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3 things to know before shopping for a new car

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:30:01 EST

3 things to know before shopping for a new car Doing your research before ever setting foot on a car lot can save you thousands.

If you're on the market for a new car, you may be tempted to get started at the car dealership. But before you start scoping out new models, it pays to do some research at your computer. Here are three things you should know you start shopping for a new car:

1. How much the car should cost.
A wealth of pricing information is easily available both online and through established publications. You can find out the base price of a car and how much various features add to that price, including special package deals. Some Web sites make it easy to compare features and prices on similar models made by different manufacturers, such as mid-size crossover SUVs. Armed with this information, you have more power when bargaining with the dealer.

2. How much you can afford to spend.
Most people decide how much they can afford when shopping for a new car based on the size of the monthly payments. Ultimately, though, you need to figure out how much car you can afford based on those monthly payments. A lender can help you figure out what you can afford to spend, and for how many months. The amount of interest you pay also will be clear. You might be better off having higher payments for a shorter term rather than stretching out repayment for more than five years.

3. Your financing options.
Do your research before you go to the dealership. Financing is another way for dealers to make money, and some might tuck hidden costs into the deal. Armed with knowledge about how much a car should cost and how much you can spend, you can figure out, for example, whether you would save more money by taking a rebate and applying it to the down payment than by the dealer's zero percent financing. Also, to get the best deal, negotiate the price of the car before you discuss financing or whether you'll be trading in another vehicle. You can also finance your car through an independent lender. (You can shop for auto loan offers from multiple lenders through LendingTree.com.)

Increasing your gas mileage

Fri, 13 Apr 2007 10:30:36 EST

Increasing your gas mileage Save money on gas by following these simple tips.

Are your visits to the gas pump leaving your wallet a little thinner than you want? Did you know that there are measures you can take to increase your gas mileage and help you save money when you fill up? Here are some tips you can follow to increase your gas mileage and hopefully see some savings at the gas station.

Change your filters
Did you know that changing the filters in your car can boost your gas mileage? If your filters are gunked up, the systems in your car have to work harder to perform, thus making your gas mileage decrease. When you get your car checked out by a certified mechanic (or when you get an oil change), have him or her take a look at your filters so you know when its time to have them replaced. Your new filters will probably only cost you a few dollars, but you'll probably see some considerable savings at the gas pump!

Get regular oil changes
When your oil needs to be changed, the systems in your car experience more friction than normal, which causes your gas mileage to decrease. Check your car's owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommendation for scheduling oil changes, as well as what grade oil to use. You may also want to talk to a certified mechanic about whether synthetic oil could help you improve your car's gas mileage.

Downgrade your octane
When you go to the gas pump, you may notice that the lowest octane gas is the least expensive. Unless your car's owner's manual warns against using low-octane gas, go ahead and fill up with your cheapest option. Your car won't necessarily run any better or worse, and you can see some significant savings at the gas station.

Check your tire pressure
In your car's owner's manual or on a sticker on the frame of your car, you should be able to locate your manufacturer's recommendation for tire pressure. Get a reliable pressure gauge and check your tire pressure regularly. Try to stay within the recommended range so that you can get the best gas mileage possible. Generally, the higher your tire pressure, the better gas mileage you will get. Just be sure that you don't go over the recommended range so that you don't cause any undue wear and tear on your tires.

You might also want to see how adjusting your travel schedule and driving at different speeds affects your gas mileage. You might find that driving at off-peak times and keeping a steadier pace can save you money at the pump. Also be sure to talk to a certified mechanic about other things you can do to increase your gas mileage. He or she may have some good recommendations for simple and easy things that you can do to save money at the gas pump.

Spring car care tips

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:30:39 EST

Spring car care tips You can prepare the interior and exterior of your car for warmer weather by following some simple spring cleaning tips.

The changing seasons mean different things for your vehicle. The following spring car cleaning tips can help you protect yourself and your investment.

The interior
Do you carry a sandbag or other heavy object in your trunk to improve how your rear-wheel-drive vehicle handles in the snow? If so, when the snow and ice melt, it's time to clean out your trunk. Doing so will improve your gas mileage because you lighten your car's load and this can mean considerable savings at the gas station.

You might also want to prepare the interior surfaces and upholstery of your car for more sun exposure. If you have leather seats, use a good leather protector to avoid any cracking and if you have cloth interiors invest in a product that will help avoid fading from sun exposure.

The exterior
The exterior of your car is exposed to different elements during different seasons. During the winter, it can be easy to let washing your car fall by the wayside. Your paint job and windshield may accumulate debris from the snow, as well as from the salt used on the streets to melt the snow. This could cause your car to have a cloudy appearance which is not only unattractive, but could also impair your vision. Take your car in for a professional wash so that you can rid your car's exterior of any residue left over from the winter months and pay close attention to your tires, which can also suffer from buildup during the snowy season.

Also remember that spring is allergy season. This means that your car will probably be covered in pollen at some point. Pollen build up on your car can not only worsen your allergy symptoms, but impair your vision on the road, so be vigilant about keeping your car washed.

Give your car a thorough inspection
This means taking a good luck at the underside of your car and inspecting it for any rust or other corrosion caused by the winter months. Winter's salt and snow can wreak havoc on the seldom seen parts of your car, and the longer they go undiscovered, the more dangerous and expensive they get. Also pay close attention to your fluid levels. See if you need to change or refill your oil, wiper fluid, coolant and other lubricants to help prepare your car for the warmer months. If you aren't comfortable evaluating the condition of your car yourself, take it in to a mechanic that you trust.

How to extend your car's life

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:30:39 EST

How to extend your car's life Extending the life of your car can save you money and keep you safe on the road. Here are some tips to keep you running smoothly.

For most people, buying a car is a significant financial investment, especially since it usually involves several years worth of payments In order to protect your investment and extend the life of your car, it's important to properly maintain your vehicle. Here are some tips that can help ensure your car runs safely and smoothly for as long as possible.

Find a mechanic you trust
One of the best ways to protect your investment and extend the life of your car is to find a mechanic that you trust. Some mechanics specialize in working on certain makes of cars, which means that they're familiar with the maintenance procedures and problems that are unique to particular vehicles. Ask friends and family who they trust to take care of their cars and investigate their qualifications. You may also find that your local Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau can make some good recommendations of reputable mechanics in your area.

Stay on a schedule
Your car's owner's manual is not going to be the most exciting read, but studying up can help you make a schedule for maintenance procedures. Find out what procedures should be done when your odometer reaches a certain amount of miles. Also keep tabs on when you need to get your oil changed, when you need new tires and when you should get your brakes, filters, spark plugs and fluids checked. Keeping a calendar for your car can help keep minor repairs from turning to major disasters.

Remember that ignorance is not bliss
If you hear any strange whirs or feel any unusual bumps when you're driving, make a point to get it checked out sooner rather than later. Getting problems taken care of early can not only save you money and help you protect your investment, but it can also help keep you and others safe on the road.

The new green cars

Thu, 1 Mar 2007 10:30:49 EST

The new green cars Hybrid cars are a little more expensive, but can be less expensive to run.

With gas prices and pollution levels rising, many people are seeking vehicles that run on alternative sources of energy. The timing couldn't be better for the current crop of hybrid cars.

Unplugged
Electric cars, once touted as the wave of the future, have proven impractical. They run down their batteries pretty quickly - usually after less than 100 miles - and need four to six hours to recharge. This makes them more suitable for city driving. The technology has been adapted for use in hybrid vehicles, which are proving to be much more practical and commercially successful.

Hybrids
Hybrid cars aren't just easier on the environment, they also get better gas mileage than conventional cars. With 2004 sales of hybrids projected to top 100,000 in the U.S., car manufacturers are getting ready to add new models - including the first hybrid SUVs - to the handful available now.

The hybrid car is designed to give drivers the same convenience as any other car. You can drive it long distances, accelerate quickly and there is no recharging time involved. In fact, until you look under the hood, you might not even realize you're in a hybrid car.

How they work
There are several hybrid engine designs, but they all combine gas and electric power. A car requires the most power during acceleration or on a steep hill, but can otherwise function quite well on a small engine. The electric power in a hybrid engine gives the gas engine a boost when additional power is needed. Because hybrid cars have the electric component, they can carry a smaller, more efficient engine than a comparable non-hybrid car. Smaller engines use less energy.

In addition to the combined use of power, hybrid cars have a number of design features to improve efficiency. These include lightweight building materials to reduce the overall weight of the car, aerodynamic shape and optimized tires to reduce drag, and regenerative braking, which allows the battery to charge as the car slows down.

The result is that hybrid cars get better mileage and create less pollution than their conventional counterparts.

How much do they cost?
Hybrid cars tend to cost more than purely gas-powered cars that are similar in size and features. But they are relatively affordable. The 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid Sedan has a Kelley Blue Book price of $19,828.00, while the 2004 Honda Civic LX Sedan clocks in at $14,967. The 2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid Sedan comes with a price tag of $21,226.00, less than $4,000 more than the 2004 Toyota Camry Sedan.

While several thousand dollars seems like a big difference up front, the higher price tag may be offset by lower long-term costs. Depending on how much you drive, you can save the price premium in gas over the life of your hybrid. You may also qualify for a tax deduction called the Clean-Fuel Vehicle Deduction.

The electric components of a hybrid car require no maintenance, but the rest of the car needs the same maintenance as any other vehicle. Replacing the batteries of a hybrid car can cost several thousand dollars, but most manufacturers offer long warranties on the hybrid components - usually about eight years.

The lifetime cost of a hybrid car is still slightly more than that of a conventional car, but the gap seems to be narrowing. For many drivers the benefit to the environment may be enough to make the cost difference worthwhile.

Think a hybrid's for you? Check out prices on used models at www.autoextra.com.