Kris asked:


I will be out of town for about three months. I was wondering what to do with my car. Someone told me that the car battery will completely drain and I need to get a replacement when I come back. Any comments?
BTW my car is 2000 toyota camry v6.

Kathye

ElectroMagneticLight asked:


I actually bought a new car back in Nov. ‘02. Mits. Lancer ‘03. Well, I regret that. I got totally ripped off. I am still paying for that car plus I have a balloon payment (the interest) coming up in Nov. ‘07. I know I’m going to be needing a new car soon. I am giving myself some extra time before I buy so I can make the right decision. I narrowed my choices to 2 cars: MINI Cooper/ Toyota Matrix. I ask: How can I haggle prices down? How can I find out what are the taxes in my area? How can get a great loan with my bank? I think I have excellent or almost excellent credit. What advice can you guys give me? (The reason why I’m getting a new car is because my boyfriend is going to be using my Mits. He had to sell his car when we moved. We are both young and need some wise advice.
I can’t ask my parents for advice because they are dead.

I’m not going to get a used car because I’m going to look stupid driving a shite box.

Yes I can afford two car payments. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be asking for advice.

My boyfriend bought us a condo with both of are names on it. He’s done a lot for me, so the least I can do is let him use his car since he sold his car so the move could be easier.

Chastity

Nishik asked:


Choosing the Correct Car Seat

Choosing the correct car seat can often be very confusing as not only have you to ensure the correct size car seat for your child but that the car seat that you choose is also a correct fit for your car. Selecting a car seat that scores highly in the many test reports available is all very well but selecting a car seat that fits your car properly is probably the more important feature for your childs safety.

If you are in any doubt about which car seat is the correct fit for your car either visit our Just4Baby car seat fitting centre or consult the car seat manufacturers web site as many of the leading manufacturers such as Britax, Maxicosi and Renolux will have a Fit Finder guide detailing which of their car seats are most suitable for your model of car.

All child restraints sold in the UK must conform to the United Nations ECE Regulation R44.03 or later version of the standard and must be clearly marked.

Choosing a car seat that is suitable for your childs weight and height.

Group 0+ Infant Carriers

Group 0: for babies upto 10 kgs (22 lbs) approximately from birth to 6-9 months.

Group 0+: for babies upto 13 kg (29lbs) approximately from birth to 12-15 months.

This group of car seat can be used in the front or rear of the car but CANNOT be used in the front passenger seat if there is a passenger airbag. It is safer to put them in the rear. Rearward-facing seats provide greater protection for the baby’s head, neck and spine than forward-facing seats.

Babies should be in a rearward facing car seat and should not be placed in a forward-facing seat until they weigh at least 9 kgs and can sit up unaided. Babies should be kept in a rearward-facing seat for as long as possible. Once your child is above the maximum weight for a rearward-facing seat or the top of their head is above the top of the seat they should be moved into a forward-facing seat. It is not important if their knees are bent in the seat, provided they are still within the seat’s weight range.

Convenience factor with this stage of car seat is that most models will have a carry handle enabling you to easily remove and carry the baby without removing them from the car seat especially handy if the baby is asleep and may also fit onto corresponding pushchair converting it to a travel system.

Group 0+ and 1 Car Seats

Suitable for Babies upto 18kg, Birth to 4 years approximately.

Ideal car seats if you do not have to constantly remove them from car to car or car to home. They are a much larger seat designed to protect your baby from newborn to 4 years approximately. The car seat is used rearward facing when using for a baby up to 9kgs. The car seat can be used forward facing once the baby has reached 9 to 13kg weight. Baby does not have to be forward facing until they are 13 kgs. It is important to check that this style of child car seat is compatible with your vehicle when fitted forward AND rearward facing. You must never leave baby asleep unattended in any car.

Forward-facing child seat

Group 1: for children weighing 9-18 kgs (20-40 lbs) approximately from 9 months - 4 years. Once a child has outgrown a rearwards facing seat, the best option is to use a Group 1 seat with an integral harness, the large area of the harness helps to reduce the risk of injury if there is a crash. The bottom attachment between the legs will also prevent the child from sliding under, and out of the harness. They can be used in the front or rear of the car but it is safer to put them in the rear especially if there is a passenger airbag in the front. Once again it is safest to keep children in this type of car seat until they have outgrown it. Only move your child to a booster seat once they have exceeded the maximum weight for the child seat or the top of their head is higher than the top of the seat. If you intend to use this car seat between two cars please ensure that the model of car seat purchased is suitable for both cars. It maybe simpler to purchase two seats each one fitting the car perfectly rather than buying one seat which may not fit either car perfectly as great care is needed to follow the seat belt routings and tighten well. They can also be car specific for correct fitting and not every child seat fits every car.

With this in mind it maybe worth checking out ISOFIX fitting car seats. This is a system that is intended to make fitting child seats quick and simple. All new cars are manufactured with ISOFIX points built into them allowing ISOFIX child seats to be simply plugged into the ISOFIX points in the car. This is a very useful development as many people find it difficult to fit child seats correctly and many surveys have found that a high proportion of the child seats are not fitted securely enough. Most child seats are currently designed to be fitted by using a car’s adult lap and diagonal seat belt (or sometimes, just a lap belt). However car seats, seat belts and their anchorages vary dramatically between different models of cars. Car seats have different shapes, some seat belts are much shorter than others, the position of the anchor points differs so some are further forward or have shorter stalks than others. All these factors make it virtually impossible to make a child car seat that fits all cars and sometimes tricky to fit a child car seat correctly.

ISOFIX car seats are designed to solve all these problems. The ultimate aim is that any ISOFIX child car seat you buy will fit your car simply by plugging it into the ISOFIX points. The other benefit of ISOFIX is that it will create a rigid link between the child seat and the car to provide extra solidity. It is important to make sure that any ISOFIX seats that you use in the vehicle are approved for it. It is not yet the case that any ISOFIX seat will fit in every car with ISOFIX points. To fit an ISOFIX seat into some cars you may either to use a top tether kit or an ISOFIX car seat that has a drop down leg to stabilise the car seat to the car floor. Please ensure your car is suitable for whichever seat you choose by consulting the relevant manufacturers web site.

Group 2 Child Car Seats: for children weighing 15-25kgs (33-55lbs) from 4 to 10 years approximately.

If your child is over the 25kgs weight but is below 135cm in height it is recommended that the child remain in the seat. The majority of Stage 2 seats have a height adjustable back to allow you to gradually change the height of the back as your child grows; this also changes the height and angle of the seat belt, keeping it constantly in the optimum safest position. These seats do not have to be fitted to each car and will generally fit all vehicles without too many problems - sports car owners with bucket seats will need to choose a seat with a small base.

Group 1 & 2 Child Car Seats:

Suitable for children weighing 9-36kgs (20-80lbs) from 9 months to 12 years approximately or up to 135cms.

There is now a greater choice of car seats in this range than ever before. The car seat will include a child harness to be used up to 15-18kgs then the harness can be removed and the child seat can then use the adult car seat belt with most of these seats having an adjuster or seat belt guide so that the belt does not rub on the childs neck. The back rest of these seats will be height adjustable with some even having width adjustment as well.

Group 3 Child Car Seats:

Usually Suitable for children of 22kgs (48lbs) or 6 years upwards.

This child seat raises the height of the child so they can use the adult seat belt in the correct position.

WARNING:

No child seat is escape proof as harness systems are not designed to be completely child proof in order to comply with the legal requirements of ECE R44. The harness must be fastened and adjusted correctly with children encouraged to sit within the car seats harness.

If child seat has been involved in an accident or sustained any damage whatsoever it must be replaced immediately. Any damage to the car seat is not always visible such as the harness which is designed to stretch helping to prevent damage to the childs internal organs. This can only happen once with any further impact leaving the harness with no more stretch thus risking injury to the child.

This is why you should never use a second hand car seat.

If you allow your child to eat and drink in the car seat please ensure that you keep the buckle of the childs car seat clean as any food or drink that finds its way in may prevent the buckle and harness from working properly.



Teena

Joel Walsh asked:


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Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist, “pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car extended warranties anymore.  They’re charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to be pieces of junk.  The accompanying “certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself online.  Who needs a used car warranty if your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate risk.  Thorough extended warranties for used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or years after purchase.  That’s why even for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified” used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your own.  An independent inspection and a used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a trade-in knows that.  The big question is whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with “certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification” is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car, “certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent mechanic.  You’re up against an industry that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car dealers.  Do not give up your first line of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every possible problem.  Oftentimes, something that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was sold–or was virtually undetectable.  When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of “certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally, some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds, “certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least implied.   Sadly, too few people will inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty covers.

Does certified mean “under warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’ “certified” programs usually include some extended warranty protection.  But oftentimes, “certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come with any extended warranty coverage.  If it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper, covering only the “power train.”  Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the price.

Inspection.  Let’s face reality.  The junky used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a) The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a “certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000 used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often cost about the same.  But the best used car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified” used car warranties.  Given that fact, you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an expensive risk.  They tempt you to let your guard down.  Ford even issued a press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer Beware.”  As if that were a good thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a “certified” used car anyway.  These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t “certified.”  Just make sure to get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended warranty.  “Certified” or not, it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist, “pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car extended warranties anymore.  They’re charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to be pieces of junk.  The accompanying “certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself online.  Who needs a used car warranty if your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate risk.  Thorough extended warranties for used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or years after purchase.  That’s why even for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified” used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your own.  An independent inspection and a used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a trade-in knows that.  The big question is whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with “certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification” is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car, “certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent mechanic.  You’re up against an industry that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car dealers.  Do not give up your first line of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every possible problem.  Oftentimes, something that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was sold–or was virtually undetectable.  When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of “certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally, some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds, “certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least implied.   Sadly, too few people will inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty covers.

Does certified mean “under warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’ “certified” programs usually include some extended warranty protection.  But oftentimes, “certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come with any extended warranty coverage.  If it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper, covering only the “power train.”  Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the price.

Inspection.  Let’s face reality.  The junky used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a) The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a “certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000 used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often cost about the same.  But the best used car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified” used car warranties.  Given that fact, you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an expensive risk.  They tempt you to let your guard down.  Ford even issued a press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer Beware.”  As if that were a good thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a “certified” used car anyway.  These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t “certified.”  Just make sure to get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended warranty.  “Certified” or not, it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist, “pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car extended warranties anymore.  They’re charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to be pieces of junk.  The accompanying “certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself online.  Who needs a used car warranty if your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate risk.  Thorough extended warranties for used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or years after purchase.  That’s why even for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified” used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your own.  An independent inspection and a used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a trade-in knows that.  The big question is whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with “certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification” is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car, “certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent mechanic.  You’re up against an industry that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car dealers.  Do not give up your first line of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every possible problem.  Oftentimes, something that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was sold–or was virtually undetectable.  When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of “certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally, some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds, “certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least implied.   Sadly, too few people will inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty covers.

Does certified mean “under warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’ “certified” programs usually include some extended warranty protection.  But oftentimes, “certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come with any extended warranty coverage.  If it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper, covering only the “power train.”  Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the price.

Inspection.  Let’s face reality.  The junky used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a) The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a “certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000 used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often cost about the same.  But the best used car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified” used car warranties.  Given that fact, you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an expensive risk.  They tempt you to let your guard down.  Ford even issued a press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer Beware.”  As if that were a good thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a “certified” used car anyway.  These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t “certified.”  Just make sure to get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended warranty.  “Certified” or not, it’s still a used car.

Thinking about a used car?  Nervous about what’s under the hood?  Used car dealers are feeling your pain all the way to the bank.  In an ironic twist, “pre-owned vehicle” dealers have found a way to profit from their bad reputation. 

 

No, they’re not just selling overpriced used car extended warranties anymore.  They’re charging a 10%-25% markup on used cars “certified” (by them) not to be pieces of junk.  The accompanying “certified” used car warranties in fact usually carry much less protection than the best used car warranties, which you can buy yourself online.  Who needs a used car warranty if your jalopy is a “certified” machine?

 

But even paying 10%-25% more won’t eliminate risk.  Thorough extended warranties for used cars are necessary, “certified” or not.  In some cases, a half-hearted inspection means the certification may not be worth the paper it’s written on.  Used car problems often only appear months or years after purchase.  That’s why even for mint used cars, used car extended warranties are essential.

 

Worse, “certified” used cars don’t always come with any extended used car warranty coverage.  When a “certified” used car warranty is included, it usually has much less coverage than a new car warranty.  Even most standard pre-owned vehicle extended warranties offer much more protection than most “certified” used car warranties.

 

You can almost always do better on your own.  An independent inspection and a used car extended warranty provide better peace of mind, often at a lower price.

 

“Certified” Used Car Inspections Inspected

 

The cornerstone of a “certified” used car program is the supposedly super-thorough inspection.  There are good reasons to think that the inspection does not replace an independent inspection or used car extended warranty coverage.

Are inspections really added value?  Don’t you wonder why dealers aren’t inspecting all their cars before taking delivery themselves?  Car dealers aren’t idiots, at least not with cars.  Anyone who’s had to haggle over a trade-in knows that.  The big question is whether the dealership will disclose everything it knows.  Trust is still an issue with “certified” cars.

 

Certified by whom?  Think about it: the same people who are trying to sell you the car are also “certifying” it.  Yes, you read right: the “certification” is usually done by the dealership selling the car.  If there’s any manufacturer oversight, it’s often just an occasional inspection of the dealer’s inspection.

 

Duplicate inspection.  You should have any used car, “certified” or not, thoroughly inspected by an independent mechanic.  You’re up against an industry that demonstrates about as much trustworthiness as, well, used car dealers.  Do not give up your first line of defense.

 

Limits of inspections.  No inspection in the world can foresee every possible problem.  Oftentimes, something that breaks a few months after purchase really was fine when the car was sold–or was virtually undetectable.  When–not if–something gives out, you’d better have a used car extended warranty.

“Certified” Used Car Warranty Coverage under the Hood

 

The implied selling point of “certified” used cars is they won’t break.  That kind of makes used car extended warranties seem unnecessary.  Naturally, some buyers may wonder what will be happen if something does break anyway.  In order to ease those inquiring minds, “certified” used car warranties often come included, or are at least implied.   Sadly, too few people will inquire further about what the “certified” used car warranty covers.

Does certified mean “under warranty”?  Not necessarily.  The major manufacturers’ “certified” programs usually include some extended warranty protection.  But oftentimes, “certified” cars sold outside of manufacturers’ programs do not come with any extended warranty coverage.  If it does break, tough luck.

 

How good’s the warranty?  The GM Certified Used Vehicle Warranty is only for 3 months or 3,000 miles!  Ford offers longer “certified” warranties.   But they generally aren’t bumper-to-bumper, covering only the “power train.”  Forget about the little extras like the roof or the doors.  Right off the internet, you can buy extended warranty used car coverage that is generally bumper-to-bumper and lasts several years.

“Certified” Used Cars: Extended Warranties Still Needed

 

“Certified” used cars offer two things: an inspection and a used car extended warranty.  Arguably, neither is worth the price.

Inspection.  Let’s face reality.  The junky used car problem doesn’t exist for want of dealer inspections.  Lemons get sold for one of three reasons. a) The defect did not show up in the dealer’s own inspection. b) The dealer is trying to sell a car whose defects were already known. Or sometimes c) the buyer knows about the defects but is guilty of wishful thinking.  In none of these cases will a “certified” inspection provide the protection of an independent inspection and extended used car warranty.

 

Warranty. A “certified” used car will often cost 10%-25% more.  For a $10,000 used car, that’s $1,000-$2,500.  An extended used car warranty from an independent auto warranty company will often cost about the same.  But the best used car warranties will provide a lot more protection than “certified” used car warranties.  Given that fact, you may end up getting an independent extended car warranty anyway.

Worst of all, certified used cars come with an expensive risk.  They tempt you to let your guard down.  Ford even issued a press release headlined “Pre-Owned Vehicle Program Reduces Customer Buyer Beware.”  As if that were a good thing.

 

Of course, in the end, you may buy a “certified” used car anyway.  These days it seems there are fewer and fewer used cars that aren’t “certified.”  Just make sure to get an independent inspection and an independent used car extended warranty.  “Certified” or not, it’s still a used car.



Kelcey

Car Guru asked:


I had just got back from my own holiday to Bali when I arrived at work and they announced I was off to New Zealand with three of my colleagues. What a way to come back from one holiday and find out your going on another!

The trip started with a slight hiccup. Our flight was delayed, which is the last thing you need when you’re at the airport after a busy morning at work, which also meant we would be late in picking up our rental car. We then had to call work and asked them to call New Zealand to make sure the depot knew we would be late. One of the benefits of working for a car rental wholesaler!

About an hour later, we finally left and we were up in the air. It was a smooth flight and we arrived in Christchurch about 11pm. After collecting our bags, we went straight to the Hertz desk to be met by a friendly employee who was more than helpful.

After the formalities of signing the rental agreement and getting the keys, we were then given a local map of the south island and a city map of Christchurch. The employee even highlighted how we were to get to our hotel in the centre of Christchurch.

The car was in the car park, so away we went to find the car. We thought she said it was behind the police station and we were looking for quite a while, until it dawned on me that she had actually said pay station; we had misunderstood her kiwi accent!

We eventually got to the hire car and it was a premium wagon with automatic transmission and it was nearly brand new, similar to a Ford Territory wagon. It came with heating, air-conditioning, radio, electric windows and heaps of room enough to relax while being one of the passengers in the car.

We decided to use our Seymor GPS which we nicknamed “Moaning Myrtle”. We waited for the satellites to load on the Seymor GPS and then we were off to our hotel in Christchurch. It was cold and dark but we trusted our Seymor GPS and arrived stress free to the Rydges Hotel.

For the next week the Seymor GPS and rental car were our life savers. It got us to all the destinations and sightseeing attractions and even got us from Christchurch to Queenstown in one piece.

I would recommend hiring a car and taking the trusty Seymor GPS with you next time you go on a driving holiday.

DriveAway Holidays offer GPS rental and car hire in New Zealand.



Greet

Bei M. asked:


Are you tired of using your old car but can’t seem to find the time to replace it? We all know that buying a new car doesn’t take a lot of time but it is getting rid of the old car that does.  If you opt to sell your old car, this would mean taking time off from work to refurbish your car, advertise, entertain possible buyers and do the necessary paperwork.  Fortunately, you can avoid all these with charitable car donations.

Through charitable car donations, you are guaranteed a fast and convenient way to dispose your old car.  Charitable car donations are executed by simply transferring or donating your car to a car donations services who act as intermediaries for charitable institutions who are involved in specific or varied causes.  The causes that these institutions may support are: helping disabled people, homeless individuals, cancer patients, or battered individuals.  So, charitable car donations not only provide you with a fast and convenient option of getting rid of an old car but a way of helping the needy as well.

Moreover, the federal government rewards you for your charitable car donations with tax deductions.  According to the federal tax legislation governing car donations, the gross sales amount or the fair market value is an allowable deduction to tax payable.

If you want to get rid of your old car through charitable car donations but don’t know how, here are the steps that you should take.

1.  Prepare the car’s title.  Car donations services only accept cars with titles.  So when you decide to donate your old car to charitable car donations, make sure you have your car’s title on hand.

2.  Search for a reputable car donations services.  The whole process of donating your car is convenient and fast, and so is looking for a car donations services.  You can do this at the comfort of your own home by surfing online.  However, do not just choose the first car donations services that you come across.  Always look for a 501(c) (3) charity organization classification.  This is to ensure that the legal personality of the car donations services.  If you still doubt the car donations service’s 501(c) (3) classification claim, you may also verify with the IRS Tax Exempt and Government Entities Department.

3.  Call the toll-free number and fill out the application form.  Online car donations services have toll-free numbers that you can call.  Some information, such as the paperwork and car pick-up process, may not be available on the website and you may want to verify this.  Aside from the phone call, car donations services may require you to fill-out an application form.  This will not be a hassle for you since this application form is available online and submitting entails clicking the submit button.

4.  Wait for the car pick-up.  The car donations services lives up to their convenience and speedy feature with immediate car pick-ups, which is usually within 24 to 48 hours.  When your car is picked up, it is important to ask for a document acknowledging the receipt of your car.  This document however, may not be the document required for your tax deduction.

5.  Wait for your tax deduction paper requirements.  To claim your tax deductions, you will be required to submit an acknowledgment receipt containing the details of your charitable car donations.  Car donations services prepare this paperwork but may take a maximum of 30 days.  After picking up your car, the car donations services may need time to refurbish or fix the car.



Blinni

Car Loans asked:


If you are in a position to get yourself a secured bad credit used car loan then you will more than likely be able to get yourself a used car that you desire within one working business days simply because the financial company that is issuing you the loan in the first place is assuming less risk because you are providing collateral on the face of being bad credit used car the first place.  A secured bad credit used car loan essentially means that you have to put down some sort of collateral that has equity built up into extras a home or another vehicle in order for you to assume the risk of the loan before you can be given. 

 

This means you need to make sure that you have a steady source of income in order to pay down the debt of your Used Car Finance because if you start to miss payments or they have paid in full on time each and every month you also assume the risk of losing the collateral then the first place.  The other option is to get yourself a unsecured version of the back credit used car loan in which you as a consumer will assume less of a risk since you are no longer putting up collateral for the loan, however, the back or used car loan financing company assumes even more risk which means that you need to deal the proof your monthly income as well as more than likely having to pay an additional fee points of interest on the back or used car loan itself in order to make it work. 

 

Additionally, definitely in a position where you really having established credit or you have a bad credit history, getting yourself a Car Loans Online for bad credit is going to give you the opportunity to work on improving your credit lot the same time giving you the vehicle you need to get from place to place.  As long as you make your payments on time and full each and every month your credit score will steadily increase which means by the time your bad credit used car loan is paid off you’ll be in a position to get a much better rate of interest on your next used car loan that you decide to go about taking our any other type of financial purchase that you are looking to get for yourself as well.

 

A car loan is simply a way for you to go about paying for the car that you are looking to purchase.  You are going to take out a car loan from a financial lending company and bring it to the car dealership with you.  The reason for going about doing this is because the moment that you bring your own used car finance to a car dealership you are then considered what is known as any cash buyer in that you can buy the car pretty much out right from them just as if you are paying for it in cash in the first place.  You can then you should car finance in order to either buy the car that you want from them or you can also use it to lease a car through them.

 



Augusto

ron j asked:


lets say a car is traveling from New Youk to Los Angeles.
YOu are assigned to design this car so that it makes it to Los Angeles. YOu are only allowed 10 gallon tank of gas to start and thats the only gas you are allowed to have for the entire trip.

Your car design must be for an electric car that will therefore be able to generate power while it travels from solar energy, using the wind, plus any other innovative ideas you can come up with.

Could this car be designed. HOw many different power sources can you imagine creating as the car travels?

Bhupinder