When Shopping For A New Car

Most people spend more time shopping for their car than they do shopping for the best auto insurance rates. This is a mistake. As a smart consumer, you need to allot time for getting the best rate for your insurance. Your three goals are getting the best insurance rates, getting the best financing and getting the best price.

If you don’t shop around for the best rate your insurance premium can be more than your car payment. I’ve seen it happen and it’s not pretty. You are all happy and excited about your new car up until you find out how much the insurance is going to cost you. Then you struggle just to make the insurance payments. Or worse, you cut coverages to keep within your budget. For example, having the highest deductible, 1,000-2,000.

It’s not hard to shop around for the best rate either. There are several comparison sites that will give you several quotes from multiple insurance companies to make sure you get the best rate. Use them. It only takes 10-15 minutes and it can save you from plenty of financial headaches. Just like the Geico commerical says, “15 minutes could save you 15% or more,” 15 minutes on a insurance comparison site will guarantee you get the best car insurance rates available.

When you do shop around, always be sure to have a copy of your current policy available for comparison. This will make getting the quote as painless as possible. That way you compare all the coverages and make sure you are getting the same discounts with the new company as the old one.

One thing that can surprise you is monthly payment fees so be on the lookout for these. Some companies charge you a monthly fee when you make monthly payments, maybe 3-4 a month. That’s an extra 36-48 a year you need to factor into your comparisons.

There’s nothing like thinking you’re getting a great deal only to find out it’s a good deal once all the dust is settled and you get your new policy. If you’re only going to save a few pounds a month after you switch to the new company maybe it’s best to stay put. Sometimes you will lose loyalty discounts with your current company that you won’t get with the new company. Or the customer service or claims service is great at the current company. These days that is worth more than a few pounds a month to me so keep these small things factored into the equation.

Shopping for car insurance is quick and easy and you may even save hundreds of pounds per year. All it takes is about 15 minutes. Make sure you put ’shop for car insurance’ on your car wishlist when you go car shopping.

What To Know If You Are In The Market For

What To Know If You Are In The Market For A New Car

If you are in the midst of shopping for a new car then you need to know what you are doing. If you dont take the time to learn the ins and outs of buying a new car you are going to get taken for a ride, an expensive one.

Here are the top tips to make sure that you get a deal on your new car:

Find out what kind of car you are looking for

If you walk onto the lots with a clear idea of what you are looking for, you will be much less likely to get talked into a more expensive car. All of the car salesmen are going to be trying to get you to spend as much money as possible, that is what makes them the big bucks so keep that in mind. Know what you want and go for it and that is all. Dont look around and let yourself get too tempted by other cars or vans that you know you cannot afford.

Shop around

You should always shop around for the best possible deals on the kind of car or truck that you are looking for. This is the only way to get a deal that will save you some serious cash. With the money that you save you will be able to get some extras on your car if you want to, like air or a better stereo system.

Think about used vs. new cars

Think about if you really want to get a brand new car. These cars lose a massive amount of their value as soon as you drive it off of the lot. This money is not money you can get back even if you sell it right away, it is just gone. By purchasing a new car you will be able to get a car that is just as wonderful but that cost a significant amount less.

Buying a car is a big deal and it is one that you need to think about and plan for. This is the best way for you to get the car that you want while saving some cash at the same time.

What The New California Car Buyers Bill of Rights Means

What The New California Car Buyers Bill of Rights Means To You

Beginning on July 1, 2006, California granted its car-buying residents a new set of protections under the Car Buyers Bill of Rights. Not only will these new rights change the way cars are bought and sold in California, they’re already spreading across the country and being adopted by other states as well.

The protections under the new law apply to vehicles (cars, trucks, SUVs) purchased in California for personal use from a dealerdealership. They do not apply to private sales, out of state purchases, commercial vehicles, RVs and motorcycles.

What are the protections?

1. The Two Day Return

Used car buyers now have the opportunity to protect themselves with a two-day return option. This is designed to help buyers who may not have had the time to have the vehicle properly inspected by a mechanic, for those who are purchasing a car “as is,” or for those car buyers who might have succumbed to the pressure to buy on the spot.

There are a few limits on the two-day return protection. First, the option only applies to used vehicles purchased through a dealership for personal use that cost 40,000 or less. Second, the dealership can charge you for this option (anywhere from 75 to 400, plus a restocking fee, all depending on the price of the vehicle). Additionally, the vehicle must be returned within two days, having been driven fewer than 250 miles, and be in the same condition as when it was purchased.

2. Trade-Ins

With the two-day return option, the dealer is required to hold onto your trade-in until the option expires. If the dealer sells your trade-in early, you’re entitled to the vehicle’s fair market value or the price listed in the cancellation agreement, whichever is more.

3. Certified Used Cars

In the past, any used car that a dealer has had inspected by a mechanic could be advertised as a “certified pre-owned vehicle.” This is no longer the case. Dealers can no longer advertise (or sell) certain problem cars as “certified pre-owned vehicles.”

4. Seller Disclosures

Under the new law, auto dealers must provide the following in writing:

a. The price of the vehicle without extra options and add-ons.

b. The specific price for add-ons, such as anti-theft devices, fabric protection, extended service contracts and “gap” insurance.

c. A copy of your credit score if you’re getting a loan through the dealership. Your credit score will range from 300 to 900, and reflect your credit worthiness as primarily determined by the timeliness of your past loan payments. If your credit score is high enough, you can often benefit from lower interest rates.

5. Limit On Interest Rate Markups

It’s a common practice in the industry for auto lenders to pay dealers an incentive for getting buyers to pay a higher interest rate than they should be paying, according to their credit history. This additional boost in the interest rate is referred to as a “markup.” The new California Car Buyers Bill of Rights limits the markup a dealer can receive from a lender to a maximum of 2.5% for loans up to 60 months and to 2% for longer loans.

The New California Car Buyers Bill of Rights is designed to make it safer for you to purchase your next used vehicle through a dealership without fear that you’re going to get stuck with something you either don’t want or something that doesn’t live up to its advertising. Knowing your rights can save you both months of headaches and significant money, but only if you take advantage of them.

Use New Car Dealers

New car dealers can be one of the greatest resources when you or someone you know is looking to make a vehicle change. Whether you are about to purchase your first car or your tenth car, do not decide on a car until you have utilized the new car dealers in your area.

With so many brands and models of cars on the market, who can be sure that they are choosing the car that is best for them? The large variety of vehicles on the market today makes it difficult for people to ensure that they are getting the most for their money and that they are picking a car that will meet all of their needs.

If there are specific makes or models of vehicles that you are particularly interested in, go to the new car dealers that sell those kinds of cars. Let those new car dealers become your very best friends. Make a list of all of the questions you have about each vehicle you want to learn about and then allow the new car dealers to answer each of them. It is the job of all new car dealers to have a thorough knowledge of their vehicles and to inform customers accurately. No question is too small or insignificant to be asked. New car dealers will be happy to help you in any way possible.

Purchasing a car is a big deal. It is definitely not something to be taken lightly or rushed into. Start by learning about a wide variety of vehicles. Meet as many new car dealers as you can and learn as much as you can from them. Ask the new car dealers to let you test drive the vehicles. See which ones feel the most comfortable and seem to fit you and your needs. Allow the new car dealers to do their job. Let them convince you that their product is the best and even allow them to fight over your business. New car dealers should be willing to do whatever it takes to earn your business.

One of the biggest aspects of buying a vehicle that you must be realistic about before you head off to meet any new car dealers is your budget. If you are not careful, you can be talked into purchasing a vehicle that is well outside of your price range. You will be paying the consequences of a poor decision for moths and years ahead. So, while new car dealers are a great resource for you in the purchasing process, keep in mind that they are also paid to be salesmen and therefore that they may try to get you to spend the most amount of money possible. So set a budget and stick to it no matter what. And don’t even think about buying your new vehicle without gaining knowledge from new car dealers.

Tips to buy a new car

Everyone wants to buy a new car apart from providing pleasure it also improves the standard of living of a person. The growing models of new cars are making more and more difficult for a person to choose the best of the lot. Firstly understand which one is better for you leasing or buying. If you are planning to buy a new car soon update yourself with the automated information available on the internet. It would be a better option if you purchase your car through a new car dealer.

The best time to buy a new car would probably be September and October this is the time when the new models cars arrive. Even if you have already decided the type of vehicle you will buy, make yourself 100% confident about the vehicle. A buyer is said to be in a key position during the entire buying process. Hence it is very important to be well informed about the product even before entering into dealership. You need to keep in mind certain points before you buy the car from a new car dealer.

The following tips will help you to take proper decision before you buy your dream car.

1) How much can you afford: This is the most important decision you need to make even before selecting the vehicle. Money plays a very important role hence analyzing your budget is very important.

2) Shop and get the best rates and models from different dealers and compare them to find out the best which suits you. Also check out for information on the internet regarding the features and the prices of new vehicles.

3) Find out whether the amounts quoted are before or after the rebate is deducted.

4) Order a new car if you are not happy with the dealers lot. Make sure you make the best decision even though there is a delay. You can also bargain by 10% to 20% as dealers usually tend to add his incentives in the invoice price. Always remember that the dealer pays the factory invoice price to the manufacturer.

5) While purchasing a new car always consider an alternative fuel vehicle as your main commuting car. Another important consideration would be to check how much of the vehicle can be recycled once it has lived its usefulness.

6) Always be cautious about the add-ons the dealer might force you to buy. They are specially designed by the dealers to earn that extra income.

7) Always remember that the manufacturer usually offers a guarantee of 36 months with the automobile. However the dealer might defraud you to buy the warranty you already have.
8) Finally remember that all new car dealers are not scammers. Out of one million people who work for dealership most of them are honest, hardworking and reliable. You need to do a little car research if you want to get the best possible car at a reasonable price. If you are not happy with the dealers lot you are free to walk away.

Did u know?
According to Consumer Reports, only 69 percent of women thoroughly research car prices before they buy, compared to 86 percent of men.