You’re driving down the road, paying attention to your surroundings, and out of nowhere, a car clips your right rear fender. Somehow, you maintain control of the vehicle and manage to make your way off to the side of the road to assess the situation. Fortunately, everyone is okay, but … Read more
Buying a used car is often a fun and exciting process, but it’s important to realize that this excitement can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s easy (if you’re like me) to find yourself giddy at the prospect of picking up a new car, but on the other … Read more
How to find a great deal on a used car. Let’s face it: buying a car today will set you back. Even a 10-year-old used vehicle will cost you dearly. With limited funds available, what other options do you have? An impound lot. That’s what. An impound lot is composed … Read more
If you get into an accident, including one that is of no fault to your own, your vehicle’s value will always decrease. Indeed, when independent companies such as Carfax learn about your crash, your vehicle’s worth (market value) will take a hit. Market value is determined by several post-collision factors. … Read more
How to avoid purchasing a flood car. The last thing you want to happen when you purchase a used car is to find out after the fact that you bought one that was flooded. This can occur when a car has been through a major catastrophe, such as a hurricane, … Read more
Odometer fraud can cost you dearly. Consumers looking to buy a used car understand the importance of checking it thoroughly, including the finish for rust and the key components such as the engine and transmission for damage. Brakes, lights, seats, air conditioning, steering and electronics should also be inspected, but … Read more
You are in the market for a car and a used one at that. Shop around carefully and you just may find a deal that suits you. Then again, if you are not careful when evaluating your options, you could be taken for the kind of a ride you do … Read more
Millions upon millions of cars are recalled every month, a staggering number that should give consumers reason for concern. What some may not realize is that recalls are not always handled in a timely fashion, especially with rental cars. Unfixed Recalled Cars and Car Rentals Although rental car companies may … Read more
Savvy car shoppers know that if you want to save big bucks on a newer car, then buying a certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicle is a wise strategy. Certainly, the first year of car ownership brings with it the most significant drop in depreciation. Suddenly, that new car bought for $33,000 … Read more
Buy a new car and the dealer may urge you to trade in your old car. Unless you have plans to keep it or give it to someone else, the dealer’s offer may be a tempting one. Then again, if you choose a private party sale you stand to make hundreds … Read more
Business information service IHS announced this week that it has agreed to acquire R.L. Polk & Co., an automotive analytics company, for $1.4 billion. The Polk acquisition, which includes its vehicle history service CARFAX, will be completed at an unspecified time. Polk and CARFAX The CARFAX side of Polk’s business … Read more