If you have been considering purchasing a car, you have some options that are open to you which can help you to save money and to get the car that you need conveniently. One of those options is to use one of the auctions that are available as this will not only give you access to the automobiles that you desire, but will often give you access to discounts as well. What are some of the things that you should consider before purchasing one of those auction cars and how can you make sure that you are as happy as possible with the overall process?
First of all, you should familiarize yourself with the different types of auctions that are available. It is likely that some of these are going to be operating in your local area on a regular or at least, a periodic basis. At times, some of these auctions are going to be privately owned and people will bring their car to the auction to sell it to the general public. This is a great way for you to save money on an automobile and there are typically a variety of different types of cars that are available.
Other auctions are not going to be open to the general public and may only be open to dealers. If you have your dealer’s license or if you know somebody that has a dealer’s license, they may be able to get you into one of these auctions so that you can save even more money on a prime automobile. Additionally, there may be private auctions that are run in your local area by the police or other government agencies that are selling automobiles that have been seized. If you are able to get to one of those auctions, it is likely that you’re going to find some high end automobiles available at a discount.
What are some of the things that you should consider when using an automobile auction? One of the most important things is the fact that in most cases, the cars that you purchase are not going to be guaranteed. That is why you must know for a fact that you are happy with an automobile before you purchase it. If you are not mechanically inclined, it may be necessary for you to take somebody along with you to give the car a once over before you place a bid. More than likely, you’re going to be able to start the car and to look under the hood but you may not be able to drive the car in advance.
Finally, consider the possibility of traveling to an auction that is outside your local area. There may be specialty options that are available which can help you to save even more money, such as federally seized automobiles. It would be worth the travel if you were able to visit one of these options, particularly if you’re looking for a high-end automobile. Just make sure that you are prepared to bring the car back with you on the trip back home.…
Whenever you are faced with a potential, unexpected car repair it can be a stressful task. There are certain mechanical failures that may make you panic – mainly the engine and transmission. It is common knowledge that repairs on either of these components are very costly and you may not have the money to take the car to the shop. The good news is you need not panic as there is another option that can sometimes cut your costs in half.
If you need transmission repair there are a few options to consider:
• Take the vehicle to an auto repair shop and pay for parts and labor
• Buy your new parts from the auto store and do the repairs yourself
• Buy used auto parts and have an auto repair shop do labor
• Buy used auto parts and do the repair yourself
The first option of using a repair shop will always be the most costly option. You will pay more for parts as well as labor. Your second option will save you some money by only requiring out of pocket funds for new parts. However, be advised that new auto parts are often marked up quite a bit. Your third and fourth options are the best choices if you are looking to lower your budget significantly. Let’s discuss them in more detail.
Buying used auto parts makes some people feel uneasy. This should not be a problem if you go to a trusted and experienced junkyard. There, you can often find almost-new parts and components that have significant years and miles left on them. If you need a used transmission, an auto salvage yard should be your first stop, regardless of whether you want to do the actual repairs yourself or have the transmission installed professionally. Before you go to the junkyard you should follow these steps:
• Make sure you know what you are looking for. Consult your car’s manual to determine the exact type of transmission that your car has and the specifications you need.
• Determine what actual parts you need. If you have an automatic transmission, look for other components that are needed such as a torque converter. If you have a manual transmission, you may need a new clutch in addition to the exact transmission. You can always call the car manufacturer to get full details on what you need so that you have all proper parts assembled before your repair.
• Carefully examine all parts. When you visit the junkyard, look at all of the components of the transmission. Cycle through all gears of the transmission and make sure that you do not hear any suspect noises, especially grinding. It should be fairly easy to get through all gears. If you have difficulty doing so, you should probably move on to the next potential prospect. Look for clean oil between the gears. You should also examine the input and output shafts to make sure the input shaft is not too loose and the output rotates easily.
If you follow these easy steps, purchasing a junkyard transmission and other used auto parts will greatly cut your costs and allow you to make your transmission repairs much more affordable – whether you do it yourself or just get used parts and take them to your repair shop.…
Aside from a home, an automobile is one of the most costly items that people will purchase in their lifetime. This is a necessity with a hefty a price tag, and keeping your car properly maintained can not only extend the life of your automobile, but save you time and money as well. Taking a proactive approach to car maintenance rather than a reactive one can prevent damage to your automobile and decrease the cost of ownership. A busy schedule can often get in the way of taking the appropriate measures to ensure your vehicle stays in good condition, but finding the time to perform these simple tasks will protect your investment and reduce the risk of encountering a problem with your automobile.
According to the consumer watchdog group Car Care Counsel, the cost of auto accidents stemming from poor upkeep exceeds $2 billion each year. While you may be able to avoid an actual collision, neglecting to perform regular maintenance on your vehicle can shorten its life-cycle. When you do the math, performing routine scheduled maintenance will actually save you money in the long run, as well as keep your car running longer. Considering all of the things that can go wrong with an automobile such as brake, transmission, or radiator problems, failed smog tests, and perhaps even engine failure, regular maintenance fees are a fraction of the cost of repair bills.
So what are the most important things you need to remember for properly maintaining your vehicle? First and foremost, performing routine oil changes at about every 3,000 miles will keep your engine running clean. Oil lubricates the engine and helps to reduce friction within the engine. Driving a car that has run out of oil can cause severe damage to the engine and even fire. If you own a car that does not alert you when you are low on oil, take note of the date and mileage on your car after every oil change. This will help you to remember when you are due for another oil change and mitigate the risk of you running out of oil and your engine burning up. Changing your oil filter at the same time of your oil change will help to maximize engine life by removing the debris and particles that have built up in the oil filter.
Your tires should be next on your car maintenance checklist. Somewhere in the area of every 6,000 miles, your tires should be rotated to equalize the wear on each tire. Although tire air pressure should be checked on a more frequent basis, checking your tires to ensure that they are inflated at the appropriate pressure at the time of your tire rotation will help you remember to do so. If you aren’t sure what your tire pressure is supposed to be, refer to your owners manual, check online, or ask your mechanic. In addition to keeping your car running smoothly, keeping your tire pressure at the manufacturer suggested levels will give you better gas mileage, saving you even more money in this time of skyrocketing fuel costs.
Next on the list should be your yearly brake system inspection. Regardless of how many miles you have put on your car, brake fluid should be changed at least once every 2 years. Brake disc pads and shoes should be checked annually for wear. When they are worn down, they need to be replaced to avoid damage to the drum or rotor. By replacing your brake disc pads and shoes when necessary, you will avoid additional expenses such as brake drum or rotor replacements which will cost you roughly twice as much as pads and/or shoes.
A commonly overlooked but vital maintenance step is replacing your cars timing belt at the time suggested by your automobile manufacturer. This is one of the more costly maintenance procedures costing between $500 and $700 for a replacement belt, however a failed timing belt can damage your cars engine and repair costs for valves and other parts could run you up to $2,000 depending on the type of car you own. Parts for a domestic car will obviously be less costly than those for a foreign car.
Finally, to avoid failing emission tests that are required by the DMV, change your engine filters and spark plugs. Not only will this help keep your engine clean, but will significantly boost your chances of passing your mandatory smog tests.
Although following these automobile maintenance suggestions will require you to spend some money throughout the period of ownership, you will end up saving yourself from having to spend much more to get these parts repaired when they inevitably encounter a problem. A properly maintained automobile can last for 50,000 miles more than one that is neglected. Keeping to this list of …
I’m sure we have all been there. You have paid all the bills, there is no more money left in the checking account, and right on cue, the car breaks down. Now not everybody is independently wealthy, and has the cash to be throwing at costly repairs for our vehicles. Luckily though, you always have the option of car repair loans.
A car repair loan is essentially just like any other loan. You apply for the cost of your repair bill, and when you’re approved, you simply use the money to pay the bill. Then, just like any other loan, you must pay that money back in a timely manner. Car repair loans aren’t known to everybody, and actually very few people take advantage of them.
Car repair loans can come in a couple different ways. There are the traditional loans like you would get from your bank, but there are also credit card options as well. The way these work usually is that a no interest offer is applied for a certain number of months. If the balance is paid in full by that date, you owe no more than the principle. This is commonly referred to as something like “90 Days same as cash”.
The benefits of car repair loans are quite obvious. Imagine the feeling of not having to worry about whether or not you’ll have the money available when your car breaks down (and lets face it, they all do eventually). When it does, you will have a resource that you can fall back on. Believe me, it is much easier to work in a few hundred dollars a month to the budget, as opposed to $1,500 dollars all at once.
Just like any loan, when you are preparing to apply for a car repair loan, always do your homework. There are plenty of people out there that will gladly take your money while promising things they can’t deliver. Always go with a reputable company or bank and this will save you headaches down the road. If you have a bank that normally handles all of your loans, call them and ask for information on personal loans. These are difficult to get from a bank, but always worth a try. It is especially beneficial to be financed with an institution you are familiar with, as there is already that element of trust built into the relationship.…