Do Your Homework Before Buying a Car Text

Jonathan Friesen - Writing Coach

By linda sharp, cars.com february 18, 2007 there's nothing particularly difficult about buying a car, nor should any factor preclude anyone from successfully negotiating the best car deal. Make decisions before visiting the showroom. decide what you want in a vehicle the features, body style, pricing, etc. Stereotypical dealers will try to sell you a vehicle they want you to buy rather than what you want or need. It's a good idea to have two or three vehicles on your wish list, as that flexibility goes a long way toward getting the most car for your money. Check out dealer invoice pricing and the prices people are asking for specific models in cars.com 's research section. In addition, cars.com lists a vehicle's standard and optional features and available rebate programs.

To find comparisons on a car you own and want to trade for a new one, consult kelley blue book used car values. The salesperson is not your friend. remember: the salesperson is there to make money he's not there to be your friend. Even if he's your uncle, your cousin, or the guy next door, never lose sight that, first and foremost, he's looking out for his commission. Get preapproved by your local bank or credit union before you go to the showroom. By doing so, you'll know how much car you can buy for your money, and there's an excellent chance you'll secure a better interest rate at your personal financial institution than through the manufacturer's credit arm. If you don't belong to a credit union, see if you qualify to join one, because they typically offer the best car loan rates.

Before you start car shopping, firmly decide whether you're going to buy or lease. Many people believe that leasing is little more than renting a car with a mileage cap. It's also misleading to think leasing does nothing more than allow a driver to use an expensive car rather than one for which they qualify. On the other hand, if you decide to buy a car, then the day will come when you no longer have payments. Buying a car also builds equity, which goes a long way when it's time to purchase your next vehicle. Don't forget about maintenance costs. consider the cost of ownership when selecting a vehicle. How much are annual maintenance costs? those killer wheels and tires look great now, but will you have to get a second mortgage to replace the original tires a few years down the road? in most cases, a lower quality tire drastically changes the performance of the vehicle.

Do you really want to pay $1,0 or more for a set of replacement tires? 7. Touch base with your insurance agent. before signing any sales contract, always check with your agent regarding insurance costs. You may find that while you can afford the vehicle payment, the additional cost of insurance pushes you way over budget. Keep in mind that a large portion of the total insurance premium involves replacement cost. If the vehicle you want has a hefty price tag, then it's a given that insurance will also be costly. Today's fuel prices should make you think long and hard about purchasing a vehicle that runs on premium fuel. The window sticker often lists an annual fuel cost estimate, but it's better if you calculate these costs on your own.

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Multiply that number by 52 and then divide that by the estimated fuel economy of the vehicle you're considering for an annual fuel cost. If the sticker says 18 miles per gallon city and 25 miles per gallon highway, odds are the actual average mileage will fall somewhere in the middle and probably closer to 20 to 21 miles per gallon. After determining the number of gallons of gasoline you'll burn while driving, multiply that by your estimated gas price then increase that number by 5 percent as a fudge factor. Even though diesel fuel is more expensive, diesel powered cars are far more fuel efficient than their comparable gasoline counterparts. Don't let the salesperson convince you to take the vehicle home while he's getting you approved.

The best thing to do when considering a vehicle purchase is go home and think about it for at least 24 hours. Bounce the idea off your friends and relatives, recheck all your source materials, and chill. If you're still in love with the vehicle the next day, then go for it! copyright 2007 globe newspaper company. Although i usually preach that it is cheaper to own a used car and repair and maintain it over buying new, you must be watchful of the car that you buy used. These thoughts came to mind while diagnosing a coolant leak on a 2003 chrysler intrepid, and i reflected on some of chrysler’s duds that have been made over the last couple of decades. Though they do make many good, reliable cars they have certainly created some real lemons. Buying a lemon can be avoided by knowing which models and which engines a vehicle is equipped with.

A beautiful engine to look at and a great performer with it’s dual overhead camshafts. That beauty quickly becomes ugly when things start to go wrong and due to its design, horrific repair bills come up. The water pump on this engine is located behind the timing chain cover and costs well over $10 to repair.

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This engine is intolerant of poor maintenance, so be forewarned that if you own a vehicle with this engine, be certain to change your oil every 5,0 kilometers or sooner: failure to do so can cause very expensive engine damage. The yellow arrow points to the water pump buried deep inside the engine before you buy a used car, call us or talk to a technician that you trust to get their opinion. Over the years i have seen so many vehicles where a simple choice between engine packages can make the difference in how much it will cost to maintain your car by hundreds to thousands of dollars. The struggles facing the auto industry are unprecedented and so are the deals available to buyers. Car dealers need to sell cars in order to stay in business, which makes this a strong buyers rsquo market. Rebates, financing, and trade in values are the best they rsquo ve been in a long time.

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