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.

So, you’ve done your research.  You’ve been to numerous car dealers with quotes from the Internet, so you know what is out there.  You know all about rebates, and have learned how to negotiate.  However, you still can’t find the right car for the right price.  Never fear, there is a car out there for you.  Consider these options.

It is a good idea to get a vehicle model late in the year, when a new model is about to come out.  For example, a very satisfied consumer bought a Honda Civic coupe in 2000, late in the year, right before the seventh-generation Civic was released.  He saved thousands.  Cars that you could purchase this year in this category are the GMC Sierra and VW Beetle.

Another good tactic for saving on a used car is to look at rental car sales.  Most companies such as Hertz and Alamo sell their cars.  Although they often have high mileage, they endure a rigorous maintenance plan.  You can save up to one-third of the price of the car new.

Finally, you can get a great deal on dealership demo models.  These vehicles usually have low-mileage.  Often times they are used for test drives.

Any educated consumer can get a good deal on a used car.  By doing research, and trying various options, you can rest assured that you are getting the most for your dollar.  Just make sure to maintain your vehicle and purchase an auto warranty in case of unforeseen repairs.

The number one safety device is undoubtedly the seat belt.  And even though seat belts save approximately 11,000 people in America from crashes every year, researchers are still working to find improvements for the belts.  If experts in safety have their way, drivers will go from wearing three-point belts to four point belts.  In addition, occupants in the back seats would wear inflatable seat belts.

In 2001, Ford Motor Company showed two new safety belt systems being studied.  Each utilizes a four-point belt system.

One uses two belts that go over the shoulders and connects to a lap belt in the center.  The other one uses two shoulder belts traditional style that criss cross on the chest.

These systems would restrain a person’s body more firmly than the three-point system that is currently used in cars today.  Also, these are actually integrated into the seat, not the structure of the car.

For back seat occupants an inflatable safety belt may soon be an option.  This system uses a shoulder belt that contains an airbag that will inflate in the event of a car collision.

Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about protecting themselves and their cars.  This includes purchasing cars with technologically advanced safety features and buying an auto warranty to protect their cars.

Many motorists struggle to find a repair shop that they feel is trustworthy.  While some motorists feel comfortable taking their car to the dealership, others prefer going to an independent repair shop.  So, which one is better?

You will find several advantages to going to the dealership for repairs.  First of all, dealerships pay for their technicians to have special training, and they provide them with special tools and equipment.  Dealerships also have a years worth of proprietary information on new vehicles that they have sold.  This information is important for making repairs and diagnosis, yet only the dealer has access to it.  Finally, dealership service departments only work on the specific makes and models that they sell, so they are good at diagnosis and repairs.

Independent shops also have advantages.  Because independent facilities try to serve the neighborhood that they are in, customers can benefit from a more personal customer service.  Also, independent repair shops provide more versatile services on a wide range of cars.  Also, top-notch repair shops will offer an auto warranty through the supplier of the parts.  Finally, prices are usually better at independent repair shops.

There are advantages to both dealerships and independent repair shops.  Consumers should find a repair shop that they feel comfortable with, regardless of what kind it is.  The important thing is to find a shop so that car maintenance can be performed regularly and in case you need to be towed by roadside assistance.

Buying a new vehicle is an exciting event in most people’s lives.  People often want to flaunt their priceless possessions for everyone to see.  Drivers purchase an auto warranty to protect their jewels, and treat their cars with loving care. In addition, they try not to let their vehicle get any scratches. A car that is scratch free and has a shiny finish is a good reflection of its owner and brings a lot of driving pleasure.

However, with heavy traffic that is bumper to bumper, it is difficult to keep your beautiful gem scratch free.  In fact, it is inevitable that your vehicle will receive a scratch or two no matter what measures you take.

Never fear, you don’t have to spend thousands at a shop getting your entire car panel painted.  You can use Com-Paint, which is a touch up spray that allows you to say goodbye to scratches.  Follow these simple tips.

On small scratches you can use Aeroshot Top Cut to remove and cleanse the surface that is scratched.  This will most likely take care of the scratches so that they won’t need painting.

For medium scratches level with 1000 No. Emery paper.  Shake the can well and hold it 12” from the surface and use a stroking motion to spray.  Make sure the coats are light, not heavy.  Let the painted area dry at least 72 hours.

Car owners like to feel like their vehicles are brand new.  Simple things can allow you to do this such as touch-up painting, routine maintenance, and purchasing new car warranties to protect your vehicle. These simple things can keep your car seeming brand-new.

In future car accidents a circuit could be as crucial to survival as a seat belt.  Congress made seat belts mandatory in the 1960’s, which was revolutionary in car safety.  Since then, seat belts have greatly reduced deaths.  Now, there is an additional safety revolution in the midst.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has employed a new standard.  This makes electronic stability control equipment a mandatory component in all cars.  The adoption of ESC will save approximately 10,000 lives every year.

Most luxury vehicles already come with ESC.  Other models offer it as an option.  This is just one of the new safety advancements designed with the purpose of preventing auto accidents, not just protecting passengers.  The majority of these new features have a microchip base.  Many are still being perfected. So beware, you never know when new technology will fail.  However, new car warranties will save you from unnecessary expenses.

Many motorists are finding it easiest to buy a package of safety options, rather than individual gadgets.  Lexus, for example, places an emphasis on how its safety features work as a system.  It has a package with lane-departure warning, smart cruise control, and ESC.

Integrating such systems, and the yielding of throttle, brake, and steering raise the question: Do drivers need or want this much help?  Who is actually in charge of the wheel?  No matter the answer, an auto warranty is essential in protecting your vehicle with all of those fancy gadgets.

A new rating system for roof-strength has been launched by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and has conducted its first tests on small SUVs.  Unfortunately, only four out of the twelve vehicles tested managed to get a Good rating, which is the top rating.

The SUVs that scored the Good rating were the Honda Element, Subaru Forester, Volkswagen Tiguan and the Jeep Patriot.  SUVs that scored Acceptable were the Chevrolet Equinox, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Nissan Rogue, Toyota RAV4, and Mitsubishi Outlander.  Ranking Marginal, were the Ford Escape, and Honda CR-V, while the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage were the only vehicles to rate Poor.

This new standard for roof-strength is intended to combat rollover deaths, which account for about a quarter of all deaths having to do with traffic.  For vehicles to be an IIHS Top Safety Pick, they have to now withstand four times their own weight before the car’s roof will collapse 5 inches.  The IIHS’s strength to weight ratio is a much higher standard than the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s, which says that roofs should bear 2.5 times the car’s weight.

Consumers are becoming more and more concerned with vehicle safety, which is why more people are purchasing an auto warranty.  With used car warranties, people can rest-assured that they won’t be paying unnecessary repair costs.

According to The American Consumer Satisfaction Index, the results from its Q2 aren’t good for domestic auto manufacturers.  The people at ASCI claim that customer satisfaction is higher than ever for the whole industry, however there aren’t any American automakers that made the top four.  And the bottom three on the list are made in America.

Domestic car companies are having problems because they are lagging further behind their counterparts overseas.  This will be of no help when the Big Three lose more power with pricing.  They will have to continue their dependency on discounting and rebates, in a car market where consumers are deciding to turn to foreign cars.  People feel foreign cars are more reliable, and with the addition of an auto warranty, they enjoy the peace of mind that they get with them.

The ACSI is a representation of a customer’s overall satisfaction, which includes customer service and doesn’t necessarily determine the quality of cars.  In addition, carmakers don’t have any control over a dealership’s customer service.

If you’re a lover of old cars you aren’t alone. Antique car shows all over the U.S. display vintage cars.  Crowds gather to admire these charming vehicles.  Owners who display their vehicles have a great deal of pride.

Many people who own vintage cars have restored them piece-by-piece, literally. It’s not just that they have rebuilt the vehicle; they have restored it back to its original state.

It is simple to differentiate between rebuilding and restoring a car.  A car that has been rebuilt has new parts.  A restored car has parts that are authentic to its year and model.

The restoration process encompasses the body of the car and the mechanical components.  It is amazing to some people that the actual parts must be original to the year and make of the vehicle, but this is necessary for a true restoration.

The restoration also includes the vehicle’s interior.  The upholstery should be repaired whenever possible.  It can be nearly impossible to find the exact upholstery for a car’s year and make.  If this is the case, you need to get as close as possible to the original.

The restoration of a car is a labor of love, but well worth it.  There is no greater satisfaction than turning a piece of junk into a beautiful classic.  And don’t forget an auto warranty will bring any motorist peace of mind, especially with a vintage car.

There are hundreds of new vehicles on the market, which can make it difficult for car buyers to choose what is best for them.  Many people tend to base their decision on looks alone, but this is a dangerous way to decide on a car.  So, what other considerations should motorists make?

The first factor to consider is how much money you intend to spend.  Figure out what your maximum amount is before going to the dealership and stick with it.  Also, make sure to include everything in the bottom line, such as interest, taxes, finance charges, insurance and new car warranties.  You need to factor in all of these expenses.

Also determine if you need a fuel-efficient car.  Some models rate much higher on fuel efficiency and if you have a long commute to work this might be an important factor.

Consider safety features.  Does the car you are looking at have side-curtain air bags, brake assist, stability control?  Also, how were the scores on crash tests?

Finally, do you need a lot of space?  If you have a large family you might want to think about a minivan or SUV that has ample passenger room and cargo space.

Do your homework before getting to the dealership so you know what you are looking for.  In addition, make sure to get an auto warranty so you can protect your wallet in case of unforeseen repair costs down the road.