http://www.articlearmies.com Articles posted by Derek E. en-us Copyright (c) 2005 ArticleTime.com http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/buy-the-right-car-for-your-teen-driver.html The generation gap that exists between a teen of driving age and their parents is a doozie, making car shopping for your teen driver an experience not soon forgotten. However, if you do your research, chances are you will be able to come to a mutual agreement on something that is affordable and safe enough for you and cool and economical enough for them. Options that are parent tested, teen approved These options offer good gas mileage, and an affordable price tag without sacrificing safety or style. Honda Civic - An old favorite, the Honda Civic graces many of the automotive 'best of' lists. The Civic has always gotten great gas mileage, always looked stylish enough and always felt big enough, even from the back seat. Plus Honda's are known for their lasting quality. Ford Focus ZX3 - This snappy looking hatchback has enough pep to make any teen driver happy. It's simple interior and great visibility help to eliminate distraction and make the road a friendlier place. One reviewer noted that because the Focus ZX3 was so fun to drive, he had not just one, but two of them in his own driveway. Mazda 3 - Very reasonably priced the Mazda 3 is stylish and well built. Truly a drivers car known for its superb handling, it also does well in the gas mileage department. it is a car enjoyed by drivers that looks good in the process. Honda Fit - A great value, the Honda Fit is a sporty looking hatchback with lots of standard features, including side curtain airbags for you and an ipod compatible audio system for your teen. Not a particularly fast car, it has enough storage options and space to make up for its lack of speed. Toytota Corolla - An option that may meet with teen resistance, the Corolla is always going to be a safe, economical choice for any driver. The persistence of their popularity throughout the world attests to that. Volkswagen Jetta - Perhaps a tad pricier than some parents are willing to go, the Jetta will meet with little teen resistance. Its clean lines, sharp acceleration and German handling make it a favorite of drivers. Its many standard safety features and high crash test ratings might just make it worth a parents peace of mind. Pontiac Vibe - Not only did the Vibe earn excellent crash test scores, they also offer side and full-length curtain airbags; a safety plus for any teen. It doesn't handle like the Jetta, but its versatility and storage capacity make it handy for any active teen on the go. Shopping with your teen Bottom line, you as the parent need to steer the shopping experience. Research your options and narrow down your field. Decide on several vehicles you are comfortable with and then start your physical shopping and test driving. Allowing your teenager to feel like they have a say in the decision may just help preserve some harmony in the transaction. If you've already narrowed the field to appropriate options, drive them and allow your teen some room to make an adult decision themselves. Instead of walking away from your car shopping experience with post traumatic stress, walk away feeling like you set a good example and helped lead your child in an adult decision. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/taking-a-road-trip-make-sure-you-are-prepared.html It should go without saying. You use you car every day, yet chances are you spend more time thinking about which radio station to enjoy than what is going on under the hood. Preventative maintenance is a very important aspect of car ownership and should never be taken lightly. Pre-roadtrip checklist As you prepare for a road trip, whether you are going up the coast, up the state or across the country it is important that you add preventative vehicle maintenance to the top of your to do list. Your car will endure long hours of constant movement, making it susceptible to issues from problems that may have been slowly building. Mechanics and service stations located on highway off ramps are expensive, may employ questionable technicians, and could have to special order any number of parts. Don't get stuck in wounded vehicle far from home. What to tell check Before you drive off into the sunset, make an appointment with your mechanic, or dealership for an oil change and a basic tune up. Quick lube services are great, but before you get on the road it is advisable to take it to a full service shop. Be sure to tell them you plan to take the vehicle on a road trip and give an estimate of the mileage you plan to put on it. This allows the technicians to project and give you the best evaluation. A few fairly inexpensive things you should do before a long distance drive: Have your tires rotated, and if you can afford it have your front end aligned as well. Ask the technician to look at the condition of the tires and give you an estimated life span Replace your windshield wiper blades (this is easy to do yourself) Have your coolant system checked for leaks and wear, long hours of perpetual motion makes things hot inside the engine compartment. It is important that your coolant system is able to do its job properly Have your brakes inspected, make sure your brake pads are at a safe thickness. If there is a question, replace them. Handy tip, replace messy graphite with ceramic brake pads. They are a little pricier, but they last longer, don't make as much noise and they are dramatically cleaner. Check a spark plug or two. Work spark plugs cause inefficient combustion and affect gas mileage. Although they are in inexpensive part, their location makes them invariably difficult to replace. Depending on the distance you are traveling, the cost of labor may pay for itself in saved gas. Check hoses and belts for any wear or frays and erosion of clamps. Check all fluids to ensure that the reservoirs are full. Other things to remember Beyond mechanics there are other important aspects of your vehicular travel that should not be overlooked. Music - No road trip is complete without it, no matter what you listen to make sure that you have serviced any cassette or CD players to prep them for constant use and to circumvent problems while on the road. Comfort - Make sure to brainstorm in an attempt to predict what you will need during long hours of travel. Blankets, trash bags, a cooler for snacks, maps and directions, sunglasses, hair ties, water, and any other necessity needs to have a home within arms reach for easy access. First Aid - We should all carry a first aid kit in our vehicles, but the reality of that is, most of us don't. Be sure you have one for long road trips, especially when rural driving is involved. Consider throwing in a hot/cold pack for sore driving muscles. Jumper cables - Don't depend on the guy nice enough to stop and give you a jump to provide the cables too. Carry jumper cables at all times. Be sure to take precautions before you load up the car and take off anywhere outside of your town. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that lack of proper maintenance costs more than two billion dollars in lost wages, medical costs and property damage a year. Pay a few bucks now for peace of mind later. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/muscle-cars-making-a-comeback.html With the inception of the fifth generation Ford Mustang the muscle car industry came back into vogue. Will it stick around? For years the muscle car has been symbolic of bad boys and street racing which lends them a romantic perception that is hard to deny. Ford Mustang 2005 showed us a newly redesigned body style reminiscent of the popular 1960's models, thus we gazed upon the first all new Mustang in 26 years. Believe it or not there was a point where Ford considered ending the proud Mustang reign by castrating the pony and reintroducing it as a fuel efficient 4 cylinder pony. Mustang enthusiasts banded together to let Ford know what a mistake that would be and prevailed in keeping the Mustang studly. Even the interior of the Mustang has a retro feel, with chrome accents and a steering wheel that looks suspiciously like it doesn't contain the safety of an airbag, (even though it does). The back seat boosts more headroom than ever before allowing you to put passengers back there without earning enemies. Bottom line, the Ford Mustang has always been a sex symbol in it's own right, the 5th generation keeps all its sex appeal and ads some cool back into the mix as well. Dodge Charger It's claim to fame being the 1969 model used on the Dukes of Hazzard as The General Lee, the Dodge Charger is the quintessential muscle car. In 2006 Dodge reinvented the model name with a strikingly retro looking car themselves. The newest Charger is only available in a four door sedan model which may slow some muscle car enthusiasts down. Many of the fans of the two door charger were disappointed to find that the Charger was not introduced as Dodge's answer to Ford's Mustang. However the law enforcement seems to disagree, and when Dodge introduced their police version of the Charger in 2006 they found their customer base. From right coast to left Chargers are catching up to speeders and pulling them over on highways. This alone says good things about the speed and agility of this snub nosed sedan. Dodge promises to come up with other options to race with the Ford pony. Pontiac GTO The GTO has long been loved for its speed and sheer muscle appearance. Until the more recent models turned it into a family sedan type of car. It's most recent re-launch was in 2003, prior to the well received, 60's-inspired design phase. It's redevelopment has met with unenthusiastic reviews, mainly due to aesthetics. Many fans feel that the boring body style is not fitting of a vehicle with such a rich history and that it's performance is the only jazzy part of the vehicle. So poorly received was the newest GTO that production ground to a halt, the American market was simply not impressed. With the muscle car becoming a popular item recently, Ford and Dodge managed to earn the market. This does not mean that the Pontiac GTO is dead, in fact rumor has it that in 2009 we may see a fully redesigned GTO, hopefully extending the life of the muscle car craze. Frankly it's delightful that the youth directed muscle car culture has made its way into fashion again. Engines are being made more fuel efficient, allowing drivers to feel better about pressing (or stomping) on their gas pedals. Drivers on your mark. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/common-mistakes-people-make-when-buying-a-car-at-a-dealership.html Common mistakes people make when buying a car at a dealership No one ever said buying a car is easy. However, it doesn't have to be hard if you do a little homework first. There is tons of information about how to buy a car from a dealership, but here we thought we'd try a different tactic. Here we will show you some of the common mistakes people make at dealerships and how to avoid them. Common mistakes We may not cover them all, but here are some of the most common mistakes that will probably cost you money. 1. Falling in love Lets face it, emotion has no place in any business transaction. Unfortunately car shopping and purchasing can easily be guided by emotions. I'm not singling women out, because I am one, but the fact remains we tend to be the more emotionally driven gender. I must confess that emotion played a huge part in my last vehicle purchase. Needless to say that now, as I tear up every time I have to fill my gas tank, I wish I had purchased with my head instead of my heart. Keep your emotions in check. Be sure to react to fact rather than feeling. It is important to love what you drive. Like with people, superficial feelings don't last but that uncomfortable drivers seat, or the squeaky sound under the hood will. 2. Not planning ahead This is self explanatory. Research is king folks, the more you do the more you know, and knowledge is power. Car salesmen pressure will be easier to resist if you know your product. 3. Not taking a drive Truly the most important part of the process is a test drive. Anyone who skips this vital step should not have the luxury of complaining when the vehicle they purchase doesn't suit them. 4. Focusing on monthly payments One of the oldest gimmicks in any sales mans repertoire is selling the package (full of stuff you don't need) by breaking it down into monthly payments. It seems like they are being helpful when they ask you how much you can afford a month, however this is all part of their selling process. Frankly waiting until you hit a dealership to consider your financing options is like showing up for a midterm unprepared. Have a ceiling price in your head, and make sure you have a calculated feel for the associated monthly payments. If you can, apply for bank funding before you begin to shop. This will not only get you the best interest rate, but will also allow you to shop independent of dealership finance departments. 5. Good and bad options No car dealership purchase would be complete without the salesmen pushing extras and options. Some of which are worth it, some not. Things such as rustproofing, stain resistant treatments for fabrics, and paint clear coats are all extras that carry a hefty price tag and no real economical value. Safety features are a different story and clearly worth the money. Options like side airbags, anti-lock brake system (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC) could potentially be worth all the money in the world. Use your salesman The person trying to sell you a car doesn't have to be your enemy, keeping your emotions out of the equation will help to ensure a smoother purchase. Your salesman is a wealth of information about the brand, the model, not to mention the options that you do want. Ask questions, gather information from all possible sources. Chances are the salesman has driven every car on the lot multiple times. Ask their opinion, ask why, knowing what you want will help you zero in on important information that could influence your purchase. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/be-sure-your-used-car-isnt-a-victim-of-hurricane-katrina.html It has almost been two years since Katrina hit the southeast portion of our country. Car dealerships were not spared the extensive flooding which means that over five hundred thousand new and used vehicles were flooded due just to the storm alone. The dealerships were reimbursed for the vehicles by their insurance companies, and the titles were officially marked as flooded. However, high numbers of vehicles remained hard to legitimately dispose of. Doubtless becoming a gold mine to the con artists who made their way to the southern states after Katrina looking for opportunity. Know the facts It's possible that whatever state you live in you are at risk when you purchase a used vehicle. Plus it makes sense that flooded titles will be easier to launder and sell in states far from the effects of the storm itself. Flooding that reaches the cabin of the car is likely to cause lasting damage. The majority of the vehicles damaged because of Katrina were written off as a total loss by insurance companies. Onboard computers and audio equipment were submerged and mold and mildew tend to stay within fabrics even after they have been cleaned. How to protect yourself Use your head - Be sure to check the history of any vehicle you buy through CarFax.com. Remember that the title will only show flooding damage if the insurance company declared it a total loss. Use your nose - Mold and mildew have very obvious odors and even though the fabrics in a flooded car have been cleaned, both mold and mildew will continue to be a persistent problem though out its life. Be sure to smell the trunk, floorboards and other places heat from outside may not have helped dry. Use your eyes - Look under everything, the dashboard, the floor mats, mats in the trunk, even under the seats. Look for discolored fabrics, and debris, silt , mud or odd dirt of any kind that would indicate the car had been submerged. Look at the gauges for any moisture inside of them. Use your hands - Check carefully under the hood, in fact, take the vehicle you want to purchase and get a mechanic to look for you. Feel under mats and in the trunk, places that might still hold moisture. Feel for brand new carpets and headliners, both of which tend to last for years before needing replacement. Most of all, use your mouth - Ask questions! It can't harm and even a solid con man can only have so many scripted answers. The more you ask, the more you know. Think on your feet If you know the warning signs it should be easy to spot flood damage in a vehicle. Water damage can come from any number of sources, so Katrina's five hundred thousand plus vehicular victims are just added to the list. Believe it or not, there is actually a list, or rather a database. The National Insurance Crime Bureau or the NICB has compiled a registry of VIN numbers which have been determined a total loss due to flood damage. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/keep-your-kids-safe-in-your-car.html Anyone with children knows that car safety is important. They are so little and cars are so big, they have to be taught safety by example as well as enforcing safety rules. Contrary to popular belief, children actually listen when their parents talk to them. The only kids who refuse to listen are kids who have never been expected to. Visibility Children should know basic car and road safety. Explain to your kids that being the size they are makes them hard to see from the drivers seat of a vehicle. Put them in the drivers seat of your car and ask them to look around them, show them why it is hard to see them rather than just tell them. Show them how important it is by making sure drivers have given you eye contact prior to crossing in front or behind them of them. Be sure to talk your way through it, so your child is aware that you use your rules to keep you safe too. The more a young child sees you following your own safety rules, the more apt they will be to pick them up instinctively. Car seats Quite possibly the most important factor in auto safety with regards to children is their car seats. Any good parent will research the seat they buy to protect their child and only those with the highest safety ratings should be purchased. This goes without saying, your child's safety is worth all the money in the world. Again it is always important to explain your actions to your child. No doubt anyone who has ever driven a 2 year old anywhere has had to answer the question 'Why do I have to get in the car seat?' This is another place where leading by example will help to drive your point home and make a more lasting impression on your child where safety is concerned. Wear your own seat belt, not just on long trips but every time you get into your vehicle and move it. The tests and research should be enough to convince any rational being, your chances of surviving an accident are considerably higher if you are strapped in. You strap your kids into extravagant contraptions to keep them in place and safe should something happen on the road. Not taking the same precautions yourself simply doesn't make sense. On the road rules Driving a car is serious business and should always be treated as such. Again it is important to make sure your children are aware that the road can present danger in a split second; and that the drivers attention is best kept on the road where it belongs. Explain to them that loud noises, sudden movements, arguing and rough housing are all things that can distract even the most prudent driver and put everyone in the car in danger. Parents, your job isn't easy, but remember while you are on the road you have a responsibility to everyone on the road with you to keep your attention on the road and not in your back seat. Kids are young little creatures, and their attention span is in direct relation to their life span. Car safety is something you should talk to your children about regularly because keeping it in the forefront of their minds will help them to develop habits that keep them safer throughout their lives. Small things make a big impression to the young ones, and following our own rules is something that will impress on your children far stronger than anything you say to them. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/why-your-next-pickup-should-be-a-gm.html Oddly enough, out of all of the research done into hybrid technology GM has been forward thinking enough to make theirs are not only affordable, but ingenious as well. They now offer both the Sierra and the Silverado pickups as hybrids country wide. Using a technology not formerly seen in hybrids, GM attempted to not only lower emissions in their pickups, but to make them handier as well. Affordable Technology GM wanted to make a hybrid truck that was too well priced to turn down, the major complaint of the hybrid models is high price tag which counteracts the gas mileage benefits. In response to this GM produced their pick up hybrids to cost only $1500.00-$2500.00 more than its gas guzzling brothers, saved with tax cuts at the pump within the first few years of ownership. Especially if you consider that the hybrids produce a 10% improvement in fuel economy, all without sacrificing any power. Both the Sierra and Silverado offer the same 245 horsepower V8 engine, and can tow up to 7,700 pounds. If you consider that pickup truck drivers are not sacrificing any power and when sitting stopped in traffic it emits very limited pollution for their size. Hybrid System GM employs what they call a "flywheel alternator starter hybrid system" which uses a compact electric motor incorporated between the engine and the transmission. This electric engine runs the truck when it is slowing or idling at a standstill. They calibrate the flywheel alternator system to turn off the engine more frequently than even those systems used in most smaller hybrid models. Eliminating much of the pollution caused by slow moving traffic in high volume. Now Your Work Truck Can Double As A Generator Both the Sierra and the Silverado boost four 120-volt, 20 amp three-prong outlets which can be used to provide power for electrical tools and electronics. This eliminates any need for a gassy generator spewing fumes into the air at a work site. The truck must be running, but utilizing it's electric engine allows it to run virtually emission free. GM reports that their hybrid trucks can continue to pump out power for up to 32 hours non-stop before needing to refuel. Aimed specifically at contractors, whose need to access abundant sources of energy and drive long miles to job sites fuel this intelligent new take on a work truck. Testers Report The power source for tools was not quite as juicy as GM would have you think, however the idea is a brilliant one. No doubt in a few generations they will have nailed down this imperfection in an already forward thinking vehicle. Although the gas mileage is a tad better overall, it borders on insignificant. Which again is certain to be addressed and updated in generations to come. Reviewers say that the feel of the engine cutting out as you hit ten miles an hour is a bit disconcerting, and takes some getting used to, but its pollution saving benefits far outweigh that small detail. Every accessory on the truck is electrical, so the gas engine only runs when it is needed to for its sole purpose, to accelerate the vehicle. Overall Appeal The brilliance behind the ideas developed for these pickup truck models is really what drives them at this point. Fine tuning is necessary of any piece of equipment and GM has been making pick up trucks for a long time. They will continue to address the issues and refine the existing good points, driving the hybrid market to continue to bring us new and innovative ideas. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/is-there-such-a-thing-as-a-trustworthy-mechanic.html At some point everyone needs a mechanic for their car, and it's hard to find a trustworthy mechanic. However there are steps you can take to help you choose the lesser of all evils when it comes to who repairs your transportation. In the end you need to be able to trust the guy repairing your brakes, putting on your tires and monitoring your fluids. Trusting Dealerships Many of us just throw our hands up and take our car to the dealership when we have problems with them. If you consider that they are the experts when it comes to your specific make and model it's a smart option, unfortunately it's also a pricey one. When it comes to rare vehicles and some imports it is probably advisable to stick with dealership expertise. Same if you hold an extended warranty purchased from the dealership, at least be sure to stay within their approved mechanic circle to ensure you do not void any part of your warranty. In reality most of us don't drive rare imports and don't want to pay the extra money the dealership will charge us. This coupled with the less than average customer service that many experience at the hands of any dealership service department make a trip there for repairs nothing short of a horror movie. Never fear, there are other options. Chain Service Shops There are many chain shops to choose from, which is confusing if you consider that many times mechanic shopping is done under duress. Give yourself peace of mind and research your mechanics before your car breaks down, so when something goes wrong you already know where to take it. Chain mechanics can be tricky, some franchise locations may employ better mechanics than others under the umbrella of the same name. This is generally a trial and error process, so if you find one you think you like, be sure to always have a plan B. . Neighborhood Mechanic Not all of us are lucky enough to be in the car business, or even know anyone with any mechanical skill. However, many times a local neighborhood mechanic can be your best bet. Often they are mom and pop shops and that makes every customer an important one. This can also mean much more personalized service from someone who wants to get your future business. Lacking the impersonality of chain store mechanics just working for their hourly, this option may cost more than the chain stores do, but could just prove to be worth it in the long run. No Matter Where You Go, Do These 3 Things First Finding the good stuff is never easy, but if you follow the few simple steps below you can at least start off with the best to choose from 1. Look them up with the Better Business Bureau. Right away you can eliminate mechanics who have had negative reports filed about them. Our lives are busy, if someone took the time to report them, they aren't worth a second glance. 2. Utilize organizations such as the ASE, start off with options that are well endorsed. 3. Ask your friends. Everyone knows how hard it is to find a trustworthy mechanic, so be sure to ask around. Usually people are happy to share a good mechanic, lets keep the good ones in business folks. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/is-it-safe-to-buy-a-rental-car.html When you are considering buying a used vehicle, it is important to cover all of your bases and take all options into consideration. Most people don't even think about the buy a rental car option. It is an option with many pros and cons and it is worth it to factor them into your used car purchase decision. Rental Car Purchase Pros First things first, as a used buyer you know where this car is coming from. Chances are the car has been kept clean and well maintained during its life as a rental. Any rental service that sells their cars should be able to offer you maintenance records to back that up. In fact it should be insisted upon to ensure that the car has been properly cared for. Pricing is another attractive factor if you want to purchase a rental car. Many of the cars rental agencies will offer for sale are less than a year old and have less than 25,000 miles on them. Do not be suspect when you see a newer model for sale, it does not necessarily indicate that the vehicle is problematic. Rental companies are able to purchase their vehicle at the bare minimum fleet pricing, enabling them to re-sell at very competitive prices. Another pro is the possibility of a warranty still intact with a purchase through a rental car company. Because they generally sell them within a year of purchase and at a reasonable mileage, there is a good chance that there will still be some time left on the manufacturers warranty. Giving the new owner a little peace of mind, especially when you consider the cons of purchasing a rental car. Rental Car Purchase Cons Anyone who has rented a car has probably heard this joke, "What's the difference between a rental car and a 4X4? A rental car can go anywhere!" It's funny when you rent a car, but when you are looking to buy a rental car suddenly it's not so funny anymore. This being the biggest con of them all, people are hard on rental cars. The rental companies have no idea what the car actually endures while in the care of the individuals it rents to. Of course they will assure you that the car was not mistreated, but again, anyone who has rented a car knows the kind of abuse they can take. Generally the rental agencies will inspect the car upon its return to their lot to ensure that there has been no damage. However what is reported at that point is largely cosmetic, and while aesthetics are important, it's what's inside that really counts. If you are considering purchasing a rental car, be sure to take it to an outside, unaffiliated mechanic for a through inspection to ensure that the vehicle has not suffered mechanically at the hands of an thoughtless renter. As far as cons go, the vast unknown is really the one to worry about. While cosmetic issues are important, mechanical soundness is truly the bottom line with any used car purchase. Bottom Line A Good Option When purchasing a used vehicle, the rental agencies offer a viable option for purchase. Contrary to popular belief previous rental cars can be a great investment for anyone looking for a suitable used vehicle. Having access to maintenance records is a huge plus, and all things considered every vehicle they buy is the rental companies bread and butter. It is good business sense for them to keep them in tip top working order. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/save-some-gas-money.html Conserving gas is not just a great way to save money, but is also our duty to the planet on which we live. You'll be surprised to read how easy it can be. Keep it Healthy One of the main ways to keep your miles per gallon at their most optimum is to keep your car well maintained. Read your owners manual and follow the schedule it lays out for every thing from oil changes, to total system flush and overhauls. Many dealerships and service stations will remind their customers when it's time to service their vehicle, taking the guesswork out of maintenance records. Ultimately a car in good condition runs better, requiring less gas to perform. Tire condition is another factor many people don't consider. Keeping tires properly inflated will ensure that the engine doesn't waste fuel and will prevent tire tread from wearing unevenly. Get More Exercise Very few people can honestly say they don't need more exercise, we should embrace the high gas prices by walking and biking to all of our close destinations. Not only is this good for our bodies and the environment but on our wallets as well, it costs nothing to use our feet. Another easy option is living near work, whether it means relocating to eliminate a commute or by finding work close to your home. While it is not an option for many people it is important to weigh options, the cost of the commute could be the justifying factor to eliminate commutes from your life altogether. Membership and Credit Some gas stations offer credit cards and/or programs that earn you money towards gas for every dollar you spend, instead of cashing in on those frequent flyer miles, try getting a break on gas instead. Over the long haul chances are it will save you money. Make Wise Purchases It should be a no brainer, but lets hope the next car you buy will be more fuel efficient and cleaner for the environment. Some of us will go super extreme and buy electric hybrids or attempt to turn a diesel into a bio diesel and eliminate the need for petrol. Others will buy smaller cars, and the new and used car market for smaller 4 cylinder vehicles will reflect this fact. Suddenly the safety that the bigger vehicles offer translates directly into money wasted on gas for many families. Plan Ahead Wasted trips use gas unnecessarily. Before leaving the house to run errands, be sure you have a list of everything you need to get accomplished. Taking a moment to establish the most effective route can save you dollars on wasted idle time and retraced steps. Most of the big search engines offer directions and maps giving the shortest route to your next destination. Note: None of the map services are known for their reliability so use them for guidance purposes only. Parking Lots Parking lots are another place where people waste unnecessarily. Being idle is wasted gas, waiting for pedestrians to struggle with carts outside the grocery store wasted gas, waiting for parking spots wasted gas. Head directly to the back of the parking lot, there is more space, less pedestrians and allow for easy in and out because the area is not busy like closer to the store tends to be. It's all about using common sense and keeping your machine in good running order. These things make sense on more than just a gas saving level, they will help extend the life of your vehicle in addition to keeping it as safe and clean for use as it can be. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/3-places-not-to-go-when-you-sell-a-car.html Car Dealerships Mainly because of their industry, car salesmen have a bad reputation in general. Sure, there are some car salesmen out there who are great people, contribute to charity, good with children, but bottom line; they still sell cars for a living. Point being, if someone wants to sell a car and they go to a dealership they will have to interact with a salesman whose one goal is to sell them a car. They don't care that you want to sell a car, all they care about is the new vehicle they want you to buy. Particularly this coming year of 2007, it has been predicted that used car sales will rise as new car sales decline. This means that those car salesmen at dealerships will be chasing their customers with added desperation trying to defeat those projections. Do yourself a favor when you want to sell a car and avoid the headache and potential purchase that comes along with a dealership The Local Newspaper While it may seem simple to place an ad in your local rag and deal with individual buyers yourself, beware of the many issues that may arise from this avenue. To begin with you are forced to reveal your contact information, which lets face it, in this day and age can be a bad idea. Not to mention that you are forced to meet with strangers (always do it in a crowded public place), and allow them to test drive your vehicle. This poses a liability problem to your insurance carrier, and could be a personal liability for obvious reasons. In addition to close contact with strangers, there is also the issue of haggling, selling and convincing reluctant potential buyers, not to mention people who aren't serious about buying wasting your time. Another serious issue is payment fraud. Selling a big ticket item isn't something to be taken lightly and almost any type of payment you take can be fraudulent. If you must sell a car yourself be sure to only accept cashiers checks made out to you, and as an added step you should meet the buyer at the bank the check is drawn off of and never turn over the keys until you have negotiated the check and have cash (or another cashiers check you purchased) in your hand. A High Visibility Parking Lot Many people simply buy a 'For Sale' sign and slap it in a window of the vehicle they want to get rid of. Quite frankly, driving with a for sale sign in the window isn't a good way to advertise, talk about dealing with strangers. No one wants people yelling offers to them at stoplights, and while moving there is no way to make the copy large enough for passing vehicles to see. Many people will take their car and its 'For Sale' sign and put it in a parking lot with high visibility and lots of traffic. Beyond the obvious angry business owners and parking violations, this is another method of selling that requires your contact information becoming public knowledge. Not only can that incur unwanted attention, but it also gives that angry business owner or code enforcement officer a quick and easy way to track you down. There Is A Solution It may seem hopeless when you want to sell a car, there are flaws with almost any method you use. However, the newest and perhaps the most easy alternative lies in your computer. The internet offers any number of websites that make selling your car a snap. Not only do most of them come to you, but many offer cash to sellers. Utilizing affiliates within the industries helps them to eliminate your footwork and get you a reasonable price. http://www.articlearmies.com/articles/Autos/how-i-sold-my-teachers-used-car-in-less-than-two-hours.html Class Project Marketing teachers have always been dynamic, which is probably why I enjoy my marketing courses so much in school. One teacher in particular stands out to me, he made a big deal of utilizing real life examples to demonstrate his curriculum. Generally searing the concept into our ripe minds. His most recent brainstorm came last week when he told the class that whoever could sell his used car the fastest and for the most money would be excused from the midterm. This was not a 'sell a used car' lesson, this was a 'market value' lesson. Everyone was game for the task and ready to get started, but there was just one question left to ask; what was the car and where was the car? The car was in the parking lot, and by the looks of it had been there a while, it was a ratty old Honda Accord that had seen better days. Everyone cringed as they saw it, but then the look of steely determination took over most faces, the idea of skipping a hefty midterm high in everyone's minds. Method Options This class met twice a week for two hours both times, he gave us this assignment at the beginning of the class period and told us to research our options and the market value of the vehicle, and to have something to show him by the end of the class period. Everyone went to work right away, some of the guys even borrowed a hose from maintenance and went to town washing the Accord in the hopes of raising its value. I took another route, I jotted down all of the information about the vehicle, then I went directly to the computer lab. I had a secret weapon, the fastest way to sell a car is to go online. My sister had just sold her car to an online service, and had raved about how easy it had been. Online Solution to a Real Life Problem I went to their website and filled out their brief online form, which allowed the car to start accumulating bids right away. Then I called their 800 number to cover all my bases. The woman who answered the phone was very helpful and when I explained the project to her she was eager to help me win. She said it was lucky I called when I did because they had an appraiser near the school who would be finished with his appointment shortly. She phoned him and asked him to come see my teachers Accord, sure enough he appeared in the parking lot 15 minutes later. No Midterm For Me My fellow students didn't know what hit them. I called my teacher out to the parking lot and less than half an hour later he had cash in his hand for his ratty old Honda. Not only did I eliminate one midterm off my schedule, but I earned the respect of a teacher I respected. About the Author: My name is Paige Filler and I'm a creative writer with a love of all things that go vroom. I do my homework to bring thought and innovation into everything I write about the auto industry. You can find more of my stuff at Cash 4 Used Cars, and this blog.