Posts Tagged buying a car
The Perfect Car for You
Posted by in Uncategorized on December 2, 2009
Choosing your next car can be one of the most daunting tasks you can have. There are so many things to take into consideration, when buying a car, which makes selecting the right car a process that can take several weeks or longer.
For example, you may want a sports car, but your significant other may want a safer, family car. You may want a car with a certain color, but the dealer may not have it in stock or you have to convince your partner why are you choosing a red one and not an elegant grey or black one.
There are also many engine options and other technical details (transmission type, car size and so on). You have to think, do I really need a large, 4X4 vehicle, if you only use the car to go to work across the city every day. You would consider the allocated budget for the next car (and in this total figure you should also include other ownership costs, such as the prices for fueling, insurance, spare parts and so on). One thing is for sure, choosing a car is not as simple today as it was 20 or 30 years ago, when the list of available cars and options was a lot smaller.
There are several car classes, and each of these car types has several sub-classes and each has many car models to choose from. First, there is the small car segment, and you should choose a car from this type if you travel alone most of the times and without any luggage. Choosing a car from this segment will also offer you money economy, as such a car does not consume a lot of fuel, it’s cheaper to insure.
If you have a family, then you should choose a bigger car, one large enough to fit your entire family with the luggage. But also be sure to select the right car for you, so you do not end up paying more on the car than you require.
The car options are also very important. Most people pay little attention the these extras, but they can be very important, especially those regarding the passenger’s safety, Most cars today come with frontal airbags, but you should also spend some extra money on multiple airbags, such as side airbags, curtain and, if present, airbags for the driver’s knees. The curtain airbags, for example, are designed and built to protect the side of one’s head in a side impact or a roll-over situation.
Then there is the choice of engine and there are two main options: diesel of Gas. Mechanically speaking, a diesel engine is simpler than a Gas engine and it also eats less fuel. If you drive mostly on highways and motorways, you should buy a larger engine. If you, on the other hand, only use your car across the city, a 4 cylinder engine car will be perfectly suitable for you.
Choosing a car is about the comfort and safety of your passengers, most especially your children and that is why other aspects are as important as choosing the car’s manufacturer and color. You also have to consider your financing options, as a car is a medium term investment and its total price (the car’s cost and other ownership costs) is not quite as low as you might think.
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The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
Posted by in Uncategorized on November 20, 2009
There’s a debate going on now with the few people who actually in the market for a new car; should I get a car that I want or get one that’s practical? Worse still is the choice of buying a domestic car versus an import. For many people this is a no brainer; they know exactly what kind of car they like, and some are so passionate about their car choices that to suggest something different for them is unconscionable. And buying a car from a maker that has been given government bailout money, is considered by some well, dumb. But I have a surprise for you, and yes it’s an American car made by an American company – the all new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.
Laugh all you want, but there’s a reason to my madness: For the first time in history, the base Camaro isn’t a model to ignore. The two other V-6s found in the current line of Detroit pony cars – Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger SE (240 and 250 hp, respectively) are good economical engines, but they don’t tear it up on the streets. The six-cylinder Mustang and Challenger exist because of their relatively good fuel economy. The base V-6-powered 2010 Camaro on the other hand? It’s going to be cheap, but it’s also going to be fast. And that isn’t just numbers talking.
The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro has more than enough power to handle any of its closest competitors. Car and Driver reviewers has proclaimed that “with a 304-hp, 3.6-liter V-6, the base Camaro is nearly as powerful as the Mustang GT,” which has an V-8 engine! Car and Driver also mentioned that the V-8 version of the Camaro, which is distinguished by the SS badging, gets “400 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque” when paired with the automatic transmission. But the manual transmission gets “426 hp and 420 lb-ft”. I don’t think you’ll worry about responsiveness on the freeway anymore.
And the looks of it? As Cars.com states that, “though loosely styled after the 1969 Camaro, the 2010 model lacks the vintage look of the current Dodge Challenger or Ford’s 2005-09 Mustang.” Car and Driver also praises the 2010 Chevy Camaro for its “evocative, contemporary styling” that recalls it’s late-60s glory years but “thankfully misses being totally retro.” If you happen to see it out on the road, the Camaro’s looks will make it stand out, and not just because of the unmistakably loud exhaust sound.
While Chevrolet has by all accounts got the exterior design right, a number of reviewers aren’t as impressed with the interior, however. Cars.com reviewers found that the interior “looks more retro than the exterior” and that “the unique center controls may be off-putting for some.” Car and Driver says that some of the 2010 Camaro’s ergonomics are poorly designed, claiming that “as great as the high-mounted squircle-shaped gauges and cool center stack look, the script is tiny and the buttons can be ergonomically challenging in operation.” Other reviewers point out that the Camaro’s interior is too dark; Autoblog cautions that “the high beltline, low roof and black interior don’t let bundles of excess light to play within the cabin,” making a “somber” environment. Not everything about the interior is bad according to Automobile Magazine. It praises the Camaro’s instrument panel, stating that “the gauge and console layout is clean, tasteful, and modern.”
Despite the persistent doubts about the car industry, particularly about GM’s ability to deliver a quality product, the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro scores on both counts with me. This Camaro doesn’t lead the rest of the pack for its features, but I do think it does offer a lot of value for the money. And these days, getting value for your money is what will spell success or failure for any business.
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4 Questions to Ask When You Are Buying a Car
Posted by in Uncategorized on November 18, 2009
The are 4 questions to ask when you are buying a car or else you may end up paying too much for the car, or getting ripped off. Car salesmen are trained daily to divert your attention from these basic, but important questions. They even may seem elementary, but in the heat of the negotiation, you may not know all of the answers.
What is the price of the car? – Seems basic, right? Well, car salesmen are trained to keep a customer’s mind off the actual price of the car and onto the payment. If the salesman can get a commitment on the payment that a customer is willing to pay, the actual price of the car becomes a variable that can be adjusted at will.
What is the interest rate? Or better yet, what is the interest rate that I qualify for? – If you get to the point in your negotiations and agree on a payment, you may be surprised at what the interest rate is that the dealership is charging. This is because dealerships get paid on the reserve, or spread between what rate they sell to the customer and what the bank buys it at.
What is the term of the financing? – So many times, a customer will agree to the negotiated payment on a car and not even realize how long the term is for. A $500 payment for 60 months is drastically different than a payment for 72.
How much did I get for my trade in? – Used cars is a great profit center for dealerships and trade ins are the gravy! They will try to “steal” the car you are trading in so that they can resell it for a profit. The lower they give you, the more they can make on the resale.
These 4 questions to ask when you are buying a car will allow you to understand how good or bad of a deal you negotiate. If any of these answers are missing, you run the risk of being scammed by the car dealer and paying too much.
