Know your budget

The first thing you need to consider is your finances. If you have these in place first (whether you’re buying outright or getting a car loan) then you’ll have a better idea of what you can and cannot afford. This will give you more confidence and bargaining power – an important factor when dealing with persuasive car dealers.

Once you’ve found a car that you are interested in buying, you’ll need to inspect it. Make sure that it’s on even ground first – this will help when you’re checking the tires or whether anything is sagging. Check the paint job of the car next, looking out for rusty patches or dents, as these should help you knock a few bucks from the asking price if they’re present. Check under the hood and in the trunk as well – again for any signs of water damage or rust. Under the hood in particular you should check for cracked belts and soft hoses, something that the dealer should replace before resale.

Check for necessary repairs

Check out the car’s service history to find out if the car has any performance issues, or general problems. Any maintenance work will be logged in here, for example car window repair, which will again knock a few dollars from the asking price. Check the odometer, too, to find out how many miles the car has done. A general rule of thumb is that the more miles a car has done, the cheaper it should be: and the average driver drives around 16,000 miles per year.

Before committing to the car you will need to take it for a test drive. This is when you get to figure out if the car feels right: if you don’t enjoy the way that it feels then it’s probably not the car for you. While you have it on the road you should test the air conditioning to make sure it works. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a stuffy car during the height of summer. Test that the brakes are working, by pressing down on them enough to slow down: any vibrations or bizarre noises could be an indication that something is wrong. You do not want to buy a car with faulty brakes.

Haggle!

The final thing to consider when buying a used car is that you do not have to pay sticker price. Imagine that you’re in a Moroccan medina: the dealer wants you to haggle. Don’t go over the top, of course: trying to knock too much off may end up insulting from the perspective of the seller. Start at 10% and work your way from there – you never know where you might end up.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of topics. This post links back to http://www.safelite.com/.

Engines and Transmissions

Regardless of the engine selected, both Legacy motors  offer excellent power and very good fuel economy.

A new 2.5-liter double overhead engine debuts, producing 173 horsepower and 174 foot-pounds of torque. Buyers can choose a six-speed manual transmission or go with a continuously variable transmission. Choose the CVT and you can manually shift this transmission through six forward gears by way of the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

A 3.6-liter V-6 engine returns and makes 256 horsepower. Paired with a 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, this gearbox features a downshift blipping components that brings out a sporty feel when you use this model’s paddle shifters.

Fuel Economy

Given that all-wheel-drive is standard, Legacy buyers will be hard-pressed to find a mileage penalty with this car. The base engine when paired with a CVT delivers 24 mpg city, 32 mpg highway for the highest fuel economy ratings of any midsize car equipped with AWD.

Choose the V-6 and your highway fuel economy will register in the high 20s. Official figures from the EPA have not been set yet, however. All 2013 Subaru Legacy models run on regular grade gasoline.

What’s New

Sportier front-end styling with new headlights, an updated grille and a new bumper are among the changes seen with the 2013 Subaru Legacy. Its suspension system provides excellent handling agility as the body structure and steering have been improved, reducing body roll by up to 40 percent over the previous model states Subaru.

A new EyeSight Driver-Assist system is sure to please safety-minded drivers. This system brings in adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking and vehicle lane departure warning. This system employs a stereo camera designed in-house to offer a wider detection angle than what you find with traditional radar-based systems.

Inside, buyers can choose from base, Premium and Limited trim levels. Standard equipment includes Bluetooth connectivity, iPod control capability and a USB charging port. The standard audio system comes with a single-disc CD player, an input jack and four speakers. Upgrade packages include a harman/kardon audio system featuring a 440-watt amplifier, nine speakers, XM satellite radio, a voice-activated GPS navigation system with a rear view camera and a power moonroof.

Subaru Warranties

Every Subaru sold is protected by a new vehicle warranty for the first three years or 36,000 miles of ownership, whichever comes first. A powertrain warranty is for five years or 60,000 miles and a rust perforation limited warranty is for five years and has no mileage limitation. Every Subaru model has received the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “top safety pick” award for good marks in crash testing, the only manufacturer to sweep this award.

Matt Keegan is editor and publisher for the online Auto Trends Magazine. This website publishes a variety of articles including car tips to help you maintain your ride.

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1. Go To The Dealership Prepared

Many consumers get a less than optimal deal on their new car because they didn’t take the time to do their homework, and weren’t operating from a position of knowledge. Before you even consider heading over to the dealership you should take the time to do a little research. You should read all the reviews you can find on the vehicle you are interested in buying. You should consider fuel mileage, safety ratings, reliability ratings and average price for the vehicle.

You should also figure out the trade-in value of your vehicle. This will prevent you from letting the dealer taking advantage of you and offering a “low ball” offer for your trade-in.

2. Know the Dealer Price Of The Vehicle

In order to get the best possible deal you should find out what the dealer price of the vehicle is and base your negotiations on that, not the sticker price. Most people try to negotiate down from the sticker price. This isn’t the best way to get the best deal, however. You should always work up from the dealer price. A reasonable starting negotiation is 2-5% above the dealer’s price. You may not get the car for this price, but it is a good starting point. The dealer price can be obtained from any number of auto buying websites or from Consumer Reports.

3. Negotiate One Item At A Time

Dealers have a number of tricks in order to get the maximum amount of money out of any deal. They often do this by trying to combine sales price, trade-in value and leasing options into one big negotiation. You shouldn’t fall for this tactic, however. Break this down into smaller negotiations. The price of the vehicle should be the first you negotiation. After that is complete, you can then discuss financing and leasing. Trade-in of your vehicle should be the last thing you negotiate.

4. Compare Financing Options

Financing through the dealership isn’t always the best option. Before you attempt to secure dealer financing, you should exhaust all other possible avenues. Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions may offer better financing terms. If you do decide to get financing through the dealer, make sure that you are getting a loan from the automaker. Otherwise, you may receive your financing through a third-party institution which offers less than favorable rates.

5. Avoid Unnecessary Options

Many dealerships will try to sell you extra options that you don’t need. This may include fabric protection, rust proofing and paint protection. If you don’t want these options, then by all means don’t buy them. If you do want them, then you might want to consider getting them elsewhere because these dealer options are often much pricier than third-party services.

Miles Walker’s most recent review looked at Delaware car insurance.

This is why so many people are choosing to stick with what they’ve got and just make a few modifications to their vehicle’s look or performance. Unfortunately taste in not something we are all born with, so an over excited car owner can end up ruining their vehicle by making all the wrong choices.

Here’s what you need to avoid so you don’t end up living in a world of regret… or denial:

Over Tuning

We all want more power; there is just a point at which you should stop making changes that not everyone pays attention to. For instance if you find yourself putting an engine or exhaust system in that is worth more than your whole car cost new, then you have probably gone too far. You need to stay within the limits of your vehicles structural capacity for safety reasons, but also because a Fiat Panda with a huge exhaust or a racing clutch wheeze just looks and sounds stupid.

Making It Illegal

If you don’t really know what you’re doing then the chances are you can buy some custom performance car parts online, fit them to your Ford Fiesta and end up getting a fine for making it illegal. These are the most common things people get caught for:

• Under car neon lights – sometimes OK if the bulbs are well hidden and you can turn them off easily.
• Illegal standard light colours – you need to have red brake lights at the back, white headlights at the front and orange indicators at the front, back and side. Any other colour is a no-no.
• Window tinting – You can tint the back windows as much as you like, but the front and side windows need to allow a minimum or 70% of visible light through.
• Laser detectors – just plain illegal.
• Laser/Radar Jammers – you’re not a spy.
• Anti-reflective systems – no escaping those speed cameras now!

Ugly Body Kit or Paint Job

Less is more in the world of car modification. Despite this the temptation to go-all-peacock and get the craziest paint job and most outlandish body kit possible is too much for some drivers to resist. Generally speaking, your body kit should enhance the look of your vehicle. If you don’t have an objective eye about what’s good or not, take a friend along whose opinion you trust before you buy your body kit or decide on your paint job.

Are you guilty of some bad body modification decisions?

Chase Turner is a performance car parts expert. He specialises in Mitsubishi Evo parts.

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The Kia Rio

It is one of the most popular cars in all of North America, and that’s for a very good reason: the Kia Rio is one of the most affordable cars on the market today, and supplements its low initial price with great fuel economy and low overall maintenance costs. It’s propped up by a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty that keeps owners content for up to a decade after their initial purchase. With models that range from bare bones to fully loaded, Kia’s compact car is on par with many of the more expensive manufacturers’ offerings.

Chevrolet Cruze

It might not be as small and as fuel efficient as the tiny Kia Rio, but that’s actually where the Chevrolet Cruze wins some big bonus points. The compact sedan is the next heir to the Cavalier throne, after Chevrolet discontinued its popular Cobalt for the 2012 model year. The vehicle isn’t as affordable as cut-rate competitors, but it offers the right combination of attractive styling, excellent fuel economy, and roomy interior space for a much wider field of buyers. The younger buyer will appreciate two-door models of the Cruze with sportier styling, while older consumers will opt for the fuel-efficient sedan that offers features like built-in GPS navigation and heated leather seating.

Toyota Camry

It’s one of the world’s most popular cars and, for Canadian shoppers, it offers one of the best values of any manufacturer. First and foremost, Toyota cars and trucks are known for the durability and long-lasting performance on the road. Many of the company’s decade-old models are still being driven today and they function as if they war brand new. That being said, the company’s 2013 model has been completely, if subtly, redesigned from top to bottom, and front to back. It offers a conservative and attractive style that is sure to age well as the car stays on the road for the next decade. After all, it’s likely to last at least that long as a new model.

Mazda3

It’s another imported model, but it comes from the highly reliable and durable Mazda brand. The Mazda3 is one of the best-selling compact cars on the market, and it has been since it was known as the Mazda 323 prior to a 2004 rebranding. Alongside Toyota, Mazda automobiles are known as the longest-lasting on the road, and can easily reach 200,000 miles before they require so much as a significant repair. The Mazda3 offers fuel economy that reaches close to 40 miles per gallon, and it pairs that excellent rate of fuel consumption with sporty styling, a powerful engine, and optional luxury features that take its interior to the next level.

Ford Focus

Vehicles form Ford are practically considered “domestic” in Canada, and that means they’re available for some of the lowest prices among any manufacturer in the country. The Ford Focus is the chief competitor to the Chevy Cruze and the Mazda3 line of vehicles, and it easily wins in some areas. Specifically, the Ford Focus is among the most technologically advanced cars on the market, with tis Ford SYNC system which allows drivers to interact with their mobile phones via handsfree Bluetooth features as well as voice control on certain models. When coupled with the great fuel economy and all-new styling of the latest Ford Focus, it’s a combination that is drawing new buyers in drovers.

Kia Soul

There was once a time when SUVs and minivans were for soccer moms only; that time is easily in the past as the Kia Soul takes an SUV, and a van, and turns them into a sort of hybrid model. The Soul is targeted to younger drivers who desire a larger vehicle without the burden of poor gas mileage. It combines unique, square styling with a youthful interior that’s sure to captivate the Canadian market as the 2013 model year unfolds.

Lots of Great Options

The recovery of the North American auto manufacturers, in combination with increasingly riveting innovations from overseas competitors, has made the 2013 model year one of increased competition, exciting technological advancements, and vastly improved fuel economy. Canadian buyers will be delighted with this trifecta of consumer-favoring trends.

When you are considering to purchase a new vehicle, you should go online and compare quotes for auto insurance Ontario to save money. By using Kanetix – Auto Insurance, you will be able to save time and money with their price comparison service.

Just look at a few of the innovations in car technology that are appearing in the cars of today:

Driver Assistance

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems make being on the road safer. They issue lane departure warnings, help drivers avoid collisions, offer blind-spot detection, and even monitor drivers and warn them if their behaviour is unsafe. Car makers are currently working on even more advanced systems that will detect pedestrians, and recognize small children and animals, enabling the system to identify possible hazards and either prevent a dangerous situation from developing, or simply warn the driver to be on the alert.

Connected Cars

Instead of having to buy a standalone sat nav, you can now get a cars that come with them.  Many manufacturers have cars with built-in Google Maps, and BMW even allows you to search and use Google Earth via a 3G modem. You can use the money you saved on a third party sat-nav to look at personal licence plates for sale, or perhaps some comfy leather seat covers.

Telematics

Continuing with the “connected” theme, OnStar are offering a range of new features for their car telematics systems. Today, you can update your Facebook status and keep up with your news feeds via voice activation systems. You can even link your car up to a smartphone app to remote control certain features.

Heads-Up Displays

Most of us are used to heads-up-displays from video games, but now they’re becoming available in real-life too. Holographic laser projection technology can project information about speeds, road warnings, and navigation onto your car’s windshield. To you, it will look like the information is 8 feet in front of you, making it easy to read and understand at-a-glance. Future HUDS will include sign-reading technology, so you’ll no longer have any excuse for missing a speed limit sign and getting your licence plates snapped by a speed camera.

Air Bags and Seat Belts

Safety innovations such as air bags and seat belts may be nothing new, and the core designs of those safety features have been the same for several decades, but those innovations should not be sneered at. Modern vehicles have built on those basic designs by timing the air bags better, and some cars will automatically tighten the seatbelt when they detect that a collision or abrupt stop may be about to occur.

The above are just a few of the innovations that have taken place in recent years. Cars are always evolving, and it may not be long before computer-driven vehicles are a common sight on our roads, but for now we drivers are still important. Stay off the roads if you’re tired or distracted, and drive safe!

This post was written by James Harper on behalf of The Plate Market who deal in licence plates for sale. Photo: themarina

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Why then do cars lose their value in what seems like just minutes after you have bought it? I mean the component parts are just as valuable and the car is going to be just as effective as it was. It seems like buying it automatically makes it worth less.

Here’s why:

It Was Marked Up

The fact is that car dealers need to make a profit; that’s just how business works. So when you see all those cars on the lot when you go shopping, all the prices you see are 15-20% higher than what the dealer paid for them. So if they offer you a 2% discount to seal the deal, they aren’t being as nice as they could be.

What this means is that the second you sign on the dotted line, your car immediately loses up to 20% of its value because it was never worth that to begin with. For this reason it is a good idea to do some research and see what the wholesale price is, then hit them with some figures that they won’t be expecting. You just might get a chunk more off the price.

Perception of Use

As soon as a car has its first owner, there is the perception that it is ‘used’. Even if you wrap it in bubble wrap and store it in a hermetically sealed garage for a week, it will still, in the eyes of the person you try to sell it to, be less valuable.

The reason you bought the car brand new in the first place was so that you could know that you were the only person in the world to have driven it. In fact it is possible with some manufacturers for a buyer to go to the factory and actually drive the car off the production line so that absolutely no one has ever sat in the driver’s seat or touched the pedals except you. It is worth so much to some people.

What Can You Do to Avoid It?

Sadly there is no way to avoid your car losing its value as soon as you get it, other than finding some gullible person to pay extra for your car than you paid for it new just through their own ignorance or your blagging skills. This is not recommended though because it is dishonest and just plain mean.

Oliver Sexton asked ‘how much is my car worth’ after buying it from a dealership. Unfortunately he found out that when he asks the next person to ‘buy my car’ it would be worth a whole lot less.

Check your oil

Keeping your oil levels topped up is one of the simplest things that you can do to ensure that your car stays in optimal condition.  Refer to your car’s maintenance manual for advice on how often to change the oil.

Clean your car

Spending some time going over your car, cleaning every bit of it from the cherished number plates to the wheel hubs and bonnet is a good way to get to “know” the vehicle.  Even if you aren’t mechanically inclined, when you clean the vehicle you’ll see if something’s changed, damaged, or rusted.  If you spot anything odd, get it checked out at the garage.

Check fluid levels

Top up your transmission fluid, radiator fluid, etc.  Make a point of periodically checking all of your fluid levels.  If anything seems to be draining faster than you expect, check carefully for leaks.

Check your battery

 Test your battery’s power level using a multimeter.  If you don’t have one, buy a cheap one – it will be a great investment.  In addition, take a look at the battery terminals, if they show signs of corrosion, disconnect the battery from the engine, and clean the terminals with a steel brush.

Replace your tyres

You should always check that your tyres have enough tread, but in the winter, it’s even more important.  If you live in an area that sees a lot of snow and ice, consider investing in a set of winter tyres.

The above is a list of tests and precautions that you should consider before you head out in your car.  In addition to the above list, you may want to consider treating your car to a toolbox and a small “breakdown pack”.  Yes, that may not be as glamorous as your cherished number plates, but it’s easy to prepare a box full of the most useful car repair tools.  Add in a flashlight, blanket, a non-perishable drink, some energy bars and a first aid kit, and for less than the price of many cheap private number plates you’ll have a survival pack that ensures that you’ll be comfortable and safe even if you break down on a motorway in the middle of the night on a deserted country road.

Driving is so commonplace now that many people forget about the safety side of things, but being caught out by an unexpected breakdown can be more than just inconvenient.   Look after your car, though, and it will get you to your destination on time and in style.

Article written by Amy Fowler on behalf of The Plate Market, retailers of cherished private number plates.

1. Get Off the Road Safely

Depending on whether the car is still operable, the first step is to get your car off the road to prevent an additional accident. Many drivers will panic in this situation and try to get off the road immediately, but this will only further increase the odds that something erroneous will occur. Try to stay calm, and ensure that there are no other cars in the vicinity as you make your way to a safe location.

2. Check for Injuries

Once you have parked your car safely off the road, the next step is to check you and any passengers for injuries. If a person appears to be injured, you should not attempt to move them yourself. Wait for the paramedics to come as improper movement may cause additional injuries. If possible, check on the other vehicles to see if any other people are hurt. Making sure everyone is safe and unharmed is the most essential step following an accident.

3. Contact the Police

Even if nobody is hurt, it still behooves you to contact the police. This is the only way to get a written, viable report of what occurred. The policeman or woman will converse with all parties and any potential witnesses to write a detailed report. This report will be used as evidence and will inform the pertinent insurance companies of exactly what took place.

4. Exchange Information

Once the police have been contacted, the next step you need to take is to approach the other driver in the accident and exchange information. This is a critical part of the process, as you will need their information when settling any insurance claims. You should obtain the following four items from the driver:

• Name and Address – Having basic information such as a name and address will help you identify a person easier when it comes time to file a claim. You can also take down their license plate number and any other information you feel is relevant for identifying the other driver.
• Phone Number – This can be their home number or cell phone number, but ideally you should obtain as much contact information as possible.
• Insurance Information – The name of their insurance company and the number of their policy. This will be used when reporting a claim once you return home.

5. Make Insurance Claim

Once you arrive back at home, you should recall the events and right down exactly what you believe occurred. After you have your story and feel confident in its veracity, call the insurance company and inform them of the incident. Present your side of the story, and notify them of both the police report and the other driver’s insurance information. Making the claim in a timely manner is essential for receiving a quick and timely repair.

Cliff Smith writes on behalf of PublicLiabilityInsurance.org an online resource for employers & public liability insurance.

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Power Specifications

Toyota uses a 2.5-liter four cylinder engine to power the Camry Hybrid and pairs it with a continuously variable transmission. This engine makes 156 horsepower and with the electric motor’s 44 horsepower has a 200 horsepower rating. Toyota says that the engine has a bore of 3.54 inches by a stroke of 3.86 inches and a 12.5 to 1 compression ratio. The engine head and block are of aluminum alloy construction. An electric motor derives energy from a nickel-metal (Ni-MH) hydride battery system that offers 244.8 volts of power and 6.5 ampere hours of capacity. This system is lighter and more efficient than the previous generation’s battery pack and is also similar to the system that powers the popular Toyota Prius. This battery system is protected by an 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty.

Camry Hybrid Dimensions

The Camry Hybrid sits on a 109.3-inch wheel base and is 189.2 inches long, 71.7 inches wide and 57.9 inches tall. This vehicle has 6.1-inch ground clearance, has a 0.27 coefficient of drag and weighs between 3,417 and 3,441 pounds. Inside, the Camry Hybrid has 102.7 cubic feet of passenger volume or 101.3 cubic feet when a moonroof is present. This model offers 38.8 inches of front headroom and 37.9 inches of rear headroom. You can find 41.6 inches of front legroom and 38.9 inches of rear legroom.; 58 inches of shoulder room front and back; and 54.5 inches of hip room front and back. You get 13.1 cubic feet of trunk storage space.

Fuel Economy

The 2012 edition shows a sharp increase in fuel economy with the Camry Hybrid now rated at 43 mpg city, 39 mpg highway. That’s up from 31 mpg city, 35 mpg highway for the 2011 model. With its 17-gallon fuel tank, this car can travel nearly 700 miles between fuel stops. When not running on electricity, this model consumes regular grade gasoline.

Hybrid Notables

The 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid is the most fuel efficient midsize hybrid sedan on the market. Its competitors include the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Kia Optima Hybrid. LE editions come outfitted with 16-inch steel wheels; XLE editions offer 17-inch alloy wheels. All season radial tires are standard.

Author Information

Charles K. Green is a contributing writer for The Auto Writer. This website offers car reviews and industry news including a comprehensive review of the Ford Fusion Hybrid.

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