Buy A Car Blog

7 Passenger Jeep On The Way

There's a new Jeep coming for next year, the 7 passenger Jeep Commander and the New York Times has video. Check it out.

Posted by Loyd on May 24, 2005 | 0 Comments

SUV Sales Declining Amidst Higher Gas Prices

NY Times: "To believe the commercials, sport utility vehicles can climb the most indomitable mountain, ford any stream and haul around the kids to boot.

But gas prices are a more unconquerable force of nature. With higher prices at the pump sinking in as something more than a blip on the radar, and with several new passenger car models winning back customers, America's love affair with S.U.V.'s is taking a breather.

For the first time in 14 years, the passenger car is actually taking sales back at the expense of S.U.V.'s and other trucks, according to an analysis of auto sales data. The renewed interest in cars over the first four months of the year, while modest, is a pause in what has been the trend in auto sales for the last decade and a half: the soaring growth of the sport utility vehicle as America's preferred family vehicle.

Sales of medium and large sport utility vehicles - like the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Suburban - have stalled, and the torrid sales growth of large pickups has cooled."

Posted by Loyd on May 21, 2005 | 0 Comments

5 Tips For Getting The Best Deal Possible

Here are 3 5 things you can do to get the best deal possible.

1. Research. The more informed you are about the product the more likely you will be able to spot a good deal, or when someone's trying to take advantage of you.

2. Shop. This goes hand-in-hand with number one. The more informed you are, the better deal you can get.

3. Pre-qualify. Like shopping for the best deal on the vehicle itself, you owe yourself the best deal on financing. Independent lenders and Credit Unions typically strike a better deal. That's not to say it's that way all the time, but knowing what you got in your hand before you start the buying process is a lot better than getting shanghaied into high payments all in the name of "no money down."

4. Walk. That's right, don't be afraid to walk off the lot. Give yourself time to digest what's just been thrown at you. Check your research. Eat some dinner. Above all, avoid impulse buying. Most dealerships now don't allow for buyers remorse so when you sign on the dotted line, it's yours.

5. Haggle. As American's we've kind of lost the art. We're used to walking in and paying a set price for things, but when it comes to buying a car, don't be afraid to say, "no way." Let the dealer know you saw the same car elsewhere for a lower price. Be prepared to get a price quoted on a business card while out shopping, most dealers honor a price on a card as the holy scripture.

Remember. This is about YOU getting the best deal YOU can.

Posted by Loyd on May 11, 2005 | 0 Comments

Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles The Hot Ticket

If you're looking to pick up a new or used car, Certified Pre Owned might be the way for you and with a large supply and low sales, retailers are looking to cut you deal.

The Auto Channel: "While certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles are gaining share of the used-vehicle market, many of the sales and marketing efforts may not be communicating the value of certification to consumers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2005 Used Vehicle Sales and Certification StudySM released today.

The study, in its fourth year, finds that 38 percent of late-model used vehicle buyers are purchasing a certified vehicle, compared to 35 percent in 2004. However, the majority of CPO buyers surveyed indicated the primary reason they purchased a certified vehicle was not due to their awareness of the CPO program. Rather, it was due to the availability of their vehicle of choice, which just happened to be certified. This indifference toward certification contributes to a lack of understanding as to what constitutes a certified program. Sixty-four percent of CPO-vehicle buyers said they first became aware of the certification program that they eventually purchased while at the dealership."

My advice is, don't be afraid to walk through the Certified Pre Owned section of the lot. Unlike the used car's that we're used to seeing portrayed on TV, CPO's often come with a warranty from the dealership protecting you from the misuse of previous owners/leasers. CPO's are also usually priced lower, a fact that appeals to many finance companies for hard-to-finance car buyers.

So next time you're in the lot, check it out. You never know what you'll find.

Posted by Loyd on May 11, 2005 | 0 Comments

Honda Bags A Winner With Ridgeline

It's new. It's sleek. It's sexy. It's the safest truck around. It's a Honda?

That's right. The new Honda Ridgeline is not only one of the hottest new trucks around but it's also the safest according to the NHTSA.

Honda: "The 2006 Honda Ridgeline has earned a 5-Star safety rating for both frontal and side impact crash test performance from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), American Honda Motor Co., announced today. The Ridgeline, Honda's first truck,
is the first ever 4-door pickup to earn the government's highest crash test safety rating."

The Ridgeline features a 24 Valve SOHC (Single Over Head Cam) VTEC V6 engine with Honda's VTM-4 (Variable Torque Managment) 4 wheel drive system meaning this ain't no sissy truck. This is a truck meant to take you where you wanna go and get you back before the wife knows you were gone.

The Ridgeline is also customizable to give you options, options, and more options. 17" Alloy wheels, moon-roof, Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System, mirror mounted electronic compass, heated side mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, power lumbar support, and XM Satellite radio all add up to one thing, class.

Starting at around $27,700 for the RT model, this is one awesome truck.

Standard Equipement:

RT

3.5-liter, SOHC VTEC® V-6 engine

255 horsepower @5750 rpm

252 lb.-ft. of torque @4500 rpm

Heavy-Duty Radiator with 160-Watt Fans (2)

5-speed automatic transmission

Heavy-Duty Automatic-Transmission Cooler

Heavy-Duty Power-Steering Cooler

VTM-4® 4-wheel-drive system

4-wheel independent suspension

Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA®) with traction control

Cruise Control

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD) with Brake Assist

Drive-by-Wire Throttle System™

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Secured In-Bed Trunk™

Integrated Bed Lights (4) with Auto-Off Timer

Dual-action tailgate

Pre-Wired for Trailer Connection (4-/7-Pin)

5-passenger seating

60/40 lift-up rear seat with underseat storage

Dual-stage, dual-threshold front airbags (SRS)

Front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS)

Side curtain airbags with rollover sensor

Multi-reflector halogen headlights with auto-off

Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) for all three rear seating positions

Power windows, door locks and mirrors

Multi-function center storage console with sliding armrest

Beverage holders in console and armrests

Automatic heated wiper zone

All-weather rubber floor mats

Air conditioning with air-filtration system

100-watt AM/FM/XM®-Ready/CD audio system

Posted by Loyd on May 10, 2005 | 0 Comments

Buying A New Car? Take A Look At The Big Picture First

When buying a car it pays to shop around for the best deal but what may seem like the best deal at the moment, a low payment, may not be the best deal you can get.

Arizona Central: "Auto industry analysts predict 17-million of us will buy a new car this year. Buyers are faced with a dizzying array of offers. Consumer Reports has advice to help you find the best deal.

The ads to get you into showrooms are tempting $199 a month, $179 a month, $99 dollars a month.

But Rob Gentile, who oversees Consumer Reports%u2019 Auto Price Service, says focusing on a low monthly payment is a trap.

"You never want to use the monthly payment as your starting point to negotiate a car deal. The reason is that many times those advertised monthly payments are based on the full sticker price of the car or something close to that."

Posted by Loyd on May 10, 2005 | 0 Comments

My First New Car Buying Experience

In 2002 after purchasing my first new car, I wrote the following few paragraphs about our experience:

Good morning. As of about 9pm last night Angie and I our now the owners of a new Hyundai Elantra GLS and a car payment. Its very exciting for us, as this is our first of both. Let me tell you, nothing brings home that your not a teenager anymore like when you wake up early in the morning to gush about your new four-door sedan. We got an excellent deal, that was part my negotiating and part luck.

Before we went, we purchased a Consumer Reports New Car Price Survey. It gave us accurate numbers to negotiate from and was definitely worth the $25 we spent on it. I negotiated more than 25% off the sticker price of the car, actually getting the price lower than what the dealer showed me was his invoice. I don’t for a moment believe that he lost money of the car, or even made no profit. I’m not stupid. As Angie flatly told the sales manager, “How do we know you didn’t just go over there and make that up? That’s what Dane would do?” It was shortly after this comment that he came back with the price we wanted.

As far as luck goes, it always helps if the car you negotiating over has some reasonably major “defect” that you really can live with, but you for the sake of argument don’t want. The only silver 2002 Elantra on the lot had a spoiler. Angie’s had a Hyundai Scoup with a spoiler for the last 6 years and let me tell you, the only thing it added to our driving experience was more weight in the back. So I balked, over and over and over again about that spoiler. When our negotiating got stuck, and the sales manager wouldn’t budge, I just pointed out the spoiler and said I’d walk. He said stay, and wrote a new offer exactly like what I wanted.

Our other bit of luck had to do with timing. We went in on the 20th of the month, because we figured it was close enough to the end of the month that the salespeople would be hungry, and we lucked out and went on one of the hottest days this year. We were the only ones on the lot kicking the tires, and when we went in to negotiate, we were the only people in the building. It must have been some sort of car sales karma, because as soon as we signed on the dotted line, the lot filled with potential buyers.

Posted by Dane on May 10, 2005 | 0 Comments

GM Targets Women Buyers

If you're female and you've ever walked onto a car lot by yourself you know that sometimes it's hard to bridge the gender gap. GM is about to change all that with a new site and literature aimed at the fairer sex.

Yahoo Finance: "General Motors recently launched its 'Women in the Driver's Seat' website to educate, inform and empower women making major automotive buying and servicing decisions.

'Women traditionally have not enjoyed the car buying and service experience,' said Cynthia Price, manager for the GM Center of Expertise Women's Market Initiative. 'We also know that women place safety as a higher priority in their purchase decision than men do and that 70% of women research on the Internet before coming into our dealer showrooms,' added Price.

The site gives readers straightforward information on buying a vehicle, servicing a vehicle and safety on the road. "

Posted by Loyd on May 06, 2005 | 0 Comments

More Americans Car Shopping Out Of Desire Rather Than Need

In a very interesting article from over at The Auto Channel, it appears more Americans are willing to lay down cash for a new car not because they need one, but simply because they want one.

The Auto Channel: "Vertis, a leading provider of targeted advertising, media, and marketing services, today announced the results of its proprietary Customer Focus(R) 2005: Automotive study, which reveals that the number one reason for many consumers to buy a new car is simply because they want one. For 36 percent of new car purchasers their desire for a new automobile will lead them to make a purchase within the next 12 months. "

Posted by Loyd on May 04, 2005 | 0 Comments

ForbesAutos.Com Offers Luxury Cars For The Discerning Buyer

If you're in the market for a fine luxury car then the shopping just got a little easier. ForbesAutos.com is offering an extensive photo gallery of everycar with a feature unique to the online car sales market, zoom.

Now you can look at a vehicle in finer detail and higher resolution. ForbesAutos.com also offers:

AIADA:

Decision guides searchable by Vehicle Category or by Year, Make, Model

More than 100 Forbes.com reviews of 2005 and 2006 model year vehicles

2-3 weekly original ForbesAutos.com reviews

Advice articles on shopping, financing and insurance

Not bad.

Posted by Loyd on May 04, 2005 | 0 Comments

Haggling Has Long History In Car Buying

Haggling for a better price on a car is just something that many come to expect when buying a car. Though you may never think much about it, haggling over the price has a long history with car buying.

Ventura County Star: Most people wouldn't dream of haggling over the price of a steak at a restaurant or a big-ticket item such as a refrigerator at Sears, yet they do expect to argue over the bottom line when they buy a new or used car.

How it got that way is open to debate, though many think it originated with buying and selling horses. No two were identical, there was no odometer to register mileage and the price was negotiable.

"The whole horse-trading thing segued into buying cars," said Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor for automotive Web site Edmunds.com. Reed thinks haggling for cars came into full bloom after World War II.

Right after the war, there were more buyers than vehicles as automakers were converting their factories back to making cars from tanks and airplanes.

Salespeople kept their prices flexible so they could sell to the most eager customers who wanted a new car more than a low price.

Posted by Loyd on May 04, 2005 | 0 Comments

Downside Of Buying A Car That Just Came Off A Lease

"My new car!", originally uploaded by {platinum}.

Google Answers: "I'm looking to buy a car. One option is to go to an auction and buy one that has just come off a lease. I'm concerned that, if I buy a car this way, it's more likely to have been mistreated by it's previous owner and have hidden problems. One person has suggested that, so long as it's been inspected, I shouldn't worry that much about major problems popping up down the line. I'm still not sure. Can you find information on whether or not this is something I should be worried about? If so, how much of a problem is it?"

There is an old joke: "Which type of car could drive through all kinds of environment? The leased one!" Be careful with leased cars.

Posted by Dane on May 03, 2005 | 0 Comments

Hybrids Stealing Car Buyers Hearts

Hybrids are all the rage. People are in love with them, and with good reason, mileage.

Mercury News: "Greg King, a systems engineer at Northrop Grumman in Sunnyvale, obsesses over the gasoline mileage he can eke out of his blue Honda Insight, which he bought in 2001.

Driving down to Stockton from Kirkwood Mountain Resort near Lake Tahoe, he managed to get 112 miles per gallon -- nearly double what the two-seater officially achieves. And he once drove to Los Angeles and back on a single tank of gas.

That's just an ordinary trip to Brian Freeman, who claims his 2000 Insight once got 1,098 miles on a single tank of gas. ``I have one of the three highest mpg Insights in the country and hold the record for the most 1,000-mile tanks of gas,'' said Freeman, a former Saratoga resident who now lives in Chicago."

Posted by Loyd on April 28, 2005 | 0 Comments

Ask The Buy A Car Blog: What's so special about the i-VTEC in my Honda?

What's so special about the i-VTEC in my Honda?

For years automakers have been looking for a way to combine power with fuel efficiency. Short of nitrous oxide or turbo which increase the power of an already fuel efficient engine, it seemed as if making a powerful fuel efficient car was like looking for the Holy Grail. Then enters the engineers at Honda.

Honda engineers combined racing technology with that of the family sedan and created a motor that had the ability to actually alter the cam timing while the engine was running. Through the 1990's and into the new millennium Honda continued to refine the VTEC design until finally the i-VTEC was born. Here's more from Hotrod Magazine...

Hotrod Magazine: "The latest and most sophisticated VTEC development is i-VTEC ('intelligent' VTEC), which combines features of all the various previous VTEC systems for even greater powerband width and cleaner emissions. The i-VTEC is used in the Acura RSX Type S, the Civic Si, the '03 Honda Accord, the '04 Acura TSX, and other models. With the latest i-VTEC setup, at low rpm the timing of the intake valves is now staggered and their lift is asymmetric, which creates a swirl effect within the combustion chambers. At high rpm, the VTEC transitions as previously into a high-lift, long-duration cam profile.

On i-VTEC engines, the engine computer also monitors cam position, intake manifold pressure, and engine rpm, then commands the VTC (variable timing control) actuator to advance or retard the cam. At idle, the intake cam is almost fully retarded to deliver a stable idle and reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOX) emissions. The intake cam is progressively advanced as rpm builds, so the intake valves open sooner and valve overlap increases. This reduces pumping losses, increasing fuel economy while further reducing exhaust emissions due to the creation of an internal exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) effect."

What's that mean for you? It means you've got a car that uses less gas, dumps less pollutants into the air, but has the "get up and go" of a car with more ponies under the hood (some VTEC engines get as much as 1.5 horsepower / cubic inch).

Happy motoring.

Posted by Loyd on April 27, 2005 | 0 Comments

No One Wants A Lemon

Most car dealers stand behind the automobile they sell but sometimes things just don't seem to work as you feel they should. If you think the dealership is treating you unfair or failing to stand behind its warranty the Federal Trade Commission offers a list of things you can do.

Federal Trade Commission: "If you have a problem that you think is covered by a warranty or service contract, follow the instructions to get service. If a dispute arises, there are several steps you can take:

• Try to work it out with the dealer. Talk with the salesperson or, if necessary, the owner of the dealership. Many problems can be resolved at this level. However, if you believe you're entitled to service, but the dealer disagrees, you can take other steps.

• If your warranty is backed by a car manufacturer, contact the local representative of the manufacturer. The local or zone representative is authorized to adjust and decide about warranty service and repairs to satisfy customers. Some manufacturers also are willing to repair certain problems in specific models for free, even if the manufacturer's warranty does not cover the problem. Ask the manufacturer's zone representative or the service department of a franchised dealership that sells your car model whether there is such a policy.

• Contact your local Better Business Bureau, state Attorney General, or the Department of Motor Vehicles. You also might consider using a dispute resolution organization to arbitrate your disagreement if you and the dealer are willing. Under the terms of many warranties, this may be a required first step before you can sue the dealer or manufacturer. Check your warranty to see if this is the case. If you bought your car from a franchised dealer, you may be able to seek mediation through the Automotive Consumer Action Program (AUTOCAP), a dispute resolution program coordinated nationally by the National Automobile Dealers Association and sponsored through state and local dealer associations in many cities. Check with the dealer association in your area to see if they operate a mediation program.

• If none of these steps is successful, small claims court is an option. Here, you can resolve disputes involving small amounts of money, often without an attorney. The clerk of your local small claims court can tell you how to file a suit and what the dollar limit is in your state.

• The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also may be helpful. Under this federal law, you can sue based on breach of express warranties, implied warranties, or a service contract. If successful, consumers can recover reasonable attorneys' fees and other court costs. A lawyer can advise you if this law applies.
  

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261."

Most of the time dealers stand behind their vehicles and will do their best to assist you but I have heard of people suing dealerships. If you feel something is amiss, ask questions and be sure to document your situation. Most states offer protection in the form of a "lemon law" but you'll need proof. Always hang onto your receipts for any maintenance you do on the car.

Beware though, the "lemon law" does not cover buyers remorse so know what you're getting into before you sign the papers.

Posted by Loyd on April 27, 2005 | 0 Comments

Buying an Insurance Friendly Vehicle

Angie on the Insurance Blog just did a post with some great information about buying an insurance friendly vehicle.

Check it out.

Posted by Dane on April 26, 2005 | 0 Comments

How To Choose a Pickup Truck

About:

Trucks used to be fairly basic, without a ton of options to choose from, and they all looked somewhat similar. Sure, there were styling variations between the automakers, but all in all a truck was a truck.

Things have definitely changed. Today's drivers have plenty of choices, from basic work trucks designed to haul cargo to option-filled trucks that rival a luxury sedan.

So how do you find the right truck? A good way to start shopping for a pickup truck is to analyze your wants and needs.

Read more.

Posted by Dane on April 26, 2005 | 0 Comments

It Pays To Shop Around, Even For Financing

You've made up your mind and got the perfect car all picked out. It's got the features you want at the price you want but are you about to step into a bear-trap of finance and interest charges?

"'Anybody can get you a monthly payment you can afford,' Susan Tiffany, director of consumer publishing for the Credit Union National Association, says. But how they do it may not be in your best interest." Cars.com

It pays to not only shop for the best deal on a car ahead of time, but also for the best financing. By arranging financing ahead of time you put the ball back in your court giving you the home team advantage.

By arranging financing with your bank or credit union ahead of time you become a cash buyer with the ability to simply write a check for the amount of the vehicle (up to the approval amount of course).

""A cash buyer has a very deep attraction for car salespeople, especially at the end of the month when they need to make their sales numbers," Daniel Ray, editor in chief of Bankrate.com, says." Cars.com

Financing a vehicle is the cause of undue headaches among auto buyers but with a little information and some preparedness you stand a better chance of walking away a winner. For more information check out Finding The Best Financing Deal on Cars.com.

Posted by Loyd on April 25, 2005 | 0 Comments

Lexus Introduces The RX Hybrid

Following close on the footsteps of the other major auto makers, Lexus is introducing a high-performance, luxury-class SUV Hybrid for 2006, the RX 400h. Built on the same body style as the RX 330, the 400 utilizes a performance gas-electric system to deliver the goods at a fraction of the pump price.

Lexus: "Hybrid gas-electric cars started out as compacts designed to get a gazillion miles to the gallon. That picture is changing and so must our thinking. Witness the new 2006 Lexus RX 400h.

The RX 400h boasts all the advantages of a hybrid gas-electric vehicle: Emissions are extremely low, reducing your impact on the environment. And it burns about as much gas as a compact car, helping to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil.

But it's fast. Stomp on the gas and the RX 400h jumps off the line significantly quicker than the regular RX 330. It can go head-to-head with a V8-powered Mercedes ML500.

And it's a luxury SUV, loaded with power-hungry features: dual-zone climate control, GPS navigation, power seats, power windows, a power liftgate, available rear-seat DVD, an optional megawatt audio system by Mark Levinson®. You can run all that stuff at the same time without any fears of draining the battery.

And no, you do not plug this car in to recharge it. There is no electrical cord dangling from the grille, no need to look for recharging stations. Living with it is quite similar to living with a regular car. Like other gas-electric hybrids, the RX 400h recharges its battery packs as you drive. The gas engine helps propel the car and recharges the battery.

The RX 400h combines a regular 3.3-liter V6 gasoline engine with one high-torque electric drive motor-generator driving the front wheels and another one driving the rear wheels. It uses a third electric motor to start the engine, help route power to the motors and recharge the batteries. It sounds complicated and we haven't even discussed the all-wheel drive, the elaborate stability control and electronic brake system. The more you study it the more you realize its complexity."

The Lexus RX400h books out at around $49,185 but that's not too much to ask for all the ammenities you get. For more information you can check out the new RX 400h hybrid on Lexus.com

Posted by Loyd on April 25, 2005 | 0 Comments

Ask Mefi: Buying a Car Online

Ask Metafilter: "I am looking to buy a car for around $5-6000 dollars. What's the best way of finding a car online? Also, I know nothing about cars. What suggestions do you folks have for brands, features, etc. I should look for?"

Tons of great advice from the members of Metafilter.

Posted by Dane on April 23, 2005 | 0 Comments

Buying An Old Pickup Truck

"truck ii", originally uploaded by Bombardier.

I asked the staff expert about what I should be on the lookout for when buying a really old pickup truck. Our conversation follows:

Me: If i was going to buy a really old truck -- say 20 years old -- for $500, what should be on the look out for?

Loyd: Running or no?

Me: Yes.

Loyd: Drive it. Be on the lookout for shaking or vibrations that would account for ball joints being out or unmaintained grease seals. Hard shifting could be a sign of transmission wear or problems with the torque converter.

Pull the dipstick. Smell it. If it smells like fish they put heavy oil in it to cover an oil leak. If it smells burn the engine could be prone to overheating. Open the radiator cap. Is it fluid or water. what color is it? It shouldn't be rusty but should be green.

Look on the engine block for oil buildup. The engine should be clean but kinda dusty. If it's sparkly clean they mayhave had the motor cleaned to cover an oil leak.

What year is it?

Me: Dunno, exactly. Sub 1987.

Loyd: Import or domestic?

Me: Domestic.

Loyd: 2005 - 1987 = 18 x 30,000 (average yearly mileage) = 540,000

It'll probably need a new motor. Watch for bounciness in the ride, shocks and springs could be going out.

Me: Excellent advice, thanks.

Loyd: NP. i've bought more than my share of lemons.

Posted by Dane on April 21, 2005 | 0 Comments

First Post

Welcome to Buy A Car Blog from Dane Carlson's Niche Blogs Network.

Posted by Dane on April 21, 2005 | 0 Comments