Search Results for: buying new or used cars

Buying a Used Green Car

Let’s say you want to be green, but when it comes to cars that can be costly. There’s the Chevrolet Volt. It’s a lovely four seat hatchback…that will run you about $40,000. Then, there is the Nissan Leaf. It has five seats and comes with a little bit smaller price tag – around $32,000. What if your price range is a bit lower? Well, you might consider a nice used green car. Of course, what you get depends on how much you want to spend and how old is too old for a used car. AOL listed some great used … Continue reading →

How to Save on a Used Car

Buying a car is a big expense. and then, as soon as you drive it off of the lot, the car seems to depreciate a great deal. That is why many frugal people opt to buy a used car instead. The savings can be tremendous when compared to purchasing a new car, and often used cars are affordable enough to not require financing, a further savings. Most people dread trying to negotiate at the dealership for a used car. They are afraid that they will wind up with an expensive clunker. Or, if they chose to buy a car from … Continue reading →

Tips on Buying a New Car

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I bet many of you are considering trading in your older gas-guzzling car with these rising gas prices. If so, you will want to consider many financial implications of a vehicle and not simply the purchase price. A car is a purchase that will keep costing you money. Therefore, you can’t just compare automobiles based only their purchase price alone. When deciding which make and model of car to buy… remember to evaluate the following: 1. Sales Tax – Yes, in most states you will have to pay a tax on your vehicle purchase. You will also have to pay … Continue reading →

The Best Things to Buy Used: Toys 1

When you are shopping for something new, consider buying it used instead. Many items can be purchased “like new” for a fraction of the cost. Since I am a parent of three young children, I have a lot of experience with buying toys, both new and used. And for toys, used is the best bet 90 percent of the time. Kids quickly grow out of their toys or become disenchanted with them. Then parents get rid of the old toys and buy a bunch of new toys. Made of plastic, most toys are easy to clean and disinfect. Here are … Continue reading →

Never Buy These Things New

Usually, I approach any needs or wants buy doing research and then buying used. Of course, there are some things that you just can’t buy used (toilet paper as an extreme example), and there are times when buying new makes more sense (we looked at a used swing set that would cost more to move to our home than a brand new one that included delivery and installation). Over the years, I have discovered some rules for items that are usually better buying used 99 percent of the time. These are items that when looking the cost difference and the … Continue reading →

Tips to Avoid Buying a Used Car With Flood Damage

An automobile can suffer flood damage in a variety of different ways. Following hurricane Katrina salvaged cars from flooded areas were sold to many unsuspecting used car buyers. It doesn’t require a national catastrophe to cause flood damage–some autos may be flooded during an instant at a boat dock, or when a driver attempts to drive through flooded streets. A used car customer may think they are buying a nice used car, but may later find there was hidden water damage. Cars that have suffered flooding damage are most often unreliable. With hidden electrical damage and water associated problems. Used … Continue reading →

Women and Cars

In a previous blog I shared a recent experience I had with a rental car in Hawaii. I am not a car expert. In fact, I have never attempted to purchase a car without a male companion (either a boyfriend or brother) at my side. Perhaps, I am dealing with the irrational fear of being “taken for a ride” by a male salesperson, regardless I make a general rule never to walk on a car lot without a guy present. The ironic part about this practice is I am more informed about the car I am interested in purchasing than … Continue reading →

Financial Pitfalls: The New Car Mentality

One big financial pitfall is the new car mentality. Many people like to drive new cars and feel they need the safety and security. Here are four myths that support the new car mentality. 1) Many people feel that they need the latest model car. A new car is a status symbol. There is a certain feeling of accomplishment when you drive a brand new car off of the lot. You have achieved something. But you have also lost something. The average new car depreciates two thousand dollars the second you drive off the lot. If you have two thousand … Continue reading →

Financial Pitfalls: Car Buying

One common financial mistake people make is to trade-in there current car, and car loan for a new one. The dealer often says that they will pay off the existing loan for them, and that they will come out with a better car, and possibly a better interest rate. There are several reasons why this is not a good idea. 1) The dealer is not going to pay off the loan for you, they just role into the current loan that you are taking out. So you end up borrowing more money than what your car is actually worth. This … Continue reading →

The Do’s of Buying a Car

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Buying a car can be tricky work. Make sure to read these tips to get you started on the right foot. Do take your time. Never buy from the first dealership or seller that you go to. Car salesmen are trained to be pushy. They don’t want you to go somewhere else that could take your business. It is in their best interest that you purchase right away. It is in your best interest to look around first. If you leave their dealership, they will be just as willing to give you a great deal later. And if not, someone … Continue reading →