Many people have their hearts set on purchasing a new vehicle.  However, if you can get a high quality used vehicle for a fraction of what you would pay for a new car, why wouldn’t you do it?

For example, a 2009 four-cylinder Toyota Corolla has a sticker price of approximately $15,000.  Yet, because of depreciation, that vehicle would be worth around $10,000 three years later.  Wouldn’t it be a smart option to buy a good used vehicle for that low price?  The benefits aren’t just in the purchase price of the car, but also in the money you save on used car warranties and loans.

Before purchasing a vehicle, it is necessary to do your homework.  You can get an endless amount of auto information from periodicals and the Internet on everything from the cost of an auto warranty to reliability ratings.

Many people feel that they are too busy to research cars.  However, it is important to realize that you can save between $6,000 and $8,000 just by doing four hours of research.

When purchasing new cars consumers should do their homework to ensure that they are getting the best deal possible.  Here are three important tips that will allow you to avoid unnecessary costs.

First of all, look around to find a dealership that is good.  You can do this by looking on the Internet and reading blogs about dealerships.  Web searches will provide you with a lot of information.  A lot of times positive revues or complaints will give you an indication of how a dealership operates.  In addition, make contact with three dealerships in your vicinity to see how quickly they respond.

Second, don’t let dealers talk you in to dealer financing or alarm systems.  These two things will cost you in the end.  For example, auto manufacturers have already installed wiring.  However, automakers will then sell alarms for around $1,200 separately.  This will be added on to the new vehicle purchase price.  Also, finance offices at dealerships typically don’t provide the best deals.  It would be a better idea to seek financing elsewhere and put your extra money towards an auto warranty.

Finally, you can save money by selling your car yourself.  Don’t trade it in at the dealership because you probably won’t get as much money for it.

These simple tips will help you save money if you are planning to purchase a new vehicle.  Also, realize that new car warranties should be an essential part of your purchase so you are protected from unnecessary repair costs.

If you’re planning to purchase a used vehicle you need to find out as much as you can about it.  The car could have problems that you can’t detect by looking at it.  In order to understand the car that you are getting, get a vehicle history report.  This will give you combined information from DMVs, RMVs, and police reports about the car that you are looking at.  Here are some things to consider when looking at the vehicle report.

Determine if the car has had many owners.  You are better off with a car that has had fewer owners because there is more of a likelihood that the car has been taken good care of.  Although inexpensive, rental cars will have undergone a great deal of abuse.

Also, consider the location that the car has been in.  This is important because some climates are harsher on cars.  For example, winter conditions are hard on cars because of salty roads.  Obviously, excessive heat and flood areas are also of concern.

Finally, make sure that the name and description on the history report actually match the vehicle you’re looking at.  This will help avoid types of fraud, such as vehicle identification number cloning.

A used car is a great way for people to save money and get a great car.  Just do your homework to make sure you are getting a good buy.  You need to consider the costs of used car warranties, auto insurance, and maintenance costs.  An auto warranty is a good way to get peace of mind when purchasing a used vehicle.

Well, it is obvious that hybrids are the wave of the future.  Gas prices are staying over $3 per gallon and the price of oil is approximately $100 per barrel.  Motorists are spending a lot of money on maintenance, new car warranties and financing, and need to save on fuel costs.  So, is it worth it to buy a hybrid to save money at the gas pump?  Let’s take a look.

To see how long it will take you to recoup your premium up-front, we can compare the Toyota Camry Hybrid to a typical Camry.  Because of the equipment level of the hybrid, however, it is necessary to compare it to the V-6 Camry LE.  The base prices of the cars are only $2,000 apart.  The Hybrid is $25,000 and the Camry V6 LE is $23,640.

According to Toyota, the Camry Hybrid gets 33mpg in the city and 34mpg on the highway.  The Camry V6, however, gets 21mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway.

If you were to drive 15,000 miles in a year you will use about 454 gallons.  With the V6 LE you will burn approximately 635 gallons in a year.  If gas costs $3.20 per gallon, you will have a fuel cost savings of approximately $547 per year.  This means that you would recoup the premium up-front that you spent to purchase the hybrid.

In this comparison you can see that in the long run you will end up saving with a hybrid. In addition, you get the satisfaction of doing a service to your planet.

Do you find yourself apprehensive to shop for a new vehicle? Are you afraid of saying something that will allow the dealer to have the upper hand in negotiating? Car shopping doesn’t have to rattle your nerves. Here are some things that you don’t want to say to your car dealer.

Don’t begin to talk about monthly payments. You need to put your focus into negotiating the purchase price. Things get very confusing when you discuss monthly payments because you may not be sure if that is the payment for 24 or 36 months.

Don’t say that you have a trade in right away. If a dealer knows this he knows you are going to want to get as much as you can for the trade-in. The dealer may give you more for your trade-in, but it’s a smokescreen because then they won’t budge on the new car price.

If you plan on paying in cash, don’t tell the dealer. They make a lot of money in financing, and if they know that they won’t make that money, they might not negotiate on the purchase price.

When buying a car it is important to do your homework. Go to the dealership prepared with information on financing, new car warranties, and car prices. This way you can stand your own with the dealer.

Theories vary on when is the best time to purchase a new vehicle.  Some people say the holidays, others say early in the week or even a rainy day.  However, one thing is for sure, the end of the month is the time to get a bargain deal on a car.

Most of the sales staff at a car dealership operates on a quota system.  They get an incremental bonus every time they reach their next sales mark in that month.  This means that if a salesperson is about to hit the end of the month and he needs to sell a few more cars to reach his sales mark, there is an incentive for him to have the sales manager lower the car price.

In fact, car sellers get a bonus from the dealership and the manufacturer if they meet designated sales goals.  If the needs of the dealership and manufacturer change they will change goals.  They might give a $1,000 bonus for a month if goals are met, or they might give a $100 bonus for selling the first vehicle of the day on a Saturday.  Salespeople have more fun when there are incentives.

If you’re looking to purchase a new vehicle, go at the end of the month for the best deals.  Also, do your homework on such things as new car warranties, and auto insurance to make sure you don’t pay too much.

Probably the one vehicle that has been known to stir up people’s emotions like no other is the convertible. Driving a convertible gives a motorist a sense of exhilaration and freedom.  There are around 30 models of convertibles in the U.S. ranging from $20,000 to over $300,000.  What are the most popular?

The #1 convertible for popularity is the Ford Mustang.  This car rides on the identical platform as the Mustang Coupe.  It also has the same transmissions and engines; this includes the V8 with 300 hp.  The shape of the roofline is also similar to the coupe and has a drop top that will fold up in Z fashion.

The #2 spot belongs to the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible.  This car has a 400 hp V8.  It weighs only 20 more pounds than the coupe and can hit 60mph in under five seconds.  This car comes with the choice of a manual top or a fabric top with five layers.

Next is the Pontiac Solstice.  This vehicle sports subtle and simple styling.  It has a solid shape that is smooth, as well as a wide, low stance.  This convertible is the first two- seater by Pontiac since 1940.  It has a 177 hp engine.

A convertible is a great choice for anyone who wants to have an exhilarating drive.  These three models have a lot to offer consumers and come with new car warranties.

When looking to buy a new vehicle it is important to consider crash test ratings, electronic stability control, and rollover resistance.  When evaluating a car for safety, remember to look closely at the following.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducts crash tests on vehicles.  They rate vehicles based on results in frontal crashes and side impacts.  Paying attention to these scores will help make a good choice when it comes to vehicle safety.

Electronic stability control is a highly recommended safety feature.  This will help your vehicle stay under control when cornering.  It will help you avoid sliding and skidding by selectively applying brakes to one or more of the wheels.

Vehicles that are tall, such as SUVs and pickup trucks have a higher likelihood of rolling over.  To determine a vehicle’s inclination for rollover NHTSA has a five-star rollover rating.  You can access these ratings at www.safercars.gov.

Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with protecting themselves.  They are purchasing new car warranties and buying vehicles with added safety features.  Taking these simple steps allow drivers to have peace of mind.

Is it necessary to pay $40K in order to get a stimulating, engaging car? The answer is absolutely not; there are many vehicles out there that come with a good auto warranty for under $25K. Here are a few to consider.

The Honda Civic Si is a great choice at $21,110. This is a high performance car with a sleek shape. It also sports a sport-tuned suspension that is grippy. The engine on this vehicle has a 197 hp, 2.0 liter four cylinder I-VTEC. This car will have you smiling for many miles.

The Ford Mustang V6 Pony Car is a muscle car with a taste of retro. The Pony Package will give you 17-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, a grille treatment, as well as floor mats and striping. This is a 210hp V6 that will deliver loads of thrust.

If a convertible is your style, look to the Pontiac Solstice. This is a 173 hp, 2.4-liter. This vehicle comes standard with an 18-inch rolling rock, big brakes, and balanced chassis providing an exhilarating open-air experience.

Any of these vehicles will make you think you’re driving a car with a sticker of $40K, when in reality you’ll only shell out less than $25K. All of these come with new car warranties that will give you peace of mind.

Typically, you will get the best value purchasing a used vehicle. This is especially true for late models. Not only will you find the price to be lower than a new vehicle that is comparable, but also expenses for ownership, such as taxes and collision insurance will be less. In addition, a used vehicle has already taken its largest depreciation hit. You also can get a vehicle that is better equipped by buying used.

Used cars have become more appealing because their reliability has improved. Exhaust problems and rust used to be a major concern, but aren’t a problem anymore. Studies have shown that reported problems declined significantly since 1980.

Although reliability has improved considerably, repair costs and maintenance are important things to consider. Many used cars don’t have an auto warranty left or are close to the end of its life. This means that motorists will be paying out of pocket for expenses. However, buying used car warranties will take care of this problem.

Overall, buying used is a great option to save money. Also, consumers can get a car with more features than they would be able to afford new. However, an auto warranty is a necessity so that you don’t pay for unnecessary repair costs.