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If you are buying a used car, you probably want to save some money. This means that you need to prioritize what is most important to you in a car. This article will help you assess your needs and your wants, so that you can find a car that suits you perfectly.

Cost

Look at the cost of a car. There is no point in window shopping at fully-loaded $40,000 trucks if you will only be able to afford a $4,000 truck in the first place. When you are establishing your budget for your car, be sure to account for how much the insurance will likely be, how much gas you will be spending (although this figure does change, it is best to go in having at least an idea), and regular maintenance. To budget for maintenance, you will need estimate the costs of 4 oil changes a year, plus some extra money just in case. Used cars are, well, used: they aren’t new are generally not under warranty. If you want a warranty, consider buying a used car from the dealership, who can often offer warranties even on used vehicles.

Suitability

What kind of driving do you do? You probably don’t need a four-wheel drive behemoth of an SUV if you do mostly city driving. Conversely, if you live on a gravel road, you might feel more comfortable driving in winter if you have something larger than a neon. For most drivers, the way that you drive a car will mean that you are open to many options. However, if this is a limiting factor, it is important to take into consideration.

If you are a commuter, then you will have to take other factors into consideration. You might not want to buy a car with a very high mileage, because you will be adding the miles to that odometer. You might want to find a car that has very comfortable seats to make your ride go better. Things that could be less important, like the stereo, become much more important when you spend a lot of time in your car each day.

Look

Some people would rather have a car that looks good or prestigious. It’s okay to admit that you are one of those people. For instance, for $3,500 you might be able to buy a 6 year old Honda civic; this same money could also buy you a much older BMW. If you value appearances, don’t lie to yourself when you are shopping. You want to get a car that you will love, and there’s no point looking at Ford Focuses if the only thing that will spark your delight is a Ford Mustang.

Load

How many people do you normally travel with? What is the most number of people that you have taken in your current car at once? If you don’t already have a car, estimate the number of people you will have with you on a regular basis. If you only drive around 7 people during the hockey tournament once a year, you can probably skip buying a minivan. However, if you normally drive three people around, it might be a pain to get a two door vehicle. For truck drivers, you will want to consider the amount of load that you generally put in the back of your truck to help you judge your purchase.

Your Loan

Not only do you want to get the right car, you want to get the right car loan. It is wiser to have your financing lined up before you go to a dealership. You can set up used car loans at any bank: but one often overlooked type of used car loan is to go to a credit union, where you can generally get lower interest than at a major bank. For more information on loans, (and we won’t even try to sell you a loan!) visit www.theguideto-carloans.com.

In the End

You will be the one driving. Make the decisions based on your needs and what you feel is right. Though it is great to get lots of advice (and sometimes it helps to take someone savvy about mechanics along with you to check out the car), considering these facts will help make you capable of choosing the right car.

Buying a used car in Australia has a lot of advantages over a new car, but it may have defects the seller hasn’t told you about. Follow our quick ten point guide to avoid buying a lemon.

1. Buy the right used car for your needs

Besides budget you also need to consider safety, security, makes and models you like, fuel consumption versus performance, running/servicing costs, travel distances, carrying passengers, power for trailers or boats, parking, space for work or sports gear.

2. Consider other “fringe” costs

Above the cost of the car bought from the seller, there is also stamp duty, registration, transfer fee, and insurance. Factor these costs in before you go shopping for a used car that you can afford.

3. Do I buy it privately, from a dealer, online or at an auction?

Private - Advantages are that it is generally cheaper as there are no overheads and you can meet and discuss the history with the owner.

Disadvantages are that there is no warranty, no security of title, no legal comeback if you buy a lemon, may have extensive concealed damage or repair work.

Dealer - Advantages are that if there is money owing or is stolen, you have recourse against the dealer, you get a warranty, you may be offered a trade in on you old car, you have a “cooling off” period if you are obtaining finance to buy a used car from a company linked to the dealer and the car is more likely to be in a road worthy condition before being offered for sale.

Disadvantages are that dealers are often more expensive, you are likely to get a poorer price as a trade in on your old car, and some dealers can be very pushy.

Online - Advantages are that you don’t have to travel, plenty of information is available on pricing, you sometimes get colour photos of the used car, you can buy in most areas of Australia, and you don’t have to negotiate face to face.

Disadvantages are you may not be able to see and test drive the vehicle, particularly if you are buying interstate.

Auctions - Advantages are that they may be cheaper and have a guarantee of title

Disadvantages are that it may be subject to an auction fee, may also have to re-register the car and get a roadworthy certificate, there is no warranty, can’t test drive, no legal comeback if you buy a lemon.

4. Take someone with you and get an inspection.

Two pairs of eyes and ears are better than one and it helps strengthen your negotiations if you have someone on your side, particularly if they know more about cars than you do. Preferably take along a mechanic or pay for an inspection. It usually saves you a lot of time and heartache and is well worth the money. A qualified person will identify poor repairs and rust, faulty electrical wiring, exhaust, engine noises, tyres wheel and brake faults, car interior linings, seat belts and window operation.

5. Check the ownership

In NSW Australia call R.E.V.S. REVS stands for the Register of Encumbered Vehicles. It is a statutory public register which assists the general public, the finance sector and the motor trade. REVS is a business service provided by the NSW Office of Fair Trading which can tell you if a motor vehicle or boat you are thinking of buying is carrying a debt. In order to do a REVS check you must supply :

1. Registration Number if vehicle is registered
2. VIN or chassis number
3. Engine number

To ensure the accuracy of the vehicle you should obtain the details from the vehicle and compare them with the details on the registration papers.

For a fee of $12.00 a REVS Search Certificate, which gives you conditional legal protection against repossession due to the previous owner’s unpaid debt, is available to you for purchase online. You can also purchase a certificate from the REVS call centre on (02) 9633 6333 (Sydney) or (1800) 424 988 (Country) 7 days a week. Call centre hours are, weekdays from 8:30am to 5:30pm and weekends from 9am to 5pm.

The owner must provide you with a pink slip inspection report current for the month.

6. Take it for a test drive

Take the car for a drive on a quiet road and listen for engine noise. Does it brake, steer and handle correctly? Is the suspension ok? Try a reverse park, hill start and a 3 point turn. Brake hard once or twice on an isolated section of the road at around 40 kph. Did it handle correctly or veer to one side?

7. Negotiate the best deal

Remember that while you still have the money in your pocket, you’re the boss! Do your homework before you set out to purchase a used car and know what the average prices are. If they are in the ball park, offer a price slightly lower and mention that you have seen better deals elsewhere if this is correct. If they don’t budge, mention the costs for repair and wait for them to talk. Depending on how much you want the car, make a slightly higher offer or ask if they could throw in something like new tyres for free. If they still won’t budge, walk away. There are plenty of other cars in the market and it is likely there are better deals nearby.

8. Paying the money

Taking cash is a great way to negotiate as the sight of a wad of notes may be an incentive for a cash strapped seller. It may also be a security risk, so if you are unsure, pay by a bank cheque. If you can’t raise the money from your own reserves, shop around for the best finance deal online. A good resource for borrowing money at the best rate is http://www.bestbroker.com.au/ Always get a receipt from the seller with a statement that the vehicle is unencumbered by any loans or finance. Talk to your accountant about the best way to purchase the vehicle if it is to be used for your business. They may advise you that a chattel mortgage is often the best way to borrow for this purpose, depending on your circumstances.

9. Transfer the registration

Once the sale has been agreed on, the registration must be transferred to the new owner. Make sure the seller gives you the pink slip and completes the disposal notice, then take them to the R.T.A. and pay for the transfer. Instructions on how to do this are on the reverse of the registration papers.

10. Before you drive away

Make sure you get all the keys for the car (ignition keys with transformers are expensive to duplicate). Get the service book, owner’s manual and log book.
If there’s an alarm, find out how to de-activate it. Is there a hidden ignition switch? Ask the owner or dealer if there is anything else to know about your new used car. You may be pleasantly or unpleasantly surprised at the response!

Handy phone numbers and online details

NRMA Vehicle Inspections
13 11 22
Get a thorough report on the car’s mechanics and condition from our experts at NRMA. Vehicle Inspection bookings can be made seven days a week, between 7 am and 10 pm for Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong and Canberra. In country areas, phone 13 11 22 for your nearest NRMA inspection service.
http://www.mynrma.com.au/inspection.asp

RTA
132 213
Check for stolen parts, that the registration is current and that the seller is the registered owner.
Visit the RTA website http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/ or e-mail the RTA. Customer_Service_Centre@rta.nsw.gov.au

REVS
1800 424 988 or (02) 9633 6333
Check no money is owed on the car. Have the Certificate of Registration handy when you call.
Visit the REVS website http://www.revs.nsw.gov.au/ or e-mail REVS revs@oft.commerce.nsw.gov.au

NRMA Insurance
132 132
Get insurance cover before you drive away. Call NRMA Insurance 7am-10pm, seven days a week.
Get an online insurance quote http://www.nrma.com.au/pub/nrma/insurance/index.shtml

Car charity donation used to be more difficult before the new tax regulations that are applying since 2005. Because car charity donation used to be a great opportunity for dishonest or greedy people to make tax deduction claims higher than the actual value of the vehicle that they had donated, the government stepped in and promulgated new used car donation tax regulations. According to the new tax regulations, the donor can only deduct from his taxes the selling price of the car.Almost every important charity accepts a used car donation. The cars are sold in charity auctions and the money goes to the people that need it. You get a recipe that states the selling price of the car. This recipe will be very useful when you claim your tax deductions.

Are there any hidden facts about used car donation that I should be aware of?

First of all, not every used car donation programs are functioning legally. Before you make your used car donation, you should check with the IRS if the charity is a non-profit organization listed under paragraph 501 (c) (3) in the IRS Publication 78. Secondly, check out if the used car donation program is run in-house by the charity itself or by a third party. If a third party is operating the used car donation program, you should ask what percent of the profit made by selling the donated cars actually goes to the charity. Often, third-party operated used car donation programs produce small amounts of money for the charity. Smaller charities do not afford the costs of transportation and storage for the donated cars, not to mention the costs involved in charity auctions. This is the main reason why charities accept to have their used car donation programs run buy third-party brokers.

Car donation centers

Giving your vehicle to a car donation center is a gesture of good will and generosity that helps the charity of your choice to make a difference in the life of people in need. A car donation center usually refers to a middle agent between you (the donor) and the charity you wish to help (the recipient of your donation). The car donation center handles all the documents required in order to make the donation, picks up the car and transports it, organizes charity car auctions and distributes the profits to different non-profit organizations that use these money to help different categories of disadvantaged people. A car donations center will accept any type of vehicle from cars to RVs and trucks, regardless of how old and used they are. Many car donation centers allow you to donate cars that don’t run anymore or that need extensive amounts of repairing. Accepting car donations and turning them into money can be too costly for small charities. That is why many charities are collaborating with a larger car donation center that can cover many of the expenses such as transport and storage of the donated car.

Why should I trust a car donation center to deliver my donation to the charity I want?

First of all, you shouldn’t trust a car donation center without checking it out. Because there are many cases of fraud taking place nowadays, you should check the credentials of the car donation center and see the list of charities that benefit from the auctions organized by the car donation center. You can check the charities supported by the card donation center by calling the IRS Customer Account Services division for Tax Exempt and Government Entities or see the IRS Publication 78, Cumulative List of Organizations, where you can find almost all charities in the United States.

You should always check how much of the profit of the charity auction is kept as a fee by the car donation center and how much money actually go to the charity organizations. If the car donation center keeps more than 50% of the profit, you should think about contacting another car donation center.

It needs a discerning eye to see a huge invisible and less-talked about market around the used car users all over the country
I do not know how many of you have noticed that an old car of yours which fetches you an X amount in the metropolitan city like Mumbai can get you upto 1.5 X in B or C class cities like Jabalpur and Indore.

.The reason is simple to understand. A city is known by the infrastructure it has which is directly linked to its economic status of its population. It is easy to understand that a city population with high disposable incomes would change the consumer durables more often than the one lower on that economic scale.

The result being that among other things you have more cars changed and hence higher availability of used cars for sale. You don’t need a car review to tell you why the cost of cars in big cities is much lower than in the smaller cities.

The class of traders which thrives on such a situation is auto dealers. They come to the big cities in hordes; pick up the junk in the name of used cars, take them back to their towns and cities, refurbish them at cheap garages and sell them at premium. Such cars cater to the aspirations of the masses which have not been exposed to a culture economically higher than theirs. Hence the aspirations they have too fall in a lower bracket. Hence here is the market for the used cars.

Cheap Indian used cars have not only attracted the small-time auto dealers, they are now being equally fancied by premium dealers and even top brand car manufacturers. Banks too have tied up with the recognised and with the high-end used car dealers to make available finance to those who would be happy to own used cars.
It needs a discerning eye to see a huge invisible and less-talked about market around the used car users all over the country.

No doubt, buying a new car requires good cash but people who can’t afford new car in present phase of their life can opt for used car. If you don’t have funds for buying a used car then you can opt for used car loans.

Used car rate varies according to the condition of a car i.e. car position, mileage, age of car, single driven, value of car etc. So, the borrowers who are looking for buying a used car and lacks in fund can opt for used car loan.

The interest rate on the used car loan depends upon the down payment that borrowers offer at the time of deal. Depending upon your financial condition used car loans can be distinguish as secured and unsecured.

In secured used car loan borrowers has to pledge his car or some other valuable asset to the lender as security against the loan amount. Collateral placed as security helps the borrower to avail several benefits like lower interest rate, flexible repayment terms and larger amount i.e. valued to the collateral placed.

Contrary to secured used car loan, in the unsecured used car loans borrower enjoys quick and fast cash approval as no collateral is evaluated. Unsecured used car loans are offered at slightly high interest rates compared to the secured used car loans.

For availing used car loans borrower must know about the cost of car, amount that he can pay, so that he can raise the remaining amount through used car loans. The loan duration for the used car loans ranges from 2-7 years.

Generally unsecured used car loans are more popular among the car buyers but if you are looking forward for the greater time frame and flexible terms then borrower should opt for secured car loan. A used car is often considered as a good option for first-time buyers
About the author:
Ashley Lewis has been associated with New Used Car Loan. Having completed her Masters in Finance from Cranfield School of Management. She provide useful advice through her articles that have been found very useful. To find Used car loans, Cheap new car loans, Cheap used car loans, Low rate new car loans, Online new car loans, Car loan financing visit http://www.new-used-car-loans.co.uk

For most people, the chance that they will someday need the services of an auto towing company is fairly certain. What is not as certain, however, is how they will choose the company that will provide them with that service. Many people choose towing companies via word of mouth or advertising some will use the company that is recommended by their auto insurance agent. There are some crucial details that you need to know before you contract the services of a tow company and entrust them with your vehicle. The following information will help you decide whom to call the next time you are stranded on the side of the road.

1- A good place to start your search is by calling your auto insurance agent, they will be able to tell you the companies that they prefer to work with. The advantage to this information is that, generally, the procedure to being reimbursed is much simpler when you use a company that is preferred by your insurance agent.

2- Ask friends and family what auto towing company they prefer to use. If a relative or friend has used a company that they are not happy with, they will tell you. Friends and family also are very quick to let you know if they are happy with the service that they have received from a particular company. You will need to call the towing companies that have been recommended by your auto insurance agent as well as any that have been recommended by your friends and family.

3- You will want to know what they charge per tow, how far they will tow your vehicle and if they will do any necessary paperwork for your insurance company or if you need to do that. It is also important to find out if you need to pay them upfront when they tow, or if you only pay after the insurance company.

4- Know what kind of car you have. It is important when you call an auto towing company that you know what type of vehicle you are driving, this will determine how they will choose to tow it. For example, a four-wheeled vehicle needs to be towed with the use of a flatbed truck; while a standard two-wheel car or truck can be transported using the “hook” method of towing.

5- It is very important for the safety and well-being of both you and your car that you make the decision of which auto towing company you would prefer to use before you actually need to call them. Doing the research and making a decision now will save you money, time and headaches later.

A BMW is a status symbol; it is a car that says, “You’ve made it”. The need to keep it as pristine, as original as possible is so strong its almost an urge. You may be replacing something as non-descript as a fan belt or something as important as the emblem from the hood. Whatever it is that needs replacing, you want it to be done with genuine BMW auto parts.

If paying dealership prices is not what you had in mind, the next best place to look for BMW parts is online. There is a vast array of online stores, which specialize in genuine, generic, new and used parts for your BMW. The prices are usually less than purchasing through a dealer, however, keep in mind that these stores may lack in knowledgeable sales staff.

As long as you are looking for parts for your BMW, you may want to check out the selection of accessories that are also available. These include items such as shift knob replacements and custom door handle parts, to name a few. The best way to begin a search for accessories is online or through catalogues.

If you choose to purchase your BMW parts via a dealership, be sure to take advantage of the knowledge they can provide. The mechanics at a dealership can be the best people to ask basic questions of. They will be able to give you insight as to what your vehicle actually needs and may even tell you how to go about replacing it.

The best place to find any type of part for your BMW is, of course through a BMW dealer. They will either have the parts needed in stock or be able to order them for you with short delivery times. They will be more expensive than other outlets, but you will know that the parts they are selling you are genuine BMW auto parts, not something that is generic.

In order to materialize any dream in the present world, you need financial aid from some outside sources. Owning a car is a dream for everyone. You might have been saving money from a long time, but, at last moment the prices of your dream car must have risen to a considerable extent that may be even beyond your reach. What to do at such point of time? Well, a simple answer to this is applying for auto loans. All you need to do is, search well to find the best possible deal. Now, let us discuss in detail all the relevant details about auto loans.

Sometimes auto loans are offered by that very same car dealer, with whom you might have bought the car, but, there is no such compulsion that you have to opt for that particular deal. Moreover, it is recommended to collect the quotes of more than one lender, prior to arriving at any conclusion. You should search for various quotes offered by the different lenders.

Auto loans are secured in nature. It implies that very same vehicle serve as collateral for the loan amount. Make sure, you get the whole procedure documented to avoid any future trouble. You can drive your set of wheels right at the time of agreement, but, another key will be handed over to your lender. In case of non repayment of the auto loans amount, your lender will have complete authority over your precious vehicle. Therefore, make some repayment schedule and strictly follow it.

To find the best deal you can make your search through various online sources, where you will find innumerable lenders. You may also find discount rates due to hard core competition in the market. So do not wait any longer, apply for auto loans.

About the author:
Peter Taylor is a senior financial analyst at Instant Auto Loan with an acumen for finance and insurance. In recent years he has taken up to provide independant financial advice through his informative articles. His articles are widely read because of the lucid manner of writing and thoroughly researched datas. To find Auto loans, Bad credit instant auto loan, Cheap instant auto loan, Instant auto loan that best suits your need visit http://www.instantautoloan.co.uk

Like our life needs to be protected against the unwarned dangers, our assets too should be shielded from all kinds of damages that can happen to them. Unlike few centuries ago, nowadays one of the major assets of people is their vehicle. Automobiles especially cars are incredibly expensive these days and on the same hand there is a surge in the crime against the vehicles. This makes it mandatory for every person to get his/her vehicle insured and so secured.

Auto insurance thus is the ideal means to cover your vehicle against danger of accident, theft and other incurred losses. Auto insurance covers the insured party, insured vehicle as well as the third parties. Each item is covered under different circumstances specified by different polices. Besides this some auto insurance policies may additionally cover medical expenses, personal injury protection and no-fault insurance.

Auto insurance is becoming more and more popular day by day. As a result at present numerous insurance agencies are offering auto insurance and thus people find it easy to choose from different policy packages available.

However before choosing auto insurance policy there are several crucial things to be considered. Some of which are listed below:

1. Prior to purchasing an auto insurance policy get as many price quotes as possible from different companies. This can be done online, through visiting the agencies personally or through an agent. Always go with a company that is financially stable.

2. Always check the cost of insurance before purchasing a car or any other vehicle. The car’s sticker price, the cost to repair it, its safety record and chances of theft are the factors that comprise the car insurance premiums. The information regarding which car to buy can be acquired from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

3. Always make it a point to look for higher deductibles. Deductibles are the amount paid prior to implementation of the policy. High deductibles greatly lower the costs. But opt for higher deductibles only when you have enough money kept aside to pay it if you have a claim.

4. You must bear in mind the fact that the coverage of the car varies with its worth. So the coverage is less on older cars and more on a brand new car.

5. If you have more than one car, prefer taking its insurance from the same insurer or if the insurance agency that has insured your house also offers auto insurance, go with it only. This will not just be playing safe but you may also get some discount on the policies.

6. Always try to maintain a good credit record. This helps in fetching you a good insurance policy for most often insurers use the person’s credit information to rate auto insurance policies.

7. Draw the benefit of low mileage discounts. Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive less than average or estimated number of miles per year.

8. You can also avail the facility of group insurance. Some companies offer discount to drivers who get insurance through a group plan.

9. Last but not the least before purchasing an auto insurance policy, keep one thing in mind that companies offer discounts to policyholders without any record of accidents or of disobedience of road rules etc.

Mountain bikes are very technical and interesting forms of transportation that just need your power to bring you anywhere you want. The recent popularity of mountain bikes has prompted the production of several magazines and ezines. These publications have reviews of different mountain bike after market parts and mountain bike reviews as well. Although these publications and ezines do not focus entirely on mountain bike reviews they feature many “how to” articles and also cite the best places to go mountain biking in many parts of the world. They also review some mountain bike trails and mountain bike accessories like helmets and bike racks.

Almost every season, manufacturers of mountain bike release a new design or set up of mountain bikes and their parts. Magazines and ezines will then feature mountain bike reviews to let the general biker public know what they think of the bikes and bike parts that will be or have been released. These bikes and parts are usually tested to the limit by the reviewers themselves. The usual basis of mountain bike reviews are the efficiency of the bicycles and the bicycle parts that are to be featured. They usually state whether they function as desired or if they need tweaking. It is their functionality that is usually the first factor that mountain bike reviews dissect.

Another thing that most mountain bike reviews focus on is the lightness of the product or the bike in review. Being a lightweight bike is a big thing for most serious bikers while the newbies do not mind this too much unless they aim for it. Lightness is often cited as a prime factor for mountain bike reviews and that of bike parts. Most professional bikers and serious bikers base their purchases on the functionality of the part or the bike and it lightness.

Of course the price tag of the bike and the bike parts also features in all mountain bike reviews. This is one of the most important factors that readers want to know about the bike and the bike parts. Some bikes are justifiably expensive due to the various top of the line materials used to manufacture the frame and the other components. Some mountain bike reviews are not as accurate or as detailed as you might want them to be since they need space for other bikes and parts. Although, you can rest assured that most of the bike parts and bicycles under review have been tested thoroughly by bikers.