The decision to lease or buy can be a difficult one.  Motorists should consider more than just their budget.  Typically, leasing tends to be cheaper, but it also leaves drivers with no equity after the contract is up.  There are some important factors to keep in mind when making this important decision.

First, it is necessary to look at the cost.  Consider four factors when you’re thinking of leasing.  These are the leases length, the payments monthly, the mileage restrictions, and the down payment.  If you exceed the restrictions on the mileage you could ring up big fines.  Also, if you hold onto a lease for more than three years you will often have to replace tires and pay for other maintenance.

Next, look at your budget.  Leases are almost always cheaper for short-term because there isn’t a down payment and the monthly costs are low.  However, leases end up being more expensive than buying a vehicle that you are going to keep for a decade.  This is assuming that you purchase an auto warranty with your car so that you don’t end up paying unnecessary expenses.  But if drivers prefer to have a new car every three years, leasing is the way to go.

Also consider your life plans.  If you are going through life changes, such as moving far away, or starting a family, you are going to benefit from leasing.  This will provide you with the flexibility that you need.

Consider these factors and make a decision to buy or lease based on your needs.  Just remember, if you buy, you want to be covered with an auto warranty to save you money in the long run.

When determining the amount of money you can pay for a vehicle you must consider your credit.  Yet, experts say that consumers should shop around at various dealers to make comparisons on special deals on financing.

To help with your car shopping experience, request a copy of your credit report by going through a credit agency.  This will give you knowledge when it comes time to talk to a dealer about your financing.

You can look at some web-based tools for help.  For instance, go to AutoTrader.com to find a credit center designed for people trying to purchase a car with poor credit.  This is one of the few websites that doesn’t require personal, confidential information.  In fact, you are only asked general questions that allow you to have privacy.

After filling out the questionnaire you will receive a credit level of excellent, good, or fair.  Then, you can search the car dealerships in your area that will be able to help you with your needs in regards to financing.

Look to websites to prepare you with information that will help you when you go to the dealership.  You can learn about the prices of cars, credit scores, and an auto warranty.  This will allow you to get the best deal possible.

One of the most expensive hobbies is collecting cars.  But, here is a twist.  Purchase a new vehicle now that will become a valuable collectible in years to come.  The best part is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to purchase a value-appreciating car.  The following cars are on the road now, but will be regarded as nostalgic in 15-20 years.

First on the list is the Cadillac XLR-V Roadster.  This has a hand-built 4.4-liter V8 engine that puts out 443 hp.  This vehicle is a serious roadster and it competes with the Porsche 911 Cabriolet and Mercedes SL-Class.

The Lotus Exige S is also on the list.  For practical purposes, this car is miserable; after all you wouldn’t find it ideal for grocery shopping.  However, research shows that people admit their hearts beat faster when thinking about this ride.

Finally, the Mustang Shelby GT 500 KR is sure to be a collectible.  This car takes the GT500 in a bare bones form and makes it into a muscle car with540hp.  This car is a tribute to Carroll Shelby.

If you’re a car enthusiast, purchasing a current vehicle that is sure to be a collectible in the future is a smart financial move.  However, make sure that you purchase an auto warranty for these gems.  After all, the point is to keep these cars for many years.

If you’re purchasing a pre-owned car you need to find out as much history as possible about it.  The car may have problems that are not apparent from a visual inspection or a test drive.

A car history report is a good way to find out what you’re getting.  This is a report prepared by a third party that is a compilation of information from DMVs, RMVs, and other sources.  A car history report will give you an overview of what the car has been through.

When getting a car history report look out for the following things.  This is not to say that you shouldn’t buy the car based on these issues, but certainly ask questions.

If a car has had a lot of owners, chances are it hasn’t been cared for lovingly.  These cars have probably endured more abuse.

Some areas of our country are easier on cars than others.  For example, extreme winter conditions are tough on vehicles, as are flood areas and extreme heat.

Make sure the name and description of the car match up with the actual car.  Read the description carefully to avoid vehicle fraud.

Car history reports, such as those from CARFAX are comprehensive and can save you from purchasing a lemon.  Also, to protect yourself, purchase an auto warranty to avoid unnecessary expenses down the road.

One trick that people use to sell a used car is to detail it until it looks brand new.  However, beware, a motor that is steam-cleaned won’t fix a gasket that is blown.  This is why it is important to purchase an auto warranty.

Having said that, dealers that are reputable typically won’t try to sell vehicles with big issues, for fear that they’ll have to fix them down the road.  If you test drive a vehicle that doesn’t make awful noises and feels pretty good, chances are it is fine.  Dealers don’t like to sell junky cars.

In any case, it is still a smart idea to have a trained professional take a look at your vehicle.  If the dealer claims the vehicle was inspected by it’s mechanic, request to view the paperwork.  If the dealer can’t produce them, make sure an outside technician sees the vehicle.

Also important, is to check that the car has a clear title and that it hasn’t ever been in a big accident.  You can tell the dealer to go on Carfax or AutoCheck to confirm this.  Both of these sites have a fee to trace the car identification number for odometer and service registrations, and accidents.  However, often dealerships will check the vehicles on their lot free of charge.

Typically, it is safe to buy a used car from a dealership; however, it never hurts to take these quick steps to ensure you don’t get a lemon.  In addition, used car warranties will give you peace of mind in case you need repairs.

Car dealerships are going to great lengths to bring in business for servicing.  This includes repainting, brightening lights, and adding new signs.  And in the waiting area customers are enjoying WiFi access, flat screen TVs, workstations and coffee bars.

Dealers rely on their parts and service departments for profit.  Typically half of their profits come from service, while the rest comes from sales of used and new cars.

But with the sales of new cars plummeting, most dealers lost money.  This is why dealers are renovating their body shops, adding quick oil change lanes, and trying to compete with independent service shops.  In a NADA survey, 29% of dealerships said they had upgraded their service shops recently.

Dealerships have also felt the squeeze because their auto warranty repairs have been cut way down and service appointments have been spaced further apart because of the improvements in car quality.

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.

Vehicles make people irrational.  They become our babies and we wash and wax them every weekend.  People even talk to their cars and give them an affectionate pat every now and then.  But as much as we love our cars, we don’t need to spend unnecessary money on them.  Here are some things that you might be wasting your money on.

First of all, you don’t need to purchase premium gas over regular.  Buy the gas that is the cheapest that doesn’t allow your engine to knock.  The purpose of octane is to prevent knock, so if your car isn’t knocking with regular gas, you’re fine.

Typically, car manufacturers suggest that you get an oil change every 5,000-7,500 miles.  Many people feel that they need oil changes every 3,000 miles.  This is only necessary if you’re hard on your vehicle.

Also, people waste money by having repairs done at a dealer.  Independent shops will do a good job for much less money.  And make sure you have an auto warranty so you aren’t paying unnecessary repair costs.  Also, roadside assistance will save you money in the long run.

Just being aware of where you are wasting money can allow you a big savings.  Don’t let people talk you into unnecessary car expenses.

Smart cars are becoming more and more popular because of the downsizing trend.  But many consumers have reservations about the safety of this car because of its 8 feet long, 5 feet tall dimensions.  So how does the Smart car measure up in safety?

According to crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Smart car received the highest rating possible in side and front crashes and the second highest in rear crashes.  The Smart car comes standard with front-end airbags on the passenger and driver side.

Also, motorists can feel good knowing that the Smart Car is made by Mercedes.  The Mercedes name has earned consumers trust, and they have always had excellent safety.

In the Smart Car the passengers are essentially sitting on top of a roll cage.  This is an iron frame that surrounds the car and provides a buffer zone in crashes.

Although the Smart Car has excellent safety features, the IIHS reminds consumers that cars are ranked in their class, determined by the size and weight of the vehicle.  This means that the Smart Car is in the top of its class, but this doesn’t mean that the car is as safe as vehicles in other classes.

Consumers are taking safety into their own hands by purchasing safe cars with an auto warranty.  The Smart Car is a great choice for its class based on its safety features.

Because many people lead busy lives, they try to pick a repair shop that is close to their home.  They also try to find a shop that they believe to be trustworthy.  Motorists take for granted the freedom of being able to pick where their cars get repaired.  This may all be coming to an end.

Cars operate through their computers, and it is necessary to have the computer codes to determine if something is faulty on the vehicle.  However, car manufacturers often don’t like to release the codes.  This means that independently owned repair shops might not be able to properly make repairs.  In addition, drivers will be forced to take their vehicles to dealerships.  This makes an auto warranty even more necessary for motorists because dealerships tend to charge more for repairs.

There are approximately 220 million cars in the country and only 21,000 vehicle dealerships.  Also, there are around 130,000 businesses that make a business of repairing cars.  If these businesses don’t have access to computer codes they may eventually go out of business because they won’t be able to perform many repairs on cars.

Unfortunately, you never know when your car is going to require repairs, so regardless of where you take your car for service, make sure you have an auto warranty to protect your wallet.