March 21, 2008

Used car Loans - Great Financing Tips

Filed under: Auto Care Articles — Transman @ 2:00 am

“Get a Used Car Loan to Get Your Dream Car”

So you want to own your dream car. Your finances, however, hinder you from getting behind the wheel of a brand new vehicle. You decide to go for the “second-hand, via loan” option, but of course you do not want to get stuck with an old clunk of metal.

Do not lose hope. Here are some basic rules that you should follow towards getting a used car loan and owning the right car:

>>Set a price range.

First, sit down and calculate.

Get all the other financial considerations out of the way (i.e., mortgage, food, utility bills) and work with the figure that you are left with.

Remember to add car maintenance costs such as gas and insurance to your set of figures so that you would have a ballpark amount of what you can pay for the used car loan that you plan to obtain.

A good rule is for you to use approximately 20% of your monthly income as an allotment for your car expenses.

Once you have your budget determined, make sure that you stick with your budget and not overspend.

>>Look at your options.

Once you have determined the budget, you may now decide where to obtain the used car loan from.

*Bank, Dealer or Person-to-Person? Do not look at banks as a primary option, as they will not lend you money for a used car which is more than a few years old.

A kinder option is to check out online lenders which are generally cheaper. There are a lot of web sites which offer a loan calculator. Just sign-up online and they will send you price quotes.

The third and best option is dealing with a person directly. You may want to check out used car dealers within your area. This way, you can ask a lot of questions about the financing of the car loan. Dealing with a person directly will also allow you to iron out details like deposits and monthly installments.

>>Research and do your homework.

If you have already determined your budget and where to get the loan from, you can now choose the car that you want to drive home. Consider your own needs, or your family’s - if you have one - in determining the car model that you want to own.

>>Choose.

Check out everything that you need to know about the vehicle that you want to own. Consider the speed of the car, the model and the price. Once you have narrowed down your options and considered everything, you may now proceed and obtain that used car loan and get behind the wheels.

About the author:



Jay is the web owner of http://www.new-cars-in.com New Cars Online, a website that provides information and resources on searching for new cars, new car pricing, loans, and dealers. You can visit his website at: http://www.used-cars-in.net Used Car Prices

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March 18, 2008

Checking Over A Used Car

Filed under: Auto Care Articles — Transman @ 2:00 am

Check that Used Car

A new car may not be worth all that money you are planning on spending!

If you are on a really tight budget, and don’t care too much about the prestige of having a brand new car, purchasing a used car might be the best option for you. Why do we say that might be the better option?

All you have to do is pick up a used car listing to see that brand new cars lose anywhere from 30 to 40 percent of their original price in as little as two years. That’s a pretty steep number. Here’s another number, 65 percent - this is the amount you save if you buy a used car that is five years old instead of a brand new one.

Theoretically speaking cars of this age, as long as they have been well cared for will perform just as well and are just as reliable as their brand new counterparts. In fact, they may even be better customized for daily use since it has already been broken in and properly set up.

Of course, you cannot discount the possibility that the used car you are looking at is not in the best of conditions. Therefore when surveying used cars to purchase consult the following tips.

1. Check the Exterior

The first thing to look at is the overall condition of the car’s body and finish. Look out for paint blotches and poor body fit. Also look for body filler. You may want to use a simple magnet to help you pinpoint suspicious spots. Finding any of these is evidence of a previous car collision.

Also look out if the car is newly painted. You may want to inquire why this is so. It may mean a major overhaul due to some extensive damage. Rust is a bad sign of body damage, so is dampness in the trunk.

2. Check Suspension

Go to each corner of the car and push down on them. If the car bounces more than once, you may need to have shocks installed.

Try nudging or pulling the wheels from beside the car. If the wheels can be nudged, or if they move in or out, there could be serious damage to the CV joints or the bearings.

If tire wear is uneven, this is indicative of bad suspension. If the car you are checking has new tires, you will have to exercise more caution and test the suspension thoroughly. 3. Check the Insides of the Car

Make sure the upholstery, odor, and condition of the car’s interior are acceptable and in line with the age of the car.

4. Take It for a Spin

Have a friend observe you while you take the car for test drive. The car should be stable and should not show signs of shifting from side to side. If so, there could be a major problem with the frame or suspension. If you can, have a mechanic look at it too.

The internet has changed the way everyone does business. Businesses have begun to explore how the internet can facilitate better, faster and more convenient operations. This has resulted in businesses that offer anything online - from selling clothes and shoes, to ordering pizza online and even searching for available realty. Believe it or not, you can even search for used cars online too.

About the author:



Jay is the web owner of http://www.new-cars-in.com New Car Prices, a website that provides information and resources on searching for new cars, new car pricing, loans, and dealers. You can visit his website at: http://www.used-cars-in.net Used Cars Online

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March 15, 2008

How To Get The Best Auto Insurance Deals

Filed under: Auto Care Articles — Transman @ 2:00 am

Ever wonder what it takes to get the best auto insurance deals? Simple. Shop around and do it yearly. Don’t just keep paying the invoice over and over without comparison shopping. Here are a few suggestions to help you get the best deal available on your automobile insurance policy.

There are also many decisions you can make about your policy that will save you a bundle. As an example, if you change your deductible on your collision from a $50 deductible to a $500-$1000 deductible, you’re inline for a huge premium savings. If you don’t think you could come up with $1000 out of pocket, you can change it to a $500 deductible.

You can also get more of a savings if you change your comprehensive deductible. Many people needlessly carry full coverage on their older vehicle. They originally purchased the vehicle new, paid for full coverage and to this day, continue to pay the same high rate. Don’t make the same mistake: talk with your insurance company and see if there’s a better rate for older automobiles.

Here’s another great trick: combine your vehicles and other insurance together to get you additional savings. All insurance companies offer a multi-car discount (if yours doesn’t, it’s time to switch companies). Further, many will discount more if you have your homeowners or renters policy with them.

Often times, there are also other discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. It seems obvious, but make sure you are getting the correct rate for your age. There are discounts for various ages than can save you lots of money. Check with your agent on this one. Also alarm systems on your vehicle are usually good for a discount. Additionally, anti-lock brakes and air bags can also help lower your premiums.

Never just keep paying the invoice when it comes in. By following some of the above tips and tricks, you’ll be saving a lot of money on your auto insurance bills.

About the author:

Dr. Drew Henry operates a network of auto-related websites, including First Auto Store, Southern Auto Rental and Car Auto Loans. Visit his sites for more articles.

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