If you’re thinking of buying a used car you need to be aware of odometer fraud.  This is a scam where someone rolls back the odometer on vehicle.  The purpose of this is to deceive buyers into thinking that the car has fewer miles than it actually does.  This scam occurs on an estimated 450,000 cars bought every year.  Here are some ways that motorists can protect themselves against odometer fraud.

First, ask to look at the vehicle’s title in order to compare between the vehicle’s mileage and the odometer.  You should also compare mileage on maintenance records to the odometer.  Also, you can sometimes find stickers on windows or doorframes with maintenance records.

Next, you need to request a Carfax History Report on the car to look for odometer discrepancies.  If the seller doesn’t have one, order one online by using the VIN number.

Finally, make sure that the gauge numbers on the odometer are aligned.  If they aren’t lined up, or if there is movement when you tap the dashboard, you might want to reconsider buying the vehicle.

Following these simple tips can save you from purchasing a vehicle that has been tampered with.  Unfortunately, you never know what a used vehicle’s history really is.  This is why it is necessary to purchase used car warranties to protect you.

If you want to buy a cheap, used vehicle, you might want to check out an auto auction website.  A good place to start is Car-Auction.com.  This website features cars that have been seized by the government.  Motorists can select the type and model of car that they would like to purchase, and also the price.  You will receive results within seconds.  The convenience of this website is key.  It’s so much easier than going to an automobile auction.  Just make sure to follow these tips.

The hardest part about an auto auction website is finding a quality vehicle that you want to purchase.  A lot of people will purchase a car that looks good on the outside, yet this is a big mistake.  You need to get additional information about the vehicle.

Getting a history report on the car is essential before making an agreement.  You should get the cars VIN in order to do a search through an agency, such as Carfax.  Also important is getting a professional inspection on the vehicle.

An online auction site is a wonderful place to search for a used vehicle.  However, you need to be careful.  Do your homework to protect yourself. Also, make sure you buy used car warranties for peace of mind.

If you are shopping for vehicles, you may realize that some cars cost more because of the paint job.  Paint can add an extra expense of up to $1,000.  This can feel like a big expense after factoring in other vehicle expenses, such as maintenance and new car warranties.  It’s difficult for people to believe that a fancy yellow paint job can cost an extra $1,000.  The big question is will you get back that extra money when it is time to put your car up for sale?

Most people don’t realize that a paint job involves more than just a spray can, like in years past.  Clearcoat and metallic finishes require multistage operations.  This means that operations have a greater expense on the assembly line.

However, car manufacturers have figured out a new way to make profit.  They hike up the cost of some of their more distinct colors.

When it is all said and done, fancy paint colors will only tack on a minimal value when it comes time to sell your vehicle.  Also, beware, because some of the more obscure colors can actually lessen the value of your car.  Keep in mind that the most popular colors on a vehicle are shades of gray.

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.