5 Auto Scams You Absolutely Must Avoid!

By  Pete Lance

People hate car dealers. Of course, there are always nice guys, but many car dealers just have to cheat their way to profits. Here are the top 5 auto scams that you absolutely must avoid, or risk paying way too much for your car.

Scam 1: The Yo-Yo Financing Scam

The dealer sells you a car and allows you to take it home immediately. You finance your car through the dealer, but a few days later, the dealer calls and tells you that your financing has fallen through. You are then told to set up new financing through the dealer, at a much higher cost to you, and a much higher profit to them. Avoid this at all costs! If you have bad credit, don't finance at the dealer. Arrange your own financing. If you finance through the dealer, never drive off your car immediately. You should wait at least 24 hours before taking your new car, so as to make sure financing is complete. This allows the dealer no way to play the scam on you.

Scam 2: The Window Etching Fee

This is one of the most ridiculous but common scams I've heard off. Basically the dealer offers to window etch your VIN number in the window of your car for you, at a price ranging from $300 to $1000. Some people have tried to talk down the price, and they often succeed, but the dealer still makes a few hundreds off you. The easiest way to solve this problem? Just purchase a do it yourself window etching kit at any decent auto parts store. It only costs $20.

Scam 3: The Dealer Preparation Fee

The dealer charges you a preparation fee to prepare your car. Some often charge an outrageous $500 or more just to peel off the plastic protection on the car, test drive the car and put in the fuses. Most MSRP stickers indicate that these costs have already been covered by the manufacturer. In fact, some car dealers permanently print it on the buyer's order to make it seem mandatory, but one way you can get it removed is by telling the dealer to add a credit (of the same amount as the dealer preparation fees) on the next line. If they refuse to do so, you should simply walk out of the dealership.

Scam 4: The Market Adjustment Fee

In this scam, the dealer tells you that your car is a really popular vehicle, and so to sell you the vehicle they have to add "Market Adjustment Fees" of several thousand dollars. This amount is usually indicated on an orange sticker next to manufacturer's MSRP sticker. A car may be popular, but if it is in stock, it is not worth paying extra for it. Many buyers, especially trade-in buyers, have been ripped off before. They focus only on what they get for their old car, and so they don't see the big picture. They may get an extra few thousand for their car, but they don't notice that they are charged a much higher Market Adjustment Fee. The dealer sells the car, gets the trade-in, and makes an extra off the buyer. Never pay more than the manufacturer's MSRP.

Scam 5: The Extended Warranty Scam

The Extended Warranty scam is quite old but it is still in use. And many people still do fall for it. Basically, when you take a loan on your car, the dealer will say that you have to purchase an extended warranty because the bank requires it for the loan. Avoiding this scam is very simple actually. Tell the dealer to write down in black and white that the extended warranty is required for the loan and they'll most probably find some excuse to remove the extended warranty. If they refuse to do so, then please do not buy from that dealership. Actually, the extended warranty is a great thing to have, but don't ever get it from the dealer. You can get far better deals elsewhere, especially online.Don’t get ripped off by car dealers!
  

About the author:

Pete Lance is the founder of http://www.USGasTracker.org a premier company which helps the consumer save money on gasoline. Thousands of gas stations across the nation are tracked daily to guarantee the lowest prices on gasoline for any zip code in the United States.

» Read More...

10 Tips For Saving Cash On Your Gas

By Pete Lance

Gas prices are getting more and more ridiculous. And it’s going to keep increasing with no limit in sight! For the new car owners out there, do you know that a gallon of unleaded gasoline used to cost only $1.25?

Therefore, it is becoming more and more important to maximize your money and save at the gas station.

So here we have compiled 10 best tips to help you get the most out of your dollar!

Tip 1: Shop Around

This is the advice that you can apply anytime you buy anything. Always shop around. You can get a cheaper price for your favorite brand, and probably a yet cheaper price for a different brand.

Tip 2: Use a Gasoline Credit Card

Gasoline credit cards are great! They can save you 5 10 ff your gasoline purchase.

Tip 3: Buy Gasoline When the Weather is Cool

Gasoline is denser in cooler temperatures, such as in the morning or at night. Gas stations measure volume, not density, so you'll be getting more solid fuel than vapors, thus improving your overall gas mileage.

Tip 4: Avoid Gas Stations That Just Refilled Their Tanks

When underground tanks are refilled, particles at the bottom of the tank get stirred up, and when these particles get into your gasoline tank, they affect the fuel efficiency of your car.

Tip 5: Don’t Top Off

The gas pump needs time to draw out the full amount of gas, so When you purchase a bit of gas the station, you get short bursts of fuel that you'll probably pay extra for. You should refill your tank when you have less than half a talk left or when you find a price that is so low you cannot afford to miss it.

Tip 6: Don’t Use High Octane Gas

Most cars nowadays are built to run on regular unleaded gas. Purchasing higher octane gas is simply a waste of money. Octane measures how hard it is to ignite gas, not the quality of the gas, so getting higher octane gas will not improve fuel efficiency. You should only get these more expensive gases when your engine pings, knocks or rattles.

Tip 7: Pump Your Own Gas

It's cheaper to pump your own gas at the self-serve stations rather than using the full-serve pumps. Full-serve gasoline naturally costs more.

Tip 8: Lessen the Use of Air-Conditioning

This tip is simple enough. Air-conditioning uses electricity, and they can reduce fuel economy by up to 20àIt's advisable to use the air ventilation system instead.

Tip 9: Plan Your Trip

You can avoid unnecessary driving by planning your trip before hand, and of course that saves you money on gas consumption.

Tip 10: Purchase Vehicles That Get Good Mileage

This is probably one of the best tips anybody can give on saving money at the gas pump. It's always better to purchase vehicles that get good gas mileage. Check with your car dealer about cars that have better fuel economy.

About the author:

Pete Lance is the founder of www.USGasTracker.org, a premier company which helps the consumer save money on gasoline. Thousands of gas stations across the nation are tracked daily to guarantee the lowest prices on gasoline anywhere in the United States. Sign up for a free daily email with the lowest gas prices for your zip code. http://www.usgastracker.org 

» Read More...

10 Ways To Lower Your Auto Insurance

By Pete Lance

Nowadays, auto insurance is really expensive. A typical insurance policy can cost a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars a year. And the insurance rates you pay are hugely dependent on the insurance company or agent, your age, your car type, your driving record, and even the area you reside in!

You should never go without auto insurance though, despite the costs. Almost all the states require you to protect yourself with a minimum amount of liability coverage. Naturally, the bare minimum is not adequate enough for the average car owner. And as you add in additional coverage for your car, you realize that you will be paying a fairly large sum annually.

So, understanding auto insurance can actually help you to decide on a suitable insurance policy that won't vacuum clean your wallet! Here, we have gathered 10 of the best tips for lowering your auto insurance, by as much as 40

Always compare insurance policies. There are states which regulate auto insurance rates, but the insurance premiums can vary by hundreds of dollars for the exact same coverage. It is definitely worthwhile to shop around. The first thing you can do is to check with your state insurance department. They often provide information about the coverage you need, as well as sample rates from the biggest companies. You can also ask your friends or look up the yellow pages. Checking consumer guides and asking insurance agents can pay off as well. You can easily find out the price range for your insurance policy, as well as discover the lowest prices in town.

However, you should not be shopping based on price along. The insurance company should provide good service at the best price. Excellent personal service is available as well, and they provide added conveniences, although they cost a fair bit more. Ask the company how you can lower your costs, and also check their financial ratings. The rule of thumb is always to get three price quotes from three different companies, and pick the one with the best value.

It can also be a good idea to increase your deductibles. When you file a claim, the deductible is the amount you pay before the insurance company pays for the rest of the damage. A higher deductible on collision and comprehensive coverage can lead to a much lower premium. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $400 can reduce your premiums by up to 25àHowever, you must ensure that you have the financial resources to handle the largest deductible when the time comes.

Remove certain types of coverage from your policy. Almost all the states require liability coverage for your car, but the rest of the coverage is probably dispensable. However, you do not want to be underinsured if you're in an accident, so it isn't advisable to remove all of your additional coverage. Optional coverage includes medical payments, uninsured motorist, collision, and comprehensive coverage.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage for older cars. If you drive an older car that's worth less than $2,000, it's probably more cost-effective to drop collision and comprehensive coverage since you'll probably pay more for the coverage than you'll collect for a claim. You can find out the worth of your car by asking auto dealers and banks.

Make sure your credit report looks good. Car insurance companies often look at your credit history as there is a correlation between the risk to the company and your credit history. If you pay your bills on time and maintain a good credit history, you can enjoy lower insurance rates.

Drive less. Insurance companies often offer low-mileage discounts to motorists who drive less than a predetermined number of miles each year. You can use public transportation more often, car-pool with friends, and take the train or a plane instead of driving to another state. And you'll save on more than your coverage as you'll need to spend less on gasoline (of which prices are incredibly high).

Maintain a clean driving record. The company will give you a price break and you can save on your insurance policy after a specified period of a clean driving record. This means that you have no accidents, no serious driving violations etc, during this period of time. The simplest and surefire way to qualify for this discount is to drive carefully and defensively all the time.

Choose a low-profile car. Insurance rates vary among difference models of vehicles. Generally, sports cars and high-performance cars tend to cost more to insure, mainly because they represent more risk of theft and the drivers are often the people who drive more recklessly. Newer cars will cost more to repair or replace than older ones, so naturally they can more to insure. Low-risk vehicles include station wagons and sedans.

Ask about safety and security discounts. The insurance companies sometimes offer discounts on your insurance if your car is equipped with the following: anti-lock brakes, air bags, automatic seat belts, car alarms, tracking systems. These reduce the injury risk to you, as well as the chances of your car being vandalized or stolen.

Finally, ask about other discounts. You may receive a discount if you buy more than one type of insurance from the same company or if you insure multiple cars under the same policy or company. You may also receive discounts for taking a defensive driving course, staying with the same company for a few years, being a driver over 50, good-student discounts, and being an AAA member. If you already have adequate health insurance, you can also eliminate paying for duplicate medical coverage, thus lowering your personal injury protection costs by a substantial amount.

About the author:

Pete Lance is the founder of http://www.USGasTracker.org,a premier company which helps the consumer save money on gasoline. Thousands of gas stations across the nation are tracked daily to guarantee the lowest prices on gasoline anywhere in the United States.Free daily email with locations and prices.

» Read More...

4 Tips To Saving A Bundle At Your Next Car Auction

By Chris Fox

Many of us have been at the car dealership and have been drained by a salesperson during price negotiations for the purchase of a new car. Most people give in too easily or do not negotiate at all to avoid the dreadful act. This only means more money in the car dealers’ pocket, while you are out of several thousand dollars! Yes, they make that much in profit per car.

This article unveils the dealer’s selling tactics and how you can get around them. But before we dive into the new car buying tips, we need to understand what makes up the dealer’s profits.

In addition to the MSRP (manufacturer suggested retail price), which is the dealer’s cost for the car plus an additional 20-25% profit, a dealer also gets financial incentives from the manufacturer when a new car is sold. This is called Holdback.

Depending on the car, dealers can make hundreds on each car through holdbacks. Dealers also get additional incentives and bonuses on selling a car before the end of the month and/or quarter.

A shrewd dealer can make several thousand on a new car even by selling it at invoice price. This is how new car buying can become tricky for the consumer.

Ready to learn how not to put a dent in your wallet on your next car purchase? Here are four tips to get you started. Each one is a dealer tactic to watch out for.

1. The Guilt Trip

As you may have noticed, every desk in a dealership has photos of the salesperson’s family, instead of photos of cars. Midway in the negotiation, the sales person will bring them up and make it look like his little commission check can hardly pay for his daughters college and little Bradley’s braces.

A seasoned salesperson will soon have you feeling guilty for driving the price down and hurting his commission. Watch out not to fall for this tactic, since you already know about holdbacks and incentive programs from manufacturers.

2. Wearing You Down

Come prepared to spend half a day at the dealership or pay whatever the dealer asks for. Car Dealers are trained to delay and tire you out to the point where you give in and accept their price just to get out of there.

After you make your offer, sales people typically claim they would have to run it by their manager. You may then have to re-start negotiating with the manager, who is also a seasoned salesperson. This dance goes on for a while until you give in.

Remember, there are multiple dealerships in a city, so they need you more than you need them. Demand to speak to the manager after a certain time period or threaten to leave.

Because you are devoting a lot of time to bargain with the dealer, they know you are a serious buyer, so they will not let you leave. The earlier you can speak with the manager, the faster you can leave.

3. The Test Drive

We all enjoy a good test drive and look forward to it. Although it is essential to test drive a car before you buy it, remember to not show your absolute love for the car to the salesperson. Their goal is to get you emotionally attached to the car, so it becomes a must have for you. I have learned it the hard way.

To hide your emotional tears from the salesperson, mention the features of a competing car in the same class, like the new shape, light, leg room, resale value etc. This will make the salesperson a little vulnerable.

4. Monthly Payments

This one is to confuse you. Dealers will start talking about monthly payments rather than the total price of the car. They will start by asking how much you are willing to pay per month and how much of a down payment you are willing to pay. Since people don’t want to look like they cannot afford a certain car, they will usually give a higher number. Big Mistake!

You have left little room for negotiation when this happens. Always steer the conversation to the total price of the car and do NOT mention any trade-ins at this point. Only after the total price of the vehicle is completely negotiated then talk about interest, monthly payment and trade-ins.

General Rule;

As a general rule, remember to only focus and negotiate on the Total Price of the vehicle. Everything else is pretty much the car dealer’s trough.

If the above new car buying tips seem like a lot of hassle, yet you still want to get the best price in town, there are some websites that do this for you. www.autoauctionbids.com for example is a great website for this because you can collect price quotes from multiple local dealers for a particular car as well as its competing car models (like Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Ford Taurus) and compare them.

The website then allows you to send back the lowest quotes received for each car make to all participating dealers in your area through the website itself.

Dealers view this price and continue to submit new lower prices over a 3 day period. By putting local car dealers in such a price competition allows you to avoid the dreadful face to face negotiation and yet gets you the lowest price in town for up to 3 competing car makes.

The best part about AutoAuctionBids.com is that it is absolutely free for you and there is no obligation to buy after the new car auction is over.

About the author:

For more information on cars and car auction visit http://cheap-car-auction-portal.com

» Read More...

18 Simple Ways To Save Money On Your Car

By Jeff Slokum

The upkeep of your vehicle can be quite an expense - from initial purchase to insurance to maintenance. And sometimes we get the sinking feeling that every time we need a car repair, we’re going to get taken for a ride. (pardon the pun!) Actually there are some ways to make sure you don’t get a raw deal when dealing with a local body shop.

After you get recommendations for honest mechanics, call around to check out the prices for certain jobs. It’s always smart to get a second opinion.

How about some preventative medicine? Keep your gas tank filled. This will help you avoid the gas line freezing up in cold weather. Also, driving on “fumes” allows little pieces of dirt at the bottom of your gas tank to run through the fuel lines with the last drops of gas. This debris clogs up the fuel filter and can cause carburetor damage as well.

Sometimes a problem with your car’s electrical system results from a simple blown fuse. Check to see if you have any blown fuses before investing in a tow truck!

Keep track of how much oil your car uses. A sudden change in oil consumption means you need to see a technician.

Save your brakes by having your brake fluid changed every 30,000 miles.

Check your tire pressure once a month. This simple maintenance check can add up savings at the gas pump!

Stop and go traffic causes excess wear and tear on your vehicle. Go ahead and give your car a nice twenty minute ride at 55 mph on the highway every couple weeks if you “major” in short trips.

There are other ways to save money on car expenses. Let’s look at the insurance payments.

If you’ve budgeted for possible out-of-pocket expenses in case of a car accident, you might want to consider increasing your insurance deductible to $500. This will lower the cost of your insurance.

Talk to your insurance agent. If your car is as old as the hills, you might want to drop collision coverage to save money.

Car insurance companies offer a variety of discounts. Ask your agent if the company offers reductions for driver training courses, anti-lock brakes, car alarms, air bags, mature drivers, good students or maintaining a good driving record.

Before you purchase from a dealer, ask about the dealer's return policy, get it in writing and read it carefully. Dealers are not required by law to give used car buyers a three-day right to cancel.

Visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov to find cars that are fuel efficient.

Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas. In most cases, using cruise control on the highway will save gas.

Replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. This isn’t going to cost you an arm or leg either.

Do your homework when buying a car from an auction. Many vehicles that have been damaged by floods and hurricanes are going on the market. These won’t last long – leaving you with a flood of bills. Be a little concerned if the carpet looks too new, and check carefully for signs of rust.

Carfax.com shares info on inspecting a used car to make sure you get the best deal.

If you use your car for business, keep track of miles traveled so that you can use this for a tax deduction. Get more info at irs.gov. 

When you consider all the ways you can save money on your current vehicle, you might be persuaded to put away the extra each month for a new car down the road!

About the author:


This article provided courtesy of http://www.car-alarm-guide.net

Circulated by Article Emporium

---

» Read More...

2005 VOLVO S40 | Can now be Accentuated with Volvo Performance Parts from Parts Train

By
Jenny McLane

The most noteworthy element with this next-generation S40 is the sculpted shoulder line that starts at the front of the car between the headlights and grille and is carried across the beltline all the way back to the taillights. The new Volvo will be available with two new gasoline engines, the 2.4-liter five-cylinder with 168 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, and as the T5 with the 2.5-liter low-pressure turbo with 218 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

The S40 T5's engine is the familiar 2.5-liter twin-cam, low-pressure turbocharged, intercooled in-line five-cylinder found in most other Volvo lines. Its 218 horsepower (at 5000 rpm) and 236 lb-ft of torque (between 1500 and 4800 rpm) have almost 750 lbs less car to move than the similar engine in an S60 2.5T AWD. 

The S40 is offered in two different five-cylinder engines, the 168-hp 2.4L gas engine and the 218-hp 2.5L turbo gas engine, badged 2.4i and T5 respectively. The T5 is available in 2WD or AWD mated to a five -speed Geartronic automatic transmission or a six-speed manual. Standard features include cruise control, alloy wheels, daytime running lights, and an AM/FM stereo with CD player. The T5 trim upgrades by adding a trip computer, front fog lights, automatic climate control, a power driver's seat, and interior wood trim. The optional Climate Package, available on both trims, equips the S40 with heated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, and headlight washers.

Other features of the Volvo S40: Stability and Traction Control (STC), Available Electronically Controlled All Wheel Drive, the Volvo S40 T5 and T5 AWD offer a transversely mounted, 2.5-liter, 5-cylinder turbocharged engine with 218 hp, Ultra-Slim Center Control Panel, 6-speed manual transmission on the S40 T5 and T5 AWD, Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS).

The new Volvo S40 has the safety equipment that includes dual stage airbags, side airbags, WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System), collapsible pedals, seatbelt pretensioners for the front and rear outer seats, and a force limiter for the front seatbelts. The S40 has anti-lock brakes and emergency brake assistance, while ESP and traction control are also available.

Like Volvo, the car manufacturer whose foremost concern is fulfilling the needs of its customer's worldwide, Parts train is strongly committed to the utmost satisfaction of its customer base. It is one of the leading Volvo Parts suppliers in the US. You can check out their Volvo Parts Catalog at http://www.partstrain.com/ShopByVehicle/VOLVO.

About the author:

Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.
Circulated by Article Emporium

---

» Read More...