How hard do you work to take home $2000? Does it really matter if you put air in your tires? Do oil changes really matter, or is that a myth? Do you know why smart people buy used vehicles rather than new? Would you like to cut your gas bill? "Auto Issues" will surprise you and, oh yes, it will save you money.
As average gas prices climb over $4 per gallon, lots of us are feeling the pain at the pump. As the price of a fill-up climbs toward $70 and beyond, the thought of trading for a more fuel-efficient vehicle is appealing. In addition, the news is full of stories about slow sales and economic pressures on auto manufacturers and dealers. Maybe, you think, now could be a good time to get a good deal on a new or used vehicle. Yes or no? The answer depends on your individual financial situation and needs in a vehicle. This report offers some questions to ask yourself and tips for savvy shopping.
What is your current financial situation?
Is your job stable or is the slow economy threatening your industry, company, or job? Are you easily staying within your budget and income or are you stretched, perhaps having some trouble paying bills? If your financial picture is secure, now may be a good time to trade. But first, think about the following questions.
Many people are keeping their cars longer. According to a recent report by the research company R. L. Polk & Co., the median age of operational passenger cars in 2007 was 9.2 years. Take good care of your car or truck and it will give you many years of service. Extra service years can save you money long-term. In the current economic climate, all of us are looking for ways to trim our spending. Here's how to stretch the good life for your wheels.
Maintaining Your Vehicle
Many of today's vehicles can last for well over 100,000 miles with few major repairs. The key to this longevity is proper and timely maintenance.
eBay has become the gorilla of vehicles sales virtually overnight—they’ve facilitated over two million vehicle sales since starting their program. What’s not to like about that?
A lot of things. Before you even head to the eBay site to simply poke around, think about this:
Dealerships just love it when you trade in your old vehicle. Why? They give you "wholesale" for it (if you're lucky) then "retail" it to another customer, charging that customer thousands more.
Why should the dealership make that extra money? Why not pocket that money yourself by "retailing" your car to an individual rather than trading it? You may particularly wish to consider selling your vehicle if it's older but nice and reliable. Many people are looking for very affordable, but reliable transport. So you can take a vehicle that a dealer might give you just a few hundred or thousand for and make more money. Both you and your buyer can come out ahead. Of course, you can also do well on selling a newer vehicle.
Yes, you read that headline correctly. If you are thinking of buying a new or used vehicle and you want to save money, I recommend first taking five steps before you even think of heading to a dealership showroom or website to shop. When many of us feel that first itch for a new vehicle, we think first about dropping by a dealership to browse—look at a few models, lift a few hoods, check out a few prices. Not a great idea—dealerships love to see innocent browsers pull on to the lot. Or maybe, you just like to cruise the local dealership websites. That's a better idea, but still not one designed to save you money or to really help you find the right car for you and your family. Instead, when that itch strikes, stop and take these five steps. Your wallet will thank you.
With recent high and volatile gasoline prices, do you have to resuscitate your wallet every time you leave the gas pump? You are not alone. All around the country, drivers of gas sippers and gas guzzlers alike (yes, even hybrid drivers) are looking for ways to save on fuel. Finding the cheapest gas in your area is a start, but there are lots of other ways you can increase fuel efficiency and cut down on the amount of gas you have to buy. This review rounds up tips on how you can beat the gas pump blues.
Insuring your vehicle can be confusing, particularly since Colorado last year dropped its “no fault” system of insurance. What is required by state law and what you should have can be different. This report provides reviews the of various types of coverage available and describes which ones you should have.
Types of Auto Insurance Coverage
Let’s start with descriptions of the various coverages that can be found in an auto insurance policy.
More and more automobile dealerships across the country are adding mandatory binding arbitration clauses to contracts for new and used vehicles as well as to financing contracts. By signing the contract, the consumer is agreeing to binding arbitration to settle any future dispute and also waiving the right to sue or appeal—even if the dealership committed fraud.
Although voluntary arbitration can be a good tool for some disputes, mandatory, pre-dispute arbitration poses several real dangers to consumers. In fact, the dealers must agree it poses dangers—after all, they fought hard for a federal law that prohibits automotive manufacturers from requiring dealers to accept mandatory binding arbitration in contracts between the manufacturers and dealers!
So let's look at what arbitration is and the dangers posed to consumers by pre-event mandatory binding arbitration requirements.
As if the economic times haven't been tough enough, gasoline prices hit record highs in recent months. Even a few extra cents a gallon can add up quickly into lots of dollars. But, with some attention to the following tips, you can keep your costs for gasoline and for operating your vehicle as low as possible. It's not a bad idea as the holiday driving season approaches.
Saving on gasoline
No matter whether you drive a compact that averages 30 mpg or a SUV that averages 13 mpg, you can cut gasoline costs by paying attention to where you buy gas, how you maintain your vehicle, and how you drive it.
Your Available Cash is the maximum amount you have to spend on a vehicle. This calculator enables you to determine 1) the amount of cash a vehicle loan will yield and 2) the total Available Cash from all sources, including the loan, you have to purchase the vehicle.
If the estimated amount of Available Cash is too little for the vehicle you would like to purchase, you have several options. A higher monthly payment and/or a longer loan term will typically yield higher initial Loan Cash, thus increasing your Available Cash. You may also want to consider alternative vehicles that better fit your budget.
This calculator is solely for
informational purposes. It gives you reasonably accurate estimate of your Available Cash. Results for your actual loan will vary based on your final rate and loan amount.
Consumer Guides 
August 2008
May 2008
June 2007
Dealerships just love it when you trade in your old vehicle. Why? They give you "wholesale" for it (if you're lucky) then "retail" it to another customer, charging that customer thousands more.
More and more automobile dealerships across the country are adding mandatory binding arbitration clauses to contracts for new and used vehicles as well as to financing contracts. By signing the contract, the consumer is agreeing to binding arbitration to settle any future dispute and also waiving the right to sue or appeal—even if the dealership committed fraud.
