt and you can get these cars if you are someone that doesn’t care about what you look like when you are in the car.

Whatever you decide to do, you should get the right car and the auto parts that go with it, for you. This may not be an obvious thing to see, but you can do it if you try. Many people will just jump in the car and not think about any of the issues that may go with it. Don’t make that choice and get the one that is good for you.



EDIE

Buddy Evans asked:


How Much Can You Really Afford to Spend on a New Car?

by Buddy Evans, Vice President of Big Bucks Auto™

Are you in the market for a new car? If so, it’s important to figure out what you can afford to spend — before going shopping. By doing some simple math and evaluating your current situation, you’ll be prepared to shop for a car you want – and can afford!

How Much Can You Spend on Monthly Car Payments

The first thing to figure out is how much you can afford to spend on monthly car payments. Most experts argue that you should not spend more than 20% of your monthly gross income on a car payment. In special situations this figure may vary, but as a rule for the average adult, sticking to 20% or less of monthly gross will likely be a wise move.

Short Term vs. Long Term Car Loan

Once you determine a safe figure for monthly car payments, you should consider the loan term. Remember that a longer car loan will mean much more interest paid over time, while a shorter car loan term will mean less interest but higher monthly payments.

Coming Up with a Down Payment

And what about your current car, assuming you have or had one?

Selling Your Current Car

If you already sold your car you may have some available cash to contribute as a down payment. Any down payment you make is great as it will cut down on monthly car payments. If you still need to get rid of your current car, be sure to consider selling your car before simply trading it in to the dealer. You can usually expect much more money from selling your car than trading it in. If time is an issue, look for a reputable used car buyers like Big Bucks Auto™ in New York Tri-State Area.

If you already sold your car and have some leftover cash from the sale, consider keeping it for a down payment on your next new car. Any down payment you make will cut down monthly payments significantly.

Leased Car

If you’re currently leasing a car, you’ll need to either wait until your lease term expires – or get out of your lease early. To learn more about getting out of a lease, read “Getting out Of Your Used Car Lease”.

And if you have savings or other available cash, this may be used as a down payment as well if you choose to do so.

Car Insurance Costs

Insurance costs are another major consideration when figuring out how much you can spend on your new car. A sports car or a high theft car will likely have a far higher insurance premium than a run-of-the-mill sedan. To put this into perspective, remember that two new cars with sticker prices of $20,000.00 each may have insurance premiums which vary by as much as 50% – or more! In other words, it’s very important to figure out – roughly – how much insurance is going to cost for all of the new cars your interested in.

Car Maintenance Costs

Then there are maintenance costs to consider. Some new cars will be far more expensive to repair than others. Foreign cars, for example, may be quite expensive to repair. However, many of these cars now come with warranties and free scheduled maintenance. New offers like this may actually make cars which used to be expensive to fix, far less expensive than other ‘cheap to fix’ cars! Therefore, the maintenance issue should be evaluated on a car-by-car and offer-by-offer basis, as manufacturers and their offers vary significantly.

After considering these simple factors, you’ll be prepared to go out and shop for a car that truly fits the bill, financially speaking.



EULA

Adam Singleton asked:


No car lasts forever, but when they do finally break down for the last time it always seems to happen at the worst possible moment. If you are used to relying on your car to get around, suddenly finding yourself without one can cause major problems. It’s harder to get to work, it takes longer, and trying to do the weekly shopping without relying on the car is almost impossible.

The problem is, it’s not always as simple as popping out to buy a new one. Quite apart from the paperwork side of things, there’s the question of money to consider. How can you get a new car if you can’t afford to buy one? Your first thought will probably be to get a car loan to help you buy your next vehicle, but if you have a bad credit rating your bank is unlikely to look favourably on lending you money.

Of course the amount of money you need will depend largely on what kind of car you want to buy. If you are finding it hard to get the money together then you will no doubt be looking at the cheapest cars you can find. This can be a temptation you might be better off avoiding however. Buying a cheap car can leave you open to the possibility of further break downs and repairs in the near future, as the car is already several years old.

Happily there is another solution. Even car hunters with poor credit ratings can apply and be accepted for personal car finance through specialist lenders and brokers, which has two main benefits over other solutions.

Firstly you’ll often find that the loan is secured on the car itself, which means you won’t need to put up any security to make the loan possible. Secondly you will also be able to afford a much better car than you would be able to otherwise, meaning it will last far longer and be much more reliable as a result.

One of the main problems of having a bad credit history is the task of improving it again. It can be done of course, but it generally takes time and it can hamper your chances of getting credit anywhere else until your rating improves. This is where car finance can come in very useful, because as long as you meet your monthly payments you will be improving your credit rating with every month that goes by. This can have an enormous effect on your future status.

So if your car is looking decidedly shabby and it’s time to find a new one, there’s no need to worry about how you are going to afford it. A personal car loan direct from a car finance company might be the perfect solution.



REINA

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Travel can be accomplished in two ways. That of comfort and that of great look and superior performance. To help the individual stand out from the rest there are plenty of cool new cars to be found. These cars are built for speed, looks and they come with a host of impressive equipment speak of luxury.

You will most of the top automotive dealers engaged in the production of the cool new cars. The price bracket for the various cars will depend on the car brand, the type of car, what features have been added to it and how old the car is. You will find these various details out when you start the hunt for the best cool car of your dreams.

The more expensive cool new cars are ones like the Saab Aero X. This cool car has a stylish interior and exterior. It is a two-seater sports coupe. Unlike other cars that you will find in the industry this Saab does not have any doors, but getting in and out of the car is very easy because of the low slung cabin. The additional feature of this car is that there is a cockpit like canopy that offers the driver a full 180 degree vision.

Now this you have to admit is one of the cool new cars to hit the car market. You will also look fantastic driving in this Saab Aero X. Another of the cool new cars that you will find is that of the Lamborghini Murcielago roadster. This roadster is considered to be the number one coolest car around.

When you drive in one of these cars you will be living in yours and every kid’s dream car. This cool car is very stylish looking and the 580 horsepower along with the four wheel drive makes this a fantastic car to drive. As with all of the Lamborghini cool new cars the doors of this model also open in the upwards style that is the trademark of this car range.

To get the ultimate in American sports cars you should look at the Dodge Viper. This is a car that demands attention from those passing the Viper by and even from the driver of this magnificent vehicle. The cost of buying this ultimate in affordable sports cars is that of $100,000.

These are just a few of the many cool new cars you will find. While there are many more cool cars, there is no way to let you see the raw power and beauty of these beautiful works of art. The only way you can experience this feeling is to see them up close and personal.



WILBURN

Andrew Regan asked:


When it’s time to buy a new car there are lots of questions to consider before you can actually drive one away.

Firstly you need to think about the type of car that’s right for you. Do you need a bigger car than the one you currently have? Would you prefer a five door instead of a three door? Now is the time to work out the answers to these kinds of questions and get the car you really want.

Finding out what kind of car you need will give you a much better idea of how much money it will cost you to get it. You can then look at the different options you have available to you to make your car a reality. If you have a poor credit rating then checking out your options like this can go a long way towards choosing the best deal for you and your own personal circumstances.

The most obvious way to fund the purchase of a new car is to get a loan of some kind. The two basic types are secured and unsecured, and they both have their advantages and disadvantages. Generally speaking a secured loan will have a lower interest rate than an unsecured loan, but if you have poor credit then you may find it harder to get a competitive loan with a low interest rate in any event.

That’s why it can pay dividends to go to a specialist company which provides both your new car and competitive car finance to go with it. This is because the loans they offer are generally secured against the actual car, rather than against something else that you currently own. Some secured loans use your property as collateral, which you may not want to do – and if you are a tenant this won’t be possible anyway.

Furthermore if you do have a poor credit rating you are much more likely to get personal car finance with a dedicated car company than you might be with a standard bank. The important thing is to work out your sums before you buy the car you would like to get in order to ensure it is the best choice for you and that you can make the monthly repayments without any trouble.

Quite often people find themselves having to look for a new car very quickly, because their old one lets them down one too many times to be worth keeping any longer. This is where you need to know you can get the finance you need to get a new car straightaway, rather than having to wait for a bank to come to a decision.

Whatever kind of finance option you choose, make sure that you keep all the relevant paperwork in a safe place, together with your car documents. That way, if there is ever any need to refer back to them or find a piece of information, you’ll know exactly where to look.



TABITHA

Andrew Regan asked:


In addition to shedding the excess pounds gained over the festive period, many decide to use the beginning of the calendar year to engage in some much-needed spring cleaning. Apart from replacing household appliances and getting rid of unwanted gifts, many decide to start the New Year by buying a new car. But before you rush off to the nearest dealership, there are a few practical concerns that must be evaluated before undertaking such an endeavour.

First, assess your needs as a car user. Changes to your household might have influenced your decision to look for a larger or smaller car, so think about how this will alter your needs. For example, if your current car has a larger boot and enough seats for children that have now grown up and left the home, a smaller car and a smaller boot may be in order.

Second, consider the engine and fuel efficiency. How much distance do you cover on a regular basis? If you are planning to do more than just travelling to and back from work with the odd weekend trip, it could be better to opt for a diesel engine. Diesel engines have a higher fuel efficiency compared to standard petrol engines and are better for the environment due to lower CO2 emissions.

When test-driving a potential new car, keep in mind how it compares to your current one. Test-drive the car for as long as is necessary and try to drive on a bumpy road, and, if it’s possible, take it onto the highway. If the car has an automatic transmission, pay particular attention to it, as it is relatively easy to break and relatively expensive to repair. If possible, also try to test-drive another car of the same model for comparison.

When it comes to where to buy a new car, consumers are simply spoilt for choice. In addition to franchised dealers and car supermarkets, online car classifieds have become increasingly popular. If you do decide to use the latter, make sure to do your research properly before parting with any money for the car. Also be sure to get all the necessary paperwork with your purchase, such as a receipt as proof of purchase, a copy of the warranty, the service book and the logbook.

Remember that buying a car is one of the most important decisions of any household and you should never part with your money without complete peace of mind. Bearing the aforementioned points in mind should ensure that you won’t be looking for a new car next year too.



TIARA

Cheow Yu Yuan asked:


If you own a car which is more than 5 years old, do you wish to make it look like a new car? It is definitely possible with auto detailing. Auto detailing is the process to make any old and used car look like a new one. With proper auto detailing, you can make your old car looks like a brand new one, and impress other car enthusiasts.

Why car grooming is so important to some car owners? When you want to sell your old car, you need to make it attractive enough so that potential buyers will be attracted to your vehicle. So, making its overall physical and exterior appearance nicer will increase your chance of selling away your old model.

Before any car grooming activity, there need to have an evaluation of your car. Evaluations will be focused on the exterior of the car such as its paint, wheel and tire. However, the car interior is also very important because it shows how the car has been used and taken care of by you. Therefore, you can see a lot of owners try their best effort to make their interior look superior just like the exterior.

Now, let us discuss some of the tips that you should take note of so that you can make your old car looks like a new one:

1. Keep your car in a roofed area or garage during auto detailing. This is because paint and wax do not work well under sunlight. Therefore, it is strongly not advisable to wash your car exterior under the sun as it will just make your exterior look bad over time.

2. Always clean your car from top to bottom. This is a general thumb of rule. The law of gravity applies.

3. Always use a towel or brush to wipe away excess was on your car’s exterior. After grooming, there will surely be wax that is left over on your car’s exterior. So remember to wipe it off.

4. Do not use cold water to wash your car. Especially after your car has just been from the road, using cold water to wash your car can damage the car’s hot part like exhaust pipe and brakes. You should let your car cool down for at least 30 minutes before washing.

With hard work and determination, you can surely make your car looks new again with auto detailing activity. So, you will be able to drive out your elegant car once again.



LAI

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Speed is something that many sports car lovers want to experience. To help you get that awesome feeling of flying there are a number of great fast new cars to check out. We are for the most part very familiar with these types of fast moving cars. The Saleen S7 Twain Turbo is said to be a fantastically fast car.

The aerodynamics of fast new cars like this will let you zip along even upside down. The 750 horsepower engine will make sure that the speed of this car keeps you glued to the seat of the car even when the car is not touching the ground. For those of you who like to experience this feeling of ultra speed.

This car was dubbed as being one of the fastest new cars to hit the streets when it was released in 1995. For ten great years the McLaren F1 held that title. The maximum speed this fast new car could achieve was 240mph. even though the McLaren F1 is considered as being one of the fast new cars there are many items about this car that can make it an exotic car as well.

The F1 McLaren was made from costly carbon fiber. The engine compartment lid was a gold covering as this was considered as being a good heat deflecting material. As this car is made from carbon fibers it is very light causing this car to be able to travel at very high speeds. There is one other feature about the McLaren F1 that makes it unlike the other fast new cars.

This is the placing of the driver’s seat. In many of the other cars you will find the driver’s seat is placed at the right or left side front seats. The V12 McLaren F1 has the driver sitting in the very middle of the front section. In short where the usual front seats are the drivers seat is the only seat. Behind this seat there are two jump seats. These are located on ether side of the driver’s seat.

The Ferrari F430 is yet another of the many fast new cars that can be found. This car has an aluminum structured body. This light weight substance allows the driver to push the car to the ultimate fast speeds. For this car it takes about 4 seconds to reach about 60 mph. the maximum speed that this car can reach is that of 190pmh.

There are cars and then there are fast new cars. These really fast cars are designed to reach the high speeds of 190mph quite quickly. These are fantastic cars not only to look at but also to drive. For lovers of speed these are the ideal cars to buy.



MICHEAL

carazoo.com asked:


The Indian car market is crowded with a number of new and used cars. With such a wide option of car models in the country, it often becomes a challenging task to decide which car to buy. Even after the decision is fixed on a particular car model, car consumers keep pondering over which is better, new or used.

However, everyone would love to own a new car because of the brilliant appeal, newly adorned interiors, new engine and a new feel of driving. All these look good and appealing unless the thought of finance, insurance, and depreciation enters the mind.

Car finance, Car insurance, and depreciation are key factors that influence the decision of a car buyer. It is because of these that some car buyers prefer used cars over new cars.

Below is the detailed explanation of the key factors:

Car Insurance: When it comes to buying a new car, insurance is comparatively more as compared to used cars. When a person buys a new car, he or she has to cover the insurance of all spare parts, car components and he also tries to cover all the amounts he owes in the payment. In case of used cars, insurance is much low because the car owner has already shell out some amount on the insurance. When it comes to car parts, new car parts require less insurance as compared to pre-owned car parts and accessories.

Car Depreciation: Depreciation is defined as a decline in the capital value of an asset. In terms of car, the value of car reduces as soon as it moves out of any car showroom. Even though it is one day old, the car would be counted under the list of second hand cars. The car owner would never get the value he paid for buying the car when he sells the car. This is known as car depreciation. Within a couple of years, the car loses much of its value. It’s similar to buying a mobile phone. Today if you buy a phone for Rs 20,000 and if you go to sell the same mobile three months later, you won’t even get half the price. The same is the case with used cars, but obviously the depreciation would be much lesser than news cars.

Car Finance: Talking about the finance, obviously used cars are cheaper than new cars and hence require less finance. Taking a loan for new cars involves greater risk compared to that taken for used cars. This is because new cars require more finance and if any single month the car owner is not able to pay the monthly installment due to certain loss, the financer takes away the car. Atleast with used cars, the EMI would be low and chances are there that the owner is able to manage the finance to pay the installment.



BEATRIZ

Musa Aykac asked:


If you are deciding to buy yourself a new motor you may be wondering whether to grab yourself a used vehicle or a brand new one. Both type of cars have there benefits, but they both equally have there drawbacks, which we will now take a look at.

Although a lot more people buy used cars, it is slowly starting to change because of the facts that there are a lot of companies that are now offering good finance deals, whereas it is not only the rich that can now afford a brand new motor. But the ratio in which used motors are selling over brand new ones is still very much higher; but this being said there are still some main drawbacks with used motors, which are as follows:

Firstly used motors will not give you the latest gadgets and features that a new motor has the capability of delivering. Next although you may obtain a perfectly working car, it will be hard to find out about its past. The vehicle may have blown its engine, and had a completely reconditioned one placed in, or it may have been involved in a high speed accident and eventually been repaired. You can although still get many benefits from a used car especially if you are on a strict budget. Basically the cars will be a lot cheaper and you will be able to choose from a wide selection of motors.

If you ultimately decide to choose yourself a brand new vehicle then you will have to weigh out the pros and cons. Basically when buying a brand new car you will ultimately be getting yourself all the latest technologies as well as a guaranteed working order vehicle. You should have no problem for at least three or four years. But in this equation comes the downsides, especially if you are getting the car on finance. A basic example which I am going to give you is when you purchase a new top of the range car it could cost anything between six thousand and seven thousand pounds. If you obtain a finance agreement for 2 years, the price of that car at the end of the agreement could be slashed by up to 70%. That is a massive amount on which you could save yourself for a two year wait.

Whatever option you choose you should carefully weigh out the cons and pros of each. If ultimately you still find yourself in a hole you could always consider car leasing deals, which are now a very attractive option.



DAISY