Archive for October, 2009
Finance and Insurance Tips.
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
It is no mystery what happens at certain dealerships like Doug Henry and Terry Lee Honda. You look for a car, you buy the car. Seems simple enough, right?
Wrong.
There’s always one office you don’t expect to see when buying your car–the Finance and Insurance office.
What exactly happens in this office? More than most consumers can even imagine happens in this office. This is where deals are made. This is where consumers can be ripped-off.
The following are 10 tips to remember before stepping into this office:
1) Don’t agree to monthly payments. Once you agree to these you lose control of the deal and give the dealer the upper-hand and enable them to charge you more and hide the original price of the car.
2) Do not buy a car without checking price guides on the car and being sure that it is within a reasonable range.
3) Don’t buy the extended warranty. It’s not worth it and often times there are already built-in warranty’s making the extended warranty more of a rip-off.
4) Don’t buy the extended warranty (if you really want it) for the price they first offer.
5) Do not enter the Finance and Insurance room unless you have independent financing or you’ve checked your credit report and bank or credit union and the rate they will offer.
6) Don’t buy paint protection, fabric protection, VIN etching or LoJack.
7) Don’t pass up gap insurance if you’re leasing.
8 ) Use a monthly payment calculater to get an idea of what your budget will be.
9) Don’t believe the Finance and Insurance guy is really your friend.
10) Don’t believe the Finance and Insurance guy if he tells you that you have to buy the extended warranty to qualify for low or no-interest financing. This is not true.
How You Can Make Miles of Green!
Monday, October 26th, 2009
As most may know, the globe has been suffering from some severe environmental effects that have been theorized to be directed from our inhabitance on earth. After hearing of this many Americans have found ways to take action and be more mindful of their day-to-day activities. Most have even taken it as far as to what they wear, eat, even drive….
Even big automotive CEO’s have taken the initative to commit to a greener earth in their designs to introduce popular electric cars and hybrids such as the 2009 Ford Escape, and many other Cincinnati Ford hybrid and Cincinnati Ford deals like the 2011 Ford Ranger.
The following are 10 easy steps to take in order to help your car go green:
1) Drive a Hybrid or a Clean Diesel.
2) Take it Easy with Engines and Options.
3) Cut back on some Cylinders.
4) Emit Less.
5) Buy Small.
6) Consider What’s Under the Hood.
7) Keep Up With Your Tires.
8 ) Choose A Quicker Route.
9) Buy A Green Car!
10) Get a Car From a Green Factory!
Used Car 411!
Thursday, October 15th, 2009
With a declining economy that has been affecting everything from our wallets to the amount of economic depreciation value a new car goes down in just the driving it off the lot it is no wonder Americans have been turning to used cars to get their automobile fix. However, when buying a used car how does the consumer be sure they’re getting the best deal for their money?
Within this article we are willing to tell you what the best way is to approach dealers such as Doug Henry and Terry Lee Honda or look at Cincinnati used cars.
If you’re like most, and you have to borrow money or take out a loan in order to invest in a used car then it is best recommended that before you go out looking for your new, used car that you assess your budget and what you are looking for. In a helpful attempt to aid you in figuring out the best amount for your monthly budget in payments there are such things as Affordability Calculators that help give you a better idea about what it is you can and cannot afford. After you have identified your budget amount the next step would be to take the initiative to narrow down what type of class of car is best suited for your needs and your budget. Once the class is narrowed down you can then go on to hopefully finding the best used car of your dreams!
Car Flood=Car Dud? Tips to not get a prior flooded car.
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
As most are aware of, there was quite a tragic disaster in states such as Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama when the natural disaster Hurricane Katrina struck. A lot of people are not however aware of all of the cars that got flooded under car lots and on the streets, and even less realize that these cars have had the opportunities to be refurbished and sold to new, innocent victims as a used car with every bit of their trust and love already invested within it.
Now how do you prevent such a thing from happening to you? A lot of people are asking that question. Luckily, there is a process to avoid being strung along like some other unfortunate people who didn’t go to a Cincinnati Ford used car auctions, check out Cincinnati Ford Dealer Specials or to Terry Lee Honda who could’ve gotten them what they needed at a much more reasonable price without being concerned with any catches.
There are six steps to National Automobile Dealers Association that are as follows:
1) Get a vehicle history report-While it doesn’t always show us if the car is flood-damaged or not, it may possibly or have some sort of distingquishing thing about it that would make keeping in contact with services such as Carfax well worthwhile. Or while you’re at it, also take the cars VIN, which is the number usually posted on the bottom windshield near the driver’s side. Once you have regained this you can use the National Automobile Dealers Association and get a free check on your car or future car to make sure it doesn’t have a criminal background either!
2) Be alert to unusual doors- Moldy or a sour smell that indicates mildew build-up from prolonged exposure to water.
3) Look for discolored carpet-Large stains or differences between upholstery sections may indicate long-standing water was in the vehicle. Another warning sign may even be new upholstery in the car. The dealer may have tried to replace the upholstery. Thus, swaying the buyer and gaining a positive sale.
4) Examine the exterior for wall build-up-May include fogging inside the head-lamps or tail-lights and damp or muddy areas where water naturally pools.
5) Inspect the undercarriage- try to find signs or rust and/or flaking metal that would not be normally associated with late-model vehicles.
6) Be suspicious of dirt build-up in unusual areas- Areas like these include the seat tracks, and upper carpeting near the glove department. As well as other areas that might have mud or grit in alternator crevices, behind wiring harnesses, and around the small recesses of starter motors.
Car-buying Process and the Things to Avoid.
Thursday, October 1st, 2009
Everyone wants to be sure that they are getting a great deal on a car they want, at a price they deserve. Unfortunately that doesn’t always happen, and not everyone has access to Indianapolis Honda dealers or Cincinnati Ford dealers and instead they have to settle for their nearby local dealership in which sometimes seems to do more harm then good to them.
Luckily, there is a few ways to avoid rip-off’s and scams while trying not to lose too much money on your purchase that you would not ordinarily pay. Certain steps and techniques will help to aid you in the car-buying process.
1) Take Charge-Do not be afraid to take the agressive approach or ask questions. The more you know, the more willing the dealer is to explain it to you, and the more knowledge you have is key to the best deal possible you could have.
2) “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”-Do not let yourself get too attached to a car. Keep your poker face on, and your legal agenda at hand. Do not forget why you are at the dealership, what you are looking for at the price-range you are looking for and what will ideally suit your needs. You do not want to go in looking for a mini-van to haul your kids around and wind up with a coupe sports car.
3) Know Your Weak Areas- There are three main areas where car buyers make financial mistakes that affect your wallet: settling on a price, settling on financing, and negotiating their trade-in’s. Once you teach yourself about these procedures and protocal’s, the less likely you are to be a victim to the dealer.
These tips and techniques cannot always guarantee you the best deal on the lot, but they can help you to save money and utilize your brain to your advantage. Doing your homework and researching is never something to be ashamed of. Who really loses–the person who researched and got the better deal or the person who just walked in and got mauled with extra fees and tack-on prices they were never aware of in the first place.