Don’t you wish that you can buy cheap used cars that look and feel nice on the road? Maybe even buy your dream car, nice and shiny, but at an insanely small price compared to its original price tag? Ah, dream no more because there is a way to get an amazing car at an amazing price. The way is Government Auction Cars! Let me tell you about that and how you can use these auctions to your advantage.
Now, don’t go out telling your friends and colleagues about this just yet. Firstly because dealers don’t like to publicly advertise these auctions since they’d get people hoarding up at the auction and leaving the car dealer’s day job empty and penniless. So don’t ask car dealers about these auctions for advice because their best interest is to keep it away from you. You can’t blame them really, right?
But check this out. You can get a nice new shiny car for only a few thousand dollars of the original price. That’s right, you can get some cars at a few hundred dollars too if they are older.
Listen to this advice if you want to get lucky with the car auctions: bring a trusted car expert that you know you can depend on. Why? Because you want someone who is more familiar with what a good, used car looks like. This is also because the government may not have seen a flaw in the car that you ought to be aware of, not just for your ease of mind and safety while driving that car, but also because of how you can bid less on the original asking price if the flaw is acknowledged.
Finally, make sure you figure out how you would want to pay for the car that you will bid on. Payment plans generally include making payments in cold cash, check, installments, or a combination of two. Do your best to get this important arrangement done clearly and completely before closing the deal.…
It is said that the best road trip vehicles are SUVs. It cleverly combines the passenger-carrying space with the towing capacity of a pickup truck. But how do you choose the best from the cream-of-the-crop?
After the traumatic 2006 sales fall, automakers are all aimed at putting their best foot forward to get the larger slice of the auto market. The Cadillac Escalade is now being challenged by the first full-size SUV of Mercedes. The latter is a seven-seat SUV with upscale auto features that include air suspension and adjustable ride height. The vehicle can be lowered automatically at speed for a more capable ride.
According to critics in the industry, the overhauled Cadillac Escalade, which was introduced just last year, has the nicest interior among the vehicles in the United States. The Cadillac Escalade uses all-aluminum 6.2 L Vortec V8 mated to Cadillac cold air intake. The vehicle also featured the new six-speed 6L80 automatic transmission and conventional five-link suspension to improve its performance and ride.
Mercedes Benz was quick to follow Cadillac with the plush, full-size GL-Class SUV which is priced at $53,000. Mercedes recorded 19,000 sales of the vehicle in 2006. The new Mercedes pride radiates improved performance than that of the R-Class. The GL and the Escalade are among the best SUVs of 2007. However, in the fourth season of this year, mighty rivals are expected to take the limelight.
One of the forthcoming catchy SUVs is the Spyker D12 dubbed as the world?s only exotic sport utility vehicle. The Dutch-built SUV is capable of generation 500-horsepower maximum output. Enthusiasts are now excited about the arrival of the one-of-a-kind vehicle.
The Chrysler Group of DaimlerChrysler experience a three percent decrease in passenger-car sales while trucks and SUVs declined by eight percent. At General Motors, car sales declined seven percent, while truck and SUV sales declined by around nine or ten percent.
Among Detroit automakers, the Ford Motor Co. reported the most debilitating decrease in sales in the previous year. Ford?s car sales rose five percent while truck and SUVs decreased by fourteen percent. Ford has this to say: “higher gasoline prices and long-term demographic trends drove SUV sales lower, and a soft housing industry weighed on full-size truck sales.”
However, after just a couple of months, Ford?s sales are making a swift turnaround. The arrival of the new crossover SUVs like the Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX gradually changes the company?s picture.
General Motors Corporation?s GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook are helping the company a bit. The automaker reported that the Acadia and Outlook “drove a 97 percent retail increase in the mid-crossover segment” in February, compared with that time the year before.
Chrysler Group?s new SUVs like the redesigned Jeep Wrangler have also yielded warm welcome. Experts say these new, car-like SUVs, plus steadier gas prices, could serve 2007 a better year for SUV manufacturers.
In Ford?s January statement, the automaker blamed the declining truck and SUV sales on gas prices, demographic trends and the housing industry. The company said: “Ford believes these factors will continue to weigh on these segments in 2007.”…
Considered as the first true muscle car, the Pontiac GTO is truly a groundbreaker. Most collectors of classic muscle cars see the GTO as a true gem, a real sexy and sweet beauty. And understandably so: not only is the Pontiac GTO a genre-defining car, it actually boasts of a sweet look and is capable of a powerful performance.
The Birth of a Legend
Back in the early ?60s, General Motors banned divisions from participating in auto racing. This was a heavy hit to Pontiac, since their marketing campaign was based heavily on car racing. The result is a legend: by modifying the Pontiac Tempest into a road-friendly, yet high-performance car. And it became a monster hit.
The name was after the Ferrari 250 GTO, in which GTO stood for Gran Turismo Omologato. For those who couldn’t speak Italian, it simply means homologated (or approved) for inclusion in the GT class.
First Generation
The first generation Pontiac GTO was released in 1964. It was only an option for the Pontiac LeMans. It had a 398-cubic inch V8 engine, which has a speed of 325hp at 4800rpm, with a 3-speed manual transmission. It came in three styles: hardtop coupe, two-door sedan, or convertible. It cost around $290–a real bargain today, but not back then!
A few changes were made the following year, including extending the length of the car by 7.9cm. Perhaps the most popular of the first-generation GTOs is the ’66 edition with the “Coke-bottle look.” Not does the ’66 GTO completely define what classic muscle cars would look like, it also heralded the start of the GTO series as an independent model (and not as an option). It was so popular that sales shot up to 90,000.
Second Generation
Around 1970s, the second generation of GTOs was up and about. There were some cosmetic changes, such as the ‘hidden headlights’ feature for the ’68 and ’69 Pontiac GTO. But function-wise, the GTO remained the same. It had the same V8 engine, albeit optimized so it would peak at 400hp.
By this time, the GTO faced a fierce battle with other newly-emerged muscle cars. There was the Oldsmobile 442, the Plymouth Road Runner, and the Chevrolet Chevelle, among others. Sales were dwindling, and the GTO was having a hard time keeping itself on top.
By 1972, sales of this classic car drastically dropped to 5,811. This was the result of several things. Aside from the tough competition, the GTO also lacked promotion. Add to that the move to make gasoline free of lead, which lead Pontiac to make this classic muscle car have less muscle–without the Ram-air option for engines, its performance was compromised. Add to that the dwindling appeal of muscle cars (because of market saturation and the emerging energy crisis), and the ?death’ of the Pontiac GTO becomes no mystery.
The Pontiac GTO is a cool and sexy classic muscle car. Its history is somehow a tragic one: it started the whole craze about muscle performance cars, but ended with not a single bang. Yet, because of this history, the Pontiac GTO is ever more valuable today as a classic car. Since not so many people have it in their garage, a restored one will surely peak at way more than ten grand–that’s a long way from $290.…
Nowadays, there are people who seems to prefer repossessed automobiles for sale rather than brand new ones. The reason is pretty obvious. It is obviously due to the price. This is especially true with the current economic condition. With jobs getting more and more insecure these days, people are not willing to spend too much money on their vehicles.
Repossessed automobiles for sale can be bought for a fraction of the price of a similar brand new car. Obviously, you will need to know where to find these bargains and how to go about the transaction so that you will not get scammed.
First, it is always a good idea to know where these vehicles came from. Well, they are usually from police impounds or cars confiscated by financial institutions as the previous owners couldn’t afford their car payments.
Usually, a third party will take over the tasks of auctioning off the vehicles. This can be a very lucrative business. This is the reason why not many people know about car auctioning as it is not publicize.
Car traders will usually buy those cars at a very low price and resell those vehicles after some touching up. Of course, you may not be interested to be a car trader. However, there is good news for you if you just want to get a cheap car.
Do you know that there are database available online that tell you where to find repossessed automobiles for sale? These database will tell you where you can locate these auctions and get your car for cheap.…
Summer’s fast approaching, and for many that means making plans for the traditional family getaway at the beach, mountains or with distant relatives. For most it means packing the kids, luggage, coolers and equipment into the family vehicle and hitting the highways.
Smart families know they should get their vehicles checked out beforehand to help ensure worry-free summer travel. But today’s busy schedules leave little time for backyard, do-it-yourself tinkering.
Here is some advice on locating a good repair establishment from the pros at the nonprofit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, the group that tests and certifies automotive professionals:
* Start shopping for a repair facility before you need one.
* Ask your friends and associates for their recommendations; consult local consumer groups.
* Arrange for alternate transportation in advance so you will not feel forced to choose a shop based solely on location.
* Look for a neat, well-organized facility, with vehicles in the parking lot equal in value to your own and modern equipment in the service bays.
* Look for a courteous staff, with a service consultant willing to answer questions.
* Look for policies regarding estimated repair costs, diagnostic fees, guarantees and acceptable methods of payment.
* Ask if the repair facility specializes or if it usually handles your type of repair work.
* Look for signs of professionalism in the customer service area, such as civic, community or customer service awards.
* Look for evidence of qualified technicians: trade school diplomas, certificates of advanced courses and ASE certification. Also look for the ASE sign.
ASE was founded in1972 as a nonprofit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of auto service professionals.
Approximately 400,000 professionals hold current ASE credentials. They can be found at every type of repair business, such as independent garages, dealerships, franchised outlets and collision shops. Certified technicians wear blue and white ASE insignia or pins, while their employers often display their technicians’ ASE credentials in the customer service area and post the ASE sign on the premises.…
The United States Government purchases thousands of cars for use as fleet vehicles. These fleet vehicles are used by different agencies to perform their vital functions, which are required for this country to run smoothly. Due to the need for a reliable vehicle, there are strict government regulations on how long the vehicle can be used before it is retired from service, and replaced by a newer model. The regulations also require that when a vehicle is retired from service, it is to be disposed of by being sold at a public auction.
The government’s motivation is not to make a profit, but to get rid of the vehicles, because there are cars being retired from service every day, and they pile up. Due to the amount of cars being retired, auctions are held in every state, several times a year.
Before a government car auction starts, you will have the opportunity to inspect the vehicles for any major problems that could affect the safe or reliable operation of the vehicle. These problems are rare due to the excellent maintenance of government vehicles, but if you are not mechanically inclined, it is recommended that you bring someone who is, just to make sure.
When the bidding starts, it starts low. The car is sold for the highest bid. Most cars sell for a few thousand less than what they are worth, but some nice cars have been known to sell for almost nothing if there is no competition bidding on them.…
There can be many reasons a person buy’s a used car. The first and most important reason is that you don?t enough money for a new car and you don?t want to borrow any money because you don?t think you could afford the monthly repayments. Another option is buying a used car, this can be very helpful for your finances, and however there are still some important guidelines that you must consider before looking at purchasing a used car. In this article we will look at some of these guidelines and precautions.
When looking for a used car, the first step is to find one for sale. You can find cars for sale by looking in the newspaper; however you want to buy a useful car. It would be best if you buy a car from somebody that you really know, friends, family members, and colleagues are the first people that you should consider buying a car from. Tell them that you plan to buy a car in the near future and mention what your budget is. Since people keep hearing news of used cars being sold out, somebody in your list of acquaintances will be able to direct you to a used-car owner who is willing to sell a car which is in good condition and hopefully at a reasonable price. If you?re unable to find a used car with somebody that you know then you can check out the local newspaper adverts.
The first step will be helpful in not only finding a great car but will also help you learn how different cars differ in price depending upon the model, mileage, and overall condition. You can decide about the features that you?re looking for in a car and then decide upon a price range. The next step is to learn about the person that is selling the car; you can do this by asking questions. These questions should be geared to discover why the car is being sold, how long they have had the car and how often they have had it serviced.
Now you should carefully inspect the car. Some sellers may not be that honest about any problems they have experienced with the car. Look carefully at the bodywork to discover any holes, dents or rust. Some rusted parts may have to be replaced in order for the car to be safe and work properly. If you do decide to buy this car then you have to be ready to be on the lookout for these parts and then ask the seller to subtract the cost from the selling price of the car. Don?t forget to look under the hood! Check that all electrical and mechanical parts are in good condition, after that take a look at the tires, glass and paint.
If the car looks in perfect or near perfect condition then ask the seller if you can take it out for a test drive. This way you will be able to note down any trouble areas if you come across any. Make sure that you check the clutch in manual cars and the accelerator in automatic cars. Also listen carefully for any unusual or strange noises. Check all of the buttons, air conditioner and radio to see if they are working fine. Test the car by driving in different situations, for example apply the brakes suddenly, change gears frequently, speed up a little, throughout all of this just watch how the car performs and reacts. When you?re inside the car check the seat-covers, rear-view mirrors and the glove compartment, although these are minor things it?s worthwhile checking their condition.
If the car has passed all of your tests so far, then it?s time to carefully study all of the paperwork that comes with the car. Its licence number, insurance details, and registration papers should be read in detail, make sure all of these are for the right car. If some of the documents are missing, then ask the seller to produce them before making a deal. Finally, you should decide how much you think the car is worth and make an offer.
As a final note all cars wear out as they get older; however certain makes and models react differently when they become old. It might be worth looking for advice for this specific used car so you can find out any common problems when the car gets older.…