Credit is a key factor when an auto shopper is trying to figure out how much they will pay for a car.  However, according to experts, people should look at various dealers to compare special financing deals.  This is as important as shopping around for a car type.

It is important to request a copy of your credit report and score through a credit agency.  This will give you a better idea of what you will be dealing with when you talk about financing.

There are web-based tools that you can look to for help.  For example, AutoTrader.com is a website for classifieds that actually has a credit center for people looking to buy a car with bad credit.  And while other websites of a similar nature require the consumer to disclose personal and confidential information, the credit center only asks general questions to give the shopper privacy.

After you fill out the questionnaire, you will get a credit level that is estimated excellent, good or fair.  Next, you can do a search among car dealers in your area that can help you with your specific financing needs.

The key is to be prepared when you walk into the dealership.  Websites are a great way to arm you with knowledge.  You can learn all about car prices, credit scores, and prices on an auto warranty.  You want to do your homework so that you can get the best deal you can on the car itself, financing and new car warranties.

It is essential for consumers to do their homework before trying to purchase a new vehicle.  To avoid unnecessary costs, follow these three important tips.

First of all, you need to shop around to find the best dealership.  To do this, use the Internet and read blogs that people have written about specific dealerships.  You will find a wealth of information just by doing web searches.  Many times, you will come across complaints or favorable revues about how a dealership operates.  Also, it is a good idea to contact three dealerships in your area to determine which one responds quickly.  This will give you an indication of good service.

Next, dealers will try to talk you into financing through them, but don’t do it.  Financing at dealerships typically isn’t the best deal you can find.  Save your money by finding financing elsewhere and use your extra money for a much needed auto warranty.

Also, don’t fall for buying an alarm system through the dealer.  Carmakers already install wiring in vehicles, yet they then sell alarm systems for approximately $1,200 separately.  They will tack this cost onto the price of the new car purchase.

Lastly, sell your current car yourself to save money.  Chances are you aren’t going to get as much money for it through the dealership.

Follow these tips to save big when it comes time to purchase a car.  Also, purchase new car warranties to protect your wallet down the road.

If a glossy flyer arrives in your mailbox from a car dealership in your area promoting a huge event for pre-owned car sales, beware.  Many of these events have contests, or “bonus” vouchers, which consumers are advised to take advantage of to get thousands of dollars off of the price of a pre-owned car.  One of these flyers came with a key that people were told to take to the sales event to discover if they had won a new vehicle.

“Blow-out” sales, such as these, will use the name of a local dealer, but other companies run them.  Typically, these companies will charge more for the cars than the actual dealership.  And according to investigations by state attorneys, often-deceptive tactics and high-pressure are used to achieve sales.

The state attorney general’s office of Washington announced early this year that they settled with a company such as this.  This company was accused of not disclosing how many cars were available at the price advertised, making financing sound easier than it really is, and misrepresenting the value of the cars being sold by calling them “drastically discounted”.

Consumers should remember that if a car deal sounds to good to be true, it probably is.  It is best to research such things as used cars and used car warranties before you actually go shopping.  This way you will know what prices are reasonable to expect.

The reliability ratings for Ford had a significant jump, which makes it the most reliable American carmaker, according to Consumer Reports, which just released its ratings. Other than a few of Ford’s pickup trucks, Ford’s reliability is comparable to that of the Japanese carmakers that are the best.

Other carmakers that received the highest ratings went to the usual winners, including Toyota, Honda, and Nissan.  Toyota received below-average ratings last year for the V-6 Camry and Tundra, however now all of the 42 Toyota, Lexus, and Scion models had ratings that were average or above.  After several years of experiencing trouble, Nissan’s Armada and Titan and Infiniti’s QX56 had improved ratings, which now are average.  Kia and Hyundai also got rankings equal with the best Japanese carmakers, with Kia making a 12 spot jump in one year.

American carmakers need to make improvements in reliability so consumers will purchase American made cars, and Ford has now achieved this.  Consumers are very concerned with safety and reliability and are purchasing cars with the best ratings.  Motorists are also protecting themselves by purchasing new and used car warranties.

If you are thinking of buying a new car, don’t just rely on professional expertise; make yourself a professional expert as well.  This includes taking certain measures such as doing your homework and researching an auto warranty.  You can be empowered by arming yourself with the following information about purchasing a used vehicle.

Examine the pedals to check for wear.  Rarely do people update the pedals, so this is a good indication of the cars true history.

Next, take a look at the steering wheel.  While the engine is turned off, joggle the wheel to see how much movement there is.  There shouldn’t be more than one inch of play.  If there is, a new steering gearbox may be needed.

Never buy a car that has frame-damage.  You can tell this by looking at the core support of the radiator.  This connects to the fenders in the front of the vehicle.  It shouldn’t be welded on each side, but bolted.

Finally, check the paint job on the vehicle.  Look for dents, scratches and rust spots.  Also, examine the car for a slight waviness, which is an indication of a paint job.

Most importantly, check the history of the vehicle you are looking to buy.  You can do this at autocheck.com.

No matter how much knowledge you have, you never really know what car you are buying.  This is why it is important to buy used car warranties to protect your investment.  You don’t want to pay unnecessary repair costs down the road.

If you’re considering buying a new vehicle you need to think about safety features.  Things such as crash test results, electronic stability control, and rollover resistance are all things that are important in keeping you safe in your vehicle.

In order to give vehicles a safety rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performs side impact and frontal crashes on cars.  Considering these results is important when it comes time to buy a new car.

Vehicles that are taller, such as SUVs and pickup trucks have a greater tendency to rollover since they have a high center of gravity.  You can find out a car’s inclination to rollover by looking at NHTSA five star ratings.

Electronic stability control is a safety feature that is extremely beneficial and highly recommended.  This feature allows you to maintain control of your car when you’re cornering.  You can avoid skidding and sliding with electronic stability control because brakes are automatically applied to the wheels that could use it.

Motorists are more concerned about safety than ever before.  Also, drivers are trying to protect their wallets by purchasing new car warranties and buying fuel-efficient vehicles.

Although certified pre-owned warranties are very similar, they do vary some depending on the car manufacturer.  They combine the manufacturers original auto warranty with a certified pre-owned auto warranty, and then offer roadside assistance along with other benefits.  The advantages are apparent: instead of taking a risk with a used car that you know nothing about, you get a car with a complete history and auto warranty.

Chrysler decided to go one step further and offer extended service contracts for Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge certified pre-owned vehicles.  The contracts will be divided depending on what they cover.  For instance, the Lifetime Powertrain Care will cover transmissions, engines, and drivelines; the Lifetime Added Care Plus will cover those mechanisms and also electrical functions in the interior, suspensions, and fuel systems; and the Lifetime Maximum Care plan will cover all of the above with just a few exclusions.

Chrysler has not yet announced pricing plans for these contracts, so it isn’t clear how much more consumers will have to pay to get a lifetime component auto warranty, or whether consumers will want the new car warranties at all.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a recall has been issued by Chrysler for 16,852 Dodge Journeys from 2008-09 model years because of a possible defect in the electrical system of the vehicle.

Dodge Journeys that aren’t equipped with a 115-volt optional auxiliary power outlet have an electrical connector that is unused.  The connector could experience corrosion and cause the electrical system to short circuit.  However, if the fuse doesn’t happen to blow, there is the potential for the connector to overheat and catch on fire.

To take care of this problem, dealerships will re-route and stow the auxiliary 115-volt power outlet connector and take out the 25-amp fuse so the circuit that is unused doesn’t have any power.  To have the problem fixed won’t cost you anything.  Car owners can call Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Unfortunately, you never know when your car will experience problems, which is why it is important to have used car warranties and a roadside assistance program.  These will provide you with peace of mind while you’re on the road.

As soon as GM introduced its marketing campaign saying the Volt will get 230 mpg in the city, the Twitter account for the NissanEV shot back with “Nissan Leaf=367 mpg, not tailpipe, and no gas required.  Oh yeah, and it will be affordable, too!”

It is important to keep in mind, however, that both of the mileage claims are still up in the air because it is still to be determined how the EPA is going to measure cars like the Volt, that are extended-range electric cars, or cars like the Leaf, that are strictly electric cars that don’t require fuel.

Nissan claims that its 367-mpg figure was determined using the Department of Energy formula, however it is still going to be quite awhile before we know the actual rating, or information about pricing and new car warranties on both the Volt and Leaf.

Nissan may want to fail to mention in it tweets that since the Volt is an extended-range vehicle, it will have the ability to travel a lot farther because of its supplemental gasoline engine.  The Leaf is just going to be a city car with limited-range.

One way to improve our world would be to alleviate road rage.  Everyone has gotten angry with another driver after being cut off. Wouldn’t it be great if we all had cars that helped curb road rage?  Well, those vehicles have arrived.

Toyota’s RIN has friendliness in mind.  It has wide, deep windows that allow the driver to stay connected with the environment.  The headlights on the car have controls for light distribution that allow the driver to be considerate to other drivers.  It even has features that reflect the psychological state that the driver is in, such as the steering wheel that is “mood trained” and displays that promote the mental health of the driver.

The Toyota i-REAL offers pedestrians added safety.  It is a solo transport that offers maneuverability because it sits upright.  This allows the driver to be at eye level with pedestrians.  Also, it will stretch out its wheels making it more aerodynamic and stable when you want to travel long distances.

The time has come when automakers are realizing that vehicle design can have an impact on how friendly people are.  Toyota is making great strides in accommodating fellow drivers and passengers to make our world a friendlier place.  Consumers are willing to pay extra money on car costs that will make their lives easier, such as new car warranties, insurance, and even friendlier cars.