The Yaris has been hailed in the past for its economical qualities and has won several awards. The Yaris has the Lowest Fuel Costs in its class according to IntelliChoice and is praised for being handy and versatile. The nippy little car has just been re-launched and the reviews for the new model seem promising. The Yaris has a roomy and versatile interior, the fuel economy is good and the five-star crash-test rating makes it a good choice for families.

Similar cars in the same class include the Kia Picanto. Similar to the Yaris, the Kia Picanto is a small car praised for its fuel economy. The city car is praised for having a quiet and characterful engine. The car has also just been re-launched and small car makers seem to be cashing in on the current market. First launched in 2004 the South Korean car has won several awards including awards for the design of the car.

The modern day car market is definitely on the move, with more small economical cars coming out all the time. The 21^st century consumer is more aware of fuel consumption and is more likely to ask either the car manufacturer or the seller of the car about fuel consumption.

The economical cars of today are designed to be swift, small and stylish. The lightweight nature of the car allows for the fuel efficiency and manoeuvrability. So when looking to save money when buying a car, make sure that you ask about fuel efficiency. Not only are the small cars cheaper, they are also less expensive in the long run, so in the end they will save you money. Join the nation and keep a look out for the small zippy cars that will save you money.

You can rest easy if you’ve just bought yourself a car today. The cars in the market now are those that don’t need to be serviced all the time to keep them in go od working condition. What used to be a monthly exercise can now be done a few times in the year. In addition to that, you’re given a long factory warranty so if you ever have problems with your car, you can get these problems fixed and solved at no extra cost.

Sure car maintenance is easier with new cars but that doesn’t mean you can forgo car maintenance entirely. Here are just some of the things you need to remember with regard to new car maintenance.

There are three key tasks when you’ve purchased a new car and you want to maintain its upkeep.

1. Wash your car regularly. Since it’s a new car, you’ll be excited to wash your car and the recommended times for you to wash your car is every week. When you wash it, make sure you clean the body well and hose the undercarriage and fender wells with water. A lot of road salt and dirt will be gathering there and if you want a clean car, you have to get into those tight spaces too. You then wax your new car’s finish if you notice water beads gathering on your car after a wash or after the rain a size larger than a quarter.
2. Check engine oil. This task has to be performed regularly. Monthly is a good amount of time to check your new car’s engine oil. But if you notice that you have engine oil leaks, you have to check more often because you also need to add more oil. Park your car on level ground when you’re checking for oil level with a dipstick. Don’t over replenish your engine oil and if leaks are established, find the leaks and get them fixed.
3. Check tire pressure. When you have a new car, one of the things that can put a damper on the smoothness and quality of your ride is the tire air pressure. You have to make sure you check this monthly. If you’re going on a road trip, check the tire pressure before your trip. Use a tire pressure gauge to ensure that you have the right pressure. You’ll have details on the amount of tire pressure your car needs on the manual or on the tire’s sidewall. Make sure that your spare tire also has the right tire pressure.

After checking for these three things in new car maintenance, you then have to check the other parts as well. When you’re getting your oil changed, make sure that you also get your air filter, exhaust system, brakes, radiator, battery, fluids and constant velocity joint boots checked. With regard to the air filter, you just have to hold a light up to it and if you don’t see any light shining through the filter, it needs to be replaced. You’ll also have service interval instructions to follow when you have a new car.

The exhaust system should be checked for rusted parts and loose parts. Since your car is new, it’s highly unlikely you’ll have rust under your car, but it’s better safe than sorry. While your car is on the ramps, the exhaust system can be checked thoroughly. You also have to listen for any changes with the sound of your exhaust when you’re driving. Brakes need to be checked for worn out brake pads and also for scored drums or rotors. You have to check the condition of your brakes every six months.

In the case of the radiator, you can prevent your new car from ever overheating if you just clean off debris on it and wash the outside with detergent solution. The battery cables and terminals have to be attached securely. Look out for signs of corrosion. With your car, you don’t have to worry about transmission but if you get a new car with unsealed automatic transmission, you have to check your fluids like transmission, power steering, brake fluid and top them off. For the constant velocity joint boots or CV boots, check for any leaks, cuts or cracks.

When you check all these parts of your new car regularly, you can ensure yourself of a smooth and comfy ride every time. When two years has passed, you then have to set off with maintenance relating to your car’s cooling system, your drive belts and hoses, your timing belt and your automatic transmission fluid. For the cooling system, make sure you drain and flush it two years from the time you bought your car. You have to do this after every two years.

For drive belts and hoses, check for wear and tear. If you have a noisy belt, you need to adjust it. For the timing belt, this has to be changed based on the manufacturer’s replacement interval.

If you don’t check on this, you have to replace your whole engine if the belt breaks. As for the automatic transmission fluid, you might have bought a car that doesn’t need this fluid to be changed. If you bought a different model, you might have to replace filter and fluid after every 36,000 miles or 100,000 miles.

It’s easy to lengthen the life of your car and keep it running as good as the day you bought it from the car dealer if you do new car maintenance.

If you do your own maintenance and auto repairs, purchase your Ford, BMW, Chevy and Nissan parts at discount prices.

Hybrid Cars: Overview
Hybrid cars use two or more distinct sources of power to move the vehicle. Usually, these cars refer to the hybrid electric vehicles which combine one or more electric motors with the internal combustion engine.

Because of the increasing prices in fuels plus the pollution that conventional cars emit, the motor industry had developed the hybrid car to address environmental concerns. The unique advantages of hybrid cars have brought this innovation to a market now recognizing them as the “car of the era.” There are a lot of hybrid cars available in the world today and most car manufacturers have announced their plans to begin producing their own versions.

Advantages of Hybrid Cars

• Hybrid cars combine electrical motor energy with the gas-powered engine. The shortening level of gasoline worldwide was the major drawback of traditional cars which was rectified by electric cars. However, electric cars have their own disadvantages as well. Hybrid cars, on the other hand, are designed to address these issues, balancing the use of gasoline and electrical energy to utilize them in their optimum levels. This in turn produces better and lower emissions.
• Hybrid cars are at par with the normal gas-powered vehicles in terms of performance—if not, better. Moreover, they are comfortable and reliable as everyday vehicles.
• Hybrid cars are environmentally friendly with less concentrated carbon dioxide emissions. The increasing number of automobiles has resulted in increased air pollutants, particularly carbon monoxide. Both of these greenhouse gases are known to cause global warming.
• Hybrid cars help reduce the need for fossil fuels which greatly affects the fuel prices.
• The batteries do not need charging using external source because of the advanced regenerative braking technology.
• Special warranties are provided for electric motors, battery packs and other costly items.
• Certain state governments offer various purchase incentives for hybrid car owners.
• There is a bright future for hybrid cars because of the rapid development in hybrid technology to improve engine efficiency.

How Do Hybrid Cars Save Money?
Hybrid cars can surely provide you better mileage compared with other vehicles. However, the initial investment is really expensive. So how do hybrid cars save money?

• Gas Prices. In the recent years, we have observed how gas prices fluctuate wildly and these are basically due to a number of socioeconomic factors. When fuel prices spike to $3 or more per gallon, hybrid car owners appreciate the significant amount of savings they get with their hybrid cars.
• Tax Incentives. Owners may get a tax incentive for purchasing hybrid cars. When you factor in the refund, the total cost of purchasing the hybrid car is lower then the purchase cost of a comparable model. And because of that, one should be aware that not all hybrid buyers are qualified for the tax incentive. Paying the Alternative Minimum Tax may not allow you to qualify. In addition to that, car companies need to manufacturer at least 60,000 hybrids to be qualified for the federal rebates.
• Maintenance. Hybrid cars have similar repair and maintenance cost to gas model cars in the first 5 years of ownership. However, their value after 5 years is much higher than conventional cars. Moreover, because hybrid cars are popular nowadays, you can resell them in a decent price as well. On the other hand, with two engines comes greater risk of mechanical malfunction, potential repair costs are something to take into consideration.

Conclusion
The advantages of hybrid cars are versatile since it attributes economical and technical benefits. Aside from the owner, the country has benefited from the energy savings as the oil prices are steeping very high and greatly affects the economy of the country. This advantage is also a benefit to the car owners as government had decided to give tax credits and reductions for purchasing hybrid cars. In additional to the Federal exemption, there are states that provide local tax exemptions, which promote the use of hybrid cars.  Insurance and car retail prices, however, should always be factored into your decision. Both are considerably higher for hybrid cars, and many speculate the difference is not made up in gasoline savings. The environmental benefit is, on the other hand, seemingly undisputable due to the decreased omission frequency.

Hybrid cars are therefore very advantageous in multiple ways, but personal financial status should be taken into consideration as well. It is beneficial not only to you as a car owner or to your family but to the entire community, the nation and the world.

If you’re looking for a hybrid today, you’ll have quite a bit of brand and body style variety so select from, whether your preference lay in compact cars, trucks, or SUV’s. In response to several government mandates, these automakers are doing even more to develop hybrids with better consumer utility and drive.

Hybrid Sedans

When it comes to hybrid sedans, the Toyota Prius appears to be the best bet. It’s the most fuel efficient hybrid compact out there with 51 mpg city (48 mpg highway), equipped with new age technology and unprecedented interior capacity for a fuel-efficient sedan.

If price is your major concern, however, perhaps the Hondo Civic Hybrid is the best bet for you. It’s essentially a rehash of the Insight, but with four doors and a hatchback for under $20,000 and 41 mpg.

While it’s hardly gaining way on the famous “Prius,” it is certainly appealing to many ecological (and yet economically) concerned buyers.

Ford is making some hybrid magic themselves, with the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan—both adequate fuel-efficient hybrid solutions. It sports a spacious interior and comes standard with 39 mpg combined city/highway. Technology innovations have also been acclaimed, specifically Ford’s Sync, which is an easy to use and voice activated connectivity unit providing the consumer an easy user interface to access music, cell phone, or text communication.

Some of the most recurrent best sellers are the Toyota Camry and the Nissan Altima and both are still offered in hybrid, powered by the Toyota Synergy Drive system. They can seat up to five passengers and pass crash tests with flying colors. The financially practical option may very well by the Camry Hybrid, as it’s really not much more expensive than it’s gasoline powered counter-part. On the other hand, the Altima Hybrid is a sport model that can be a worth while drive, available exclusively in California, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, New Jersey, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

Lately, the luxury hybrid has collected a bit of luster as well. In particular, the brand new Lexus HS 250h is a commendable solution starting at $34,200. The hybrid vehicle offers all the bells and whistles associated with the Lexus and a 35 mpg. Also out of the Lexus factories is the GS 450h and V6/hybrid power train.

The vehicles are both more than effective in reaching convincingly high speeds in little time, but with such accelerative ease comes a decreased fuel economy (we’re talking the mid 20’s or lower,” so keep that in mind.

These aren’t the only luxury hybrids out there, perhaps the pinnacle of consumer luxury—the Mercedes-Benz—has joined the party with the addition of the S400 BlueHyrbid to its S-Class. The hybrid automobile is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an electronic motor. The S400 model sports a 299 horsepower and its average fuel consumption falls just shy of 30 mpg.

Hybrid SUVs

If you desire a lot of cargo space and interior capacity, the kinds of traits offered only by SUVs, but also want something fuel efficient—you might be able to have the best of both worlds. The solution lies in hybrid SUVs, which flaunt the benefits of an SUV without the disadvantageous wasting of gasoline.

Examples include the Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid, and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid. You’ll find remarkable fuel economy of–34 in the city, 31 on the highway—cementing them as a fantastic solution for a hybrid vehicle with more space and better looks.

Perhaps the greatest on the market of midsize hybrid SUVs would be the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, as it combines seven-passenger seating with a premium interior design, plenty of storage space, and a price tag at only $35,000. It’s fuel economy plays somewhere in the mid-20 range and it certainly gets the job done for families and travelers.

If you really want a higher quality hybrid you can up your standard and go for the Lexus RX 450h. Even though it only seats five people, the well designed vehicle provides for what may be the finest fuel economy of all midsize luxury SUVs.

Definitely worth taking note of is the Chevrolet Tahoe, or the similar GMC Yukon. The hybrid vehicle possesses city mileage rates 50% better than that of their standard gasoline powered counterparts. If you have no interest in the ability to tow and flex muscle, there may even be some regular-gas powered crossovers less expensive than hybrids, but with very similar fuel economy and internal capacity.

When it comes to hybrid SUVs, you got the king—the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. The famously luxurious model in full hybrid form working with an MSRP starting at $73,425 offers extravagant design and a superior driving experience. Their rear-wheel-drive models can get up to 20 mpg combined, making it a fine buy if you’ve got some money to spend.

Hybrid Trucks

Of course there are some hybrid trucks out there as well, including a solution pickup trucks with heavy frames and fuel wasting aerodynamic composition. Hybrid pickup trucks aim to remedy the conceptual disadvantages of pick up trucks with offerings like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid and the GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid. Both sport 379 hp and are offered in rear- or all-wheel drive. They get a combined city/highway 21 mpg and both trucks can get up to 29mph without leaving electric mode. This can come in handy quite often, but as always, keep in mind how you plan on using them before purchase. As like a few hybrid SUVs we mentioned, the gas only versions offer similar capabilities at less cost, so whether or not to buy them depends on individual potential application.

Hybrid!

So the choice is yours, there are different types of hybrids, different brands, and different models. At the end of the day, the insurance and initial costs will be heavier than gasoline only models, but the fuel efficiency and perks may be enough to convince you of their merit. Either way you cut it—if a hybrid is right for you, research every model within your price range. Use our comprehensive guide to help, but only you can make the final decision and sign on the dotted line.

The Top Five Myths (And the real story behind them)

1: Hybrid Cars Require Plugs and Sockets to Recharge-

This is a big one, I’m sure you’ve heard it a time or two when discussion moves on to hybrid automobiles.  They say in order to utilize a hybrid car, you’ll have to plug it in and charge it like one giant Fisher-Price toy jeep or something. When you hear this, you think it’s just another thing you have to remember to charge:

Your laptop, your phone, your camera—now your car?

In Reality: Most of today’s hybrids actually make use of the regenerative charging system—which means that every time you step foot on the brake, the gas engine transfers a portion of electrical power back towards the battery so that it can remain automatically charged at all times. When charged between 40 to 60 percent of maximum capability, these hybrid batteries last a relatively long time and ensure a life span often guaranteed to surpass 100,000 miles.

2: Hybrid Cars are Weak and Have NO Power

This myth is even more ill-informed. The majority of vehicles on the road today don’t need highly abundances of power, and unless you plan on riding the Nextel Cup next year you’ll find a hybrid to suffice.  The core of this issue comes from the fact that because hybrids do not use gasoline, they are at a power disadvantage.

In Reality: Hybrid performance is actually increasing all the time. Technology is constantly being developed that applies powerful attributes of gas-driven vehicles to fuel-efficient hybrid cars. For example—the Lexus G5 450h sports more than 300 horsepower and can likely defeat most gas powered cars in a 0-60 road test—so basically it’s unwise to take shots at their power. While they may be fuel efficient, they are far from underpowered.

3. Hybrids Just Cost Too Much

Many people believe that purchasing a hybrid vehicle will set their wallet back way too much. These people see some of the price tags on these cars and shriek in fright. Whether they’re simply looking at the most expensive models or are having trouble finding a solution within their price range, they go crawling right on back to the more traditional gas powered options.

In Reality: This isn’t the case; just take a look at the Toyota Prius, which starts at only $22,000. The same is true with the famous Honda Civic Hybrid, which is equally reasonable in price and amenity. While there are expensive (see Lexus) models that can go for over a $100 grand, the same applies with gasoline powered brands and vehicles. It’s called price range, and the prices range, it’s definitely not some new conspiracy contrived by hybrid automakers. The Ferrari, for instance, is a gasoline powered vehicle with a price of $500,000. Anything can be expensive, and anything can be inexpensive, the same is with hybrids. The myth at hand is just a way of avoiding change, even when innovation is clearly beneficial.

4. Hybrid Cars are for the Far Left ONLY

I’m not even sure if this one makes any sense, but many people believe that hybrid ownership is directly indicative of a liberal political proclivity. It is many people’s opinion that if they were to drive one, they would be unjustly labeled (either by society of themselves) as a bleeding heart liberal. Not wanting to involve politics in their car choice—the pass on what is nothing but a fathomable long term vehicular decision.

In Reality: In the beginning, the stigma was installed that hybrids were the choice of democrats or  liberal consumers. But if this is an actual deterrent from making a purchase, you are clearly just afraid of new things. While liberals may have initially been the bulk of initial hybrid sale composition, due to the publicly known benefits of the vehicles, they are becoming a more inclusive and widely enjoyed upgrade.  Conservatives, auto workers, and level-minded people have seen the opportunity to save money on fuel in a practical way and jumped on it—making the hybrid choice less political and more of just common sense.

5. Hybrid Cars are going to ELIMINATE Foreign Oil Dependency in America

Some people are rallying around optimistic claims, including how hybrid cars are going to rid our nation of our unfortunate dependency on foreign oil.

In Reality: While the amount of hybrid vehicles sold annually is increasing rapidly, the total sales only account for 2.5 percent of total cars sold in America. Some people estimate that even with the savings of all those people, the foreign oil dependency is considerably grand. The fact still remains that while hybrids are a great alternative to fossil fuels, they aren’t exactly the cure-all for foreign oil dependency.

Be Smart!

There are many myths out there that surround hybrids, but they are to be eventually erased. Unfortunately, it seems that misinformation spreads much quicker than truth in this world, but at the end of the day, the facts will prevail. It’s likely that before we know it, the clear innovative benefits and advantages to the hybrid vehicle will hit the public mainstream, and the skeptics will have not a choice but to join in what they unreasonably objected to in the first place. Until then, approach everything with an open but level mind and remember to be smart!

For starters, what exactly is a hybrid car?

Essentially, it is nothing but a fuel efficient automobile with dual motors, an electric motor and a gasoline powered alternative. It also sports a specially engineered system that captures brake energy and transfers it towards the battery to keep it charged at all times.

So why go hybrid?

It’s a combination of two vehicular concepts, so why not go to one of the two? Why not drive a purely gasoline or electric powered car? If you think about it through principle, having two motors makes your system more vulnerable to a breakdown. The same concept exists in any other sort of transportation vehicle—the more motors or engines, the less reliable they can collectively be.

Two Motors

In reality, having two motors presents both pros and cons. For one, electric motors don’t take up any energy when they idle; in fact they simply turn off and therefore use less gas when the speed is low. Gas motors are more effective at high speeds and therefore deliver a more powerful drive—but during stop and go or low speed travel, the electric motor will suffice without costing you money and the environment smog. When you reach higher speeds, usually past 40 mpg, the gas motor will begin to kick in and allow car owners to travel quickly on the freeway.

Additionally, when using the gas motor, your electric motor will have time to charge. One problem with strictly electric power is that many owners find themselves stranded with a dead battery and no outlet. With a hybrid, the dual motors allow this problem to be virtually nonexistent. The gas motor will automatically kick in whenever the battery gets low and charge the battery simultaneously. This means a hybrid never needs to be plugged into a restrictive outlet, but be aware—just because you can’t run out of electric power doesn’t mean you can’t run out of gas. Keep on top of your gas meter just as you would any other vehicle, but if you do get stuck—it’s a lot easier to haul a gas can over than to get your electric car back to your outlet, so the hybrid does offer that distinct advantage over a straight electric solution.

But all this cutting edge and newly innovated technology can be quite expensive to the consumer. It has two motors and the necessary battery is rather hefty and complex, as is the convenient but pricey regeneration system that charges the battery during bra ke periods.

Seeing as all these systems must coexist in a rather complicated technical homeostasis, they are controlled by rather intricate computers. These computers are remarkably dependable, but like any other computer, it does suffer from a few fallbacks. This means to own a hybrid, you will have to spend quite a bit of time in the shop, and quite a lot of money paying for repairs.

Fuel-Efficiency

Compared to any other practical everyday car type, hybrids are indisputably the most gasoline efficient. On average, the can reach an alleged 48 to 60 miles per gallon, which is around 20%-35% better than some gasoline powered cars. This means that there are vehicles, like the Honda Civic, that are gasoline powered by get 36 mpg. The strange this is that these gasoline efficient standards cost from $14-$17 thousand where hybrids can set you back up to $25,000. With this in play, buying a hybrid becomes less of a “necessity” or even ideal to many people.

The difference is considered to be in fuel costs, where your standard gasoline powered car will cause quite heavy annual bills. But after a decade with a hybrid, it is predicted that only $2,300 will really be saved in the long run—this number is smaller than the price difference between hybrids and fuel-efficient gasoline powered vehicles.

The fuel efficiency is often attributed to improved aero dynamics such as weigh reduction and smaller gas powered engines. By principle, any vehicle would improve mileage greatly just by sporting a smaller sized engine. This is not done with most consumer cars due to the widespread desire for power and speed in most of today’s vehicles.

Most drivers find these mileage claims are actually a tad skewed—sometimes up to 10%. If you take a look at the manufacturer’s miles per gallon claims, they are measured under specifications that would yield similar results from any type of car, with slow speeds and no quick stops.

A Lean, Green Driving Machine

On the other hand, it’s not just fuel economy that hybrids promote; their ecological benefits are also considerably encouraging. Despite the marginal nature of the fuel economy improvements, the smaller number of emissions is undeniable. For instance, big cities with high traffic jams and plenty of low speed travel would benefit greatly from a widespread application of hybrid devices that cut down on pollution and emissions when a vehicle travels under 40 mph.

Global Application

Globally, the United States is not ahead of the hybrid game, but instead the Japanese seem to be setting the standard. Honda and Toyota have already taken the market by storm with the Insight and Prius. It is easy to see that US automakers like Ford have fallen behind, having to license over 20 different technologies from the Japanese just to throw together the Mercury Mariner. In the United States, SUVs and trucks are still commonplace, and Ford has tried to make the best of both worlds with a hybrid version of the Escape.

Many analysts claim that these GM hybrids are nothing but weak efforts and not serious attempts to join the hybrid market. They are often tied in with the Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations, showing that American hybrids are nothing but corporate devices. Because regulations demand automakers possess a fleet with an average of 27.5 mpg, automakers are using hybrids as a way of offsetting their minimally efficient SUV’s and trucks, many of which only get up to 20 miles per gallon.

In Sum…

So at the end of the day, the decision is up to you. Maybe you find hybrid vehicles to cost prohibitive, or maybe the new, innovative, and ecologically friendly technology strikes a chord with you. Either way, personal preference is still in play. The technology is not yet developed to the point where prices can compete with gasoline powered models, but it is undeniably fuel efficient and emission reducing. The concept is fascinating, but right now there is an inherent price gap between gasoline and hybrid powered vehicles. So you know the pros and cons make your decision wisely!

Essentially, all an extended warranty is is an insurance policy you take on your automobile. It is just a way to avoid those unpredictably but outrageous repair expenses. The term warranty is less accurate than insurance, in this way. However, similar to auto warranties, these do cover repairs or any sort of maintenance you encounter during the time period the policy is instated. But with the traditional warranty, you’ll purchase them as part of the product price. Extended auto warranties, on the other hand, are more like contracts. Service contracts if you will—they’ll run a separate cost and you’ll need to buy them separately as well.

Now, that doesn’t mean it needs to be done on a different day or place. In fact, you can purchase the extended warranty at the same place and day you purchase your vehicle, or even many days or months later. If you are the kind of person who needs full preparation at all times, just in case—the extended auto warranty is undeniably right for you. Especially when you consider the always rising cost of vehicular repair, the benefits of being protected are not difficult to see.

Once you determine that an extended auto warranty is the right decision for you, you’ll need to select a plan that addresses your needs. We understand this can seem a tad daunting, so we’ve listed a few points to consider below.

Your Pre-Existing Warranty:

Suppose you just purchased your vehicle brand new—examine its factory warranty and determine its value to you. For instance, suppose your warranty is for a couple of years or pre-determined amount of miles.

Well that’s fine, unless you plan on keeping it for more than a couple of years or driving more miles than what is pre-determined. If you do plan on keeping the car for a short period of time, then an extended warranty is hardly necessary. At the end of the day, it’s all about how long you choose to use the car. If you can predict your utilization of the vehicle to transcend the parameters of the original warranty, an extended plan is certainly in order. When buying a used vehicle, be aware that inherent warranties are usually packed with much less coverage. If purchasing a late-model pre-used vehicle, it may still be under original warranty or be part of a “Certified Used” program. These usually extend factory warranted to pre-owned automobiles. If your vehicle is under no (or just insufficient) warranty, the extended warranty is simply the natural choice.

The Reliability of Your Model:

It’s always a good idea to do some research before you buy. Even after you buy, it can be effective in figuring out of the extended warranty plan is a good bet. Look at how reliable the model vehicle you are buying is. While this might not be the one stop answer to determining your future repairs, it does give you a hint of what to expect, so keep it in mind when making important warranty decisions.

Warranty Provider:

Keep in mind that most warranties are only as good those who provide it to you. With an extended auto warranty, it can be backed either by an independent warranty company (or an aftermarket) or alternatively by the manufacturer of the vehicle. You’ll find that just knowing who is underwriting your policy can provide you with insight into the strengths and weaknesses of contracts you are considering. For instance, warranties backed by the manufacturer are generally much easier to use, while aftermarket values are typically cheaper. Always do additional research into the warranty practices and offerings of either the manufacturer or the aftermarket company, as the quality can differ from brand to brand, instance to instance.

Reparation Policies:

There are a few extended auto warranties that require your repairs to be done at the dealership from which it was purchased. This is nothing but restrictive and often becomes inconvenient for you. It’s ideal that you prefer a warrant that allows you some selective freedoms when choosing a repair facility, one that is more convenient for you. For instance, if you’re on vacation or a road trip and you need a repair, is it really practical to drive all the way back to the original dealership just to receive repairs? This can be a deal breaker.

Exact Coverage:

You’ll need to know exactly what is covered, and what is not, by whichever extended warranty you choose.

Does your service contract cover breakdowns and just usual wear and tear, and what are the specifics of a “breakdown warranty?” Also, a few entry level contracts won’t cover ABS brakes, which is an amenity gaining rapid popularity. If your vehicle employs the ABS feature, you’ll need to find an appropriate extended auto warranty. Additionally, overheating is usually not covered by warranties, even if it is proves to be not your fault. If an overheating fiasco is caused by a faulty radiator, you’d have quite an expensive repair bill to pay. Before investing in any warranty contract, make sure to familiarize yourself with its areas of coverage and regulations. While some contract-to-contract instances differ only in subtly, they can make all the difference in certain instances.

Cash for Repairs:

There a few different ways in which warranties can operate. With some, you pay the bill, and then send them a receipt so they can compensate you accordingly. However, as you could expect, the warranty companies relax and take a few months before sending you these hefty sums. For best results, find a warranty that pays the dealership directly via credit card.

In the long run, you just need to compare all options and weigh the odds before making a final decision in regards to warranty. Thankfully, the internet makes this considerably easy, many companies sell these contracts directly online, or at least offer instance quotes. With these features, you’ll be able to obtain a decent idea of what your desired plan will cost you. But at the end of the day it’s just like anything else, you best bet is to be very well informed.

When shopping for a new car there are two important figures that you must recognize- The MSRP or the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price and the dealer invoice price. The MSRP is the price that the manufacturer sets for the vehicle and is the recommended price for the dealer to sell the vehicle at. The dealer invoice is normally set lower than this price.

The dealer invoice price is the cost the dealer is invoiced from the manufacturer. The manufacturer bases the cost of the vehicle on a base cost plus added options and accessories. Destination charges also will increase the invoice amount and shipping costs. There are also a number of dealer fees and add ons that can show up on your bill such as the dealer prep fee. Some of these fees are actually car dealer scams and can be avoided.

You may find that many dealers are capable and willing to sell the vehicle at dealer invoice cost or slightly above it. Why? Because there are normally hidden dealer discounts that the dealers receive, such as a hold back allowance which is between 1% to 3% off the invoice price. Because of hidden dealer discounts you do have room to negotiate somewhat of a better price.

Rebates are another factor that not only decrease the price that you pay for the vehicle, they decrease the cost that the dealer pays for the vehicle.

Often times when a dealer receives a car from the manufacturer they will personally upgrade the vehicle with additions such as pin striping, anti-stain treatment, undercarriage rust protection spraying. These costs will typically be passed onto the buyer.

There are a number of ways to find the best price for a car but the most important car tip of all is always to educate yourself on the car, the manufacturer, and the prices before shopping around. You can check out a ton of car buying tips articles here on cartips.com, but if you have any questions or comments be sure to let us know in the comments below.

So here’s the list:

1. The first is obvious. These days you can start shopping online. Don’t visit a car dealership without prior information of average price of new or used car that you are considering. Go online and find the car you want to buy. This will save you lot of time as you will not have to go from one dealership to another. Moreover, you will not be swayed by emotions and pay far more than you could have.
2. If you are getting car financing, you must know your credit score. This will help you find the right lender and also let you know the APR you qualify for. Some reputable websites provide new car buying tips online as well as excel sheets for calculating monthly payments on the basis of your credit score.
3. Avoid third party loans at all costs. There is never a free lunch and if you let the salesperson arrange a car loan for you, you are going to end up paying higher monthly payments. Just as car shopping can start online you can also get a car loan approved online.
4. Get your old car evaluated before you offer it as a trade-in. There are websites where you can get to know how much your trade is worth (like Kelly Blue Book). However, remember that all assessment of old cars is only indicative of book value and not set in stone. The actual value depends upon on how well you have maintained the car. The car dealership is buying your car for reselling and you are likely to get a lower trade-in value than if you sell it yourself.
5. Almost all the car sales scams take place when it comes to settling payment. There are lots that the finance department will do to extract more money from your pocket. Apply your mind and decide whether you really need extended warranty, GAP insurance and other products that they are offering.
6. Always keep affordability and cash flows in mind and never let excitement get the better of you.
7. Get insurance quotes. Factor the insurance cost before you finalize the deal. You may not know how much your monthly payments will be until you get an insurance quote.
8. Learn car buying negotiating tips from online sources. MSRP is only a recommendation and not necessarily the price that car dealerships will agree to sell at.
9. One of the biggest mistakes that buyers commit is on add-ons. Use your negotiating skills here also to get the best deal on these as well.
10. Choose add-ons that you must have and discard the ones you can do without. Add-ons are a lot cheaper in the open market.

Anything to add to the list? Have a car buying horror story? Let us know in the comments!

So when it comes time to buy your next car, you’re going to look for the best deal possible… but looks sure can be deceiving.

A number of car dealers will run a scam that is based around taking advantage of people with low credit scores. We call this the “sorry but we thought you look like a sucker” scam.

Here’s how the scam works:

You’re at the dealer and you see the car that you want. It sparkles, it shines and you’re in love with it. And even more amazing, but the dealer says you can get that kick ass 0.1% APR financing rate on this beauty… that’s the best deal you’ve seen!

So you setup the paperwork, you SIGN the paperwork, you grab the keys and drive that brand new beast home with a huge grin on your face.

The first week or two go by, and you’re still loving your new ride. But the phone rings… it’s the dealer who sold you the car. He says that the financing fell through and that you need to come in for some more paperwork.

“What do you mean the financing fell through?!? You said it was a done deal… we even SIGNED the paperwork!”

“Sorry, but the deal was dependent on credit approval and you did not qualify.”

Usually, you’ll have to pay a further down payment and your finance rates will go up.

How does this scam work:

The car dealer can find out your FICO score pretty easily. In fact, nowadays your credit score can be brought up instantly… and the thing is, if it’s below a certain level, you’re never going to get approved for that amazing APR rate.

The dealer knew you wouldn’t get approved, but it’s much easier to get you in that car with the false hope that you will get the better rate, than to sell you on the same car that will cost you even more. Plus, after you’ve driven it for a week or two, you’re pretty much best friends with your new shiny wheels so you’re less likely to put up a stink.

The car dealers prey on people with low credit scores, so it’s always a good idea to go in prepared.

How to avoid this scam:

The first thing you can do is not get car financing from a dealer. You can get some pretty great deals either online, or from your credit union or bank.

Getting a pre-approval from your bank or credit union for a car loan before going to the dealer can save you a lot of grief, but knowing your credit score will also prepare you.