The problem is that the bluebook value is approximate. It gives you a good place to start from but it doesn’t really tell you about any particular individual car. For that, you need the expert knowledge of mechanic. Nonetheless, when you are buying cars, it is a really good idea to start with the blue book automotive value. At the very least, it can help you narrow down the choices to a manageable few. A lot of the time, people try to sell their used cars for way more than they are worth. They become convinced that, because of the sentimental value, the car has lost very little value over its lifetime. In reality though, cars depreciate very quickly. Knowing the blue book value means that you can avoid sellers with unrealistic demands. This means they won’t waste your time and you won’t waste theirs.

Of course, blue book values are not the only way of evaluating cars. The blue book value tells you a lot about how much a car is worth, but it doesn’t tell you how much use you will get out of it. For that, you would do better to buy something like consumer reports. Consumer Reports focuses less on value and more on usefulness. It will tell you what repairs are most likely to be needed, how long the car will last, and if it is a good buy in the first place. Neither one of them is a complete resource, but when you combine blue book value and consumer reports, you get a pretty good picture of the car as a whole.

Maybe you don't relate to this people and haven't washed your car since you got it out of the agency. If you are all about cleaning and scrubbing, little brushes and dental instruments for your car, maybe this article is not for you. Oh well, we still got a couple of point we can make about you.

Are you in the group of people that own grimy, clunking vehicles? This article is written just for you. I really want to scare you and hurt you where it hurts more. No, not there. Worse, it's about your wallet.

You have to learn that the lack of car care is going to cost you dearly. The prices for re-sale vehicles, those you see listed in the Blue Book, are only valid for well taken care of vehicles. Not taking care of your car in a regular basis will only degrade it's value. Not changing the oil, for example, is considered neglect, and will lower your sale price. Fortunately, making just some minot tweaks to your car maintenance routine can make some the difference in just a short time.

Be warned: this suggestions are not the best practice, but what will work for those of us that can't really devote ourselves to vehicle maintenance. First, let's do a little cleaning. Take your car to a car wash. Touchless is the best option, but if your car is in really bad shape, any gas station wash will have to do. It just to get the first layer of dirt off it.

Then, find yourself one of those parking lot detailers. For $10-$40, you get your vehicle looking pretty sharp. Plus, if there is a real problem with your exterior, such as paint oxidation, swirling, or fading, the detailer may have a solution like clay bars, rubbing compounds and even touch-up paint. Keep in mind, those extra services will cost a bit more.

Now, don't skip the interior, you will thank me for this. By the time your car is ready, you will be surprised how your car will look like. Up until now, you haven't really worked at all, other than driving to the car wash and spending a few dollars.

Next, the car care conundrum: the engine. But of course you are not going to do this. It is much easier and cheaper to get a good change oil place to do it for you. Find a good place to do this and they will get you the service at a reasonable cost.

You can be sure they've seen worse, so don't be embarrased whey they show your battery terminals reduced to some flaky, white gunk. They may offer to change your air filter (good for improving gas mileage), or they may offer to "flush the cooling system" or "replace the transmission oil", etc. Your car may need it, but be careful you don't spend a lot here because they see you as a sucker. Just my experience.

Now, with a little car car your ride is looking and running like you never thought it could. You will no longer be embarrased to be seeing in it. Your next date will be surprised and you will be proud.

Do you like that? Would you like to keep it that way? It's really quite simple, just follow the steps mentioned earlier, wash it and get the oil changed every-once-in-a-while. Once car care becomes a regular practice and then a habit, it's not so bad. You might even start venturing out by adding custom aftermarket accessories such as an air intake, seat covers or even an exhaust system.

Remember that if you take care of your car, it will go much farther.

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This is why it is so important to read vehicle reviews before you buy a car. A good vehicle review will tell you everything that you need to know. That is why it is important that you look at the right sources. After all, there are many different kinds of car review magazines, websites, and other resources.

One of the most important ones is still the vehicle consumer report. Although it has been around for years, Consumer Reports has remained one of the most important resources for anyone making a major purchase. Although it doesn’t give you a thorough description of a car, it does break it down in terms of value, fuel economy, maintenance costs, and other important considerations.

Of course, there are many people who like a little bit more personality in a vehicle review. They like descriptions of test drives, evocative language that really describes the experience of owning and operating the vehicle, and first-hand accounts of other people who have owned one. For these car buyers, a Consumer Reports review is not really enough. They usually do better looking at a vehicle review in one of the major car magazines, such as Car and Driver. The kind of vehicle review you find there is written like an article. It makes the car come to life, something that is important for many drivers.

Of course, one of the most important things to consider is the vehicle safety review. A vehicle review may tell you that a car is efficient, easy to maintain, and an excellent investment, but if it is a death trap you still shouldn’t buy it! Anyone who doesn’t consider vehicle safety when making a purchasing decision is gambling with their own life and the lives of all their passengers!

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Seat covers for cars are often found in automotive stores, or in the automotive section of your favorite department store. The problem with these types of covers is that there is usually a very limited variety from which to choose. I don’t know about you, but I do not want have camouflaged seat covers in my car. You may be able to find some of these covers in very basic colors, and that might be what you want to go with. If you have a more whimsical side to you, you may want to find seat covers that look like a cow, or something else just a silly. The choice will be up to you.

If you want seat covers for inside your home, you will have to look inside a furniture store, or the furniture section of your favorite department or discount store. Make sure you have measured the furniture you wish to cover before you go shopping. The last thing the you want to do is to buy seat covers that do not fit. You should be able to find a wider variety of colors for these type of seat covers as opposed to what you can find for your automobile. These are more popular, and these are something that you have to look at every day. People who make them are aware that more and more people are using these types of covers in their homes, and they want a wider variety of colors and patterns from which to choose.

If you want to get seat covers for your outside furniture, make sure you find something that is waterproof. You don’t want to buy something that will be ruined the first time it rains. You can find these types of seat covers in almost any store that sells outside furniture or yard supplies. You may even find them in a garden supply store. These seat covers are generally used to keep the furniture dry when it rains, so you may not be as picky about the color. Just make sure you get something durable and that will stand up to whatever type of weather you’re use to having.

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2. You should visit FightingChance.com if you are hoping to find new car prices, dealer incentives, and the best rebate offers. This site is the first place that you should go for great advice on buying a car. It's even more informative than the Kelley Blue book. This program for buying new cars can literally save you thousands of dollars.

3. You should purchase your new car at or around Christmas time because with everybody buying their Christmas presents, not many of them are looking to buy a new car, and it forces dealerships to up their sales strategies. Salesmen are more willing to haggle down to your prices to close the deal.

4. Between July and October is another great period to purchase a car. Dealerships are trying to get rid of older stock quickly so that they have space for the new models that are released.

5. You should never buy a car when you are in desperate need for one because a dealer will see that and take advantage. You should never wait until an old car is dead before searching for a new one because you should give yourself time to shop around for one and get the best deal possible. Desperation often clouds your judgment

6. Bring your credit score report when going to the dealer to buy a car. It can help you get better rates on car loans.

7. Some dealers try to give higher rates claiming your score is worse than it really is. This is a common scam and another reason to bring your report with you.

8. Dealers may also ask you to re -sign finance papers, claiming that they have found you a better rate. Do not beleive them. It is an attempt to get your financial information. This gives them bargaining power. Get your credit report from equifax. It's cost about $15, and could save you thousands.

9. Avoid trading in your vehicle if you still owe money on it. It is unlikely that dealers will pay the remaining money on time, so you could end up paying late fees to your lender. If you must trade it in then get a letter from the dealer stating that they will pay the balance within 10 days.

10. Sometimes a dealership may not have all of your options and must order the car directly from the dealership. If this happens they will often ask you to pay $500-$1000 for a deposit on the car. Try not to pay more than $500 and be sure to pay with a credit card because sometimes the dealership will tell you that there was a price increase on the vehicle and will want more money. If you pay with a credit card you have room to dispute the amount being taken from you. If you pay by check, you can just consider the money gone.

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Because I hate shopping for vehicles I tend to put a great deal of miles on the car I own. I take good care of my cars making sure they have regular maintenance, but there comes a time when they simply wear out. I found myself once again in the market for a vehicle and this time I wanted to buy a new one. I was telling a friend about not wanting to go into a dealership alone because I am quite na've when it comes to the cost of cars. He suggested I look up the car dealer invoice of the vehicles that I was interested in purchasing. He told me that most manufactures publish the car dealer invoice so people will not be over charged. I thought this sounded like a great idea. I did some searching and soon found the car dealer invoice for the vehicle I was the most interested in. The invoice outlined what accessories came standard with the car and what things cost extra. The suggested retail prices for the extras were listed. I made copies of the different invoices and went looking for a car.

One car dealer was advertising that the cars were on sale for one dollar over the dealer’s invoice. This was an inventory reduction sale. I had my copy of the invoice and went to the car dealer to see how honest their advertising was. I explained to the sales person what type of car I wanted and what accessories were important to me. He had one on the lot and suggested that I test drive it. The car had everything I wanted and I liked the way it handled. The car was expensive, but the advertising was accurate the sale price was one dollar more than the invoice I had printed off. I bought the car and drove off the lot feeling that I had made a good deal.

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Seat covers or Stain proofing the interior - These are two very easy ways to ensure your car continues to look new for several years. Seat covers can keep your seats brand new, and can be removed quite easily if you want to impress your friends with the original interior. The other option is stain proofing or applying some type of scotch guard to your interior. This is nice because you can use your original interior every day, and not be worried about stains that will definitely cause your car to look old and unattractive.

Floor mats - I can remember the feeling when I bought my first new car. A group of friends and I were out and it started raining. As we escaped to the car my heart sank because I recalled that I still had not inserted the floor mats. I was weighing whether to force my friends to wait outdoors until they could clean their shoes but supposed that they would not be my friends much longer after that. Floor mats are extremely inexpensive and can give you the peace of mind that they will uphold your car's interior for several years to come.

Under body rust protection - We have all run across cars destroyed by rust. The engine is dependable, the interior is spic-and-span, but rusting is beginning to appear just below the doorways or around the wheel wells. This unquestionably causes your car to appear old and unappealing it also causes your resale value to vanish. Likelihood is that if you live anyplace wherever there is rainfall or snowfall your car is open to under body rust. The best means to prevent this is by rust proofing your under body. Ziebart represents one of the most respectable recognized under body rust protection company that you'll discover. They coat the under body panels and high prone areas to guarantee that your car will appear nice for numerous years. Likewise, they do annual checkups and provide a great warranty.

Change your oil regularly - I know this seems like something that you could be stingy about. Maybe every 4,000 or hey what about every 5,000 miles, it's not big deal right? Wrong! I have recently met someone who has a car that is over 20 years old, and has over 180,000 miles on it. The owner changed the oil regularly every three months or 3,000 miles (whichever came first). I was amazed at the condition of the motor and how many years the owner had driven this car without having any major repairs done to the engine. Think about it like this. Do you want to start adding a quart of oil every two to three weeks? What if you forget and the engine runs a quart low for a couple thousand miles? It can be very damaging to the maintenance of your car in the future.

Tune ups and preventative maintenance - Have your car tuned up every 3-5 months, it is worth it. Also, if you find that there is a small problem with the engine have it checked out. It can save you hundreds of dollars in the future towards the maintenance of your car. Let me tell you a very real story. It was my first car, I was just out of college and didn't have much money so a used car had to do. One day after a routine oil change I noticed that the temperature gauge wasn't working in the car. I thought, "I don't have the time or the money to go and have this fixed also; I will just wait until the next paycheck. It probably is no big deal." I had no idea that the thermometer that only cost $10 could be so important. Needless to say, my engine overheated and my car was back in the shop. A new clutch, and $500 later I had my car back. I wish I would've gone in at the first sign of trouble and saved $490!

In the end the responsibility to maintain your new car is up to you, the car owner. I hope that the above tips will allow you to enjoy your car for many years.

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Purchasing a new muffler can be compared to a trip to the dentist. You really don't want to do it, but you know that you have to or the corrosion is going to cause serious damages in the future. Below are a few options for you to consider for the next time that you have to change the muffler on your car.

If you are a "do it your-self" sort of individual then you will be able to do a couple of things to check over the system for a fast fix. In one case I actually took two soup cans and bent them around the pipe where it was corroded to hide my muffler needs for a couple of more weeks. I would not advise you do that because it did not work out to advantageously for me. Likewise, that was the last time I sought to fix my muffler on my own.

Do I need to Replace the entire Exhaust? Due to the fact that the total exhaust system consists of three divisions it is probable that only one section has gone bad. Don't be enticed to economize and just replace that one section. I'd suggest that you go ahead and replace the whole unit. Otherwise, within a couple of months you'll more then likely be back to the Garage changing the remaining sections and it will cost you more overall.

Which muffler is best for you? I, like every other hard working American, like to get the most for my money without paying for a bunch of extras that I don't even know are there. What I normally do is talk to the expert. I try to find what is required, and is also of a good quality that doesn't cost too much money. There is normally something right in the middle that will do the job just fine!

Do it yourself, or take it to the repairman? I have done both and unless you have a nice garage with the ample tools I would take it to the exhaust professionals. I have hammered on those pipes with dirt, and rust getting in my eyes to many times. Also, many times there is a guarantee on your exhaust system when it is installed professionally.

Overall changing your exhaust is a pretty pain-free event and can numerous times be done in a couple of short hours. So, the next time that you find that your car is sounding louder then normal, take it in and get the exhaust changed. Why drive around for months with unneeded noise.

If you are seeking a performance exhaust or even an exotic one you might consider purchasing something used. You could discover many Chrome mufflers for high end sports cars at moderate prices online.

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Size Matters

Difference in tires does not end in their difference in brands. They also come in different sizes. Your car tires should always fit the type of vehicle you are driving. Examples of various types of tires for vehicles are passenger and light truck type tires. If you get a smaller size than is appropriate, you could endanger yourself or end up paying more for tire maintenance.

You would know your tire size by looking for it in your car manual or on the sidewall of your tires. The sidewall print also contains other pieces of important tire information. If you are not sure how to interpret the sidewall letters and numbers, you may want to consult a tire and car website for proper interpretation. Some sites will simply let you enter information on your car's model and make so you can get your tire size information.

Rims Should Match

Rims of tires are nothing thing you have to consider. The rims give your tires the right support. Getting the wrong rim for your car tire may result in too much tension on your tires. This could damage your tires sooner than they should be. If you want to customize your wheels, make sure you consult experts who know which tires fit with which rims.

Many Different Tires

When it comes to car tires, there are various options. You can have tires for the winter and summer. Tires are also categorized according to type of vehicle. Passenger tires have different dimensions from those used in vans and SUVs.

One other category of tires is according to use. Each driver may have very specific driving styles. Some may also drive more often in rough terrain than others or may need their vehicles for frequent transport of heavy load. There are specific tires depending on your intended use and the way you use your tires.

Tires Don't Last Forever

Regardless of the tire brand and how carefully you take care of your tires, they will not last for a lifetime. Part of keeping yourself safe on the road is to know exactly when your tires should be changed. You can follow manual suggestions for when tires should be changed. You should however also manually check your tires. Look for leaks, tears, wear and bumps on the rubber of your tires.

You Shouldn't Guess

If you aren't sure about anything about your tires, then you shouldn't make guesses. You could put your life in danger. If you need any help with tire information or tire changes, you should ask a qualified tire dealer.

Get the right tire. Save on money and effort by asking experts to help you get your tires.

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You're probably wondering why a dealership needs to be paid to stock inventory. After all, if the dealer wants to sell cars, don't they need cars on the lot? Why do they need to be paid for that?

The answer is that most dealerships need to borrow money to put cars on their lots. Think about it this way: if a dealership has 200 cars, and the cars cost an average of about $25,000 each, that's $5 million in inventory. Dealerships, like most other businesses, don't have that kind of cash flow, so they need to borrow the money to pay for every car on the lot.

The interest on borrowing $5 million dollars results in some expensive interest payments. These interest payments are called "floorplan" and will add up to lot of money in no time at all. The interest on each vehicle in a dealer's inventory will be anywhere between $3 and $20 a day, depending on the interest rate. Added up, it is very expensive to stock inventory. In today's auto business, many dealers can not afford such an expense and, if not for holdback, they would decide not to stock very many vehicles. This in turn would probably reduce sales.

About thirty or forty years ago, manufacturers decided to start paying dealers "floorplan assistance" so that they could stock more cars. They figured that stocking the lots help dealers sell more cars, and in effect allows manufacturers to sell more cars. Currently, dealers get back 2-3% of the cost of each vehicle from the manufacturer when they sell a car to offset the cost of their inventory. This rebate of 2-3% is known as "holdback."

For many dealers, holdback is a necessary part of their income. However, you'll also find dealers with such high turnaround that holdback is a type of profit for them - they actually make money on the interest subsidy because they're able to sell all their inventory very quickly. Having said that, it's very difficult to expect a dealer to share any of their profit from holdback with you. Most dealers are already operating with a pretty thin profit margin, and they feel like the holdback money belongs to them. Besides, most customers don't know about holdback or ask for it.

When you want to get the best deal on a car, remember to find multiple quotes online. You might be able to convince a dealer to sell a vehicle at less than invoice if they really want to "earn your business." They won't make a profit selling it below invoice price, but they still have the holdback money. Of course, if you pay less than invoice, you will get a vehicle at a bargain price.

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One of my friends, however, said that it was nothing to worry about. He had had check engine lights come on many different times on several cars, and he told me that three nine out of ten, it wasn’t a big deal. Maybe my emissions were a little bit high, my fuel economy had declined, or some other minor problem was besetting my car. He even had a check engine diagnostic tool at his house, and he offered to clear the light for us. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to stop by his house before the trip. I wish I would have. If I had seen what the check engine light was trying to tell me, I never would have tried to make it to the coast without getting service done.

For a while, the car drove fine. I didn’t even notice the check engine light after the first few miles, as a matter of fact. We were driving from eastern Oregon, and we had a long and mountainous drive ahead of us, but soon my mind was completely at ease. Then the sputtering started. The check transmission light came on, and we knew we were in big trouble. It came on at the worst time too. We were climbing some pretty steep road, and it was a very bad place to be stranded. Nonetheless, stranded we were. About 100 miles after that check engine light came on, the car died on the side of the road., I guess the moral of the story is that nine 9 out of 10 isn’t a safe bet! Your check engine light tells you that there could be something seriously wrong with your car, and you had better listen. Even if it is probably nothing, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

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Unless you have a recommendation from a trusted source, your most wily adversary is the used car sales person. You are his target the minute you walk on the lot. Assume every vehicle is overpriced and the actual selling price is negotiable.

When you go car shopping, bring a friend along. You can play the eager buyer while your friend is the skeptic, ready with cold water to scotch the deal. This strategy can elicit some truths about both the car and the used car sales lot as the seller.

Most used car sales lots have a number of lemons as well as some reliable cars. When the used car sales person approaches you, all smiles as he straightens his tie, his primary task may be to steer you to a loser. Don’t get me wrong, there are some trustworthy sales people in the car market. There are also many unscrupulous ones. Your best strategy is to let him know you’re just looking around and will let him know when you need his assistance. Try to give the impression that you don’t need to find a car today, even if you’re desperate for transportation.

Don’t linger too long by any one vehicle. Give the cars on the lot a casual once-over and then move on.

Do ask what the owner’s policy is on guarantees. If every used car on the lot is sold on an as-is basis, this gives you negotiating power. If you do find a vehicle that suits your purpose, find out if he has any objection to your mechanic taking a look at the car before you buy. If your used car sales guy says, "No problem!" the deal is worth pursuing.

When you’ve zeroed in on a car you might like to buy, adopt a skeptical look as you thoroughly inspect the vehicle. The sales person will likely be talking a blue streak, extolling the many virtues of this particular car. Frown if you see a dent, a bad tire or a tear in the upholstery. Here’s where you ask about the Blue Book(r) value. If he claims not to have the book for that year, call your bank. They’ll know.

Following a visual inspection and a true ballpark value, you’ll want to take a test drive. If all goes well, make your offer, contingent on your mechanic’s inspection. Expect some wrangling and sob stories from the used car sales guy. If you’re prepared to pay cash, know that this is a powerful negotiating point. Follow through on your mechanic’s inspection before you part with your money. In the end, you may just get yourself a good deal, a rarity in used car sales!

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There are a number of sources to utilize for information on vehicle quality. Many look to JD Power and Associates for information on vehicle quality. Consumer Reports and similar magazines compare vehicle quality on several factors such as safety, performance, and standard features. It is a snap to look for comparisons on the qualities that matter the most to you personally.

In addition, reliable mechanics can be fountains of knowledge. They can tell you how often certain models pass through their shops for repair. Some models keep turning up in the shop like bad pennies!

Lately, BMW, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, and Audi have been ranked most reliable for vehicle quality when it comes to frequent problems. These auto makers seem to have the fewest problems in the industry right now, according to JD Power and Associates. If keeping your vehice in your driveway instead of the mechanic's garage is important to you, these might be good names to consider.

While there is a possibility that any car you buy may be a lemon, the chances are far more remote if you buy a car known for its performance and reliability. Vehicle quality for any one type of car is usually fairly consistent across the board, so doing research to find the best automobiles in any model year is a wise prerequisite to making a purchase.

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i. Usually eligible for special financing and an improved warranty because they have passed an inspection.

ii. Less than five years old with less than 50,000 miles.

iii. The certifying authority, which is usually the dealership, ensures that the maintenance is up-to-date. All normal maintenance such as transmission flushes, oil changes, etc. are completed.

iv. Cars that have wearable parts like brake pads or tires with at least 50% of their life left.

A vehicle is "Certified" after all maintenance is done and the inspection is completed. When used cars are "certified," they generally have a better warranty and can help you qualify for better financing rates.

In most cases, certified used cars are a good deal, and you should buy one if you can. However, before you buy a certified used car there are a few things you need to watch out for.

1) Certified used cars that are under one year old are almost always used rental cars.

Buying a used rental car can be a good thing. Typically, they are maintained well and are an excellent value. However, they aren't for everyone. If you want more information before you decide, check out our advice on "buying a used rental car."

2) Remember that not all certifications are created equal.

If you're at Dealin' Dave's car lot and they have certified a car, that might not mean anything. Dealin' Dave's certification may just be a sales gimmick. It's better to buy a vehicle that has been certified by an auto manufacturer like Ford, Toyota, GM, BMW, etc. They all have superior certification programs, better than you would find at any dealership.

The last thing you should know is that you should request the "vehicle certification inspection" report before buying a certified used car. The inspecting mechanic details his or her opinion about the vehicle's parts and functions in a report. These reports are required to be kept on file after a dealership certifies a vehicle. Oftentimes the dealership has to give you copy if you decide to buy the car. If a dealership doesn't have this report or especially if they refuse to give it to you, do not buy the car. You should go somewhere else where they will provide you with the "vehicle certification inspection" report.

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Those, who think that purchasing a second hand or older car from an individual dealer eliminates the potential risks, should know that in reality there is simply no guarantee that the vehicle is a good buy as long as it is second-hand.

For 80-90% off the market value, you should be ready to take certain risks be it either a cheap used auto auction or a private auto dealer. In both cases all vehicles are sold "as is" and come with no warranty. It may mean that the car you have bought is nothing but a pile of trash, or it may be in an excellent condition and run for many years to come.

It is more possible to purchase a nearly new car for a low price on cheap used car auctions rather than from individual auto dealers. While in the first variant the price may be affected by a number of factors not related to a car's actual condition, with the individual seller the price is almost always proportionate to the condition of a vehicle. So, finding a fantastic nearly-new automobile at a low price is easier on cheap used auto auctions as compared to private dealers.

It might come as a surprise for many people to know, but what private car dealers offer for sale are often the same seized or repossessed vehicles bought on used auto auctions. Clearly, these guys re-sell the cars at a much higher price and cash on the difference. Isn't a difference in a few hundreds and even thousands of dollars worth turning to cheap used car auctions instead?

To be fair, there is some amount of effort needed. You have to source for details such as locations, dates and timings of the auctions, inspection prior to bidding and arranging for the technical assessment and registrations. This may seem to be a handful but really, it is not a lot of work.

The most challenging part used to be in finding cheap used car auctions which are not widely publicized. But with online auto databases, it is an easy affair. Just click a few mouse buttons and the locations as well as its operating hours and car listings are displayed before you.

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Is the car doing anything at all?

Sometimes a car can have a hiccup and simply stop running for a few minutes. Once you pull the car over to the shoulder, sit there for a couple of minutes before doing anything else. Don't panic because it may not be much of anything. Sometimes it may be a minor system issue and the car simply needs to 'reset' itself. Many of us have experienced those times in which the car died for no reason and then started right back up.

However, if you press the on button to your radio and nothing happens, chances are you have a dead car battery. Try to turn the ignition to see if the car turns over at all. If the engine cranks in addition to a clicking sound, then there are a few things that need checked in regards to the battery:

Pop the hood

Check the battery for corrosion at the connection points and make sure the connection is tight. If there is corrosion, clean it and tightly replace the cable connector. If the car still will not start, then the battery is dead.

If you do not have a wireless phone to call someone or call roadside assistance, try to remember if you saw any gas stations close by or any businesses. If there are no places close by for you to use a phone or find someone to jump start your car, place a white piece of paper or white cloth in your window to signify that you are in need of help. The police tend to patrol the highways quite often. If you are in a rural area, then you may need to request assistance from a resident nearby.

Sometimes a good Samaritan will offer you assistance. However, it is important to not let them in your car while you're in it and to not get into their vehicle with them. If they want to take you somewhere, tell them you'd like to stay with your car, but if they would be willing to contact roadside assistance for you, that would be great.

Other issues that can cause your car to break down are mechanical failure, which you can't do anything about, and an empty gas tank. It is surprising how many cars are sitting along the side of the road because they ran out of gas and luckily, an empty gas tank can be diagnosed via the gas gauge. It is important to keep a gas can in the trunk of the car in case you run out of gas and need to walk to a gas station. Also, if someone offers you assistance, do not get into a vehicle with them to go to the gas station. Tell them you would like to stay with your vehicle and request that they call roadside assistance for you. You do not necessarily want to give them your gas can and money for gas because you may never see the gasoline. Just keep these things in mind to diagnose small issues with your vehicle and to keep yourself safe when dealing with a car breakdown.

Experiencing car failure can be a very scary occurrence. It's important to keep yourself and your passenger's safe in such a crisis, and to call for roadside assistance to help you get the car running again.

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If you are starting to panic, just relax; there are some things you can do to prepare for car emergencies. Here the top ten items to keep in your car in case of an emergency:

Snow shovel - You never know when you'll get stuck in the snow, and you also never know if a good Samaritan will be around when you get stuck. Even in the summertime, cars can get stuck in the mud, and a shovel would still help in that situation.

Candle - Even though a candle may be a lot smaller than a car, it can still keep you and your car warm in the winter if you happen to break down or get stuck in a snow bank.

Blanket - If you ever break down in the winter, a blanket or sleeping bag is a very good thing to have!

Spare tire - Always a handy item to have when something happens to one of your car's tires.

Tools - It is important to carry the right kind of tools in your car to help you in case of an emergency. Tools such as a jack, ratchet, lighter.

Air Compressor - Many stores now sell mini compressors that are just for this purpose. A lot of perfectly good tires start to lose air after a while and an air compressor is a quick fix when you are stuck on the side of the road!

Flashlight - This one is pretty self explanatory. You never know when something will happen, and if you happen to break down after dark, a flashlight quickly turns into a lifesaver. Without a flashlight, all the tools in the world will not help you in the dark!

Food - This one may sound strange, but the truth is, people get hungry, and if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere, some granola bars and bottles of water are a big help!

Cell phone - Nowadays, car emergencies are not as bad as they used to be, because of cell phones. As long as you have good service in the area you happen to be in, you will be just fine.

First Aid Kit - This is perhaps the most important thing to carry in your car - especially if you have children. You never know what is going to happen, and even the slightest accident can cause some injuries to you and your loved ones that can be easily remedied by a well-stocked first aid kit.

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Practice Makes Perfect

It isn't common practice to recommend driving in conditions such as the snow, but if there is a parking lot nearby with no cars present, it is a good idea to practice driving in snowy conditions if it is something you know you cannot avoid. It is important to know how to steer in snowy conditions, how to brake when the roads are slippery, and what to do just in case you ever go into a spin. If you do spin in the empty parking lot, everything should be okay. However, the idea behind practicing is to not go into a spin, and not do any damage to your car so you need a car repair.

Braking

When braking in bad weather conditions, how you brake depends on the type of vehicle you are driving. If driving a truck, you have to step on the brakes a lot harder than in a car. In cars, you should only have to tap on the brakes gently to avoid sliding or spinning. Spins cause accidents, which might leave you in need of a car repair. In a responsible way (not doing doughnuts in the parking lot), you can practice working your way out of a dangerous skid that can lead to a dangerous spin. This will also come in handy if you ever skid in rainy conditions as well. Through practice, you become more familiar with how your car reacts to slippery conditions and you also become familiar with how to work your way out of skids and spins.

On the Road

A great way to avoid a dangerous spin is to keep an eye on the car in front of you and not follow too closely. You may be calm, but there are other people who tend to panic when road conditions are not safe. If you notice that someone is not driving safely, maneuver around them if possible. If it seems that it will be too dangerous to maneuver around them, follow far behind them so that in case they lose control, you have plenty of time to safely brake. Braking too hard can cause you to spin.

In instances where black ice may be present, drive safely. Anytime that it is below freezing outside, the chance for black ice exists whether there has been precipitation or not. You never know when someone might throw a McDonald's cup out their car window and a puddle of soda has frozen on the road. If you do feel the car skid, simply let up off of the gas and under no circumstances hit the brakes. If you do need to hit the brakes, make sure you pump the brake lightly, instead of slamming down on it with your foot. This will help prevent a skid and keep your brakes from locking. This applies to all road conditions. If you are in a skid, steer in the direction of the skid. Steering the opposite direction can make the situation even worse by risking turnover.

Practicing in snowy conditions in an empty parking lot can certainly allow you to know your car better. It also prepares you for slippery road conditions of all types during any time of the year. However, it is in the snow that most spinning accidents occur, so it is important to stay very aware of the conditions and of those driving around you in order to be as safe as possible.

Driving in inclement weather can be a dangerous prospect. It's important to practice safe driving habits before an accident occurs, so that you can prevent having to pay for auto repair.

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Leasing dropped into the car scene a few years ago and has been viewed as a life saver to many would be car owners. When you think about it, what person wouldn't choose to pay $175 or $250 a month for a car instead of $350 or $500? Leasing prices are much lower than monthly payments, no matter how big your down payment is! Some companies offer leasing packages that almost sound too good to be true. However, they usually are too good to be true!

If you are looking to buy a new car but you are dragging your feet about paying a high monthly payment, the leasing option is probably starting to look really good to you. If you do your research however, you will ultimately find that buying your car is almost always the smartest thing to do. I would say that the only exception to this is if you have moved somewhere for a short period of time for your job, or for schooling and you need a car. In these cases, leasing would be a smart thing to do, as long as you are not planning any long road trips.

When you enter into a leasing agreement, you are basically borrowing a car from a company, with the understanding that if anything should happen to the car, you are 100% liable, and you will have to pay any damages. When you buy a car, the same applies, but when you own your car, you don't have to give it back after putting your money into it!

When you lease your car, the lease agreement is usually for four to five years, after which you will have the option to give it back (once the car company has made absolutely sure it is coming back with no scratches or dents!) or to pay the remaining thousands cash down so you can own the car. The monthly payment for leasing is lower, but it is still cheaper and better in the long run to buy the car and pay more per month.

If you own your car, you make the rules, you decide if a dent or scratch really does need fixing and if it does, you can decide where you want to get it fixed. You can also drive as far as you like in a year, and not worry about paying for your mileage. Leasing agreements usually give you 20,000 kilometers or miles per year an you will pay a lot extra to be able to drive more in a year.

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Car history is important for many reasons. The most obvious one is that you don't want to buy a salvage title car. It is almost impossible to tell whether a used car is a salvage title vehicle just by looking at it. A car can be completely destroyed in a wreck and rebuilt from scratch, and it will look pretty new. Under the surface, however, there might be things wrong with it that only the car history will find out. The frame will probably be weaker and there might be small cracks in various components that will cause them to give out earlier in life. All in all, buying a salvage car is a bad investment.

A car history can tell you more than whether or not a car has been in accidents. Sometimes you might not want to buy a car simply because of what state it has been driven in. I used to live in Michigan, so I know what I'm talking about. In Michigan, they put salt on the road every winter. As a result, all of the cars become corroded after a few years. The underbody will rust out, the doors will rest out, and the exhaust system will not last nearly as long. Similar things happen ? although to a lesser degree ? to cars that are driven near the ocean. If a car history tells you that the vehicle has been exposed to a lot of salt in its lifetime, you might want to look somewhere else. Even if you do decide to buy the car, it is nice to know. The more informed of a decision you can make, the more confident you can be in that decision.

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A key factor is to drive in a smooth manner without sudden spurts of speeding up or braking. Avoid screeching to a halt at the traffic lights and gradually increase speed when negotiating hills. Sitting idly in traffic uses more fuel so it's better to minimize short, urban journeys. Always keep in the highest gear possible, as low gears have to do more work to drive the car. When out on the highway, not going over the speed limit is the best advice on how to improve gas mileage. Keep to 55mph if possible.

Maintaining a vehicle is just as important as buying the right one. Choose the recommended motor oil for the type of car, keep the engine well tuned and address any emission problems straightaway. Keeping an eye on air filters will also help to protect the engine and they will need to be replaced on a regular basis. Tire pressure is a factor too and tires should always be inflated to the recommended psi.

Various things can affect the performance of a vehicle. When considering how to improve gas mileage, experts have installed car data chips to collect information in different situations. The type of driving affects fuel consumption and whether it is urban, rural or highway motoring. Even the contents of the trunk will have an effect. Overloading will increase drag and it's a good idea to go through the trunk and take out anything that isn't necessary. A heavily loaded roof rack will also cause the car to use more fuel.

Air conditioning is more of a complex issue when working out the best methods on how to improve gas mileage. Turning on the system does affect fuel consumption and it's advisable not to use it routinely without thinking but only if necessary. However, it's also apparent that winding a car window down causes more drag and fuel is used more that way. The best advice for this specific problem is to seek advice from the car manufacturer. Obviously, it's important to ventilate the car because a stuffy atmosphere can cause a driver to feel drowsy and that must always be the first priority.

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There are some dealers who base the trade in value on the blue book listing alone, and if you find one of them, there will be little haggling in regard to the value of the car. However, if there have been accidents and other problems with the car, that trade in value will go down. There are some that will not take a trade in for anything other than the listed blue book price and they won’t budge. That should be expected though, as a used car is not always something that they can unload.

Sometimes the trade in value of a car will be determined by how likely it is to be sold again or used for valuable parts. Some cars simply will not resell for a variety of reasons. The make may have a reputation for major problems, and if that is the case, there may be no way to sell it. Though most older cars can be sold for parts, not all of them are as valuable. If a car is more rare, the chances of someone needing the parts will be low, and that might affect the trade in value.

On the other hand, there are times when dealers really need to draw in some business, and they will offer a certain amount for any car no matter what the true trade in value might be. You may hear a commercial telling you to push, pull, or drag your car in and you will get a certain amount off a new car no matter what shape it might be in. If you think that dealership might have a car or truck that you are interested in, and your current car appears to have a very low trade in value, this is the time to buy that new car you have been dreaming of owning.

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Auto black book is a good estimate, but it is only that. People look at the automotive black book like it is the holy Bible. If they can find a car that is 300 dollars under the auto Black book value, they think they have gotten a deal. If they find it car that is just a couple hundred dollars over it, they won't even consider it.

What they don't realize is that the more expensive car might be more expensive for a reason. No matter what the auto Black book says, if you change your oil frequently, drive your car carefully and slowly, and live in a climate without harsh winters, it may well be worth more than the listed used car value. Similarly, a fairly new car can be so worn down that the auto Black book value is a joke. It will be worth barely a fraction of what the book says it is worth. Even if it looks good on the outside, it will be worn out on the inside.

Honestly, the auto black book value is a good place to start looking, but it is not the whole story. Only a competent and qualified mechanic can tell you the real facts about the car that you are looking at. Auto black book, after all, tells you how likely a particular make is to keep it's value and continue running, but it doesn't tell you anything about any particular car. Only a detailed inspection, both inside and out, can determine that. I don't mean that you should look at it carefully. I mean that you should have a mechanic check out the engine, the wheels, the shocks, the brake pads, and all of the other important parts.

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A second hand car can be a blessing. You generally don’t have a good warranty on one, but if you find a good one, that won’t matter too much. You have a distinct advantage if you know where to do your research. When you decide you want to get a second hand car, you should look around to find out which makes and models have stood up well to the passage of time. Some sold well when new, but had a lot of problems. Others seem to do well even as they age. Those are the ones you want to look for.

Once you find what second hand cars have held up well over the last few years, you can then search for the one you want to have. Always have them checked over. If you look at enough of them, you are sure to find a gem. It might take you a while to find the one you want in the shape you want, but once you do, your search will feel well worth it. You can save a lot of money off the purchase price by buying such a second hand car, and you won’t have a payment or high insurance cost hanging over your head. If you can pay cash, the car is yours straight up. Not many can say that when getting a new car.

Caring for a second hand car is much like caring for a new one, at least, if you want it to last for a while. Always be sure to have the oil changed when needed, and get regular tune ups if needed. A good second hand car can last you quite a while. If you really think that a new car is a waste of money, you join many who can afford new but opt for used for many of the reasons listed above. Even if you have a new car, and would like to have a second one, this might be the way to go to save some money while getting something you might actually feel is worth what you spent on it.