What follows are some fundamental rules that we suggest you follow if you want to be successful in buying a used car "cheap" and reducing your risk.
Rule #1
Do you Homework
a. Know the actual wholesale value of the car you want to buy.
b. Before you agree to buy a car, be sure to have it inspected by a certified mechanic.
Rule #2
Plan your buying strategy ahead of time.
Decide on your top price and then begin your negotiation at least 20% below what your willing to pay. (See “During Negotiation Tips” below.)
Rule #3
Have the Money in Hand
One of the keys to buying "cheap" lies in having the ability to "write a check" on the spot. "Cash in hand" always gets a seller's attention. If you’re going to get a loan, get it first.
Rule #4
Be Flexible
While you may have a make, model, year and color in mind when you begin to shop, it's a good idea to remain flexible. Great deals don't always arrive exactly as you envisioned them
Rule #5
Be Patient
Often to get a truly great deal, you have to be patient. If you find yourself in a situation where you're more anxious to buy than the seller is to sell, your chances of buying "cheap" are between slim and none. The key to finding a really good deal is being in the right place at the right time and that requires both persistence and patience.
Rule #6
Be Prepared to Walk from the Deal
If it doesn't feel right, if something seems amiss, if your "gut" seems to be telling you that your prospective purchase is a mistake . . . walk away. You can always find another car.
During the Negotiation - Tips
1. Make up your mind to be pleasant, friendly and non-combative. It is very hard for a sales person to negotiate with a "nice person" who simply refuses to be "bumped."
2. Never let the seller know exactly what you're thinking. The only time you want to appear to reveal your true feelings is when it comes to pointing out flaws or problems in the seller's car.
3. Never divulge what you're really willing to pay. If you are on a dealer's lot, one of the first questions the sales person will ask is "What are you looking to spend?" If you have not as yet settled on a car and are "just looking" you might find it to your advantage to give the sales person a price range. However, offer a price range that is twenty to thirty percent higher than your actual target price. The reason is because most any car the sales person shows you is going to be priced about twenty to thirty percent above what the dealer is willing to take.
4. Always be ready to "walk away." Be nice. Be polite. In fact, if you're up to it, feign some personal pain that you were unable to make the deal. As you walk away, walk slowly. Take your time getting off the lot. Chances are the sales person will make one last attempt to reach an agreeable price.
Negotiate With a Smile
When it comes to dealership sales people, keep in mind that one of your most effective tactics is to always be pleasant and remain calm. There is nothing more difficult than dealing with a person who cannot be intimidated, rushed, pushed or panicked. It's very hard to negotiate with nice people who simply refuse to negotiate.
Once you’ve made an offer you may hear, “your not being reasonable,” or “you’ve got to meet me half way” of “my boss will never let the car go for that,” just smile politely and say,. "You have my offer. I'd like to see you earn something for all the time you've spent with me. But, this is the limit of my budget."
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
How I Am Saving Money And Life On My Car
I spend a lot of money on my car. It seems that I lose on both ends, as I not only pay interest on a loan, but pay interest on something that loses value as quickly as it is created. My only hope is to make this car last longer than the five years I spend on financing it. I have done some research with the hope of saving some money and help make my car last as long as possible.
I follow the manufacturer’s suggested service schedule instead of the dealer’s service schedule and plan. After comparison, I have found that the dealer recommends more frequent and intensive service schedules and recommendations.
Most new cars do not require an oil change every 3000 miles, but rather every 6000 to 7500 miles, depending on usage. Also, if you do not have a reputable mechanic, be sure to mark your oil filter. Some places assume you will not check to see if your filter has been replaced as described in the service, and just wipe off the old one. Also be sure to keep records of when you had your car serviced. One popular shop recommended new wiper blades to me only after they put on new ones not three months prior.
Higher grade gas does not improve engine performance and does not give you better mileage. I tested this theory over a few months and found that the extra 20 cents per gallon did not improve my mileage. What did work was making sure my tires were inflated properly. If your car pulls sharply, add air to the tires and take them in if needed. Rotating your tires will save some miles and wear on your car.
Finally, walk, ride a bike, or car pool. This can save your car thousands of miles in a lifetime and ultimately extend your need for services to the shop.
I follow the manufacturer’s suggested service schedule instead of the dealer’s service schedule and plan. After comparison, I have found that the dealer recommends more frequent and intensive service schedules and recommendations.
Most new cars do not require an oil change every 3000 miles, but rather every 6000 to 7500 miles, depending on usage. Also, if you do not have a reputable mechanic, be sure to mark your oil filter. Some places assume you will not check to see if your filter has been replaced as described in the service, and just wipe off the old one. Also be sure to keep records of when you had your car serviced. One popular shop recommended new wiper blades to me only after they put on new ones not three months prior.
Higher grade gas does not improve engine performance and does not give you better mileage. I tested this theory over a few months and found that the extra 20 cents per gallon did not improve my mileage. What did work was making sure my tires were inflated properly. If your car pulls sharply, add air to the tires and take them in if needed. Rotating your tires will save some miles and wear on your car.
Finally, walk, ride a bike, or car pool. This can save your car thousands of miles in a lifetime and ultimately extend your need for services to the shop.
A Brief History of The E30: A 3 Series BMW
In Road & Track's first test of the new 1984 318i, in its July 1983 issue, the first of the second-generation "E30" 3 Series, the most startling thing about it was the price tag. At an as-tested $18,210, this 318i was more than double the price of a 1977 320i — and in general specification the newer car wasn't much different from the older one...at least in two-door form.
While again an evolutionary change, the E30's styling offered significant aerodynamic benefits over the E21. The grille was now less radically angled and the headlights were almost flush with it. In contrast to the flat hood of the E21, the E30's sloped gently and the car was otherwise more rounded and slick. There wasn't much difference in size, either, with the E30's wheelbase stretching a mere 0.3 inches from the E21's 100.9 to 101.2, and overall length actually dropping slightly. But what many buyers noticed first about the E30 was how substantial and tight the car was. Knowing that the "Baby Mercedes" was on the way, the E30 engineering team had redoubled their efforts on build quality and dependability, which were traditional Benz strengths.
With 101 horsepower from its 1.8-liter injected four, the 1984 318i two-door was an innocuous start for the E30. But almost immediately following that car was the 325e, which featured a 2.7-liter version of the inline six-cylinder engine first introduced on the larger 528e sedan. With a high compression ratio, but a low redline and economy-minded gearing, the "eta" 2.7, like all BMW sixes, was smooth and elegantly torque in the company's smallest car, but hardly sporting in character. But its 121 horsepower were the most BMW had offered to U.S. buyers since the 2002tii, and the car was decently quick, making it to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 16.6 seconds at 81.5 mph for Road & Track (the 318i did the same deeds in 11.6 and 18.3 seconds for the same magazine with a 74.0-mph trap speed in the quarter).
The four-door arrived for 1985, and along with it came a new four-speed automatic transmission available with either the four or the six. By 1986, the demand for the four-cylinder 318i had dried up, and it was dropped from the lineup, but antilock four-wheel disc brakes were now standard and a better-handling, sportier-looking 325es two-door joined the line.
The E30 really came of age in the 1987 model year with the appearance of the 325i and 325is models, which abandoned the eta reduced-rev/high-fuel mileage engine concept and the introduction of the 325iC Convertible, the first pure convertible offered in the 3 Series. "The new 325is is the first genuinely sporting BMW to reach our shores since the 2002tii went out of production in 1975," wrote Car and Driver upon testing the '87 325is. The 325is engine, though part of the same M20 family as the eta engine and having the same 84mm bore, had a 75mm stroke (down 6mm from the eta) to drop displacement from 2,693 to 2,494 cubic centimeters. That short stroke was one element that opened the rev range a full 500 rpm higher and pushed the output to 168 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of peak torque — easily the most powerful 3 Series to that moment. Car and Driver's 325is blasted to 60 mph in just 7.4 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 15.6 seconds at 88 mph. So gratifying and ingratiating was the new 325i engine that most reviewers felt the car was worth its soaring price tag. In the case of Car and Driver's 325is, that tag read $27,475 — which the magazine pointed out is, taking inflation into account, double the price of the old 2002tii.
BMW's Motorsport division had gotten its start in the early '70s creating high-performance street cars, as well as race cars. By 1987, the reputation of the Motorsports division for building brilliant sporting machinery was well established. And yet entering 1986, it had never really played with the 3 Series.
The original M3 made it over to the United States 1988. Originally built to take on Mercedes' Cosworth-tweaked 190E 2.3-16 in FIA Group A racing, the M3 employed a 2.3-liter four-cylinder capped with a twin-cam four-valve head that was essentially one of the big six four-valve heads less two cylinders. Dropped into a modified 3 Series two-door body shell (the flared fenders, more steeply raked rear window and higher trunk lid meant only the hood was left untouched from more plebian 3s), the Bosch fuel-injected "M Power" four was rated at 192 horsepower at a wailing 6,750 rpm when it finally got to North America. "This is not a car for yuppies," wrote Car and Driver on their first exposure to the U.S.-spec M3. "This is a car for us. In case you haven't noticed, BMW's U.S. lineup has blossomed to include a dazzling array of leather-lined hot rods that beg to be flogged through the twisties and hammered on the superslabs." Stirring the five-speed manual transmission, Car and Driver blasted that 2,857-pound M3 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds, blitzed the quarter-mile in just 15.2 seconds with a 92-mph trap speed and screamed to a 141-mph top speed. With an as-tested price of $34,810, the M3 was at that time (and still in many minds) the ultimate BMW 3 Series.
BMW would build an all-wheel-drive 325ix model in 1988 as well, and the Motorsport fanatics would conjure up "Evolution" models of the M3 for those who found the wonderful original only a good starting point. But with the introduction of the M3, the possibilities of the E30 3 Series were thoroughly and gloriously exhausted as it faded out of production through 1991.
While again an evolutionary change, the E30's styling offered significant aerodynamic benefits over the E21. The grille was now less radically angled and the headlights were almost flush with it. In contrast to the flat hood of the E21, the E30's sloped gently and the car was otherwise more rounded and slick. There wasn't much difference in size, either, with the E30's wheelbase stretching a mere 0.3 inches from the E21's 100.9 to 101.2, and overall length actually dropping slightly. But what many buyers noticed first about the E30 was how substantial and tight the car was. Knowing that the "Baby Mercedes" was on the way, the E30 engineering team had redoubled their efforts on build quality and dependability, which were traditional Benz strengths.
With 101 horsepower from its 1.8-liter injected four, the 1984 318i two-door was an innocuous start for the E30. But almost immediately following that car was the 325e, which featured a 2.7-liter version of the inline six-cylinder engine first introduced on the larger 528e sedan. With a high compression ratio, but a low redline and economy-minded gearing, the "eta" 2.7, like all BMW sixes, was smooth and elegantly torque in the company's smallest car, but hardly sporting in character. But its 121 horsepower were the most BMW had offered to U.S. buyers since the 2002tii, and the car was decently quick, making it to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 16.6 seconds at 81.5 mph for Road & Track (the 318i did the same deeds in 11.6 and 18.3 seconds for the same magazine with a 74.0-mph trap speed in the quarter).
The four-door arrived for 1985, and along with it came a new four-speed automatic transmission available with either the four or the six. By 1986, the demand for the four-cylinder 318i had dried up, and it was dropped from the lineup, but antilock four-wheel disc brakes were now standard and a better-handling, sportier-looking 325es two-door joined the line.
The E30 really came of age in the 1987 model year with the appearance of the 325i and 325is models, which abandoned the eta reduced-rev/high-fuel mileage engine concept and the introduction of the 325iC Convertible, the first pure convertible offered in the 3 Series. "The new 325is is the first genuinely sporting BMW to reach our shores since the 2002tii went out of production in 1975," wrote Car and Driver upon testing the '87 325is. The 325is engine, though part of the same M20 family as the eta engine and having the same 84mm bore, had a 75mm stroke (down 6mm from the eta) to drop displacement from 2,693 to 2,494 cubic centimeters. That short stroke was one element that opened the rev range a full 500 rpm higher and pushed the output to 168 horsepower and 164 pound-feet of peak torque — easily the most powerful 3 Series to that moment. Car and Driver's 325is blasted to 60 mph in just 7.4 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 15.6 seconds at 88 mph. So gratifying and ingratiating was the new 325i engine that most reviewers felt the car was worth its soaring price tag. In the case of Car and Driver's 325is, that tag read $27,475 — which the magazine pointed out is, taking inflation into account, double the price of the old 2002tii.
BMW's Motorsport division had gotten its start in the early '70s creating high-performance street cars, as well as race cars. By 1987, the reputation of the Motorsports division for building brilliant sporting machinery was well established. And yet entering 1986, it had never really played with the 3 Series.
The original M3 made it over to the United States 1988. Originally built to take on Mercedes' Cosworth-tweaked 190E 2.3-16 in FIA Group A racing, the M3 employed a 2.3-liter four-cylinder capped with a twin-cam four-valve head that was essentially one of the big six four-valve heads less two cylinders. Dropped into a modified 3 Series two-door body shell (the flared fenders, more steeply raked rear window and higher trunk lid meant only the hood was left untouched from more plebian 3s), the Bosch fuel-injected "M Power" four was rated at 192 horsepower at a wailing 6,750 rpm when it finally got to North America. "This is not a car for yuppies," wrote Car and Driver on their first exposure to the U.S.-spec M3. "This is a car for us. In case you haven't noticed, BMW's U.S. lineup has blossomed to include a dazzling array of leather-lined hot rods that beg to be flogged through the twisties and hammered on the superslabs." Stirring the five-speed manual transmission, Car and Driver blasted that 2,857-pound M3 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds, blitzed the quarter-mile in just 15.2 seconds with a 92-mph trap speed and screamed to a 141-mph top speed. With an as-tested price of $34,810, the M3 was at that time (and still in many minds) the ultimate BMW 3 Series.
BMW would build an all-wheel-drive 325ix model in 1988 as well, and the Motorsport fanatics would conjure up "Evolution" models of the M3 for those who found the wonderful original only a good starting point. But with the introduction of the M3, the possibilities of the E30 3 Series were thoroughly and gloriously exhausted as it faded out of production through 1991.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
The Car Loan Process
When it comes to buying a new car whether it is a brand new one off the forecourt or a second hand car then unless you are extremely lucky you are going to have to make arrangements for financing. When it comes to the car loan process it can seem a daunting task, however if you have access to the internet then you can make it so much easier.
By shopping online you are able to find the type of loan that will work out the best for you and then once you have decided on which type you are able to get quotes and make comparisons to find the best deal. By choosing to take your loan online when it comes to buying your car you can be sure that you are getting the cheapest rates of interest available.
There are a majority of lenders who offer online loans and by taking your loan this way you can make the car loan process quicker and easier. One of the first steps you should take is to do a search using one of the popular search engines and then simply click on the listings this reveals, when you have compared the rates of interest for the loan you require then applying for the loan is as easy as following a few simple steps.
The first step will be submitting the loan application itself and to do this you just need the relevant information to hand such as your details. This is the very first step and it is in this step you will get pre-approved for the loan.
Once you have made the application, how long you will have to wait depends on the site that you have chosen to go with, in the majority of cases your application will be dealt with as quickly as possible. Usually the company will get back in touch with you the same day, although in some cases it could be a day or so before you get the final decision. Following this you will then move on to the next stage in the car loan process.
If your application for the loan is successful then the company will get back in touch with you to complete any further documentation that might be needed in order to take the loan further.
This is the easiest way to secure a loan when it comes to buying a car; however different companies have slightly different methods. There are web sites which will not only give you a loan for a car but which will also have many listings of cars in virtual showrooms from which you can choose from and when choosing one of these it is the same as going with a high street dealer only you are doing the majority of the work online from the comfort of your own home.
By shopping online you are able to find the type of loan that will work out the best for you and then once you have decided on which type you are able to get quotes and make comparisons to find the best deal. By choosing to take your loan online when it comes to buying your car you can be sure that you are getting the cheapest rates of interest available.
There are a majority of lenders who offer online loans and by taking your loan this way you can make the car loan process quicker and easier. One of the first steps you should take is to do a search using one of the popular search engines and then simply click on the listings this reveals, when you have compared the rates of interest for the loan you require then applying for the loan is as easy as following a few simple steps.
The first step will be submitting the loan application itself and to do this you just need the relevant information to hand such as your details. This is the very first step and it is in this step you will get pre-approved for the loan.
Once you have made the application, how long you will have to wait depends on the site that you have chosen to go with, in the majority of cases your application will be dealt with as quickly as possible. Usually the company will get back in touch with you the same day, although in some cases it could be a day or so before you get the final decision. Following this you will then move on to the next stage in the car loan process.
If your application for the loan is successful then the company will get back in touch with you to complete any further documentation that might be needed in order to take the loan further.
This is the easiest way to secure a loan when it comes to buying a car; however different companies have slightly different methods. There are web sites which will not only give you a loan for a car but which will also have many listings of cars in virtual showrooms from which you can choose from and when choosing one of these it is the same as going with a high street dealer only you are doing the majority of the work online from the comfort of your own home.
Shopping For Used Cars Online
When it comes to buying your used car there is the hard way to go about it and the easier way. The hard was traveling around car dealerships with the chance that you are going to find the car of your dream for the price you can afford. However shopping for used cars online is the much easier option and can be done all from the comfort of your own home. By going online you can easily travel around many sites, which allows you to make a search for a particular make of car and engine size, price and location.
The beauty of shopping online is that you are able to not only quickly find the exact model but also see photos of the car along with details and the location of the car. If you are interested in following it up then contact numbers are given, this is by far the best way when it comes shopping for used cars online. Another bonus on your side is that the majority of the time the price can be negotiated, which leads to an even bigger bargain.
Of course when looking to buy a used car online you will have to have done a little homework beforehand. If you are looking for a particular make and model then be sure to look around at many sites to get a good idea of the asking price for a good second hand car of that type before deciding to go and look at one.
It is also important that you know a little about cars when you finally decide to go and look the car over. The seller of course will have done everything possible to make the car stand out and look good so you will have to look the car over with a very careful eye. Make sure that you look for signs of welding which could indicate the car has been in an accident at some time or another and check it thoroughly for any signs of rust, also check the dashboard for any signs that screws have been tampered with as this could be an indication that the mileage has been altered.
You should also make sure that you see any relevant documentation that goes with the vehicle and if you are given excuses then be very wary. Finally you should always take a test drive, try to make sure you can test all the gears in the car and listen to the sound of the engine and take notice of how the car handles.
Shopping for used cars online is by far the easiest way to buy your second hand car and with a little care you can pick up a great bargain that will last you many years.
The beauty of shopping online is that you are able to not only quickly find the exact model but also see photos of the car along with details and the location of the car. If you are interested in following it up then contact numbers are given, this is by far the best way when it comes shopping for used cars online. Another bonus on your side is that the majority of the time the price can be negotiated, which leads to an even bigger bargain.
Of course when looking to buy a used car online you will have to have done a little homework beforehand. If you are looking for a particular make and model then be sure to look around at many sites to get a good idea of the asking price for a good second hand car of that type before deciding to go and look at one.
It is also important that you know a little about cars when you finally decide to go and look the car over. The seller of course will have done everything possible to make the car stand out and look good so you will have to look the car over with a very careful eye. Make sure that you look for signs of welding which could indicate the car has been in an accident at some time or another and check it thoroughly for any signs of rust, also check the dashboard for any signs that screws have been tampered with as this could be an indication that the mileage has been altered.
You should also make sure that you see any relevant documentation that goes with the vehicle and if you are given excuses then be very wary. Finally you should always take a test drive, try to make sure you can test all the gears in the car and listen to the sound of the engine and take notice of how the car handles.
Shopping for used cars online is by far the easiest way to buy your second hand car and with a little care you can pick up a great bargain that will last you many years.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
How To Decide What Used Car To Buy
The majority of people who wish to buy a used car have a clear picture in their mind of the type of car that they want, or at the very least some idea of whether they want a saloon or a hatchback. However by the time they have visited the showroom they can leave the forecourt driving away something very different from what they envisaged.
The reason behind this could be the salesman persuading you away from what you know is the right choice or you simply buy on impulse only to realise your mistake later. Here are some practical tips to help ensure you don’t make a big mistake when it comes to purchasing your car.
The first thing you should take into account is the size of the car; factors to take into consideration here are the size of your garage or drive and whether or not you have a family. If you have a family then purchasing a small two seated model is probably not the right choice. The same applies if you have limited space as then you aren’t going to be able to fit a big car into it.
The size is also determined by the build you are, for example if you are a tall person then you will have to ensure that you have adequate room, you don’t want to have to open the sunroof and stick out your head in order to see where you are going.
Take into account what it is that you need the car for. Are you going to be towing a caravan or attaching a trailer to it on a regular basis? If you are then you should consider a car with a bigger engine such as a four wheel drive. If you only want something to run about in the city then your choice might be better suited to a smaller hatchback model. The car you choose should fit in with your lifestyle.
Another important factor that you should always take into account when considering the type of car is how much it will cost to insure. The size, make and model of the car are all factors that are taken into consideration when it comes to determining the quote for your premium for the car insurance.
Finally, you have the choice of going for a petrol or diesel model; there are many advantages to choosing a diesel model rather than petrol. The diesel engine is considered to be more reliable and the fuel is more economical. However there are bad points too and these include the engine of the car being worked harder which means a major overhaul. Cars that run on diesel are also often overpriced and they aren’t considered to be environmentally friendly when compared to petrol engines.
The reason behind this could be the salesman persuading you away from what you know is the right choice or you simply buy on impulse only to realise your mistake later. Here are some practical tips to help ensure you don’t make a big mistake when it comes to purchasing your car.
The first thing you should take into account is the size of the car; factors to take into consideration here are the size of your garage or drive and whether or not you have a family. If you have a family then purchasing a small two seated model is probably not the right choice. The same applies if you have limited space as then you aren’t going to be able to fit a big car into it.
The size is also determined by the build you are, for example if you are a tall person then you will have to ensure that you have adequate room, you don’t want to have to open the sunroof and stick out your head in order to see where you are going.
Take into account what it is that you need the car for. Are you going to be towing a caravan or attaching a trailer to it on a regular basis? If you are then you should consider a car with a bigger engine such as a four wheel drive. If you only want something to run about in the city then your choice might be better suited to a smaller hatchback model. The car you choose should fit in with your lifestyle.
Another important factor that you should always take into account when considering the type of car is how much it will cost to insure. The size, make and model of the car are all factors that are taken into consideration when it comes to determining the quote for your premium for the car insurance.
Finally, you have the choice of going for a petrol or diesel model; there are many advantages to choosing a diesel model rather than petrol. The diesel engine is considered to be more reliable and the fuel is more economical. However there are bad points too and these include the engine of the car being worked harder which means a major overhaul. Cars that run on diesel are also often overpriced and they aren’t considered to be environmentally friendly when compared to petrol engines.
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