Car News

Senin, 31 Desember 2012

How To Save Money When Buying A Car - Autos

01.36 Unknown No comments

In case you were wondering why you shouldn't buy a new car from a dealership here's why. If you were to go out right now and buy a new car from a dealer, you'll be paying full price less the additional extras the salesman throws in to get you to buy it.

After the first two years of the new car's life, you'll automatically loose up to 40% of the value of the car assuming you bought it brand new. And on top of that if your new car was five years old it'll loose up to 65% of its original price. So the logical thing to do is to buy a car between 3 and 5 years old. So you don't loose half the value because it's already halved. So my advice to you is to buy a used car instead of a new car.

So in theory if you bought a 4 year old car it'll already have lots around 50% of its original value. Thus in 2 years when you sell it you'll theoretically loose about 15% of the value you paid for less all the running expenses. There it is, one of the secrets in saving money when buying a car.

Now here's another secret to saving money when buying a car. Have you ever heard of a car auction? Or an online car auction? How it works is really simple. Usually cars on auctions, be it reposed cars, ex government cars, or dealerships getting rid of old stock, you really can't go wrong when you buy a car from an auction.

When you buy from a normal dealership you have to pay the premium price when you buy at auctions you're paying wholesale rates. One of the best ways to save money is to head to a local car auction site or you can search online for an online car auction website.

You'll be presented with all the necessary guarantees such as misrepresentation, meaning if you buy a car online and it gets shipped to you, you inspect it and it's not the same as advertised, you'll be entitled to a refund. Same goes for local car auctions. You can test drive the car before you settle to buy it, but only after you've won the bid.

So there you have it, the two secrets to saving money on cars. Make sure you do you research before buying any car online and offline by inspecting it carefully. Good luck and I hope you save lots of money!


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Certified Used Car Still a Risk to Buy - Autos

01.38 Unknown No comments

With the price of a new car getting higher and higher each year, many buyers choose to buy used cars instead. The price of a new car can easily equal a year's pay for many people, so buying a used car makes sense. But there are risks associated with buying a pre-owned vehicle. What if is defective? What if it is a lemon law buyback? Once should always be a bit suspicious of a used vehicle. After all, if it is a great buy, then why did the original owner choose to part with it? To resolve some of these issues, as well as to compete with volume dealers of used cars such as Carmax, the major auto manufacturers have introduced the concept of a "certified used car." These cars are inspected for problems, repaired if necessary, and offered for sale with a warranty that is better than the one typically offered with sales of used cars. In exchange for this added peace of mind, the buyer pays a higher price than he or she otherwise might. This program is good for dealers, who find
the cars easier to sell, and for the manufacturers, who get a fee from the dealers in exchange for certifying the vehicles. The problem for the consumer is that there are cars being sold as certified used cars that may not really be certified. Worse, some of these cars have problems that are so severe that they possibly shouldn't be sold at all. Some states have rigid laws that prevent cars with certain types of damage, such as from fire, flood, or a severe accident, from being sold within that state under any circumstances. And yet there are reports of such vehicles having been transported to neighboring states, where their titles can be "laundered." Some of these cars have then been sold as certified used cars. There are several lawsuits pending in California over the sale of such cars, and the problem will continue to exist as long as there is no national standard regarding the sale of used cars. Does this mean that buyers should steer clear of certified used cars? Of cou
rse not. What it does mean is that buyers should exercise caution when they shop for a used vehicle, whether it is certified or not. And that is just plain common sense.


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Public Car Auctions And Online Car Auctions - Autos

01.39 Unknown No comments

If you've ever been to a public car auction then you'll know that its very standard and simple. Upon arriving at a public auction you'll be required to present some id and sign in. You'll be given a number so you can start bidding on items during the day. Usually at public car auctions you'll be allowed to inspect the cars before they go on auction.

When inspecting cars make sure you know a little bit about cars first. Each car will have an information tab that will tell you what's wrong with it if there is a problem. These public car auctions have to tell you if the car is in good condition or not. But never fear if you buy a car from an auction and it won't work even if it says its in good conditioning you're covered under their terms and conditions.

Now if your serious about buying a car or cars from public auctions you should know how much you want to pay for each car. So do some research on cars and prices before you go to the auction so you can get a better idea on how much you're saving. You might not always win al your bids so write down all the cars you want to buy and then decide which ones you want when you're bidding for them.

Ok we now understand public car auctions but what about online car auctions and what's the difference?

There's not much difference between how the work however the biggest difference is that you won't be inspecting the cars before you buy them so its like buying clothes on the internet not know if it fits right. However and this is a big however, you're allowed to send any cars you buy online back if it has been misrepresented. 

This means that if you're buying a car from an online car auction and it says it comes in blue and you get the car in pink, you can send it back and get a refund. If you're wondering that the benefits are of buying from cars from an online auction here it is:

- Search for cars without having to go to the auction sites- Bid for them in your own time from anywhere around the world- Your protected by the online car auction for misrepresentation- There are 4 top websites that consistently have auctions going every week

So if you're interested in buying cars from public auctions you now have two ways to do so.


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Small Cars And Odor Detection System In Cars - Autos

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In response to ever-increasing gas prices, automakers have turned their attention to designing smaller, fuel-efficient cars that address the needs of all vehicle owners -- those seeking lots of space for cargo or passengers, those who want high-end luxury gizmos, even those who just want to go really, really fast. Nissan said the technology is part of a project aimed at halving the number of fatalities and serious injuries in Nissan cars by 2015 compared to 1995 levels.

Cars

Audi A3 Aaron Gold Americans have always associated size with luxury; back in the day, Cadillacs, Lincolns and Imperials were the biggest cars on the road. Not so in Europe, where luxury cars come in all sizes. Chevrolet Cobalt View Philip Powell Small cars have never been the American automakers' forte', but after more than twenty years of trying, Chevrolet has really got it right. Dodge Caliber Aaron Gold I'll be the first to admit that the Dodge Caliber isn't my favorite car to drive, but if I had a lot of stuff to haul, this is one of the small cars I'd consider buying. Honda Civic Si Honda one of the best things about smaller cars is that it takes a lot less fuel to go fast. If you're used to cars with big engines, the Civic Si's driving methodology may take some getting used to -- basically you rev the daylights out of it, but don't worry, the Civic Si's engine is designed to spend lots of time at or near its 8,200 RPM redline.

Car

The Japanese car maker has developed a new odor detection system designed to prevent drivers from operating a car if they are over the legal limit. If the alcohol level detected is above a pre-determined threshold, the system automatically locks the transmission, immobilizing the car. A voice alert is also issued via the car navigation system telling the driver that they are over the limit. While still in the developmental stages the concept of drink driving detectors being built into cars has generally been welcomed by Irish drivers contacted by ENN. It would see a lot of people go the extra mile and not drink at all for fear the quota in their car might be breached," he said.

Many small cars make you pick between a full complement of passengers and a full complement of cargo, but the Fit allows four people and their stuff to be hauled in comfort -- not just I'll-be-OK-for-a-10-minute-ride comfort, but real long-haul comfort.


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Car Insurance Myths Busted: Separating Facts from Fiction - Insurance - Auto

01.42 Unknown No comments

Believing car insurance could be costing you hundreds of dollars? Read on to separate the facts from fiction and find out how it could help you save money.

With so many different types of policy available, not to mention the hundreds of insurance companies competing for your business, car insurance can be confusing enough at the best of times.

Further, separating facts from fiction to get the best deal becomes even more difficult when you take into account all the false stories about car insurance.

Majority of the us believe simply because they have repeated over and over again down the years. For instance, you believe that red cars are more expensive to insure, right? Wrong! 

Do you think new cars more likely to get stolen and cost more to insure. No and not necessarily!

Read on to see some of the biggest car insurance myths exposed and learn how to save money on your insurance premium.

1. New Cars Cost More to InsureAt first glance, there's plenty of logic to this myth. New cars cost a lot of money, therefore they'll be expensive to insure. 

However, this isn't always the case. Recent research from price comparison a website moneysupermarket.com has found that depending on the driver's history, insurance for a brand new car is often cheaper than a five or ten year old version of the same vehicle. 

Newer models have top of the range security features installed, meaning that they are statistically less likely to be stolen, a fact that helps to bring insurance costs down. 

Older models also tend to be owned by younger or new drivers, who insurers class as a bigger risk and charge a higher premium. 

2. Car Color MattersFor some reason, a quarter of drivers think that car color plays a big part in calculating insurance costs, with many believing that red cars cost more because they're linked to aggressive driving. 

However, although insurers take many factors into account, including engine size, age and value of the car, driver's record etc., they don't take any notice of the color. In fact, they won't even ask you what color your car is.

3. Being Loyal to Insurer leads to Cheaper CoverageStaying with the same insurance company year on year won't automatically lower your premiums. 

It always pays to shop around for a better deal and compare car insurance quotes when it's time to renew your policy, because providers don't necessarily reward your loyalty with a reduced price.

4. New Cars Are Stolen MoreSome people avoid buying a brand new, top of the range car because they think it'll become a target for would be thieves.Statistics prove they are wrong. New models have much more advanced security equipment and anti-theft devices installed, meaning that criminals steer clear and target older vehicles that are easier to steal instead.

5. A Car is Worth What You Paid for ItIf your car is totaled or stolen, insurers will only pay to replace it with a similar model at today's market rate, not the value you paid for it originally. 

So even though you took a car finance loan' to buy that beautiful new sports car for $50,000 five years ago, unfortunately you won't get that amount as an insurance payout, just what it's worth now.

6. A Speeding Ticket Will Send My Premium SpiralingAlthough committing traffic violations and gaining points on your license are pretty much guaranteed ways to increase your insurance premiums, a first-time minor speeding offense is unlikely to make too much difference. 

However, a second or third ticket, or a major offense like going 20 miles per hour over the limit, will lead to increased rates as your insurers will consider you a high risk driver.

7. Credit Scores Don't CountSadly this isn't the case. Most insurers now factor in a customer's credit score when calculating their insurance quote. The better the credit score, the lower the premium will be. 

Boost your score by keeping on top of credit cards debts and paying bills on time, and you'll start to see a difference when you renew your auto insurance policy.

8. No Fault Insurance Means It's Never My FaultIt'd be a much simpler world if this was true, but sadly it isn't! 

The only thing no fault insurance covers is your medical bills if you are in an accident, whoever is at fault. 

It doesn't cover the other driver, it doesn't cover damage to cars, and it certainly doesn't mean you're absolved of any responsibility if you are to blame.

9. I've Never Been in a Crash So I Don't Need InsuranceAnd finally, the biggest myth of the lot. Just because you've been lucky enough to avoid accidents so far doesn't mean that'll always be the case, no matter how good a driver you are. 

But it's not just the peace of mind that having motor insurance can provide if something were to go wrong. It's actually a legal requirement to have some form of insurance, so it's not an even an option, you must have some sort of protection.


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2006 Electric Car Has Been Around For More Than A Century - Autos

01.42 Unknown No comments

The idea of having an electric car makes so much sense. Imagine workers in a large, contained industrial area using electric cars to transport material and employees from one area to the next. At the end of the run they would simply plug the car in and charge it back up. Imagine the same electric car on college campuses across the country. Students would drive from class to class and then back to their dorm or apartment. As part of their regular routine, they would plug in their electric car for a recharge.

Imagine too these quiet electric cars in planned communities transporting residents to the golf course, to the club house or around the neighborhood to visit with friends. The employees, the students, the residents would be able to drive day after day without the need for gasoline. The electric cars would operate quietly without emitting polluting toxic fumes. The area would be cleaner and quieter. This has to be a radical new idea, right?

Actually the electric car has been around in one form or another since 1832 when the Scotsman Robert Anderson invented a rather crude carriage that was powered by battery cells that were not rechargeable. Not practical for long-term use, but it was the beginning of a revolutionary concept.

Shortly after Anderson's success, an American, Thomas Davenport, build a practical electric engine for a small train. The effort was truly global and the next step came from a French scientist, Gaston Plante, who invented the rechargeable storage battery. In 1881 the battery was improved and became the same basic lead-acid battery that is still used in today's cars.

Electric cars were all the scientific rage in the 1890s. The decade began with William Morrison building the very first successful electric auto in Iowa in 1891. He was followed by Thomas Edison in 1893. By 1897 the Pope Manufacturing Company took the concept big time with the first electric taxis in New York City. At the end of the decade, electric cars were well accepted. Approximately one-third of the cars being made were electric and the brightest minds in the industry were working on ways to improve the battery.

However, soon after, all of that changed drastically. In 1908 Henry Ford rocked the auto world with the mass-production of the gasoline-powered Model T. At first these Model Ts were difficult to start because they required a hand crank starter. In 1912 the electric car starter was invented and the gasoline-powered car was off and running at full speed.

At the time everything seemed to support the gasoline-powered car. They could travel farther than the electric car. They had better horsepower and of course gasoline was in abundant supply from American sources. So the electric car faded from the scene.

It would be more than 40 years later before the public was again ready to even think about electric cars as a viable source of transportation. In the 1970s the price of oil was rising at alarming rates and the political turmoil in the Middle East caused American to once again look inward for answers.

Some attempts were made in the 1970s but with limited commercial awareness. These electric car models could not compete with the long-range and power that drivers had come to demand of their cars. By 2006 a few electric cars and a few hybrid models were introduced. The rising gas prices that year helped to spur public attention. The most commercially successful company has been Toyota with their Prius line.

It isn't that consumers don't recognize the need for alternatives to high-priced, volatile foreign oil and gas; they have simply become too accustom to the power and convenience of gasoline-powered cars and trucks. We are a very mobile society and very unwilling to compromise on that in the ways that an electric car would involve.


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The History of Hybrid Cars - Autos

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Hybrid Cars may seem like a new invention. The buzz over them has gotten quite strong in the past few years, but that is just because the interest has started to grow in hybrid cars. In fact, hybrid cars have been around for centuries and are not just some new invention of the 21st century.

Here is a guideline to the hybrid car and a walk through its varied history:

1839 - In Scotland, Robert Anderson built the first electric car.

1870 - Sir David Soloman built an electric car that operated off an electric engine with battery power. The batteries were quite heavy, though, so the car did not get good speed and could only go a small distance.

1886 - In England, an electric taxi cab was used. The taxi cab used a 28 cell battery and an electric motor.

1888 - Two more electric vehicles made their debut. Immisch & Company were hired to build an electric carriage for the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. This carriage ran off a 24 cell battery and a one horsepower electric engine. Also this year, Magnus Volk created an electric car with only three wheels.

1890 - 1910 - During this time period the battery technology used to power electric vehicles grew with many significant advances. Specifically, the lead-acid battery and the nickel-iron battery, both that are still used today, were created.

1897 - The Bersey Cab, an electric cab that could drive for 50 miles and ran off a 40 cell battery, was used by the London Electric Cab Company.

1897 - 500 electric cars were built by the Pope Manufacturing Company of Connecticut.

1898 - The first front wheel drive car, built by Dr. Ferdinand Porsche was built in this year. It was called the Lohner Electric Chaise. Porsche also built a hybrid car which used an internal combustion engine in addition to the battery.

1900 - In America, car companies were introducing electric cars which were heavily favored over gasoline cars.

1916 - Baker of Cleveland and Woods of Chicago, two of the top electric vehicle manufacturers started introducing hybrids. The cars were limited, though, with top speeds of 35 mph. 

1970 - 1979 The US government began running tests on electric cars and hybrid cars. This was an effort to help produce more environmentally friendly vehicles.

1975 - AM General started developing electric vans for use by the US Postal Service.

1976 - Congress passed a Public Law to help in the development of hybrid and electric cars.

1980 - Briggs and Stratton developed a hybrid car that combined a gasoline engine with an electric motor.

1989 - Audi introduced their line of electric cars.

1997 - Toyota introduced the Prius in Japan.

1997 - 1999 - Multiple automobile manufacturers introduced electric and hybrid cars in California.

1999 - Honda introduced the Insight which became the first hybrid to sell to the mass market.

2000 - Toyota introduced the Prius to the America market.

Present - The demand for hybrid cars is at a all time high. Technology keeps developing and hybrid cars today are comparable to gasoline powered cars, making them a viable choice for consumers.


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