If there is a single action that you can take to make the auction process safer, it is deciding to take a mechanic with you to an auto auction.  Not only does this make sense from a common-sense standpoint, but it can provide you with a number benefits that you may not have thought of yet.  Regardless of what auction you attend, there is some element of risk involved because you cannot actually drive the vehicle before you purchase it.  Plus, you can’t return it if you end up deciding that it was an ill-advised purchase.  Here is a quick look at some of the most important reasons that you should take a mechanic with you to an auto auction.

One of the biggest and most overlooked benefits of taking a mechanic to an auto auction is that it helps you remain realistic.  If you think that you have found a great deal on a car that still needs a little work then it is easy to convince yourself that getting it fixed up will be no problem.  By having a mechanic with you at the auction, you will stay grounded.  A mechanic will not only let you know what will need to be fixed, but also let you know if the needed repairs could be a sign of something more serious and more expensive.  Mechanics have gained a lot of experiences over the course of their careers which you simply don’t have, because you simply don’t have thousands of difference car repair experiences to draw upon.  As a result, they can tell you how much work is really needed.  This is not only important for people who plan on sending their new purchase directly to get fixed, but also those who plan on trying to fix everything themselves.  If you are thinking about fixing everything yourself, then having someone outline everything that you will need to do is essential to helping you stay honest with yourself.

Another benefit of taking a mechanic with you to an auto auction is that they know how to spot damage cover-ups.  This is particularly helpful at public auctions where dealerships or lending institutions may try to make the car look and sound much more stable than it actually is.  A mechanic knows the tricks that can be used to improve the look and feel of a vehicle without investing a lot of money into repairs.  This information will help you determine what your maximum bid should be because you can factor in the expected expenses.  Keep in mind that the mechanic isn’t there to tell you which car to buy, but rather to help you factor the potential expenses into your final bid ceiling.

On the flip-side, a mechanic also helps you spot the real diamonds at the auction.  As an average car buyer, it is easy to get caught up in how something looks.  This often causes high quality, reliable cars to get overlooked because they had some body damage that looked more serious than it really is.  If your primary goal is to find a quality vehicle with less regard to overall aesthetics, then a mechanic will definitely help you spot the “real” best cars at the auction.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons to take a mechanic with you to an auto auction.  In the end, they can help you save money and make a smart purchase.  They do this by alerting you to any necessary repairs, potential repairs, and even potentially hidden damage that no one can see.  This will allow you to adjust your bid in order to compensate for the necessary repairs.  Additionally, a mechanic can spot a lemon as well as the hidden gems.

As auctions become a more popular way to purchase a vehicle, more people are wondering about transport and storage options for auto auction buyers. The amount of options has significantly increased over the years. There were a variety of factors that caused this, but one of the biggest is the internet. Now that more auto auctions are held online, the chances that the buyer and seller are nearby shrink significantly. Fortunately, there are several potential solutions that all have their own benefits and drawbacks.

The most important thing to keep in mind when it comes to shipping and storage options for auto auction buyers is that it is all on you. While some auction houses and online auto auction sites will have a system in place to handle transportation and/or storage, this isn’t always the case so you should always be prepared to take the initiative and handle it yourself. Before we get into specifics, it is important to keep in mind that when you make a purchase from an auction house, they have a small window (normally between 1 and 3 days) to pick up your vehicle so you need to have the transportation and storage strategy set up in advance.

The first question that you have to answer is whether you want to address storage and transportation together or separately. This will help you determine what your best options are. Additionally, in some cases the number of vehicles that you need shipped can affect which options are the most cost-effective as well.

Dealing With Transport and Storage Options For Auto Auction Buyers Together

If you want a one-stop-shop type of experience, then you have two primary options. The first is to work through the auction house when possible. This is particularly true if you are using online auction websites. In most cases, the websites team up with a nationwide network of vehicle transportation companies. This provides you with two advantages. The first is that the entire process is nearly hands-free. All you need to do is tell them where to deliver your vehicle (sometimes it will be delivered to a nearby auction house or shipping company). The second benefit is that this can be less expensive because multiple people are using the same thing. With more buyers, the average cost per person decreases. If a vehicle hauling truck is full, then the cost per car is much lower than if it was half-full.

The other way to handle these two issues together is by using a pods-like shipping service. With these services, you can get a portable storage container to keep your new car in and have it shipped directly to your front door. In most situations this will be a little more expensive, however you can also have other items in the pod at the same time, which could reduce your overall shipping costs.

Dealing With Transport and Storage Options For Auto Auction Buyers Separately

If you don’t want a “package deal” then you will need to address the transportation and storage independently One option is to pay someone to drive your car to you. This is becoming less common, but is still a viable strategy. In most cases, you will pay for all of their expenses (including a plane ticket back to their home) as well as some type of service charge. Another shipping option is to use a standard tow truck or moving truck to haul your new vehicle to you. Keep in mind that this can be expensive as well.

In terms of storage, you can often rent a storage space through the auction house. They tend to have partnerships with nearby storage services or will store it on-site. This is normally the best option if you plan on driving the vehicle yourself, but need to store it for a few months until you can actually get to it.

If you are not planning on going to pick up the vehicle yourself, the best transport and storage options for auto auction buyers is usually the all-in-one approach. It is not only a much easier solution to get in place, but it will normally be more cost-efficient because the process leverages thousands of auction buyers across the country who are all needing their vehicles shipped to them – thus decreasing the overall price.

Although now may be a good time to buy a car, there are a few things to keep in mind,  For example some of those cash-back offers from dealers apply only if you accept the dealer’s financing.

Be Realistic

There are many car-buying mistakes commonly made by buyers in the auto industry, in what can be a confusing process to buy a vehicle.  Most dealers are honest, reliable and hardworking local businessmen and women–but there are some precautions consumers should take before they purchase a car.

Mistake 1: buying the car you think you’ll need, rather than buying the one that suits your current needs best.  People often think that someday they will need to tow a boat or camper and so they buy a big truck or SUV but subsequently end up purchasing a more expense vehicle not needing the features it has.

Mistake 2: Purchasing a car at the beginning of the year. This mistake especially applies to luxury vehicles, which charge a premium for being the very latest and the very best in their class. In January, February and March, dealers have all year long to meet sales goals and sell inventory, but by the end of the year they’ll be anxious to clear their lots for new stock. What’s more, the minute the calendar changes to Jan. 1 and a newer model year becomes current, anything older than that immediately loses desirability.  In December often vehicles are heavily discounted or other incentives are offered.

Know the Market

Due diligence is so important and can prevent the buyer making many mistakes.

Mistake 3: Entering a showroom without knowing the prices of vehicles in mind, a list of must-haves and a budget.  Impulse buyers can make big blunders in this situation.  Determine the market value of the car you’d like to buy before hitting the lot – this will help when negotiations with the sales person starts.

Use Kelley Blue Book, NADA Guides, Cars.com, AutoTrader.com and Edmunds.com to find the true market value and the expected residual value of the car you want. EBay.com and Craigslist.com are also good resources for determining the street value of a car you’re considering.

Mistake 4: Talking too much.  Don’t tell the dealer more than they need to know, and never let on how desperate you are to buy a car.  And if you don’t feel that you can do this then take someone with you who can do the talking for you.

Mistake 5: Not factoring in all costs associated with buying a car.  Buyers need to include other costs such as insurance, finance, maintenance and servicing to get an overall picture of the true cost of the vehicle and compare that to their budget.  The residual value of the vehicle is important also for when the time comes to sell.

Mistake 6: Assuming you’ll use the dealer’s financing.  Dealers often set monthly payment amounts assuming they’ll make up the difference with the financing agreement. Instead, arrange for your own financing at your own bank or financier, and choose the shortest-term car loan you can: Long-term loans coax people into buying cars they can’t really afford by stretching the payments out over such a long period of time that the car is almost fully depreciated by the time it’s paid for.

Improving your gas mileage is something that everyone thinks about from one time or another.  It could be because gas prices are on the rise again, a concern for the environment, or some other immediate concern.  Regardless of the reason, there are a variety of factors that play into your cars gas mileage, which means that you can address this issue in a variety of ways.  Here are some quick car tips that will help you improve your gas mileage, as well as some myths that you shouldn’t fall for.

Improve Your Gas Mileage Before You Buy

One of the easiest ways to get great gas mileage is to simply purchase a fuel efficient vehicle.  Here are some car purchasing tips that will help you improve your gas mileage immediately.

Do

• Look for hybrid vehicles – According to the EPA and DOE, hybrids can combine the benefits of gas and electric power, which can lead to improved gas mileage.
• Look for AFVs – Alternative Fuel Vehicles that use fuel sources like ethanol or natural gas often have a much better mile per gallon rating

Myths

• Small Cars are Key – With advancing technologies, small cars are not always going to be the most fuel efficient.  In fact, in 2010, 5 of the top 10 most efficient vehicles are mid-sized cars.
• Going Manual – Because of new technologies, automatic transmissions have improved so much that they are often more efficient than a manual transmission.

Improving Your Gas Mileage After You Buy

Once you have purchased a vehicle that is already a fuel efficient model, the rest is up to you.  Here is a look at some good ways to improve your gas mileage even more as well as some myths that may be holding you back.

Do

• Don’t Speed – Your gas mileage will dramatically worsen after you pass 60 mph.
• Cruise Control – Cruise control can do wonders for your gas mileage during long stints on the highway.
• Keep It Light – Try not to keep unnecessary items in your vehicle.  The heavier it is, the worse your gas mileage will be.  Additionally, make a particular effort to ensure that you never load anything on the roof of your vehicle.  The added wind resistance will destroy your gas mileage.
• Maintenance – There are a lot of different ways that you can improve your gas mileage through regular maintenance.  This includes: keeping your tires properly inflated, change your oil regularly to reduce engine friction, keep you car well-tuned.

Myths

• Warming Up and Idling – Many people believe it is more efficient to warm up a vehicle before it is driven.  However, modern fuel injection technologies start very efficiently, plus engines can be driven within seconds of being started without affecting gas mileage.  Additionally, the old advice was to idle instead of starting and shutting down your engine.  Again, because of current technologies, your car will use less gas starting and stopping than by letting it idle.  In general, idling now costs you about 1 to 2 cents per minute.
• Avoid Old Cars – Another common myth is that your car will become much more inefficient as it ages.  The EPA has done numerous tests and found that as long as the vehicle is properly maintained, it will see very little decrease in gas mileage even when it is 10 or 15 years old.
• Using Premium Fuel – If you car was not specifically designed for premium fuel, then you will like get zero benefit from premium fuel.
• Additives – There are a number of after-market additives that claim to improve your gas mileage, but so far none have been found to be helpful at all.  The only exception is full conversions that meet EPA certification standards.

Hopefully these car tips and insight into current myths will pave a path for better gas mileage in your future.

Buying your next car from an auto auction can be a terrific way to save money. Not only will you pay thousands less than retail. But, you can often get a much nicer car than you could ordinarily afford.

Each day, millions of vehicles change hands at auto auctions around the country. From Seattle to Miami. Cars are purchased, then sent to new owners around the world.

It doesn’t matter where you live. You can still take advantage of a car auction’s great prices. All you need to do is find a reputable auto transporter.

If you’ve bought a car in another state. You could just hop on a plane, and go collect your new vehicle in person. If you’re confident in the car’s mechanical condition, this could be a fun way to get to know your new car. However, if this isn’t an option for you. A car shipping company can bring it right to your door.

Auto transport companies are responsible for getting those millions of auction cars to their destinations. Every day, thousands of car carriers travel the interstates, delivering cars all over the country. With just a few mouse clicks, your new car could be on one of those 18-wheelers, headed for your doorstep.

Car shipping should be handled by a reputable company. Experience, and insurance are a must. After all, you don’t want your new car to arrive damaged.

If your car arrives with damage, DO NOT sign the “bill of lading” without noting the damage on it first. Contact your carrier, or broker immediately. They can help you file an insurance claim.

To find a good auto transport company, ask the auction for a recommendation. Or, do an internet search.

Do a Google search and you’ll find countless auto transport companies, and shipping brokers. All claiming to get you the lowest rates. But beware of prices that seem too good to be true. Chances are, you’re dealing with a broker who may ask you for a non-refundable deposit. If this is the case, walk away.

A shipping broker is someone who deals with a bunch of independent auto transporters. They’ll quote you a price based on the current mileage rate (dictated in-part by fuel prices), then shop your job around until they find you a transporter. A good broker will be bonded, and only deal with insured carriers.

It typically takes 3-14 days for your vehicle to arrive. This will vary depending on your location, and shipping requirements. Boats, motor homes, motorcycles and trailers can all be transported. But, they make take longer to arrive. A good rule of thumb to remember, the heavier it is, the more expensive it will be to move.

If you need your vehicle to arrive sooner, some car transporters offer “express” service. But, it’s going to cost you. Same with enclosed transport. Most cars travel on those open car carriers that you see going down the interstate. However, if you have a show car, or an exotic car. You may want to opt for the enclosed service.

Shipping a car across country should be a painless experience. So take your time, and only go with a car shipper that you trust.

“When live gives you lemons, make lemonade.”  This is all fine and dandy for some things, but for our all-important vehicular transportations needs, this saying has no sensible application.  A car buyer has every right to expect their purchase to perform as intended; to give them reliable, safe transportation over a reasonable period of time.  In the past, when the vehicle didn’t live up to these expectations, there was little recourse except to resort to calling in a lawyer and filing suit against the dealer, the manufacturer and anyone else in the distribution channel.  Many states have enacted consumer protection laws and in California it is the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act that governs vehicular (and some other) purchase made in the Golden State.

The Song-Beverly Act, or California Lemon Law to the general public, provides that the manufacturer has a reasonable number of times to fix, correct or eliminate any flaws in their product.  After such attempts, if the flaw isn’t corrected to the owner’s satisfaction, the vehicle is either replaced or the entire purchase price; including ancillary fees like taxes, documentation and licenses and any damage costs like a car rental, must be refunded to the buyer.  It sounds simple, doesn’t it . . . but there are a number of other considerations.

• The vehicle must have been purchased or leased by an individual or corporation or other entity that has five or less cars registered in California.  This precludes participation by large company fleets, rental car company fleets, taxi cab companies and the like.  Those companies have other recourse on flawed vehicles.
• The law applies for the entire warranty period on both new and used vehicles; the latter must have a factory or written dealer warranty to be fully covered.
• The law does not apply if there has been abuse to the vehicle.

There are other aspects to the California Lemon Law that deal with what is a reasonable number of chances for the manufacturer to repair the vehicle before they must replace it or make a refund.  The number of chances is arbitrary, but in the case of components that involve safe operation; brakes, steering, seatbelts; the number of chances is a few as two or three.  On electrical and mechanical components that don’t involve safety, the number may be five or six.  The manufacturer has the right to protest the number, as does the vehicle buyer, such protests are handled by an arbitrator set up by the manufacturer; some unbiased third party like the American Auto Club (AAA) or Chamber of Commerce.  Not all manufacturers have set up an arbitration program.

The California Lemon Law is not absolute.  A judge may decide what is considered a reasonable number of chances for the manufacturer to correct the problems, and this ruling may be influenced by input from both the manufacturer and the vehicle buyer.

It is also possible that the buyer or lessee may be charged for the use of the vehicle, even if the vehicle is replaced or a refund made by the manufacturer.  The amount of this charge is determined by this formula:  The percentage of 120,000 that the vehicle traveled before the exchange or refund, times the full purchase price of the vehicle.  Example:  If the vehicle traveled 12,000 miles (10% of 120,000) and the vehicle purchase price was $36,000, then the owner may have to pay $3,600 for the use of the vehicle.  The operative word is “may,” as this is a consideration, not a rule of the law.

When you first see your new car it is exciting!  With its paint gleaming, alloy wheels shining and an alluring fragrance wafting from the interior – it can be intoxicating.  So much so that it’s easy to drop your guard and miss vital clues alerting you to potential problems that could turn your dream into a nightmare.

When buyers set out to buy a new or used car, most approach it with the caution needed for such a large and important purchase.  We do our research, select the car that best suits our needs and then hammer out the best deal we can.

But too often buyers abandon caution once they have signed the contract.  It’s important to think of the delivery day as the final phase of the purchase process.  The deal isn’t complete until you’re completely satisfied with the car as it’s presented to you.  There is plenty that can go wrong before the car is handed over, and there is plenty of room for negotiation, so it’s important to maintain your vigilance to the very end.

Here are some tips to make sure your new or used car purchase goes smoothly:

Get it in writing

Before you sign the contract read it carefully and make sure it includes everything the sales person said that they would throw in as a sweetener to close the deal.  Sales people offer extras such as floor mats, headlamp covers, alloy wheels, extended warranties and so forth to seal the deal, so make sure they are written into the contract before you sign it.  That way you have a comeback if you find they’re not fitted when you pick up your car.

Book in

Don’t rush down to the car yard as soon as the salesman phones you to tell you that your car is ready.  Make an appointment so that you know you will have their full attention.  Avoid the times of the day when you think they may be busy or distracted.  Definitely don’t go at the end of the working day because they’ll try to rush you  and push you out the door.

Go for a spin

As much as you want to drive your new car, resist the temptation until you’ve thoroughly inspected it both inside and out.  Look for minor dings and scratches that weren’t there before and any sign of repairs and touch-ups, such as color mis-matches and overspray.

On the inside look for tears in the trim and greasy stains on the seats or carpets. 

Upon first start-up take note of any squeaks, rattles, vibrations or any unusual mechanical noises that may need to be fixed.

Get expert help

If you’re not confident you can identify any problems, take along an expert.  A trusted mechanic could help you out, or get an independent auto body representative to check the car out for you.  This should give you the confidence that you’re not going to end up with a lemon.  At the very least take along a friend or family member who is not as emotionally involved in the purchase as you are.

When was it built

Make sure the build date on the identification plate corresponds to the date on the car’s papers.  Ensure that the date is what the sales person quoted to you.  Otherwise if it is an older vehicle than you were led to believe then you may get less at resale.

The Manager

Once you’ve taken delivery of your car you will be dealing with the service manager, not the sales person.  So make sure you meet them at the time of pick-up/delivery to discuss servicing requirements.  Check on the timing of the first service and on any special procedures you may have to follow.  It is always best to establish some sort of relationship with the service manager because that is the person you’ll be dealing with if something goes wrong – or even if it doesn’t.

Warranty

Always review the warranty cover for your new purchase.  Thoroughly familiarize yourself with it.  Make a note of anything you feel isn’t right with the car when you first notice it.  Then don’t leave it until the warranty is about to expire before you bring the problems to the attention of the sales person or service manager.  Contact them straight away to try to have the problems rectified immediately.

Also, when the warranty is coming to an end consider getting an independent expert evaluation so any potential problems can be documented before the warranty runs out.

The overriding message for delivery day is simple: use caution and take your time when you go to collect your new car.  That way you’ll minimize your chances of being stuck with a lemon as well as being able to relax and enjoy your new toy.

According to a new survey by Consumer Reports National Research Center not all car brands are considered equal by American consumers.  “Buy American” is a strong mindset in current car buyers as about 80 percent of respondents who are considering buying a new car are likely to consider a domestic brand. 

Ford Motor Co., the only big US carmaker who did not seek Federal Government assistance in the global financial crisis, benefited the most from the recent problems in the auto industry.  Ford had the largest gain in new car buyers from last year’s survey; up 17 percentage points.  Survey respondents looking to buy a GM car were up 6 percentage points, whereas Chrysler fell 25 percentage points since the previous survey.

The most important aspects for current new car buyers are quality, fuel economy, safety, price and value.  Less important considerations are brand, environmental friendliness or manufacturer stability.  

So if the American automakers can deliver what consumers want then they will take advantage of the current increased patriotism among American car buyers.

Auctions are tricky market processes. Sometimes, you are very close to having the item you desire but then someone will bid higher than what you bid. This becomes trickier when the auction is a car auction. When vehicles are auctioned, competition is very tight and everyone is trying to bid higher. Usually, rare cars appear in these auctions, making the people more ecstatic about having a rare find.

In order to win more auctions, here are a few tips:

1. Stay calm. A lot of auctioneers tend to get overly excited when they are winning the auction. You may never tell if someone bids a higher price than your offer. For example, in a police auto auction, a good SUV currently has a high bid of $1800, the bidder gets very ecstatic. 15 seconds before the auction ends, a bidder offered $2200 for the car. The previous bidder had his dream shattered. Do not be like him and stay cool.
2. Research about the item and the seller. Online auctions can be fraud sometimes. Check on a search engine a fair price for the item and confirm if you are buying it at a lower price. Also, check if the item is authentic. Verify the credibility of the seller prior to the product being sold. Example, you are buying a surplus computer with good specs. Check if the specs are real. You can e-mail the seller and ask all the questions about the product. You can also check the comments box of the seller’s profile and see if he’s a good one.
3. Search other online auctions. Do not stick to an auction site. Check out other sites if there is an identical product offered in other sites at a lower price. Do not hang around a single auction site but instead, search for more. Example, you are bidding on a certain car worth $1300, use a search engine and find other sites auctioning an identical product. If the price is lower, remove your bid on the current one and place it on the lower priced car.
4. As much as possible, place your bid when the bid is almost over. Let other people play around the auction and place their bets. When the time left is only half an hour or so, place out your maximum bet. If another bidder bids higher, try to put in a little more bid. Example, if you are on an auto auction and the time left for bidding is only 20 minutes, and the previous bid was $1550 for a car, place your maximum bid like $2000. If someone bids a bit higher, bid slightly higher than the previous one.

Auctions can be real tricky especially if you do not know how it goes and cars are the main theme of the business. However, you can always still dominate a car auction with the proper techniques in mind. Bear in mind the four useful tips I have indicated here as you bid in public auctions. Bidding in auctions should be done in a cool manner and with extreme wit.

Right after making the decision towards buying a new car, the issue of negotiating for the price and getting a good deal comes into the picture. if the dealer sees you as someone with knowledge and who seems to be smart, and  shrewd, they will become wary and not try pulling a fast one on you. Therefore, it is very essential to understand and be well informed about the car and the tricks that the dealers are capable of.  This way, the dealer will not be able to lure you or push you around.  And if, on the other hand they perceive you are ignorant of most facts, they just might get you to buy a car that is beyond your limit.

Many dealers use ignorance as a tool and work their magic on the gullible customers. This way, they sell cars for higher value and the customer is completely unaware of what has happened. When you have decided that a new car is what you want, get down to doing some home work, and finding out information that could come in handy during purchase.

Scan through the daily papers to understand the variety of cars that are up for sale, and the prices being quoted by them. Also keep in mind that the new cars are bound to expensive when compared to used cars. Do some studying on the internet, and you can even check out the website of the car company itself. They will give you information related to when the car was launched in the market, the price quoted and of course the various dealers who are selling the brand.

And remember that every time you make a visit to a dealer, if they run your credit, your rating might come down. So keep on window shopping, till you finally come to a conclusion on where to buy and then let them do a check on your credit scores. The next step to do is to go for a test drive, and try out the car. Only if you are comfortable driving it, and handling the same, also happy with the features that come with it, should you make the purchase.  When you visit a lot, you might find some other new cars that you had not noticed, which might be better suited for you. So, make sure to spend time looking around and gathering information about all the models available.

You can then do some more research or calculations using the kbb.com or Edmund’s guide, to figure out the exact market price of the car you have zeroed in on. This way, you will know if the dealer is quoting the right price or trying to get you to pay more.
Do a thorough check of the car, interiors and exteriors, to check if all the parts and accessories are of good quality and the engine is in good running condition.  You can now go ahead, finalise on the terms for payment and close the sale.

When one is looking forward to purchasing a new car and adding to the family, they do extensive research and find out the cars they can choose. And then begins the process of actual shopping, and finally buying the car. There are times when the rates offered by the dealer would be higher than what we wish to pay, and when the car comes with not as many accessories or features as displayed on the brochure. So, to get the best price and a good deal on the new car, on can be cautious and well informed.
 
Some interesting tips to keep in mind while shopping for a new care are,

First thing to remember is that you are buying a car from a dealer, who does not do any favours. For him, it’s a sale, and he is going to try quoting a high price, and convince you to buy it. So, before walking into any dealer’s store, make sure to have adequate information about how much you can pay, and what your budget is. This will save you time and money.

Learn about financing options and where you can get good rates for car loans. This way, you will have the papers ready when you find the car of your choice. In case you are unable to find someone, get the dealer to recommend people, but be clear on what you want, for they might try to sell you something else.

Remember that the internet is your best friend, and you need to rely on the various websites to provide information across platforms. You can do research on car sales, prices, conditions, about vehicle history and even fid out about insurance policies that you will need once you complete the purchase. Surf and spend time assimilating the information on the net, do your own research from papers and books as well.

You are the person who has to take the decision regarding the purchase, and the one in control. Don’t let the dealer lure you into believing what he is offering is all there is. Be well informed and prepared about all that can go wrong.

One big deciding factor is that, don’t shop on impulse, always look around and spend time in making a decision. Since it involves a large investment, you need to take your time to make sure you are doing the right thing. Do walk around to other lots, and have discussions with other dealers. This will give you an insight into who is offering the best price on the car you desire. Also, if the dealer who has met you learns about your visits to other car sales stores, he might be willing to reduce the price just to convince you to buy from him.

Spend time reading the contract, and the hidden messages you find in them. Sometimes the rate of interest or penalty fee for not meeting payments might be more than what has been stated. So be aware and cautious.

Whenever a person decides to go shopping, they do a bit of research and make a list of all the products they wish to buy. This holds true while going car shopping as well. One needs to know what they want, and then work towards it. At the end of the day, they could come back with an expensive car or a good car that they got at a decent price. It is all in the art of negotiation and having a few tips up your sleeve.

Some car shopping tips that will help save money are

1. Purpose
What is the main purpose behind buying a car? Is it going to be routine use or for long drives? This will determine what kind of cars you need to look at or explore options at. Some people go for looks, while others are bothered only about the functionality, this will get reflected in the car they finally pick out. Therefore it’s better to have a clear idea as to what one desires. This goes as far as knowing the model of the car, preferred colour and what are the accessories you wish for the car to have. Know the prices being asked for the car of this kind, and use that negotiate getting a good deal.

2. Information is key
Make sure to be well equipped with information pertaining to the various dealers around your locality and the price being quoted for the car you have your eye on.  You could get on the internet, do research, find out different quotes and do a comparative study. This will come in handy in picking out the dealer who offers the best price.

3.  Time
Spend a bit of time in car shopping, and don’t jump into signing the cheque at the first dealer you visit. You are sure to get different quotations from others, so window shopping is always the right way to go. If you find another dealer offering the same car at a lesser price, you can either pick it up from him or come back to the earlier dealer and demand a discounted deal.

One can also save time by doing all the research they need on the internet and by talking to various car salesmen. This will give them all the information they need, which means they know where they are headed, and will close the sale.

4. Insurance and Warranty
Does the car come with warranty, and what is the duration of the same? If you wish to purchase extended warranty, do they get those papers ready or do you have to approach someone else. Also, check the insurance cover that they can offer, and the price of the same.

And finally, make sure they have the required documents like registration and ownership deeds, printed and ready for you to sign. This will help save additional cost, and let you know how professional the dealer is, which gives you confidence on the purchase you have made.

If you are seriously considering buying an RV, so you can do all your holidays and road trips with your family on it, which is a wonderful decision. being the owner of an RV can be one wonderful experience for not just families, but for anybody. It gives them the opportunity to get out more often, and explore around the world. All they need to do is pack their bags, some supplies and get going. The ease with which one can travel is what makes it so exciting. It gives a sense of freedom and the ability to travel at anytime. The hassles of booking tickets, looking for accommodation and ofcourse spending a lot on these is completely done away with.  For people who work in the corporate world, their dreams of getting away once in a while, when they get a day off becomes a reality thanks to the RV. Just like with other vehicles, buying an RV has its share of pros and cons.

When we look at the various advantages, the first thing that comes to our mind is the main concept behind an RV.  All the RV’s found in the market come with just about everything we can dream off, from sitting area, cooking space and even a comfortable bedroom. Some of the bigger ones even have extra storage space for your bikes, and other gear. So, you have somewhere to store your food supplies, bags, play games in, lounge and even sleep in. The downside to this is that you are on a holiday and yet feel like you are back home, doing all the chores, cooking, cleaning and so on. So, for those who wish to get away from it all, it dampens their spirit in this aspect.

The other feature which is an advantage is that the RV opens new doors you dint know existed. Being able to travel with the entire family, and even take your pet dog or cat along, without going through any hassles at the ticket counter is something everyone needs to experience. These RV’s are easy to handle and can be driven by anyone who is comfortable driving a car or an SUV. However, some RV’s need a truck to haul it around, and so if you don’t own one, you will have to go looking for someone with one who can lend it to you.

And ofcourse the fact that when you are on the road, if there is a breakdown or some repair, the RV companies provide service within minutes. Also, there are many camping grounds where one can park the RV and explore the area around and have a good time. But RVs have become very popular, you find them crawling all over the place and the cost factor is to be considered, they don’t really come cheap. Just like every other aspect, this too has its share of ups and downs, its upto the person to decide what they want and go for it.

Buying a car is not something very difficult or what involves a lot of complications, but getting a good deal on the new car involves some background work and research as well. To get a good price on the car which helps save money is what every buyer will aspire for. There are certain tips and tricks that one needs to keep in their mind to make the most of the purchase.

Today, with advancement in technology, there is so much information available on the internet. So, if the buyer were to spend some time doing research on the net, they will understand the range of cars and the prices quoted by most companies. The internet has wide coverage of data which pertains to various aspects involved in a car purchase.  You can identify the car of your dream, and note down the price offered for across various websites and use it as a reference while going car shopping.

On some sites, there will be an option whereby you can request for a quote on a car. For this purpose, they might ask for personal details, but do not hesitate to provide these, they will not be misused.

You could get in touch with representatives from various car companies who will be interested in showing you the car, or talking about the sale. Do not cave in and fall for their antics in the first visit itself, always better to have multiple options on hand before signing out the documents. These are ways to assess who is offering the best price, and to do a bit of window shopping before making the final decision.

If you are one of those who have a car that you wish to trade in, have a mechanic come and inspect your car thoroughly. This will let you know what price to ask for, and the condition of your car as well. If needed, you could do the necessary repairs and have the car in good condition for people to come take a look at it. Also look at what kind of a trade in you are going in for. Is it going to be to a company or an individual, there is a vast difference in the price you can ask for and the terms that can be defined on the contract?

Once you have identified the car, and the price has been negotiated, figure out how the payment needs to be made. Some dealers add on a percentage as tax when payments are made using the credit card, and if its cash, this is not included. Make a deal with the dealer on this as well.

All through the process, the one thing every buyer should keep in mind is the money factor. How much are they willing to spend on car purchase? Or how much are they ready to negotiate while selling their car?  Keeping these aspects in mind, one can go about getting the best deal while buying a new car.

When making big deals, it is always wise to have someone backing you up, or giving you advice on how to get the best price or make the right decision. Human beings by nature rely on their friends or colleagues to give them timely advice and to bail them out when in trouble. So, while buying a car too they turn towards people they trust, and whose opinion makes a difference to them, which they value. Today, when everything is happening on the web world, it does not come as a surprise to find some sites offering advice and being a guide to help people save money while buying cars.

Edmund is one such website which acts as a resource guide for people who ware seeking some assistance in saving money while purchasing a car. The website is very helpful for those looking to purchase a new car or a used car. It has information related to every aspect of the purchase process an some more. Not only does it give inside tips on how to choose the best car, but also on where you can get the best rates. There is even a blog that people who are looking at buying cars can go through which gives inputs on personal experiences and what kind of offers are available, and where.

The Edmund’s guide is a concise manual that every car buyer needs to go through before taking the decision. If they have decided on which car to buy, they can request for a quote on the price across the various dealers. This information will reveal the ones who are giving it a les price and those that work out expensive.  From the website, the user can choose the model of car he desires, say, for example a convertible or maybe a SUV. Then, they can choose the kind of information they wish to have from the drop down menu. As they go through the process, they learn more about the car, its value, and the cars up for sale.

Edmund’s guide can assess and tell you the exact market value of the car which helps you when talking to dealers. If they were to quote a higher price, you would not get swayed and remain grounded, negotiating on the price till you come to a consensus. Use the guide as a modem of knowing more than you will, if you were to just go from one dealer to the other.

Learn about doing negotiations on the phone and over mails, and also make it a point to visit the dealers bright and early in morning when they are just opening shop. And if you are going for a trade in, have the car assessed and valued earlier, so that when you drive into the dealer, you are all set to quote the price and stick with it.  Through these, you will end up saving a lot of money this way, when you ultimately buy the car of your choice.

When a person wishes to buy a product, it will be based on their monthly income, spending capacity and ofcourse the need of the hour. This holds true while making big investments such as buying a house or a car. When an individual decides to buy a car and can afford only a used car, so be it. They will go ahead with the decision and look around for a good deal on a car, either through the car dealers or through auto auctions.

When they do find a car that satisfies their needs, and fits their requirements, they will go ahead with the purchase. However, there are certain issues to be sorted out before closing the deal, which will help them determine how good the vehicle is, in terms of its running condition and quality of parts. It is not enough if the car looks good on the outside and belongs to an impressive brand; it needs to be functional as well as value for money.

The most important information that one needs to gather is about the vehicle history. When planning on purchasing a used car, one needs to be aware of what they are buying to save themselves from any unforeseen incidents later on. Since most of the used cars sold at lots are either from police confiscation, or abandonment, or maybe repossession by finance companies, they would have had a previous owner. So, it is essential to understand where the car comes from before you take it home.

You can check with the dealer if he has the vehicle history report. Some of the information to look for in it is,

Vehicle identification number – The mention of the VIN needs to be there on the history report. This is a unique number, which can be found on a metal plate near the windshield of every car. It is issued to the car by the manufacturer right after it has been manufactured and ready to be despatched for sale. If the car has been in any accident or crime, it will be reflected on the history report thanks to this VIN.

Location – the car dealer might tell you that the car you are looking at was owned by a person from Texas, but if you look at the report, it might speak differently. This will tell you the kind of terrain the vehicle was used in, and the condition of the tyres. So, be sure to ask for a report before taking any decisions.

CARFAX report – the buyer can demand for a CARFAX report, which is a detailed report containing information regarding the date of manufacture to the number of miles run on the car.

Condition of the vehicle – the vehicle history will have to provide information related to how long the car was used, what kind of driving was done, and if there were any major repairs done on it. This is to tell the new buyer how good the condition of the car is.

You are all excited and ready to drive your car home, but before that you need to sign on some documents which will legally make the car yours. Since it is a big investment, the buyer should be extra cautious and pay attention to detail, going through every single statement on the documents.  No point fretting over it after buying the car and taking it home, to discover that the engine does not work well, or that the air conditioning is functioning alright. These would leave you spending extra in fixing the problems, so its better to have a check list and go through them before signing on the car buying documents.

1. Engine condition
o Does the engine work well?
o Are you able to start the car with the turn of the ignition key or does it take time to rev up?
o Is there adequate engine oil?
o How is the condition of the radiator? Is there enough water to keep it cool and going?

 2. Check the body of the car
  Do a thorough inspection of the body of the car, both inside and outside.  This will tell you 
  the quality of pain job, and if there is rust or peeling anywhere.
   
     3. Tyres and extra fittings
o When driving the car, do the tyres work smoothly; around sharp turns and on any kind of surface. This will tell you if the car is ready for the road, or if you need to spend on fixing the tyres.
o Also check the extra fittings that come with the car, like the alarm system and music system. Do they work alright or need a bit of tweaking. No point in having an alarm      system that fails with tampering.
o Another aspect to check is if there are air bags in the driver’s steering wheel. This is       essential since it will save your life if you get into a collision or are in an accident.

4. Ownership Documents
Does the dealer create forms that transfer the ownership to your name? or do you have to do the registration and transfer deed on your own?
If you need to do this on your own, it will cost you, so make sure to get it done by the dealer and all these details sorted out ahead of signing the deed.

5. Pending Payments on the vehicle
Has the previous owner cleared any payments that are due on the vehicle? This is an important question to ask the dealer because otherwise it might fall on your head to meet those payments.  If there are dues, then reconsider the purchase or get a sign off from the previous owner or dealer that they will make the necessary payments on their own.

6. Warranty
What is the duration of warranty that comes with the car and is the relevant documents attached with the sale deed? This is essential to protect your interest in the future, in case of any repairs or unpleasant surprises.

There are always ways and means by which you can buy a car that you’ve been wanting and get a good deal on it. But the one thing to keep in mind is to keep your eyes and ears open all the time. Here are some ways by which you could get a better deal than you anticipated on the car,

1. Go in for car purchase during holiday seasons. This is when most people are focused on buying gifts, which hardly anybody goes towards car shopping. And during Christmas and new years, you will find a lot of dealers giving interesting offers on cars. They might give you free CD player, alarm system or scratch protection painting. Ask around on what is available where and then go in for the purchase

2. Another option is to visit car dealers during August or September. This is when new cars are introduced in the market, and so dealers will be busy trying to sell the existing older models. So, you might get a better deal and a discount on the prices.

3. If you have not had good experiences with car dealers, you can look on the internet for some good deals. Online car shopping and ofcourse auto auctions are fast catching on around the world. You never know, you just might find the best deals there on the net.  This will also save you time and money spent looking around at various lots, and haggling with the dealer for a good price.

4. You can also check out with various dealers on what the rates are and then go pick it out from the one quoting the lowest price, or whom you are most comfortable with.

5. Keep yourself updated on the various scams that happen when dealing with auctions and car dealers. This way, you will be one step ahead if a dealer tries to con you into spending more than you intended on a run down car.

6.  If a dealer promises to pay off any outstanding you have on the car you want to trade in, be wary. Most of the time they will not do it and you might end up paying for a new car and continuing to pay for a car you don’t own.

7. When you pick out a car from a catalogue and if the dealer tells you that they can get it for you within a month, and asks for a deposit, do not make the payment. You are likely to be told later on there is a delay, and they might try selling another car to you.

8. Make an inspection of the car with your mechanic before paying the price. This will save you a lot of money, since the mechanic will give you an estimate on how much the car is really worth.

9. The most important of all is to do as much research as possible on the internet, and have a discussion with your finance person.

Buying a new car without getting cheated is extremely tough nowadays what with every dealer and car salesman being out to earn as much as possible from each and every unassuming customer. Bargaining for a new car is tougher than negotiating for a used car and in most cases, you will be forced to pay much more than what your new car is really worth. Before you start visiting dealerships for your new car, go through our tips here that will help you in getting the best possible price for your new car.

Shop around: Different dealers always offer different deals no matter what. Therefore, going to a single dealer and accepting whatever he or she gives you is an extremely foolish move. Try to visit as many dealers as possible and examine the deals that they provide. Bargain with all of them and finally decide on the deal that suits you the most. If you go to a single dealer, you actually do not have any bargaining power at all.

Keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself: Car dealership salesmen feed on your enthusiasm and euphoria. The moment you let them know that you really love a car, that is the moment that its price goes up, the car becomes the most in-demand car in the world and starts coming with a whole lot of terms and conditions attached. Even if you really love a car, keep your thoughts to yourself, act flighty and undecided and as if you really do not fancy the car much. This would make your salesman actually bring out the deals, rebates and the free accessories that will help you in landing a better deal.

Carry the folder: The “folder” has become an extremely important dealing instrument involved in buying a new car. This “folder” is nothing but a collection of documents and research that should help you in avoiding the most common dealer tactics. You should carry your credit reports and credit score so that a dealer cannot fool you with a bogus credit score and force a costlier car loan on you. Apart from this, you should carry quotes from other dealers and online sources about the cost of your car, insurance and extended auto warranty so that you are not given a price that’s higher than the going online rate in any case.

Check about the fees: Car dealers in America are notorious for applying a number of useless and meaningless fees to the price of your car. As such, dealers asking you to pay their advertising and storage costs are pretty common and most dealers consider this an extremely legitimate fee that can never be waived. So make your dealer outline all the fees that he is charging you and ask him or her to explain everything to you. If you are not satisfied with a particular explanation, flatly refuse to pay that fee. Make sure that you do not pay common scam fees like drive off deposits, dealer prep and dealer floor-plan maintenance fee since these are all bogus fees, either already paid by the manufacturer or made up by the dealer to line his own pocket.

Buying cars online is turning out to be one of the best ways of acquiring both new as well as old cars. Not only is buying cars online fast, it is also easy and cheap. Most people get online prices that are considerably lower than what dealers would usually give you. The best thing is that most online services have tie ups with a large number of dealers. So you manage to get quotes from almost all dealers while sitting at home, absolutely free of cost and with no obligation to buy. If you also want to try out buying your next old or new car online, then read on for our tips on buying online.

Get the feel: One major disadvantage to buying a car online is that you do not get to touch it, see it or drive it. However, this can easily be remedied by visiting your local car showrooms and taking cars for a test drive. You should never go for buying a car that you have not driven before at any cost. So the first thing that you should do before starting to prospect online is narrow down your choice to one or two models and test drive them at a local dealership.

Do your home work well: Once you know which car you want to buy, then it is best to do some research regarding prices. Check out the prices at your local dealership first and make sure that you know both the sticker price as well as the invoice price for the vehicle. You can consult the Edmunds Guide or its website to find out the true market value of the vehicle that you want to buy. The true market value is the rate at which customers in your locality are actually paying to buy a certain vehicle. If you are looking into used cars, then you can check the Kelley Blue Book or its website for what you should be paying for a certain make and model.

Shop around: Once you know which car to buy, then you can start searching through car buying sites for the best price. Each and every site will send you their best quotes and best prices. However, you do not have any obligation to buy. Make sure that whoever you are buying with is also offering schemes, discounts or incentives that are offered by the manufacturer and are present at brick at mortar dealers. While most online car buying sites have tie ups with local dealers, some sites also have their own stores which you can go and visit if you want to and check out their inventory.

Get online finance: Getting online car finance is a better option than contacting other financial institutions since online companies offer the best interest rates on loans and financing. This is because these companies avoid a lot of infrastructural and human resource costs by being based in virtual space. Most car buying sites will have tie ups with different financing companies. Go for a financing company that has a good reputation instead of choosing the one that is most easily available.  Make sure that you check your credit report and history before applying for car financing.

When it comes to getting good deals on cars or anything else for that matter, military personnel generally end up losing since the majority of people in the armed forces are posted at out of town locations, away from major towns and cities. On the other hand, most people join the military after completing school and are generally naïve when it comes to being street smart, especially regarding matters of finance and purchases. It is not uncommon to see some dashing army captain who was instrumental in bringing Saddam to his knees get cheated by an unscrupulous car dealer and not even know about it. While shopping around and putting your concerns first is the most important part of getting business savvy, the tips given here for buying both new and old cars can at least help you a little in locating the best sources and the best deals for buying a set of wheels.

Best Sources for New Cars: If you are looking for a buying a new car, then the best car buying source for you is the internet. There are a number of online car sale companies that have tie ups with dealers all over the country. No matter where you are located, you will be able to get the car of your choice through an online service, driven to your doorstep in all probability. Almost everyone is taking to buying their cars online because online companies are the ones providing the lowest quotes nowadays. In almost all cases, the quotes that you get from an online company will be considerably lesser than what any dealership has given you. However, before buying a car online, just make sure that you test drive it first at a local dealership or somewhere else. Secondly, online quotes and offers may vary considerably from one service to the other, so make sure that you do your research well before finally taking the decision to buy.

Best Sources for Used Cars: In case you are planning to buy an old car, then once again checking online deals is a good option. Another great source for buying used cars are car auctions, especially those held by government agencies or financial corporations. Every year, government and law enforcement agencies sell off a large number of seized or repossessed vehicles through public auctions held all over the country. With a little bit of knowledge and research about car auctions and how they move, you can manage to get a great deal at a car auction. Cars at auctions are generally sold at least twenty to twenty five per cent below their actual market value. In fact, it is not uncommon to find cars selling for twenty to twenty five per cent of their market value at car auctions. Before you bid for a car at an auction, get the car checked by a mechanic, know its actual market rate and check its vehicle VIN# history in order to avoid landing with a lemon.

Buying your first car is both exciting and confusing. While a first car is always a prized possession, deciding which one to buy and how can be generally tricky for normal people with average incomes. It can get even trickier if you are a student and do not have a fixed source of income. However, our tips for buying your first car can help you understand the process better and take a well thought of decision regarding your first set of wheels.

Consider your budget first: All of us dream of driving around in jazzy sports cars and luxurious sedans while sitting behind our parents in the humble family utility vehicle or hatchback. However, these dreams generally do not come true with your first car, especially not if you are at university and do not even have a fixed source of income. So hate it as you might, you should consider your budget first and then decide about the kind of car you plan to buy. Do not buy a car where you cannot put down at least 20% as down payment, since this is a vehicle that is definitely out of your league. Remember that there are insurance bills, taxes and other expenses apart from the cost of the car that are involved in buying a car.

Buy a new or a used car: Buying a used car is a good option for someone who is buying their first car provided you do your research well. There are a large number of good used cars that are put up for sale everyday, and with a little patience and research, you can easily find one that fits both your budget and your style. Consult websites and reference publications like the Kelley Blue Book or the Edmunds Guide to find out the market value of used cars so that you do not get cheated by a dealer or a private owner. Try to avoid dealers and buy from either private owners or at auctions. Before you buy a used car, get the car checked by a mechanic and its papers and title checked by someone who knows everything about car titles in order to ensure a great buy. New cars are always better than old ones, provided you can afford one easily and are not too worried about depreciation.

Know the cost of keeping the vehicle: The cost of keeping a car or truck is much more than the cost of owning a vehicle. Remember that apart from yearly insurance, you will have to pay for gas, servicing, repairs and spares. Even the best vehicles need repairs at one time or the other, and knowing the cost of certain spare parts can actually put you off buying certain makes or models. While insurance varies from model to model, it also varies greatly from company to company. So shop around till you manage to get the most cost effective quote for insuring your vehicle. You may also need to invest in an extended auto warranty, especially if you are a buying a car with costly repair and spare parts. Since gas is going to be a weekly expense, go for a car that gives you good mileage and calculate the total cost of running and maintaining a vehicle before buying it.