car buying

Buying a Car Is Just the Beginning: How Refinancing Can Lower Long-Term Costs

Congratulations on the new car. You survived the dealership. You chose your color. You signed the mountain of paperwork. The big financial decision is over, right? Not exactly. Your purchase was the opening act. The real story of car ownership is a long-term one. It’s a story of monthly payments, interest charges, and opportunity costs. Many drivers accept their initial loan as a permanent fact. They never question it. This is a costly mistake. A powerful financial tool exists for savvy owners. It can rewrite your loan’s entire story. This tool is the strategic decision to pursue refinancing car loan terms. Your First Loan Is Rarely Your Best Loan Think about your purchase day. Your focus was on the car’s

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Buying a Car from an Auction: Smart Move or Risky Gamble?

Why More Buyers Are Turning to Auto Auctions Bidding is no longer just for dealers. From young drivers looking for a budget ride to collectors chasing unique finds, auctions attract buyers across the board. Why? Selection, speed, and serious savings. Public platforms have opened the gates. Today, potential buyers don’t need a dealer license to place bids or get behind the wheel. They just need to understand the process—and the risks.These days, access isn’t restricted to dealers. Ohio auto auctions open to the public give access to an entire market once reserved for professionals. It’s fast, accessible, and cost-focused. But before participating, many ask: is it safe to buy a car from an auction? Understanding the Auction Process An auction

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4 Things to Think About When Buying a Car

Buying a car is a major long-term decision, so it’s one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. When you’re car shopping, or even thinking of buying a car, it’s a good idea to have a solid plan in place, and to do some serious preliminary research. When you’re doing so, here are some important aspects to think about that should impact your final decision and help you make sure it’s the right one. Plan Your Budget Of course, what you can afford (and are willing) to spend on a car is one of the most important things to think about, and will drive the rest of the choices you make going forward. Decide whether you want to purchase your car cash

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5 vital considerations when buying a car

Buying a car is many consumers’ first major purchase. It can nearly be a rite of passage and exciting, so carefully considering the best choice is recommended. It may take a long time. To make the right choice, take the time to consider every step of the purchasing process. It will be worth it. Here are five vital steps to consider before buying a car: Consider Your Costs The price of your car isn’t just the sticker price. You could pay noticeably more, and you’ll need to be prepared. Opting for add-ons or an extended warranty will add to the price, so make sure you consider the costs of owning a car. In addition to mechanical additions, you can also

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How to prepare to choose the right new car to buy

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Besides buying a house, purchasing a car is likely the most expensive personal expense. So, it’s important to make the right choice. But what’s the best way to make the best choice? Questions can vary greatly. How much can I afford? What’s the best car for family travel or for long journeys? What’s the best value or most dependable brand? If you’re partial to certain manufacturers you right asked where is Jeep made? Are hybrids or electric cars good choices? Is a sedan a better option than an SUV? Determining what car will serve your needs best can be daunting, so here are some guidelines: Review Your Budget Before you start test-driving vehicles and researching the latest technologies

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Buying a car? Plan properly, buy it, maintain it

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Buying a car is an achievement, and it’s often a substantial detailed investment. But the transaction can be more straightforward than expected. If the buyer is prepared, the purchase can be successful with little or no stress. Still, if it’s your first or second car, a new or used car, just don’t take this kind of investment lightly. Plan the purchase properly so it occurs smoothly and you get the ideal vehicle. Once you buy a new car, what’s next? How long do you plan on using it? Do you know how to maintain it and prolong its lifespan? Buying a Car? Know Your Needs Here’s a list of the best ways to buy a car and to

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What to look for when buying an RV motorhome

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT If you are looking for a way to travel across the country in style, then you may have thought about renting an RV. RVs are also an important investment. Sometimes, people sell their house before they purchase an RV. If you are looking to get the most out of your RV, then you need to know what to look for. What are some of the most important factors that you should consider if you are looking at an RV? Consider the Age of the RV First First, take a look at how old the RV is. RVs have come a long way during the past few decades. Therefore, an RV that was built years ago is not going

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New car-buying tips to reduce buyers’ stress

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Purchasing a new car can be an exciting milestone in anyone’s life. Unfortunately, it can also be stressful if you don’t have the best car-buying tips for the best way to approach the purchase and financing. As a new driver, buying a new car may not be the only worry on your mind. Finding affordable insurance for your vehicle is paramount. Research the best deals using online comparison sites. It can save a lot of money. When searching for your new car, you should also ensure it’s fit for your intended purpose. Whether you’re searching for a reliable vehicle that can travel long distances for work, or seeking a car suitable for countryside terrains, make certain safety comes

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Don’t let the Covid-19 pandemic ruin car-buying dreams

COLLABORATIVE CONTENT Vehicle ownership is one of the most significant financial plunges any of us are likely to make. Second only to homeownership,  car-buying can be a massive commitment and often essential to our work, recreation and other lifestyle demand. But ownership dreams have come to a halt during the last year because of the global coronavirus. If you thought of upgrading or buying your vehicle, odds are your plans were delayed or perhaps canceled. With jobs, family and other components of life at risk. After nearly a year of COVID-19, not much has improved. While vaccines are now available for certain segments of the population, but the economy is still suffering, jobs are still are risk and there’s no

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Best used car buying tips for the every person

Taking your potential new used car to a reputable auto repair shop is the best thing you can do. Have it thoroughly inspected by a professional before you buy it. I’ve found paying for an hour of time is generally sufficient to identify everything wrong with the vehicle. If taking the vehicle to a mechanic is not an option, here are some tips to help keep you from buying a lemon. Buy an ODB Scanner/Reader You don’t need to spend a lot, as they’ll all do what you need here. A Bluetooth OBD reader and the TORQ app for your phone seem to be a pretty popular/good choice. You can expect to spend anywhere from $35 to $100 on a

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How to wisely purchase a new car with bad credit

SPONSORED CONTENT Making a major purchase with bad credit is difficult, but trying to buy a car with bad credit or post-bankruptcy is more difficult. However, it’s impossible and there are conditions. When you get a car loan with bad credit, the interest rate will likely be high. Make sure you have enough cash each month to make payments. If you fail to meet the terms of the loan, your credit score will take another significant dip, your new vehicle will be repossessed, and you’ll be out the thousands of dollars you already spent on the vehicle. But don’t be discouraged. You can make a sound purchase, improve your creditworthiness and still driving away in a brand-new vehicle. But how

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Buying a car with flood damage can be trouble

The nationwide flood damage this year has affected many industries, including the automotive market. Tens of thousands of cars have been submerged, leading to potentially significant damage. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB.org), unwitting consumers are at risk of buying a flood-damaged car if they don’t adhere to guidelines. Unknowingly buying a vehicle with flood damage may put you and your family in physical and financial danger. A vehicle’s electronic systems are often destroyed from prolonged exposure to water rendering many of its safety features inoperable. Experts from a leading pre-insurance auto inspection company note that while misrepresenting a vehicle with flood damage is illegal, it happens often. “If a deal looks too good, be careful,” said James

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What dealers do to make car buying difficult

A root canal and shingles might be worse. But a trip to a car dealership, as opposed to car buying online, is often high on the list of unpleasant experiences. It’s not universally bad. But there’s still plenty of salesmanship, up-selling and other persuasive ways car dealers make the most they can from every buyer. With Jim Dykstra (www.vinadvisor.net) and Jaclyn Trop (www.jaclyntrop.com) and James Raia (www.theweeklydriver.com) take a look at the Top 6 Things Car Dealers Do To Make Car Buying Difficult in text and a corresponding video. Car Dealers Price People Jim Dykstra, Vinadvisor
 “What’s the number one way that dealers make car buying difficult? They price people, they don’t price products. You can’t just walk into a

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2017 PREVIEW: Biggest obstacles to buying cars online?

What will be the biggest obstacle to buying cars online in 2017? The automotive industry had a tremendous year in 2016. The great news included: automakers seeing a third consecutive year of record sales at 17.4 million vehicles, the self-driving car making an amazing leap forward, Elon Musk becoming a superstar and the spectacular rise in venture capital funding for automotive tech startups. The bad news included: Apple’s failed attempt to get in the game and the potential Trump tariffs and consumers potentially piling on way too much debt for new cars. The ugly news included: car hacking, the Takata fiasco and the Volkswagen emissions scandal. But here at vinadvisor, 2016 will be remembered for the strides made by car

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Top-10 most important safety features when buying a car

If you’re considering a new or used car, style, color, economy and versatility are important. But getting the best safety features should be the top priority of your investment. Here are the top-10 car safety features to consider when buying a car. 1. Air bags. The front air bags inflate in order to prevent passengers from hitting the car’s dashboard, the windshield, as well as the steering wheel. (depends on the impact, speed as well as the hardness of the struck object). Side air bags lessen the risk for occupants to hit the objects or their door during a crash. A cars’ dash will indicate if there is an issue with the airbags, familiarize yourself with these warnings. 2. Antilock

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Safety Still Not Top Priority For Car Buyers

New car buyers purchase vehicles for many reasons — reliability to comfort, status to gas mileage. Safety isn’t at the top of the criteria list, but it’s became increasingly more important for consumers and manufacturers. In its 2014 Initial Quality Studies, safety is seventh among the top-10 reasons why car buyers choose a specific vehicle model, according to J.D. Power, the global marketing research company. Two years ago, safety was only the 10th most important reason for new car buyers to purchase vehicles. Although some car review publications offer safety scores, two national organizations, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) are the most prominent. The government and IIHS ratings evaluate different

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