Our Guide to Buying a Car

This information age may have made many of our lives more complex, but just think about the ability we now have to buy a car online.  It seems like everyone has one of those car dealership horror stories.  Tactics that seem to be aimed more at separating us from our money than making sure we're buying a car that we really need.  We'll the Internet has really changed the way we can do business with car dealerships - for the better.

So you're thinking about buying a car on the Internet.  Well you're going to be pleasantly surprised because buying a car via the World Wide Web is way pretty simple and it eliminates a lot of the unpleasant experiences often associated with a visit to the local car dealership.

If you're thinking about an automobile purchase in the next 12 months or so, this article can help you make a better decision.  With the average price of a new automobile hovering around $25,000 it's important to make a good decision.  There is a lot of money at stake.

When most of us think about buying a new car, we instinctively look at local or online dealerships.  But have you ever thought about the possibility of exporting a car from Germany, or the reverse perspective, which is importing cars into the United States?

It's becoming increasingly popular for many Americans to consider donating a car - especially right after buying a new car.  Unless you've got a loved one that could use your used car, you only have a couple of options if you're replacing it with a new one.  You could trade it in, sell it yourself, or donate it to a charity such as the Salvation Army.

With the continued threat of rising gasoline prices, more and more consumers are thinking about buying a fuel efficient car.  But what exactly separates the gas guzzler from a fuel efficient car?

When gasoline prices first jumped in the summer of 2005, you started to hear more information about fuel efficient cars.  That's because consumers that were used to paying around $20 to fill up their cars were suddenly paying over $50.  That summer was a wake up call for everyone that thought paying $3.00 or more for a gallon for gasoline would never happen.

If you're thinking about buying a new car over the next couple of years, you're going to be introduced to an entirely new breed of vehicles - fuel cell cars.  They're not exactly ready for sale today, but in the coming years you'll be hearing from several car manufacturers that have these vehicles on the drawing board right now.

With the cost of gasoline hovering around the $3.00 per gallon mark, many of us are spending $40 or more each time we fill up our cars at the gasoline station.  And just as fuel economy starts to become more worrisome for many consumers we've got some new technologies hitting the highways of America with a promise to lower those monthly gasoline bills - hybrid cars.

Car Leasing is a topic that we use to supplement our car buying topic.  That's because the same people that are thinking about buying a car are often wondering if leasing a car is a better choice.  In this article we are going to discuss what goes into the calculation of car leasing payments.  This way if you're thinking about getting a new car, this article might help you make a more informed choice.

When you're negotiating a car lease, the terminology can get pretty confusing. Even if you're just taking a look through advertisements, it's sometimes hard to figure out what the deal is really all about.  If you've never leased a car before and want a fundamental understanding of all the terms used in a car lease then keep on reading.

If you're new to car leases or if you've leased a car in the past then you've probably read or heard the term money factor.  If you don't know what the money factor is then keep on reading because we're going to explain how this value is used in calculating car lease payments.

Whether or not you decide to own or lease an automobile is as much a lifestyle decision as it is a financial one.  Whenever making a major investment decision, as in the case of buying a car, many people simply prefer to lease rather than own.

Twenty years ago, leasing a car made sense only for those who were writing-off their monthly lease payments as a business expense.  Today, many people prefer the luxury of driving a new car every two or three years.  That change in the automobile market dynamics has lead to a large and growing used car leasing marketplace.

We're starting to shift the focus of our car buying section over to car leasing, so we thought it would be appropriate to share with you a car lease calculator.  What we have to offer at this time is a spreadsheet (Excel) that you can use to calculate monthly car lease payments.

If you're interested in leasing a car and are looking for a no-money-down arrangement, then you might want to consider paying a visit to a relatively new marketplace and swap a car lease.  In case you're unfamiliar with the concept, you really don't need to "swap" a car lease with someone else; you can either be the buyer or seller of a lease.  Here's how it works.

When you're leasing a car, you've entered into a contract with the leasing company to take possession of the car for a predetermined period of time.  But what if you suddenly want to terminate a car lease early?  Or you might also be in the situation where a car's lease is set to terminate and you're wondering what your next steps should be.

Used cars may represent one of the best values on the car market today.  Of course that holds true only if you're able to find dependable used cars.  Actually, that's one of the nice features of buying used cars - others have already put these cars though a real world test.

Whether you are buying a used car or a new car, it is always worth the time to take a closer look at the vehicle's historical repair record.  There is a saying in the investment world that past performance is not a guarantee of future performance, but when it comes to used cars, repair history is an important consideration.

Are you looking for information on used car values?  Or are you really looking for information on used car prices?  There is an important difference.  Price information is pretty straightforward and we will discuss where you can find used car prices.  But if you are really looking for used car values, then that really implies something beyond price.

Buying a used car can sometimes be even more complicated than buying a new car.  That's because unlike a new car, you really need to do a lot of homework before buying used cars and that takes time.  But by spending some time doing a little research now, you might be saving yourself a lot of headaches later on.

If you're in the market for a car, then buying a second hand car is an alternative that often rewards the buyer with a great value.  That's because cars driven off the showroom floor often lose a significant amount of resale value in their first two years of ownership - that's commonly referred to as depreciation in value.  After two years, the decline in value begins to slow, revealing some great finds in the second hand car market.

Used car warranties can be quite different than new car warranties.  If you're thinking about buying a used car, then this article should be of interest to you.  That's because not every used car comes with the same kind of warranty - even if you're buying it at a car dealership.

According to the latest statistics, the average new car today goes for about $31,000 in the U.S. with a new car loan averaging around $29,000.  We're talking about a lot of money here, so anytime a buyer is looking for a car loan, shopping around can really pay off.

According to some of the latest government statistics, a typical new car loan was nearly $29,000 at the end of 2007.  That is quite a bit of money.  In fact, for many people buying a new car is the second most expensive purchase they will ever make - right after buying a home.  With that kind of money at stake, it only makes sense to do some research prior to finalizing your decision.

By leveraging the power and speed of the Internet, many traditional automobile financing companies are now offering an online auto loan solution to their product mix.  In most situations, applying online is fast, secure, and usually only takes minutes to get a response.

Figuring out which new car to buy can be a very stressful experience.  Financing decisions only add to that stress especially if you've got bad credit.  Because having a bad credit score can hurt your ability to get a competitive interest rate on a car loan.

Our final article in this used car buying series is going to address financing a used car.  At this point the assumption is that you've done your homework and found the car that matches your needs and budget.  You may have even gotten the car inspected by a mechanic you know and trust.  You should also understand what to look for with respect to a warranty, paying close attention to the information on the Buyer's Guide.

With the average new car costing in excess of $25,000 today, a lot of prospective new car buyers also consider buying used cars.  In fact, there are several important economic factors that we think contribute to the growing attractiveness of buying a used car.

If you own or lease a car, auto insurance is a good way to protect that investment.  In fact, leasing agencies and lending institution will usually require the purchase of an automobile insurance policy to protect their investment.  After all, until that lease is up or the car loan paid off, those companies are partners with you.

While it is fun to buy a car that looks and feels great to drive, you might also want to consider taking a look at the safety features of the car just to make sure the one you're thinking about buying will protect you too.  Let's face it, even if you're the most experienced driver on the road, accidents can and do happen.  So you might want to consider an automobile that not only looks good but also has the features it takes to keep you safe behind the wheel.

In November 2008 the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety picked thirty four 2008 car models to win its third annual Top Safety Pick award.  This award recognizes car designs that provide for the best protection in front, side and rear crashed based on a series of safety tests the institute performs.

Back in 2001, the federal government took a stand on car seat safety.  Statistically, studies showed that 82% of the child safety seats in use today were not installed and used correctly.  That's why all cars manufactured since September 2002 were required to have LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) - an attachment system that makes installing a car safety seat easier.

There was a day when nobody thought about anti-theft devices for their cars.  Automobiles were parked on the street or in parking lots, doors unlocked, windows wide open and nobody worried about their car getting stolen.  But now you've got a $30,000 investment out there on the road and buying an anti-theft device for a car is pretty much standard practice today.

Car Accessories are one of the options that you need to think about when buying a new car.  At one time air conditioning in a car was viewed merely as an option or accessory that was nice to have if you could afford it.  Today, most new cars come with air conditioning installed and it is no longer even offered as an option on some cars - it's standard equipment.  But what are the accessories that really make a difference in the car's value?

Shopping for a new or used car on the internet provides a convenient and comfortable environment for buying a car without the high-pressure sales tactics commonly found on car lots.

With all the ups and downs there've been on the stock market lately, investing isn't as fun as it used to be. Stocks are worth just a fraction of the value they held in the late 1990s, money market accounts are earning less than two percent annually, savings accounts about half-that.

Buying a new vehicle is a major financial investment. But there are also many additional factors that come into play when buying a car. By being prepared with some research before you set foot in a car dealership, you can save yourself thousands of dollars on your next new car. Here are some suggestions.

It's been said that buying a car is the second biggest investment anyone will make in his or her lifetime. But those who try stretching their budget to afford that car can turn the investment into one big headache. Before setting out on the journey for your new ride, it's best to know the limits of what you can afford and stick to them. Simple research and cost management can help you avoid problems from the get-go.

With interest rates at all-time lows, consumers are taking advantage of the long-term savings on big ticket items like cars. If you're one of the many people who are planning to buy or lease a new car, make sure your finances are in order so the purchase process is hassle free.

Whether you are buying, selling or just curious what your car or truck is worth, an accurate appraisal of the true value of the vehicle is vital. If you just want a general price guide, visit the online version of the Kelley Blue Book. You will find general guidelines, but the results are only as accurate as the information you input. If you want a more accurate appraisal, you need to ask yourself a few questions about the car (and be brutally honest!)

Buy a car with a credit card! Sound crazy? Well, just hear me out on this one.  Before we get started there are a few words of caution that need mentioning. Specifically, if you can afford to buy a car with cash, that's your best option. Any time you use your credit cards you run the risk of getting further into debt. But I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't let you know about yet another way you can save money!

Do Your Research - The first thing you will want is a clear understanding of what you are looking for in a car. It's best to narrow your search to a particular make and model that both fits your needs and has a good track record. If you go to a car lot for a particular car and find yourself being steered towards a completely different car don't buy it that day. Go back home and research it thoroughly. Edmunds.com has a great tool for comparing car features.

"Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and..." Go on, you know it, sing along: "Chev-ro-let." Americans have long had a love affair with cars -- classic cars in particular. They're worshipped in our culture, in movies and TV commercials, at weddings and charity benefits, at local hamburger-joint cruise-ins, family reunions and Fourth of July parades. Young men in their first tuxedos drive them with sweaty palms to the Prom.

Americans' love affair with the car remains undiminished and sales are on track to continue strong throughout 2004, with approximately 60 million new and used vehicle sales forecasted. Yet while most shoppers enjoy poring over the styles and features of their dream car, they often ignore one of the most critical parts of the transaction: financing.

Which do you dread the most: buying a new car or visiting the dentist? For the average person, they may be equally painful. Buying a car can be very stressful and challenging; there is a lot to consider and a lot of money on the line.