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Shopping
for a New Car? A How-to Guide that Will Make it Easy
(ARA)
– Which do you dread the most: buying a new car or visiting the dentist?
For the average person, they may be equally painful. Buying a car can be
very stressful and challenging; there is a lot to consider and a lot of
money on the line.
“Most people
say it’s like having a tooth extracted,” says John Davis, host and executive
producer of MotorWeek, the critically acclaimed PBS weekly automotive magazine.
“Nobody enjoys it.”
Davis and his
staff want to change that. “We look at how people actually buy cars,” says
Davis, whose team test drives more than 150 vehicles a year and evaluates
them on handling, maneuverability, power, style and value. The result is
the annual Drivers’ Choice Awards, which are presented to the best vehicles
in 13 categories including minivan, pickup truck, family SUV, convertible
and eco-friendly. You can see a list of the 2004 winners at www.pbs.org/motorweek.
The Drivers’
Choice Award evaluations provide consumers with a starting point for gathering
the information they need to make a good decision about a new car. Here
are some tips from Davis for anyone who is venturing into the showrooms
this season in search of a new vehicle:
* Do your research.
“Before you go out to look, make two lists: one with everything you want
in a vehicle, and one with everything that you absolutely need,” urges
Davis. He recommends getting new car magazines and brochures and checking
Internet car information sites for the results of road tests. Visiting
an auto show is a great opportunity for side-by-side comparisons of hundreds
of vehicles at one time. Once you’ve gathered the facts about different
models and prices you’ll be ready to narrow down your search.
“Make sure
you are well-armed with information before you go out to look at cars,”
says Davis. “A new car showroom is an enormously emotional place with a
lot of pressure. You can make stupid mistakes if you aren’t prepared.”
* Spend time
with a sales consultant. “Try to visit a dealer on a Tuesday or Wednesday
during the day,” says Davis. “Most people go on the weekend, and sales
consultants don’t have time to help everyone. This is a big decision, set
aside time when you can get the help you need.” Davis advises consumers
to have the sales consultant do a thorough walk-around of the vehicle.
“Gauge their attentiveness, patience and knowledge,” he adds.
* Do a thorough
test drive of the exact vehicle you are thinking of buying. “This is not
just a drive around the block, this should be a 30- to 40-minute process,”
cautions Davis, who says a proper test includes driving on all the types
of roads on which you normally drive, parking and pulling in and out of
parking lots. Take note of how easy it is to get in and out of the vehicle,
how you fit in the car, whether the controls are intuitive, and evaluate
the visibility, power and maneuverability. “This is a huge decision, don’t
rush it,” adds Davis.
* Negotiate
the pure price of the car first. Find out about rebates and other deals
that are there to help lower the price before you start to talk about dollars
and cents. “The biggest mistake that people make is stating what they want
to spend per month before settling on a vehicle price. Worry about the
overall price, not the monthly payment,” urges Davis. Negotiate what the
car costs irrespective of everything else such as trade-in, rebates and
other variables that can confuse the issue. “Don’t believe any deal that
is only good for one day,” he adds.
* Pay attention
to the warranty. “Warranties are a big part of whether you consider a vehicle
to be a good buy,” explains Davis. “There are some cars that would be considered
average, but they have long warranties that make them a better deal.” Davis
says that anything above a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty should be considered
a plus.
Davis’ final
advice for car buyers: “Just do a thorough evaluation, have patience and
keep your emotions in your pockets. If you put in the effort it requires,
buying a car can be a very rewarding experience.”
You can start
your research by checking out MotorWeek’s picks for the 2004 Drivers’ Choice
Awards. The winners include the Volkswagen Touareg as the “Best of the
Year,” the Toyota Prius as the best eco-friendly vehicle, the Honda Element
as the best small SUV and the Ford F-150 as the best pickup truck. For
more details and a complete list of 2004 Drivers’ Choice Award winners,
visit www.pbs.org/motorweek.
Airing on PBS
and the Speed Channel, MotorWeek covers all aspects of the automotive industry
and offers consumers unbiased, cutting-edge news and features covering
new vehicle trends, current safety information, and the results of practical
road tests.
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4Wheel Drive Hardware For All Your Jeep Needs
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Have
a Home Theater Experience on the Road
(ARA)
- People spend a lot of time in their cars these days -- running errands,
shuffling the kids around, and commuting to and from work. According to
the National Household Travel Survey conducted by the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics, the average American spends 55 minutes per day in transit.
Since people
are spending so much time in their vehicles, there is a growing emphasis
on comfort. Drivers want heated seats, hands-free cell phones, entertainment
systems to keep their passengers occupied and stereo systems that make
them feel like they’re in their living room rather than on the road.
A lot of these
features come as standard equipment on more expensive models, and there
is a growing movement to make them available in medium-priced cars and
trucks as well. “You don’t have to buy a Lexus or BMW to get superior electronics
for your car,” says David Gulau, electronics product marketing manager
at Visteon, one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world. “Several
automobile manufacturers are now offering them.”
Visteon has
teamed up with Boston Acoustics to create a sound system that can bring
the home theater experience to your vehicle. The Audiophile Sound System
is available as an option in Chrysler 300 Series sedans. It will be available
as an option in Dodge Magnums later this year, and may soon show up in
other makes and models as well.
“What makes
this system special is the fact that each seating position in the car has
its own equalized calibration system. The sound doesn’t just come out of
the door speakers, it’s all around each passenger; and the experience makes
people feel like they’re in a concert hall, rather than on the road,” says
Gulau.
More sophisticated
sound systems aren’t the only innovation turning up in new vehicles these
days. So are high-tech entertainment systems. Gone are the days when the
kids had to play pocket board games or sing songs to keep themselves busy
during long road trips. Dozens of car companies now offer consumers the
option of having DVD players installed in their vehicles. They add an average
of $1,500 to the cost of a new vehicle, but many parents say they’d pay
twice that because when the kids have something to do, they’re quiet all
the way to grandma’s.
Peace and quiet
isn’t the only innovation intended to enhance the driving experience for
the person behind the wheel. Many vehicles now have heated seats with lumbar
support built in, and several additional features intended to cut down
on driver distraction on the road. Car manufacturers are now putting controls
for the radio and CD player right on the steering wheel, and offering hands-free
technology for cell phone users.
Ford now offers
an option that makes any cell phone voice-activated. General Motors offers
a voice-activated cell phone too; but the phone is part of the system and
cannot be used outside the car.
For more information
about the latest advancements in entertainment for the car, log on to www.visteon.com.
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Attention
Car Buyers: Some Tips for Buying a Car on the Internet
(ARA)
- Shopping for a new or used car in cyberspace provides a convenient and
comfortable environment for buying a car without the high-pressure sales
tactics commonly found on car lots.
The first step,
finding the perfect car to buy, is probably the most difficult. With so
many options to choose from, knowing where to begin is essential. A good
place to start is the manufacturer’s Web site. For example, if a potential
buyer is interested in a Subaru, they can visit www.subaru.com and find
a wealth of information about a specific model. It is also important to
research independent reviews of the car of interest. For reviews, visit
www.caranddriver.com or www.edmunds.com -- they both cover a wide range
of makes of models.
If buyers are
unsure of what they want, www.carsdirect.com is a helpful site that acts
as a virtual salesroom for new cars. Once buyers receive a quoted price,
they can compare that price with the MSRP or invoice price. A great place
to find this information is on www.edmunds.com, which provides MSRPs, invoice
prices, and its own True Market Value pricing for just about every car
on the market. When buyers are satisfied with the price, they can place
a deposit on the car and submit an order for pickup or delivery.
The next step,
and often the most painful one, involves securing a loan. However, the
Internet can make this process much easier. Many sites, including www.eloan.com,
allow shoppers to apply for and receive loan approvals in just hours. If
looking for a faster response, www.peoplefirst.com offers approval decisions
within 15 minutes. Buyers can also visit www.bankrate.com to can make certain
they are receiving a fair deal in addition to finding the latest information
on car loan interest rates.
Finally, car
buyers can also insure their new car without leaving their home. Several
sites including www.insurance.com, www.pivot.com and www.insweb.com offer
online marketplaces to inform consumers about car insurance and shop for
free quotes. These sites recommend getting at least three quotes to guarantee
accuracy.
One of the
biggest concerns people have when buying a used car is recognizing whether
or not they are getting a “lemon.” The Net can help buyers find out. For
a one-stop-shop atmosphere, visit www.is-it-a-lemon.com. This site provides
used car buyers with links to Car Fax reports, Kelly Blue Book pricing,
information on state lemon laws per and history, performance, statistics
and facts about a wide range of manufacturer’s vehicles. Internet sites
such as www.carfax.com and www.cardetective.com can also track a vehicle’s
history and provide detailed reports for under $20.
Perhaps the
most important thing shoppers can arm themselves with in buying a used
car is a warranty. To explore warranty options, visit www.warrantydirect.com.
This site offers used car buyers low-priced loans and a wide variety of
options.
Buying a car
online, whether new or used, can be an enjoyable and simple experience,
provided that car buyers know where to go and how to protect themselves.
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Will
Your Brakes Provide the Stop You Need?
(ARA)
- Have you ever stopped your car at a busy intersection and cringed in
embarrassment as your brakes let out an ear-jarring squeal? Or braked and
felt the whole car shudder and chug to a stop? Or worst of all, have you
pressed on the pedal and realized that absolutely nothing was happening?
Anyone who
drives a car has heard their brakes make funny noises and wondered what
it meant. But how do you tell the difference between normal sounds and
the danger signals that tell you it’s time for a new brake job?
“Some braking
noise is normal, but it should be minimal,” says Pete Murnen of Federal-Mogul,
manufacturer of Wagner brake products. “An occasional squeal does not necessarily
mean there is a problem; noise can be related to a lot of different factors,”
he adds.
For consumers
who want high-quality, quiet brakes with an extended life span, there is
now a new alternative. ThermoQuiet Disc Pads are dramatically different
from any other brake pad available. The one-piece, integrally molded insulator
(IMI) design eliminates the squeaks and vibration often associated with
other brake pads, while still providing superior stopping power. This patented,
heat-dissipating configuration also extends the life of the braking system
well beyond that of most conventional pads.
“ThermoQuiet
quite literally has changed the game in brake pad design,” says Murnen.
“It has virtually eliminated brake-noise complaints, and the stopping performance
and durability is excellent.”
The experts
at Federal-Mogul offer guidelines for monitoring the condition of your
brakes. Here are some common scenarios and what they mean:
* Brakes grab
at the slightest pressure: It could mean a problem with grease- or oil-contaminated
linings, or a loose or broken component that could fail in an emergency.
* Vehicle pulls
to the side when braking: This could mean an underinflated tire, brakes
in need of adjustment or brakes in need of repair.
* Brake pedal
or steering wheel shakes or vibrates, or the vehicle shakes when the brakes
are applied: It could mean disc brake rotors need resurfacing, there is
a loose component, or a faulty steering mechanism.
* Brakes are
sticky, wheels are hot or there is a loss of engine power: It could mean
brakes are failing to release.
* Excessive
squealing, grinding, screeching, clattering, chattering, and groaning:
Brakes need attention.
ThemoQuiet
brake pads are available for most domestic and import vehicles. Consumers
can request them from their local service technician. For more information,
call (888) 444-1660 or visit www.federal-mogul.com.
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Spot
Used Car Damage Like a Pro
(ARA)
- More than 13 million used cars are sold between private parties each
year, many of which are found in newspapers, local parking lots or on Internet
sites like Cars.com. But how do you know if you really are buying a car
that ‘grandma only drove to the grocery store and to church on Sundays?’
While most
sellers are honest, there will be an occasional dishonest seller who will
knowingly provide false information about the condition or history of the
vehicle you may be looking to buy.
The expert
editors at Kelley Blue Book have come up with a list of a few easy things
you can look at to check out a used car like the pros do.
1. Make Sure
VIN Numbers Match. Just like people have Social Security numbers to identify
them, cars have individual numbers that identify them. This is called a
VIN or Vehicle Identification Number. Make sure the VIN number on the dashboard
matches the VIN number on the driver’s side door panel and the one on the
vehicle’s title.
2. Look at
the Vehicle’s Title. Red flags to look for include the words: ‘Salvage’
or ‘True Mileage Unknown.’ Salvage indicates that the vehicle was declared
totaled. True Mileage Unknown indicates a possible discrepancy with the
odometer and mileage.
3. Check Front
End Damage. Open the hood and look at the ‘core support’ or the piece of
metal along the very front of the vehicle connecting the left and right
sides of the car’s inner structure; the paint, bolts and welding should
be perfect. If the welding is bad, paint is missing or bolts have been
moved, this is often a sign of front end damage.
4. Check for
Repainting. “At vehicle auctions, you’ll see dealers running their fingers
along the interior of the wheel wells,” says Mark Brueggemann, editor at
Kelley Blue Book. “They are checking to see if the car has had body work
or been repainted. If it’s been repainted there must be a reason.” Run
your fingers under the well and feel for a line where the wells were taped
in preparation for painting or a ridge where one layer of paint overlaps
a second layer.
5. Check Rear
End Damage. Open the trunk and remove the carpet or other covering. Look
at the caulking in the seams. It should be a perfect, uniform raised bead.
If it is not uniform or it’s flattened, this could be an indication of
some kind of rear damage.
Additionally,
you can check out a vehicle’s ownership and damage history by obtaining
the VIN, going online and running a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. Brueggemann
also recommends that you never buy a car at night, in the dark or in the
rain. “You are less likely to see mismatched paint or other vehicle damage
when it is dark outside," He says.
For more information
on buying and selling used cars, vehicle values or CARFAX vehicle history
reports, log on to the Kelley Blue Book Web site at www.kbb.com.
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10
Reasons to Go Ahead and Buy That Classic Car
(ARA)
- "Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and..." Go on, you know it, sing along:
"Chev-ro-let." Americans have long had a love affair with cars -- classic
cars in particular. They're worshipped in our culture, in movies and TV
commercials, at weddings and charity benefits, at local hamburger-joint
cruise-ins, family reunions and Fourth of July parades. Young men in their
first tuxedos drive them with sweaty palms to Prom.
The robust
health of the old car hobby is evidenced by the ever-growing participation
and attendance at car shows & auctions around the country (over 6,000
collector car shows and exhibits were held in 2003). Here's why there's
never been a better time for you to join the millions who have made their
dreams of owning a piece of the past come true:
1. Investment.
You've got to put your money somewhere, and some classic cars are appreciating
in value better than your average mutual fund. (Plus, you can't go into
the garage and wax your mutual fund). Take the case of a very nice, 1949
custom 4-door flathead V-8 Ford. Twenty years ago you could pick one up
for about $2500. Ten years ago the same vehicle would not sell for under
$6000. Today you're lucky if you can buy one for less than $15,000.
2. Opportunity.
While the values of certain collector vehicles, such as muscle cars, are
spiraling upwards (and out of the reach of many would-be collectors), there
are certain antique cars that are downright affordable, such as the Ford
Model A. While a "numbers matching" 1965 Pontiac GTO convertible can easily
command $30,000+, a fully restored 1930 Model A will only set you back
about $12,000 to $18,000.
3. Family time.
Restoring a vehicle yourself, even partially, can be a great learning experience
for the whole family. The patience, craftsmanship and attention to detail
can be worthy attributes for a young (and not so young) person to acquire.
The plethora of manufacturers of licensed restoration parts, paint companies,
tools, tires and parts make it easier today than ever to restore that dream
car. Many companies have on-line manuals, DVDs and VHS tapes to help you
through a particular part of the restoration process.
4. Precious
heritage. Pride of workmanship flourishes in this hobby, and whether you
choose to do the restoration work yourself or have a professional do it,
it's a testimonial to the days when life moved at a slower pace. Each vehicle
has a story to tell and this is not only a valuable, but precious, heritage.
What a thrill to know that your children and grandchildren will carry on
the history of the car, and your association with it.
5. Creative
outlet. There's no law that says you have to have an original car. You
can take a little creative license with the paint, or go wild and turn
your nice quiet old car into a screaming purple lead sled with air conditioning
and power steering. Either way, you'll have plenty of people cheering you
on. The street rod hobby is growing even faster than the old car hobby
in general -- one of the national street rod clubs, "Good Guys," now has
over 66,000 members and hosts 22 huge events around the country each year.
6. New friends.
The enormous number of car shows, swap meets, cruise-ins and car clubs
are all chances to network with the millions of other collectors out there.
Meeting new people, getting free tips and suggestions, and involving your
family in a nationwide hobby are great reasons to get involved. If you
have access to a computer, there are hundreds of on-line chat rooms strictly
devoted to "collector car-speak."
7. Old fashioned
fun. There is something about washing and waxing a car that has a soothing
quality to it, not to mention the ego boost of the neighborhood crowd you'll
acquire while working on your classic. It's fun to share your hobby with
young and old alike. A Sunday drive with the oldies playing on the radio
can bring back fond memories of a time that wasn't quite so hectic. If
your collector vehicle happens to be a convertible, all the better. Put
that top down, grab the kids and hit the road!
8. Insurance.
Not a four-letter word. There are providers that specialize in low-cost
collector vehicle insurance, and offer qualified owners super-affordable
coverage. Classic car insurance provides all the traditional coverage that
regular insurance provides, but in addition protects the vehicle on an
"Agreed Amount" basis. This means the company will pay the full-insured
value, with no depreciation, in the event of total loss. By contrast, if
you placed your 1970 Corvette, for instance, on a regular auto policy,
it might, in the event of a total loss, be depreciated to only a few thousand
dollars -- a very unpleasant surprise should such a claim occur.
9. Fifteen
minutes of fame. Many collector automotive publications seek freelance
writers. Keeping a journal of your restoration process means you have the
play by play should the Muse strike. Restoration aficionados are always
looking to hear about a better (faster, cheaper) way of doing things. Your
car could be a star not only in ink but on websites as well. American Collectors
Insurance's website, for instance, has a heavily trafficked "Classic Car
of the Week" section where policyholders tell their stories and winners
have pictures of their cars posted (see www.AmericanCollectors.com).
10. New lease
on life. Driving a classic car -- whether it's a stately, living-room size
Caddy or a '69 Mach I with a 351 Windsor -- gives you a sense of being
totally capable of doing anything and going anywhere. Unlimited possibilities
seem to appear in the road ahead. Strangers smile and wave at you. There
is an air of mystique, respect and passion. There's no price tag on making
a dream come true.
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Tips
for Driving A Great Deal on Your Next Auto Loan
(ARA)
- Americans’ love affair with the car remains undiminished and sales are
on track to continue strong throughout 2004, with approximately 60 million
new and used vehicle sales forecasted. Yet while most shoppers enjoy poring
over the styles and features of their dream car, they often ignore one
of the most critical parts of the transaction: financing.
“Buying a car
can be an emotional process, but consumers really need to do their homework
and take a strategic approach if they want to get the best possible deal
on their loan,” says Scott Denman, Managing Director, AAA Financial Services.
“Many car buyers don’t pay close enough attention to their financing, and
it can be a costly oversight.”
“Consumers
routinely use the Web in their car selection process, researching models,
options packages and price information,” says Brian Reed, Vice President
of Capital One Auto Finance. “The savviest buyers go further, however,
taking control of the purchase process by getting their vehicle financing
upfront, online. Having a loan in hand when they walk into a dealership
gives them the flexibility and negotiating power of a cash buyer.”
By educating
themselves before shopping and mapping out a game plan, consumers can gain
the upper hand when negotiating their vehicle loan. To help consumers pave
the way for a better financing deal, AAA offers the following tips:
* Check your
credit rating
Obtain a copy
of your credit report to ensure it’s in the best shape possible before
applying for a loan. Credit score plays an important role in determining
the interest rate you’ll receive. Make sure your lines of credit are in
good standing and identify open lines of credit you can close. Be sure
to correct any errors promptly. You can order a credit report from one
of the three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Experian or TransUnion.
* Explore financing
options and compare rates
Many people
know they can get a car loan from the dealer’s finance department -- but
it pays to research other options. For example, Internet auto lenders provide
a combination of low rates, convenient application process and fast response.
Whether you choose an online lender, bank or credit union, be sure to comparison
shop for interest rates first, so you know you’re getting a competitive
rate. AAA members have access to online vehicle loans at www.aaa.com.
* Arrive with
financing in hand
Having approved,
no-obligation financing in your pocket gives you a competitive advantage
when you go to buy your car. That’s because you know your interest rate
and monthly payment in advance, which gives you an idea of the price range
of cars you can afford. This approach also lets you buy with the power
and flexibility of a cash buyer.
* Treat your
purchase as three separate transactions
Buying a car
usually involves three different transactions and it’s best to treat each
of them separately; 1) financing; 2) trade-in; and 3) vehicle purchase.
This strategy will help isolate each act, keeping them clear and simple,
while maximizing your negotiating opportunities. Pricing information on
hundreds of vehicles can be found at www.aaa .com.
* Weigh your
purchase incentive options
Many auto manufacturers
will offer a choice between a cash rebate or a discounted financing rate
as a purchase incentive, but usually not both. Even if you’re among the
minority who qualifies for a 0-percent rate, don’t assume it provides the
most savings. Sometimes you’ll come out ahead by applying the rebate to
the purchase price and using your own low interest rate loan. Bring a calculator
or laptop to the dealer to see which option is best for you.
* Match length
of loan to expected length of ownership
Select your
loan term based on how long you plan to own the vehicle. Buyers who take
out longer-term loans to keep their monthly payment low can find themselves
“upside down” on their loan -- that is, owing more money on the car than
it’s worth in trade.
* Take your
time reviewing the contract
Don’t put pen
to paper until you know the following: your interest rate, monthly payment,
amount you are financing, the length of your loan and your trade-in value.
Also, make sure unwanted after-market “extras” haven’t been added to the
deal.
With a few
quick stops on the Internet, you can take your next car buying experience
to a whole new level, that of an empowered buyer, in control of the deal.
“The Internet
has reinvented the way people finance their cars,” says Denman. “It’s changed
the balance to favor informed consumers. Doing your homework before visiting
the showroom is a must.” Additional car financing information can be found
by visiting www.aaa.com.
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