Saturday, September 4, 2010
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Your First Car In USA
Posted by admin on 9:27 AM
Your mobility depends too much on your possession of a private vehicle. You may go for a car, motorcycle or truck as your own vehicle. But due to severe weather conditions in many regions it is not a good idea to depend on motorcycles all the time. It is also not a good idea to have a truck or SUV as they drink lot of gas and the maintenance is high. Somewhere in the middle and perfectly positioned vehicle for Desi would be a car. There are various types of cars to suite your need.What you should have
If you are a single man and do not depend primarily on your car for commuting to your work, then go for anything as you wish.
There are coupes which have capacity for 4 persons but only two big doors. Primarily these cars are designed keeping in view for two, driver and one passenger. The other model is the sedan which has capacity for 5 and has 4 doors. This can also be called a family car. Depending on the size of the car, they are categorized as Compact, Mid-sized and Full. Compact cars are very small in size and have a good mileage per gallon too. Some manufacturers even make two seated compact cars. The power of the compact car is also little less than the cars of other categories. There are other cars that have powerful engines and are rated as sports cars.
On the contrary, if you have a big family and need more space in your vehicle, then go for van/SUV. But I wont suggest this idea to people who have just come to US, before/after marriage and don't have any kids.
Besides, it is always your dream and desire that makes you to go for a particular type and model. But before deciding upon something, you must give a thought to the other factors like, the mileage, sitting capacity, transmission, trunk capacity, engine power, ease of driving/safety, interior, power doors and anti-theft devices. Also your affordability plays a major role in purchasing a vehicle.
Do you have a driver license yet? It is most important to have one before going for a vehicle. Various states have different rules for issuing drivers license. You can logon to Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sites to know about the pre-requisites and methods of getting one driver license for your state. Normally it involves a written examination, minor vision test and a road test.
The never-ending comparison
Now you have to decide whether to buy a new car or a used car. I wont suggest you any thing or force you to go for what I think is right, but you must know the good and bad things involved in each.
Used Cars
* They are cheaper.
* They may be old.
* They might have more than one owner.
* They could be purchased from private parties or authorized dealers.
* They might have gone through serious maintenance/repair in the past.
* They might have gone through an accident in the past.
* Some parts/components are just about to die.
* There may not be enough warranty/guaranty on some expensive parts.
* The mileage may not be good.
* They may need more maintenance.
* They may not be reliable for long drives.
* Resale may be a headache.
New Cars
* They are not cheap.
* They are covered under manufacturer/dealer warranty.
* Their fuel efficiency must meet the specification.
* There is the satisfaction of owning a new car.
* Easy to get a finance for new car than a used car.
* No need to worry about the engine, body, suspension, tyre, batteries and interior conditions.
* Insurance premium may be higher.
* Can only be bought from an authorized dealer.
There are many other things that can be discussed as advantages and disadvantages under both the headings. However, I don't want to focus on them right now. If you are convinced to buy a new car, then go for it.
Your target
Now it is the time for you to decide the Make, Model and Type of your car. In US you will find hundreds of Make and Models (no Hind Motors/Maruti cars of course). From a Desi prospect I would say it is better to start with Honda/Toyota/Nissan. These Japanese car manufacturers know our requirement and never ditch us on the highways. The engines are good and prices are low. They run long enough before giving up. The life of a Honda/Toyota is considered to be 300K miles. But the look and interior designs are not at par with the American/European cars.
Buying a New Car
Take a cup of coffee, chat with your friends and go through some reviews before you decide upon the make model and color of your first dream car in USA. Check for the existing/upcoming models of your car by logging onto the sites. Select the color and interior and look at the car through the simulator. The most important thing that you must consider here is that, when the next model is going to be released. If it is very soon, then don't go for it, because after you buy your car, you will see the newer model in the market and the resale value of your car will fall drastically.
Cars with automatic transmission and power window have good resale value. ABS and anti-theft devices are added advantages. Leather interior is as per your wish.
Now you have all the details in your mind and the budget is also finalized. Next step is to study the finance market and look for the bank/credit union who gives the best APR. Also don't forget to decide upon your auto insurance. Find out a good insurance company and try to get a quote from them. The premium varies from place to place. With all these things set up, go to the Auto-Mall of your city. Go for a test drive for the car you have already decided. Beware of the car sales representatives. They will always try to sale you the most expensive car they have. But you shouldn't deviate from your decision. Try to bargain with them for a possible reduction in their margin and ask for extra accessories.
What is the status of the loan? Have you arranged one or you want the dealer to make some arrangements for you? Always try to bring down the APR. If you are very new to US and don't have any credit score, you may not get a good APR. However, dont worry about the APR right now. You can always refinance the loan with a better APR after you buildup the credit history after few months of repayment of the loan.
Once the deal is final, you need to sign some papers and then provide the Insurance details if you have. Otherwise, you could also provide the insurance agents phone number and the sales representative will talk to the insurance agent to get the car insured before leaving their premises (dont worry too much for the insurance premiums now, it is important to get your car insured before you drive out of the dealers premises, however you can easily change your insurance later, if you find a better one). In case you didn't get any insurance, you can always go for binder insurance, but they are quite expensive, but you can always cancel them in the middle once you establish your insurance with somebody else and get the refund for the unused portion of your premium.
The next thing is to make the financial paper work. You will be guided to the dealers accounts department and one of the accountants will assist you in finalizing the loan and payment for the car. At that time they will try to sale an extended warranty for another 3 years after the manufacturers warranty. It is you who will decide for that. Don't listen to them, but evaluate it being unbiased. They will try to sale so many other things like paint guard, gap insurance etc. I would suggest not to go with all these things except paint-guard.
After everything is over, they will apply for the vehicle registration/license plate to DMV on your behalf and give you the temporary ownership license (stuck to the windshield of your car). As far as I know, they wash the car and give you a full tank as a compliment before you drive your car back home.
New cars don't give you much trouble as long as you do all the regular oil change and maintenance in time.
Buying a Used Car
Used cars are good but not as new cars. They are much cheaper than the new cars, but at the cost of your peace of mind. You can buy used cars from either a private party or from any dealer. Here also you have to decide your budget and the make, model and year of the car that you need. Also the other main factor is the odometer reading.
There are many sites that give you the links for used cars for sale. You can also refer to the local news papers for any such advertisement. There are places in some cities where people come with their cars for auction/sale. Since you are new, don't go to such places. Rather get contact information from news paper ads or internet. Get the details of the car like make, model and year of the car, miles it has run, condition of batteries, tires and engine condition etc.
Now go to Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com) or Edmund (www.edmund.com) and try to evaluate the car. KBB will ask you some question depending upon the private trading or buying from dealer. After you enter data about the private trading car, it will show you an approximate value of the car.
Private Party
If you are buying a used car from a private party, then you need to be more cautious about certain things like, the engine condition, the body condition, the interior and the accident/maintenance history of the car. Don't go for cars that have already run almost 300K miles (for Honda and Toyota). You can start locating for used cars for sale from various sources like, news papers, local ads and internet. After locating the availability near your place, prepare your matrix.
* Call each of them to fix an appointment for trial.
* Get the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) from the owner.
* Check for the approximate cost of the car using KBB or EDMUND sites.
* Compare the advertised price with the approximate cost that you arrived at.
* Use the VIN to find out accident/maintenance history from CarFax.com and check for any major incident. There will be a registration fee for CarFax.com, go for the one month pack.
* Talk to a mechanic for pre-purchase inspection of the vehicle. Mechanics charge around $50 per car. It is better to go to some brand names like Pep-Boys. They are good and reliable, but you may need to take an appointment beforehand.
* Go to the owner, see the car physically (for any visible dents, body color, torn airbag containers and interior) and then drive it with the owner.
* Take the car to the mechanic and have it inspected.
* (All the cars need a timing belt replacement after running for around 100K miles, so if the car is around or over 100K, then you need to figure out if the timing belt has been replaced, this information could be obtained from the CarFax report too. One thing you must remember that, in US, the auto spare parts are not that expensive, but the labor charge to install them is too high.)
* The mechanic will give you a report, in which it will indicate the current condition of the car and what needs to be fixed with a rough estimation.
* Check for the vehicle registration, is it current?
* Is the vehicle smog certified?
With the Kelly Blue Book report, CarFax report and the mechanics report, you can have a good bargain with the owner. If you really like the car and every thing looks OK to you, then start bargaining. Don't focus more on the tires/batteries, they are not that important as the engine.
NEVER BUY A CAR THAT HAS A SALVAGED TITLE.
Once you have decided to buy the car, talk to the owner about the payment and mode of payment (check or cash). The owner has to give you a pink slip indicating that you paid for the car and it is yours now. He cant simply lodge a complaint with the police saying you have stolen his car. It is his duty to inform the DMV office about the sale and transfer of title. You should also apply to DMV for transferring the title to your name. For registration, you will need the pink slip, the insurance (get one immediately) and smog certification. After you apply for the transfer of the vehicle registration into your name, you are the proud owner of the car.
It is too cumbersome to buy a used car from a private party, sometimes it is too risky and in all the cases it is damn cheaper. For some unlucky guys it might have resulted in spending huge money on maintenance the next day. But it is not always true. However, you are supposed to visit the mechanic frequently and spend lot of time there.
Buying from Dealer
The next best thing that you can do is to buy a used car from a dealer. It may not be as cheaper as buying from private party, but 100 times more reliable. Even some dealers give warranty on the used cars they sale. They buy the used cars, clean them up, do a thorough checking of the engine and repair any damages, dents etc before putting them on sale. You don't have to take the car to a mechanic for inspection, worry about the smog certification. But never forget to check the approximate price through KBB and have a CarFax report handy before making a deal with the dealer. Normally, good dealers don't keep cars for sale that have any major issues like bad accident history, salvaged title etc.
Go to the dealer, talk to the sales representative about your purpose. He/she will show you all the different used cars they have that fits your requirement as well as your budget. Once you have selected the model, make and color, go for a test drive (don't forget to check the odometer reading). If everything feels ok to you, then go to the dealers office and access their computer to logon to KBB for approximate pricing as well as to CarFax for accident/maintenance history for that car. Some dealers even do this for free. Now with all these things handy, start the bargain. You must always consider the worry free deal with the worth of the vehicle you are paying for. You may end up paying a little more than that of a private party deal, but there wont be any worries after you buy the car. If there will be any problem with the car (which is covered under warranty), you can always comeback to the dealer for having it fixed for free. The dealer may also arrange a loan for you and take care of the other formalities like title transfer etc. You will save a lot of time/worries in this. Time is important and costly in this country. So it is your call again.
After you finalize the deal, it follows the same process as a new car purchase. So finish all paper work and drive the car safely back home.
Tips
* If you own an old used car that needs maintenance and the mechanic gives you a list of jobs to be done, then do all of them once. That way you may save a lot of labor charge.
* As per my experience, buying a new car is always better than buying a used car from a dealer and buying a used car from a dealer is always safer than buying a used car from a third party.
* It seems to be a huge amount in the beginning to buy a new car. But if you compare the money spent for new (repay the loan) and used car (repair/maintenance), then over a period of 3 years they will almost equate with each other. So, why not to enjoy the ride of a new car.
Collect this Car, it's a Classic!
Posted by admin on 9:27 AM
Collecting Cars for Fun and ProfitAntique and classic cars are being collected now more than ever. Classic car collectors learn their hobby over years and years of research and browsing, even attending a half dozen or more car shows each year. However, some basic information is available to help anyone begin the lifelong passion of collecting antique automobiles.
Definition of a Classic Car
A classic car is one that is more than 15-years old, while an antique car is more than 25-years old. A vintage car dates from the 1930's or older. As well, there are different car eras, such as the Vintage Car Era, Classic Car Era, Muscle Car Era, and so on, and this is also important to understand.
Display and Drivable Cars
Some antique car collectors drive their cars everywhere, while others have theirs for display purposes only. Display cars often have the benefit of needing less maintenance to keep their classic feel and pristine condition. If you want to drive your classic car, remember that it will require more money for such services as paint and wax jobs, engine work, and inspections. Not only do antique cars lack modern safety features such as airbags and anti-lock brakes, but vintage cars may also lack modern conveniences like power steering, stereo systems, or even heat.
Expenses
Antique car collectors know that antique cars in general are very expensive investments, but there are several ways to cut these costs and make collecting cars an even more enjoyable experience. Many cars are simply left to rust away in lawns or in junkyards. These cars can often be bought at a real bargain for even a few dollars. However, the cheaper these cars are usually indicates what shape they come in. Therefore, several decisions must be made concerning the usability of the cars. Will they be driven? Do they need a new engine? What use will they have on a daily basis?
With some body work to remove rust and replace irreparable damage, these cars can even receive new interiors and engines. The most common work is a brand new paint job (the most noticeable and appreciable work), so a good deal can cost as little as $1000. With an interest in automobiles and a modest income, restoring antique cars can be the lifelong hobby of antique car collectors.
Ratings for Antique Car Appraisal
An antique car appraisal must be based on uniform standards to get a correct appraisal.
Parts Car, this means that the car is only to be used for individual car parts. The car itself has no value except for the individual parts that can be taken from it and used in other cars. The car might not be a candidate for restoration, and therefore appraisers will not waste other people's time and money by declaring it usable except for parts.
Restorable, means the car in question has potential to be restored. The car model and make must still be recognizable to warrant this antique car appraisal rating. It may also need a complete body, chassis and interior restoration if it is appraised in this condition. Most likely the engine will also need some attention as well as the exterior, but not to the point that you restore more than a third of the body, chassis or interior.
Good, this antique car appraisal means that the automobile may need just a little tweaking to make it functional. The quality of restoration of the automobile may also affect the antique car appraisal. If it is functional yet the quality of restoration is poor, then the price will still not go up despite its good condition. The antique car appraisal should always include the quality of the restoration.
A Very Good antique car appraisal could mean that the automobile is functional and the amateur restoration is passable. The restoration might be rated as older or worn out to some extent but not as bad as expected. A Very Good antique car appraisal might be considered presentable and serviceable in the interior and exterior.
Fine is the antique car appraisal that means the automobile is restored very well and its original parts are well maintained to the point that they are in good working order.
The Excellent antique car appraisal means that the car in question has been restored to excellent professional standards and could possibly be a show car that is not driven or worn out but maintained for aesthetic purposes.
Antique Car Pricing
Antique car pricing depends on many different factors, and antique car pricing can vary from year to year. The prices can also vary depending on the point of sale. Antique car pricing depends on the age of the car, the condition of the car and special features on a car.
An antique car that is very old might be much more expensive than a newer classic car. These car prices fluctuate like more modern cars depending upon the condition. An antique car that is in mint condition could cost ten thousand dollars more than the same model in poor condition. Antique car pricing can also vary depending on the mechanics of the car. One that is road-ready will cost much more than one that looks good but does not move on the streets.
Antique car pricing depends on the year and the condition of the car, but the pricing can also depend on many of the various features in each car. Some of the classic cars have radios that actually still work while the older cars never do. Some of these cars have original mirrors while others have modern replicas. The fabric used in the interior could have a significant impact on the prices of antique cars; if the fabric in the interior is the original and in great condition, this is important in the price of the vehicle.
Many collectors of classic cars base their prices of the cars they have on a price guide. The antique car price guide gives approximations of how much a certain model of automobile may cost these days. The prices found in the antique car price guide are somewhat loosely approximated because not all cars of the same make and model are restored professionally or even restored properly. Popular price guides include MacRAE's Blue Book online, and Kelley Blue Book.
The hobby of collecting antique and classic cars can be fun and enjoyable, and it can also incredibly rewarding, especially financially. As long as you are informed and take the situation seriously, you should not have any problems, and not only will you have a great time but as well can make quite a bit of profit for yourself if you go about things in the right way.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Chevrolet Corvette 2010 Awesome Cars
Posted by admin on 3:16 PM
At $ 48,930 - $ 116,880, 2010 Chevrolet Corvette is a 2-door, 2-passenger sports car. This hot sports car is available as a coupe, convertible, or Grand Sport model. His great strength allows him to test-track top speed of 190 miles / h-. 2010 Chevrolet Corvette has a valuation of fuel economy of 15 MPG city and 24 MPG highway.
2010 Chevrolet Corvette is known for his power and performance. High speed machine has a powerful 430 hp LS3 6.2L V8 engine 6-speed manual transmission with short throw shifter and launch control. Mechanical properties of coupe and cabriolet include: includes chassis, brakes and traction control, 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes and antilock braking system, as well as differential cooling system. It also includes an exhaust system, which is aluminized stainless steel with 3 "polished stainless steel tips, rack-and-pinion speed-sensitive steering, Traction Management system efficiency with a 5 driver to choose settings and transmission 6-speed manual with short throw shifter and launch control.
External features of the Chevrolet Corvette in 2010 include: corrosion-resistant composite body panels, carbon fiber front fenders and floor, raised hood with a window, carbon fiber front fenders, roof, roof bow, front splitter, rocker extensions and floor, painted the front and rear bumpers, manual soft-top convertible roof, daytime running lights, driver power heated mirrors painted door mirrors with automatic operation, passenger power heated mirrors, painted door, front fog lights, projector lens xenon headlights and metallic paint.
Interior Features 2010 Chevrolet Corvette include: theft deterrent system with electronic immobilizer and audible / visible alarm systems, access keyless entry push-button start, bucket seats with leather seating surfaces, power 6-way control the driver's seat, dual-zone automatic air conditioning with pollen filter, an analog gauge cluster with multi-language driver information center and a tire pressure monitoring system, AM / FM stereo with MP3 compatible CD player, XM Satellite Radio and 7-speaker sound system, cruise control, which includes e-to resume, coast and deceleration / acceleration functions, measuring instruments, which includes analog speedometer, tachometer, fuel, voltmeter, coolant temperature and oil pressure gauges, and leather steering wheel with audio control system.
Security features of 2010 Chevrolet Corvette include: airbags, power, programmable with lock protector door locks, keyless access system, which includes push-button start, lock / unlock a passive entry and panic functions of OnStar in-vehicle communications and assistance service, theft deterrent system, which includes an electronic immobilizer, theft deterrent system, which includes audio / visual alarm, and traction control, which includes electronic, full-featured, and all speeds.
2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse Sport Car
Posted by admin on 2:56 PM
At an MSRP of $ 20,699 - $ 32,599, 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse with a 2-door coupe is available in GS, GS Sport and GT trims. This fast car illustrates the power and performance. GS and GS has a 162-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. GT has a 265-hp 3.8-liter V6. GT has a 6-speed transmission, the GS has a 5-speed transmission and manual transmission is standard on the Coupés. Fuel economy is MPG: 20 mpg city and 28 MPG Hwy. This powerful sports car accelerates from 0-60 km / h in around six seconds. Maximum speed is 214 km / h.
Mechanical Features 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse are: engine uses Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control-(MIVEC) system, front-wheel drive, Independent MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs, multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, Front / rear stabilizer bar, power rack and pero steering, power front ventilated disc and rear solid disc brakes, and dual exhaust.
Exterior features include a 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse: body-colored door handles, black front grille, color-keyed mirrors, automatic headlights with automatic off, color-keyed rear spoiler, daytime running lights, front air dam, front and rear body color bumpers, front fog lights and halogen lights. As well, it also features side / cab step or slipper, step up bumper, front air dam, metallic paint, electric sliding side door van, power trunk lid, or the lower skid plate protection, splash guards or mud, and wind or buffer for convertibles.
The interior of 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse features include: leather upholstery and heated front seats, leather-wrapped shift knob, remote engine start is optional on the automatic transmission model, the front seats, adjustable steering instruments including tachometer, digital odometer, dual trip meter , and fuel / temp scale. As well, it also includes power door locks, remote keyless entry with panic alarm, cruise control, anti-theft alarm with engine immobilizer, AM / FM radio with 140-watts total, and 6 speakers, CD player, MP3 player, front auxiliary audio input jack in a glass radio antenna, and manual air conditioning.
Security features are available for 2010 Mitsubishi Eclipse includes anti-lock braking system (ABS), Anti-slip, front / rear crumple zones, airbags, seat curtain airbags, anti-theft alarm, active stability control (ASC), Traction control system Front / rear crumple zones, seat curtain airbags 3-point seat belts, burglar alarm and monitoring system tire pressure.
