All posts in Auto Buying Tips

4 Major Issues People Always Forget When Buying a New Car

Whether it’s your first time buying a new car or a seasoned pro, it is an exciting time for most people. However, nearly every car buyer, even the experienced ones, make mistakes. Let’s take a look at four the biggest mistakes being made.

Ignoring Finance Terms

People will haggle for hours with car salesmen in order to get a few hundred dollars knocked off the price of the car that they are wanting. Then, when they feel they have won the battle, will finance that car with no money down. Depending on your credit score, whatever you negotiated off of the car will be paid back to the bank, plus more. The best way to buy a new car is with cash, but for many that may not be a possibility. However, if you save, the more you can pay down the better off you will be in the long run. If you wait to buy a car until you can afford it, you’ll end up saving money in the long run.

Underestimating Ownership Cost

You take home the car of your dreams thinking the hard part is over. However, you soon start to realize that the money you thought you would be saving on gas was way overestimated. Add in maintenance cost, taxes and insurance, simply owning a car can be costly. Compare models before you buy to see what cost you could be facing down the road. Read reviews from people who have owned the same model of car you’re interested in to see if there are maintenance or reliability issues you should be concerned about.

You won’t save any money if you buy the car for cheap, but end up getting caught up in maintenance and repair costs. If you’re buying a used car, be sure to check the VIN to see the car’s history. There are a number of online tools and apps, like Instavin, that will report the car’s history for a small fee that could save you from getting a lemon.

Too Much Focus on Price

The price of a car is but only one factor when car shopping. Other factors have to be considered as well, such as gas mileage, reported maintenance issues and dependability, insurance cost and how much you will have to pay in taxes every year. Giving only the sticker price too much focus could result in you overlooking these other important factors.

Setting Your Expectations Too High

People tend to have unrealistic expectations when they are shopping for a new car. Your next car is more than likely not going to be the best car in automotive history. Additionally, the stress of car buying will often leave us feeling like we were ripped off in some manner when everything is all said and done. Avoid this by doing your homework before you begin the buying process. Being armed with information will help to ensure you are less likely to be ripped off.

There you have it. Keeping these tips in mind will help you to avoid some potentially costly mistakes when you buy

Browsing the Lots: Important Features to Look for in a New Car

Unfortunately, cars aren’t made to last forever. More than likely, every five to seven years you’ll have to get a new vehicle to replace an older one. However, you should make sure you are informed before you visit local dealerships to insure you get the best value possible out of your purchase. With that in mind, below are some important features you should look for in a new car.

Gas Mileage

The expense incurred for owning a car isn’t limited to the payments you make to own it. The amount you have to pay for gas each week can also be quite significant especially if you need to commute to and from work every day. With this in mind, make sure to check the gas mileage listed for different models. Also keep in mind that your gas mileage will be different for highway versus city traffic.

Space

A car should be utilitarian first and foremost. It needs to be able to do what you purchased it for. Consider the space available in a vehicle. Do you have a large family, or are you only purchasing it for you own use? Do you need a lot of trunk space? Do you need to use the vehicle to haul materials for your job? The answers to these and other questions should determine the kind of vehicle you purchase whether it’s a compact, mini-van, truck or some other kind of automobile.

Used Auto Parts

You should also consider the possibility of having to replace your car’s parts in the future. Some companies, like U Pull & Pay, know that used auto parts are more widely available for certain models over others. If you need to replace parts in the future, the availability of used auto parts will certainly determine how much money you are forced to spend to make repairs.

Safety

Another very important part of shopping for a vehicle should be reviewing the safety rating for different models. If you have a family, the safety ratings for different cars should be very important to you. Such ratings can tell you how well different vehicles are able to survive situations like crashes and head on collisions.

Transmission Types

You have two choices in regards to transmission when shopping for a car, manual or automatic. These days, many people don’t know how to drive with a stick-shift. If that is the case, you should stick with automatic transmission. However, if you want to save a bit on your gas mileage and can drive with a stick shift, manual transmission is a good choice.

Overall, make sure to do plenty of research before you decide what new car you want to purchase. A new car is a big investment. You need to make sure you are making the right decision so you get the most out of your investment.

Five Of The Best Cars To Consider For Your Ultimate Road Trip

Whether you’re doing some soul searching this summer or a much awaited family vacation, the right car makes sure you get from point A to point B at the most comfortable and safest means possible. If you plan on renting or buying a new vehicle soon, read on further as we discuss the top choices for the ultimate road trip experience.

Volkswagen Golf

If you are highly concerned about gas bills adding up during your travel, a fuel-efficient car like the 2015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen TDI is a suitable option. For a base price of $21,000, you get a 150-horsepower turbocharged engine with clean direct-injected diesel. You’ll also get your money’s worth with a 12-way power driver seat and smart air conditioning system.

Mitsubishi Outlander

If you want to travel in style but is also with company, the 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the few choices large enough to accommodate both needs. The third row can be unfolded to cater for more passengers or left flat to load cargo. The car also provides an optional back-seat entertainment system with its 9-inch monitors and an auxiliary input from which you can listen.

Toyota Rav4

A brand staple in any top list, Toyota has been offering the market a slate of high-end, innovative vehicles bred for the road. This is something embodied by the 2016 Rav4, a front-wheel drive sports utility vehicle with 6-speed AT transmission and powered by a 4-cylinder with dual VVT-i engine. It makes for a good SUV on the road because of the roomy interior for passengers and cargo, but keep in mind it does not have any engine upgrade options. If this is the vehicle that will work best for you, check out Milton Ruben Toyota for some of the best prices.

Subaru Legacy

When it comes to safety, few brands can compete with Subaru. The 2016 Subaru Legacy is a good choice for the ultimate road trip experience. It combines powerful hardware with its 2.5-liter 175-horsepower engine and software with its Starlink system, which connects all your messages, apps, and travel updates in one easy-to-access smartphone app.

Chrysler Town & County

Although slightly pricier than the other choices on this list, at $30,000, the 2015 Chrysler Town & County definitely commands such price. The car comes with three rows o seating for large families or group of friends. Air bags, power lift gate, and a rearview camera are all included with the model.

Take your pick from these five top car choices for long road trips. These vehicles will all have pros and cons, so be sure you know what features you are prioritizing.

Auto Upgrade: 7 Signs You Should Trade in Your Car

Although you may have experienced many great memories in your vehicle, a new ride may prove to be a worthy upgrade. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication in order to keep a high-mileage vehicle running. Here are seven signs you should trade in your car.

A Lack of Safety Features

Over the past few years, automakers have introduced a long list high-tech safety features. If you have a family, it is especially important to seek out the newest safety innovations. Studies have shown that components such as a rear-view camera can be extremely effective. Some of the other popular safety enhancements include blind-spot monitoring and LED daytime running lights.

Your Vehicle Breaks Down Regularly

To no surprise, older vehicles tend to break down more often. Aside from the frustration of being stranded along the highway, you are also forced to spend extra money. The cost to replace a broken timing belt can be hundreds of dollars.

Your Gas Mileage Has Decreased

Fuel efficiency is a big factor for the drivers who commute on a daily basis. If your gas mileage has plummeted, it may be time to part ways with your vehicle. Today’s late-model cars are tuned to deliver superior fuel economy. For instance, Jack Burford Chevrolet has several new vehicles that deliver over 30 mpg.

Cost Too Much Money to Restore

While restoring your old vehicle is an option, you must be prepared to spend a lot of cash. A high-quality paint job can exceed $2,000. Meanwhile, a new engine may cost more than the car is actually worth.

Important Components Fail to Work

After thousands of miles of being on the road, it is not uncommon for components such as the air conditioner to stop working. This can make driving your vehicle a very uncomfortable experience. Children will certainly grow tired of riding in a hot vehicle.

You Are Embarrassed to Drive It

If your vehicle has reached the point of being embarrassing, seriously consider trading it. You deserve to drive a vehicle that has a pleasing appearance.

Your Family Has Outgrown the Vehicle

Nothing is more stressful than driving a cramped vehicle. Passenger room is clearly a major concern for families. Although a small coupe may be stylish, it is not designed to accommodate multiple passengers.

Take the time to analyze the overall condition of your vehicle. If your car is barely holding itself together, it’s time to go shopping for a new ride.

Why You Should Buy a Dodge Ram 1500

The iconic Dodge Ram 1500 is a full size American pickup truck named as Motor Trend magazine’s truck of the year fives times and ranks second among U.S. News list for the best full size pickup trucks in 2014. On the forecourt, it is a popular vehicle to purchase among pickup truck enthusiasts.

The Dodge Ram 1500 is a work truck at heart with a leather lined luxury interior, offering a smooth ride, comfortable seats and ample storage space. It consists of a 305 horsepower 3.6 litre V6 as standard but upgrades to a 395 horsepower 5.7 litre Hemi V8 or 3.0 litre turbodiesel V6 making 240 horsepower are optional. This can be teamed up with an eight speed automatic gearbox and either standard ear or optional four wheel drive.

Dodge can equip your pickup truck with one of their named packages, for instance the Big Horn. This package consists of a Class IV trailer hatch, an electric shift transfer case, fog lamps, bright exhaust tips, a power driver’s seat, leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, a folding rear seat and a 115V AC outlet, ideal for charging up devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops on the go.

As for entertainment, Chrysler’s Uconnect entertainment system can be installed which comes with an 8.4” screen, AM/FM/Sirius XM (where available) radio with Bluetooth, USB, SD and auxiliary inputs.

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