PODD Cars - Car and car leasing information

Muscle Cars that are stars in Movies.

2009-05-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

Car chases have always been a good highlight in a lot of movies. Asides from great actors and spectacular special effects, the fasts cars featured in a movie always gives its viewers the adrenaline rush whenever you watch an excellent car chase scene. Numerous movies today focus around cars as a tool to enhance the story, some of these movies even use the car as one of the main character.

Successful car movies always have a great car chase scene and is coupled with a fancy fast cars in it. Fast cars comes in different forms and shape but nothing says speed and power it better than a muscle car.

For the past few years a lot of Box office hits on car chase movies have muscle cars featured in it. The classics and latest models have made tremendous success in the film industry. Bringing audiences to the cinemas giving them a taste of speed and adrenaline at the comfort of your seat. Actors play a big role in a good movie but a fast and powerful car is the core of every successful Car chase movie.

Here are some of the muscle cars featured in recent films:

Gone in 60 seconds (2000) - The movie starred Nicholas Cage as "memphis", a former master car thief forced to return to his former trade and steal fifty specified cars for crime boss Raymond Vincent Calitri.

Although there were fifty cars featured in the film, the main car chase centered on the Pepper Gray 1967 Shelby GT-500 Mustang nicknamed "Eleanor"

The Fast and The Furious(2001) & Fast & Furious (2009) - In both film Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) drove a Dodge Charger R/T 1970.

The Dukes of Hazzard (2005) - Even though the movie didn't receive any good reviews it still featured a great class 1969 Dodge Charger "The General Lee".

Gran Torino(2008) & Starsky and Hutch (2004) - For the film Gran Torino Clint Eastwood had a 1972 Gran Torino Sport which was the focal point of the story & In the movie Starsky and Hutch the duo drove a 1975 Ford Gran Torino.

Knight Rider(2008) - KITT is portrayed as a black 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR

Transformers - The autobot Bumble bee was depicted as a 1977 Chevrolet Camaro at the beginning of the movie and a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro on the later parts of the movie.

A New Lease on Life - Worry-Free Mobility

2009-04-25T09:35:00.000-07:00

Vehicle leasing is no longer some kind of "new math" or eccentric idea. It has been completely mainstreamed and is a common practice in the U.S., Canada and even Europe (although we're way ahead here in North America). Businesses first popularized the notion of leasing as a way to know, in advance, some of the costs of transportation for their particular activities.

Companies both big and small now routinely lease both cars and trucks, in addition to construction equipment and other special vehicles. In fact, the economic reasons in favor of leasing are voluminous and well known, and there are no more arguments to defeat, especially for corporate accountants. Now even individuals, and not just wealthy ones, recognize the economic advantages of leasing over buying. But it is not just good for your wallet. It can be good for your attitude, as well.

Psychological benefits, too
There are other advantages beyond cost savings, of course, including psychological benefits. Leasing in general, and particularly leasing with a reputable firm with a well-known commitment to customer service, is a good way to reduce frustration, stress and strain in one's life. A study done in the 1990s rated "car troubles" (accidents, engine failures, flat tires, etc.) as among the top five "stressors" for American adults 26-45 years of age, right up there with job insecurity and crying babies.

Even if you take life at a more peaceful pace, and live in a more relaxed region (the country? the mountains? the beach?) where residents are less wedded to the "rat race" lifestyle, it is still very much the case that car troubles are a source of great anxiety for many people. With car leasing, especially the way it is done at the best firms, those stresses and strains of ownership are gone. You are protected from the problems, no matter what kind they are, whether it's a fan belt or a cracked windshield. Not your problem!

Leading with high-tech
You will have complete peace of mind with any of the modern, well-regarded, tech-savvy leasing forms now dotting the North American landscape. All repair and maintenance work, inside and out, will be done with the latest computerized color-matching, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts and factory-authorized procedures. In addition, your personal needs will be attended to, from arranging rental car services to coordinating your insurance photos and claims reports. With a leading lease firm by your side, you are never left alone to deal with problems.

When it comes down to choosing a leasing firm, make sure you compare apples to apples and don't just go for the lowest monthly payment. A $375 payment (about average) with a so-so leasing firm is not as good a value as a $400 payment with a top-notch company that will take care of you like family. To know how firms treat their customers, make sure to ask for referrals and check all the consumer complaint sites on the Internet.

Your aim is to find a firm that will work out a fair payment, not dramatically higher than the competition, and then solve all the vehicle problems for you so that you can maintain the stress-free lifestyle of which your car lease is now an integral part. Economically, car leasing makes sense, and has for years. Psychologically, though, it makes even better sense. Leave your stress and worry behind you and take advantage of (excuse the obvious pun) a new lease on life!

Title Controversy Swirls Around GM Collection Cars

2009-04-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

If you follow the collector car auction scene, you've by no doubt heard about the big broo-ha-ha surrounding title and paperwork issues that threatened to suspend the sale of as many of 80 cars out of the General Motors Collection. The whole thing came to a quick boil around 4:00 PM EST on Thursday. Bad information and poor reporting immediately followed. Fortunately, I had a front row seat as one of the broadcast commentators for SPEED TV. First, a little background, then what happened.

Contrary to popular rumor, General Motors has been selling off vehicles from it's events and shows collection for several years. These are NOT the 350 or so family jewels that make up the core of the company's Heritage Collection. I believe those to be safe from anything short of a complete liquidation of the company, which is not likely to happen by government mandate or otherwise. More accurately, the vehicles on offer here are cars, trucks, design studies, engineering mules, tuner toys, pace cars, old SEMA show cars, the first Olds Cutlass Ciera, the last built previous generation Saturn VUE, and such that have lived their purpose and are no longer needed.

It costs a lot of money to store and maintain all this hardware, and GM needs to simplify. About 250 such vehicles were sold at Barrett-Jackson's sale in January of 2009, and by any measure, the process was successful. Another 100 plus vehicles were consigned to the Palm Beach sale taking place currently; As I write this, two days are in the books, with the third and final day of the sale taking place today (Saturday).

For the rest of the story click here >>

BMW Z4

2009-03-29T06:42:00.000-07:00

The BMW Z4 is all new for 2010, and the updated roadster will be ready for production later this spring. BMW gave the Z4 sleeker sheet metal, a folding hard top, and upgraded powertrains, but the biggest change could be to its price tag. Buyers looking for a new Z4 can expect to plunk down $46,575. That's a big jump from the base $36,700 of the 2008 Z4, which packed less power and less road presence. The 46 large is also exactly the same price as the Z4's nemesis; the Porsche Boxster. The 2010 model will net you a 258-horsepower inline six capable of hitting 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The base Bimmer will also come standard with leatherette seating surfaces (upgrading to Kansas leather tacks on another $1,250).

The 306-horsepower, twin-turbo Z4 sDrive35i will cost a whole lot more, with a starting price of $52,475, including destination and handling. The 2008 Z4 M was a bit cheaper at $50,400 and carried more power, but the 2010 car's higher torque numbers make for an equally-quick droptop, as evidenced by its 5.1 second 0-60 time with the dual-clutch gear box.

Self-Repairing Car Paint

2009-03-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

In another case of Nature to the Rescue, scientists have come up with a polyurethane coating that repairs itself in the sun. The secret ingredient: chitosan, which comes from the shells of crustaceans and is also used for water filtration, blood clotting and as a diet aid. The common principle appears to be that it as a binding agent, i.e. it wants to hold certain things together.

If your car is scratched and it has the chitosan-injected coating, when put in the sun the chitosan "bonds with other materials in the substance, eventually smoothing the scratch" in less than an hour. No muss, no fuss, no messy clean up. However, the magic only works once -- the coating can't repair itself in the same place twice. Researchers also haven't yet studied how wide a scratch can be before it cannot heal itself.

Nevertheless, self-repairing paint powered by the sun is still a terrific development, especially for those folks with shiny black cars on which even tiny scratches seem to scream for attention. No word on when or if it will ever be available, but the team behind it has a patent pending and is thinking about the business opportunity.

[Source: Autoblog]

Best Car Lease Deals for Feb 2009

2009-02-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

Several good car lease deals were available in February despite the fact that many car-makers have pulled back on their end-of-year clearance programs. Our favorite lease program in the fall was Volkswagen's "Sign Then Drive" event, which offered low lease rates and $0 due at signing on VW's most popular models.

As a general rule, you're more likely to find attractive leases on a car-maker's more sought-after models - and that's good news for most buyers.

It may seem strange that dealers offer more attractive lease deals on their better-selling models, but there is a good reason. If you're a dealer, offering a lease is a risk. The dealer bets that when the lease is up and a customer returns the vehicle, it will still be worth a lot of money and the dealer can resell it for a total net profit. But if the car depreciates fast, which is more likely on poor-selling models, the dealer or car-maker could lose money because it can't sell the off-lease car for much money. This is partly why Chrysler disbanded its leasing program in July of last year - its cars depreciated so fast that leasing became a money-loser.

So who is still offering great lease programs now?

Volkswagen. Despite ending the Sign Then Drive program, Volkswagen is still offering good lease terms. Three of its fuel-efficient, small cars - Jetta, New Beetle and Rabbit - can each be yours for $199/mo + $1,999 at signing for a 36-month lease. When VW offered no-money-down leases under the Sign Then Drive event, these cars leased for $269/mo. So even though the current program requires you to cough up $1,999 up front, you actually save several hundred dollars in total lease costs because of the lower monthly payments, compared to the no-money-down offer.

Lincoln. If you're looking for a little more luxury or an American nameplate, Lincoln is offering a no money down deal through the end of March. Available on both the Lincoln MKX and MKS, the deal is no down payment (after cash back) no first month's payment and no cash due at signing. The lease rates for the deal are $529 per month for 39 months on the MKS and $99 per month for 39 months on the MKX. Taxes, title and tags are extra, but in this market you may be able to negotiate that.

Toyota. Toyota runs all of its specials by region. Lease offers in Florida could vary greatly from offers in Chicago, so you need to check with local Toyota dealers to see what they'll offer you. See below for the best deals.

Honda. Honda has several great national lease offers running through early March, as shown below. There may be even better regional offers, so be sure to contact local Honda dealers for the best deals.

Hyundai. If you buy or lease a new Hyundai before Feb 28, the newly announce Hyundai Assurance Program will allow you to return the car to Hyundai with no further financial obligation if you lose your job. While gimmicky, this is a great way to get some worst-case scenario protection from a company that is still offering decent lease rates. There are stipulations, so be sure to check out the Hyundai Assurance program's website for more details.

Nissan. A few good lease offers remain, and Nissan is one of the few carmakers offering solid lease terms on SUVs - with special deals on both the Rogue and Murano.

Source: http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Car-Lease-Deals/

Just three questions to ask on car leasing vs. buying

2009-02-14T19:00:00.000-08:00

1. Have you crunched the numbers?

Not sure whether you want to commit to the car for a long term? Break out the calculator. Use BankingMyWay's (Mainstreet's partner site) lease vs. buy calculator to crunch the numbers for you. If keeping your monthly payments down is most important to you, know that the short-term monthly cost of leasing is usually less than the cost of buying. (On average, monthly lease payments are 30% to 60% lower than loan payments for the same car, same down payment, etc.). This holds true even when compared to 0% or low-interest loans. Plus, in an ownership arrangement, auto dealers will likely require more money down than with a lease deal.

2. How important is ownership to you?

When you buy a new car, you pay for everything, including its upfront value, plus finance charges, plus fees. In return you get equity, which is essentially the car’s resale value, or what you can expect to get back if you sell it or trade it in. And when you finish making payments, you’ll be free and clear. But is a long-term equity deal a good one? After all, the longer you own and drive a vehicle, the less equity you have. When you’re leasing, you’re only buying the time you will use the car, meaning the amount it will depreciate in the time that you drive it. That keeps monthly payments down, but leaves you with no equity at the end of your contract.

3. What about repairs?

When you lease a car, you’re not really the owner. But when it comes to car maintenance and repairs, not being the owner can be a good thing. By and large, any type of repair will be covered under your manufacturer's warranty. (And your car’s always almost brand new, so the risk of something going really wrong is rather low.) Car owners, on the other hand, have a vested interest in car care and maintenance. That can include keeping on top of oil changes and brake pads replacements as well as keeping the body scratch- and dent-free. Leasers as a rule find themselves less concerned with the details, since it’s not going to be their problem down the road.

Also, when leasing, be aware of additional fees (including security deposits and any lease-end charges) so they don’t take you by surprise. Expect to make your first monthly payment when you sign your contract.

When it comes to buying or leasing a car, there is no right answer. Buying and leasing both have their pros and cons, so the key is to look hard at your own situation and preferences before you sign a contract.

Before Shopping for your Car Lease

2009-01-31T06:49:00.000-08:00

Before you shop for a car lease, there is critical information that you should gather concerning the feature and terms that you'd want to consider before signing any car lease agreement. The checklist below will aid you in gathering such information.

Many vehicle leasing terms and conditions are completely negotiable, so you can often tailor fit a lease to your driving habits and financial needs.However, it's vital that you understand all the lease provisions before signing, because once signed the contract terms are final and non-negotiable. Researching leases and gathering information from automotive manufacturer's publications, newspaper/magazine articles, the Internet, advertisements, consumer publications, automotive dealers, and Manchester vehicle leasing agents will help you negotiate and secure the best lease for your needs.

Have you selected a vehicle? _______________

If so, which make/model/options _____________________________________________

* Consumer guides, automotive publications, and Internet sites are excellent sources of information that can help you choose the right vehicle.

What amount can you afford to pay up front? $________

What can you afford to pay each month? $________

What can you afford to pay at lease-end? $________

* Consider beginning, middle, and end-of-lease costs, not just the monthly payment.

How many years or months do you anticipate keeping the vehicle? __________(years/months)

How many years or months do you typically keep a vehicle? __________ (years/months)

* The lease should fit your needs and business requirements. Don't sign a lease with a term longer than you intend to keep the vehicle, because you may have to pay a substantial early termination charge. The earlier you terminate the lease, the greater the penalty may be.

How many miles do you typically drive each year? __________

* Be realistic--underestimating the mileage that you put on a vehicle could cost you greatly at the end of your lease contract. Consult the odometer on your current vehicle to determine your estimated yearly mileage.

Do you want a lease with an optional end-of-contract purchase option? ________

* You may want the option to purchase the vehicle at the end of the car/van leasing period. Keep in mind, however, that the purchase option terms within the lease may modify other terms in the lease.

What is your current automobile insurance coverage for:

1. Bodily injury, property damage $________

2. Liability $________

3. Collision and comprehensive $________

What are your insurance deductibles for:

1. Collision $________

2. Comprehensive $________

* Your lease may require you to carry a higher level of insurance than you currently carry.

Car that runs on water

2009-01-24T22:08:00.000-08:00

People from all over are starting to notice DIY hydrogen generators for cars. They are turning to such alternatives because of the obvious increase in gas prices and to help cut cost when spending for their automobiles. Spending for gasoline being the number cost in car maintenance, many people have realized that running a water powered car can be a great option for their pockets. Moreover, it is not very difficult to convert your car engine and make your own DIY hydrogen generator for cars. Cars run on water easily help you save and improve your fuel economy by almost 50 percent.

The Good Side

There are several good benefits when you run a car on water.

Using a water powered car is cheaper than your existing gasoline or diesel engines.
The DIY hydrogen generator for the cars is easy to construct and install into your existing cars. All of the parts necessary can be obtained at your own local shop or hardware stores. Most of these parts are very common, inexpensive items. You don't need to order them and spend a lot of time looking for specialists who can offer you the services and the car parts.
Water powered car engines burn cleaner fuels compared to other cars. It also gives out less harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Because of this efficiency, you will notice that your water fuel also contributes to your cars performance, making it more efficient.
Cars run on water have engines that receive less wear and tear, in contrast to regular cars engines running on gasoline or diesel. This greatly helps extend your engine's running life and lessens the carbon buildup, cutting down costs for automobile repairs and maintenance.

How It Works

A DIY hydrogen generator or HHO generator for cars is simply a homemade hydrogen generator that you can easily put together yourself. You can also install it in your car and the parts you need are affordable and easy to find. Hydrogen generators operate using electricity to break down the water molecules to create hydrogen and oxygen atoms. This then creates what we call HHO gas or sometimes referred to as Brown's gas. So when this HHO gas mixes with regular gasoline and the air mixture inside your car's engine, the resulting mixture burns with more efficiency and power thus giving you more mileage for your automobiles.

Auto leasing moves up a gear

2009-01-17T18:46:00.000-08:00

Canadian auto dealers are reporting their highest level of lease transactions since July, suggesting the possibility automakers are inching back into leasing after pulling back last summer.

Retailers surveyed said 22% of the deals they struck with customers on new cars during the first 11 days in January were leases, according to data released yesterday by J. D. Power & Associates.

Leases dropped down to 17% of Canadian transactions in November after representing more than 40% of the market for several years.

"It's possible we're seeing some loosening up of the [credit] situation, illustrated by a move back to lease," J. D. Power analyst Tom Libby said yesterday on a conference call discussing the Canadian auto market.

Automaker captive finance companies like Chrysler Financial are also slowly clawing back their share of the retail auto finance business in Canada, Mr. Libby said.

General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC pulled back on subsidized leasing in July after credit market pressures and declining residual values for trucks and SUVs in particular made car leasing less profitable for them.

The two automakers told their dealers to steer their customers to finance or cash transactions instead.

Chrysler has blamed its inability to secure lease funding in the capital markets as one reason for its double-digit sales decline in November and December.

"We need that lease funding available in the marketplace to allow consumers to be able to purchase vehicles," Reid Bigland, Chrysler Canada president, said in an interview.

The U. S. Treasury aimed yesterday to help Chrysler do just that, approving a US$1.5-billion loan to Chrysler Financial so it can extend new loans to car buyers. GMAC LLC, the auto lender tied to GM, became a bank holding company and won US$6-billion in support from Washington last month.

The Canadian government pledged similar help in December but has yet to say how it will do so.

J. D. Power is forecasting new vehicle sales of between 1.4 million and 1.6 million units in Canada this year. The annual sales rate in 2008's fourth quarter was 1.48 million units.

"Any recovery is likely to be quite slow," said J. D. Power economist Robert Schnorbus. "There is still lots of risk, lots of uncertainty.

nvanpraet@nationalpost.com

Source: Financial Post

Car Lease Takeover

2009-01-11T00:28:00.000-08:00

Car lease takeover is basically assuming someone else's leased car under the same terms that were originally agreed upon. Assuming someone else's car lease is good if you will only need the car for a short period of time. Since a part of the lease period is already used up, car lease takeover or car lease assumption is usually good for about 1 to 2 years.

A takeover car lease seems to be a win-win situation both for the original lessee and the takeover lessee. The new lessee must make sure that he can handle the monthly payments since leasing companies will not grant a lease to anyone who has a bad credit. If the new lessee fails to meet payments, the company may (or will) hold the original lessee responsible.

When taking over a car lease, it is very important to check for wear and tear. You should take a mechanic at the dealers and must check the current condition of the car; each and every component. If you, as a takeover lessee, miss anything - you will be responsible for the repair and the maintenance. If there are excess in wear-and-tear, you can deposit a claim amount and the original lessee will get the amount refunded. Also, you should ask the original lessee the records (a.k.a receipts) of all the maintenance and repair works done to the car.

Mileage is always an issue in car leasing since a lessee is only given a limited annual mileage. Before assuming over the car lease, the new lessee must check how many miles are left and if it is good enough since an excess in mileage will mean an additional charge at the end of the term. In order to secure more protection, the takeover lessee must take an added insurance for the vehicle. Check whether gap insurance is in effect, as it would protect the vehicle from accidents and thefts.

BMW uses Internet Protocol underhood

2009-01-04T03:09:00.000-08:00

There's a variety of flavors of in-car networking standards that corral the large number of embedded computers and nodes present in the modern automobile. BMW Research and Technology, an R&D division of BMW, has found Internet Protocol up to the tasks that the other standards currently perform. BMW engineers used a standard PC and connected it up to the expected gear -- ECUs, engine and chassis control systems, even a multimedia server for the entertainment system. The reasoning behind using IP versus the more specialized protocols is to anticipate future needs and requirements, as well as reducing costs. Costs drop because fewer specialized components are needed, and the new version of IPv6 is even better than the more than fine performance from IPv4. It's a little spooky to think that your fly-by-wire throttle could be trying to chat with the engine using the same technology that we use to send instant messages, but IP proved itself capable enough even for critical safety functions. The research is ongoing, but BMW's work bodes well for adding functionality and decreasing costs. Adding aftermarket goodies should be fairly painless and service shops will also have an easier time of it by going with a more universal language. Imagine surfing the web with iDrive, though. Blech.

Source: AutoBlog

Buying a Car Privately

2008-12-27T08:33:00.000-08:00

Buying a car can be an exciting experience but try not to make a on the spot decision that you may regret later.

Check the car price

Make sure to look at various cars and visit several car dealerships to compare prices and quality. Check the newspapers, but bear in mind that nearly everyone advertises their car for more than its worth. The car price is often negotiable.

Have the car checked out mechanically

A roadworthy certificate or pink slip is no foolproof indicator of reliability. Make sure you get a thorough mechanical inspection. When you finally make an offer, make it conditional on a positive independent report from your local motoring association or mechanic.

Test drive the car

Even if the car is mechanically sound, you should make sure that it feels right for you before committing to it. Take it for a test drive. This is your chance to discover whether you really feel comfortable driving it.

Check for prior ownership

Make sure that the car is on clear title. This means that the person who says they own the car, actually owns the car. If the car has been stolen or is under finance, you might lose it along with your money to the previous owner or the previous finance company.

Has the car been used as security for a car loan?

You should have a revs check done to see if the car is being used as security for somebody elses car loan. There is nothing wrong with that but you need to make sure the finance company will be paid out.

Compare the numbers

Compare the vehicle identification number (VIN) and engine number in the car with the registration certificates numbers. A popular scam is to get legitimate identification papers from a vehicle that has been written off and attach them to a stolen vehicle. You could end up with the worthless title to a wreck and lose the new car you thought you were buying.

Other things to keep in mind when buying a car privately

You have no right to a refund if you change your mind. There is no cooling off period
You don't get a warranty so you will be unable to have the seller fix anything that may be wrong once you've driven away
Always check the credentials of your seller. Don't be afraid at the very least to ask them for a license as proof of identity
Make sure the car has a roadworthy certificate where this is necessary and allow for any additional repairs to the car in your budget
Make your offer in writing. It only needs to be a note but it may help avoid disagreements later
Make sure you get a receipt from a private seller

Source: http://www.1300carlease.com.au/

Vauxhall’s New Insigna Ecoflex

2008-12-20T05:05:00.000-08:00

More and more economical and environment friendly autos are coming out in the market, last October 21 at the Paris Motor show, the all new Vauxhall Insignia Ecoflex was introduced. It has been designed to combine efficiency and low carbon emissions with a powerful engine capable of delivering a superb driving experience.

Compared to competitors’ cars with similar fuel consumption, it is clear why the Vauxhall Insignia ecoFLEX watchwords are economy without compromise. The Insignia ecoFLEX sprints from zero to 62mph in 9.5 seconds and reaches a top speed of up to 135mph. Ensuring excellent pulling power even at low rpm, the maximum torque of 350Nm is available from 1750rpm, and can be temporarily increased for 15 seconds to 380Nm via an ‘over boost’ function. It has a new 2.0 liter common-rail four cylinder engine that uses the latest clean-tech technology to maintain low carbon emissions over the engine's lifetime.

It's will be formally launched in 2009 and will be available in hatchback and saloon versions. it will surely be a popular choice for people looking to lease cars that are both economical and environment friendly.

Below is a video of the Vaxhaul Insigna.

Luxury Car Leasing

2008-12-14T05:37:00.000-08:00

Luxury car leasing is an option for many - both for big time and small time companies. Companies today are constantly searching for new ways of limiting their expenses. It is a necessary adjustment to increased competition in most markets. Most of them are also on the hunt for new ways to reduce their tax payments as well as eliminating assets not associated with the core of their business. Such adjustments are always made and sometimes this helps other businesses flourish while others end up with serious challenges to cope with. Things like the above mentioned are the main reasons why leasing exists.

Luxury cars are costly. If you expect that the average salary of a recent engineering graduate can go from $40,000 to $50,000 per year, then you can understand the real dimension of the value of a luxury automobile. Yet, the fact that it is so expensive shouldn't be a reason why you can't purchase one. Actually, through car leasing you can drive around a brand new car even without the dreaded huge monthly payments.

In a luxury vehicle leasing you won't have to pay for the total value of the car. The monthly payments can be as low as half of what you pay on a typical loan since you are only paying for a pre-determined value of the vehicle. As soon as the lease is finished you can chose between paying the difference (the part of it's price that hasn't depreciated), or let the leasing company keep it.

It's like renting, only you get the first option to purchase the vehicle. One of the greatest advantage of car leasing is that you have the option to invest your unused money (or half of the money you saved because you opt to lease a car instead of buying it) and make it work for you for lets say 3 years (2 to 3 years is the normal lease term).

Always Read the Fine Print

It is advised that you always read the fine print when you enter into a contract. Sit down and read the entire car leasing contract very carefully and if there are parts that you're confused about don't hesitate to ask questions. Make things clear upfront. Here is an example; in the car leasing industry every leased vehicle comes with its' own insurance. Just so that you know, many leasing companies make their main profit from the insurance.

Car Lease Calculators

2008-12-06T18:50:00.000-08:00

Most people who are interested in leasing a car end up searching the Internet for help. What they find varies from sites trying to sell your name to sites that will calculate your lease payment for you. While all look good on the surface, you need to watch out and make sure that the information given to you is not misleading.

Look for a site that is reputable and that has a contact info so that you could easily make an inquiry. As with the real world, when you are going to depend on information, especially information that you rely on for your next car lease, you want to make sure the person giving it to you has your best interest in mind.

The second thing to look for is a calculator where you can enter your figures directly, and you don't rely on estimates of a car value. Most calculators now a days will allow you to select the make and model of the car, but not actually put the MSRP as given to you by the dealer. They usually use a value of the car based on popular configurations. You need to make sure you have total control over the calculations from start to finish.

The third thing to look out for is a lease calculator that is located on a manufacturer or dealer website. Although they're not totally there to rip you off, they never allow you to enter the real MSRP or Cap Cost on your car, and will always lean on the high side, so that they can get as much from you as possible.

Using these tips can save you money every month you have your car lease. You can get a lot of information online so that you can get the best out of your car lease.

Are you ready to own a car?

2008-11-30T03:36:00.000-08:00

Be it that you are leasing your car or you bought it, having a car has its set of expenses that comes along with it. Think of the amount you paid for the lease or the loan as your down payment - and the whole time that you own the vehicle you'll be paying for it. Before deciding on leasing or purchasing a car, are you even ready for it? Below are the breakdown of the costs of owning a car.

Gas. Gas, I guess is primary cost any driver has to incur and with gas prices going up—it’s not looking good for car owners. For many people, depending on where they live, their gas mileage, and how much they drive, gas can cost between $60 and $80 per month for a more fuel-efficient car, and $100 or more for a larger and less efficient model.

Insurance. Perhaps the biggest cost you’ll see every month—on top of your car payment (if you're leasing or financing) — is your insurance cost. The price for insurance will usually depend on where you live, what kind of car you drive, and your driving record—as well as whether you opt to include collision.

Maintenance. Oil changes, new tires, new headlights, yearly inspections…Cars have high maintenance, no matter how you look at it. An oil change usually costs between $30 and $40, and you have to do it once every 3 to 6 months. New tires can be quite costly as well—a standard all-season tire can cost anywhere from $30 to $100 per tire.

Your state and emissions inspection will usually start between $30 and $50—and that’s only if they don’t find anything wrong with your car. Often, however, you will need to replace some old parts for your car to perform better. This could be anything from a new belt or brake pads (typically $100 or under) to a whole new brake system or transmission, which could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, ouch. There are hundreds of ways where your car can cost you that doesn't even involve colliding it with other vehicles. From the simple wear and tear, be sure to set a sizable amount to handle for the maintenance.

Fender-benders, dings and scrapes. A friend recently bought a car and even before his car could celebrate its first"monthsary", a kid scratch it using a penny. Yes, unprecedented things can happen to your car and part of owning a car is watching it turn from sleek and shiny to scraped-up. Sometime those little dents and scratches in your car can cost you hundreds of dollars to repair since a mechanic has to take the entire metal panel out to repair a single little dent.

Parking. If you live in an urban area, parking can be a big expense. Renting a spot in a garage can cost hundreds of dollars a month—close to $1,000 in a city like New York. Even if you don’t rent a garage or live in a place with one, you can still expect to pay parking fees. Permits to park your car on the street can cost as little as $15 per year, and leave you immune to tickets and meter-feeding in certain areas of your neighborhood. Also expect to get tickets elsewhere in the city. Those can cost anywhere from $20 to $80 for a parking violation, depending on where you live.

Depreciation. This often isn’t included in cost-analysis for car ownership, because many people don’t expect to sell their cars back to a dealership at some point. If you buy new, expect your car to depreciate in value the minute you drive it off the lot. Generally, a new car can lose about 35% of its value in the first year. After the first three years, you’ll lose somewhere around 10% of your car’s value per year.

Tickets. Even if you’re an excellent driver, there’s still a chance you could get a ticket or citation; let's say from speeding to parking in the wrong place. Forget to take your car in for a yearly inspection on time, and you could be ticketed as much as $100 or more. Drive over the speed limit and you are looking at a ticket worth hundreds of dollars.

Cars Lease Twilight Style

2008-11-17T04:13:00.001-08:00

Have you ever read Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series? Yes, I know, it's a book loved by many teens and your daughters might have a crush on Edward Cullen too, the vampire Romeo of this story. However this post wouldn't be one of those fan post that millions of blog sites have been posting since, well, this blog is about cars and car leasing. If you want to know more about the Twilight series, just do a search in Google and you'd surely find a lot however for this post, we will get to know more about the cars they drive.

The Cullens (Vegetarian Vampires) in this book all have conspicuous cars and since car leasing is an affordable alternative than auto loan, owing these cars wouldn't be far fetched since you can certainly find the best car leasing deals online. This post aims to give you more Twilight car leasing ideas.

Bella Swan's 1953 Chevrolet Pickup truck

This is Bella's red 1953 Chevrolet Pickup truck given by her dad Charlie. This was previously owned by Billy Black, Jacob's dad. Although this baby won't run as fast as most new cars being leased out, this pickup has an irresistible rustic charm. There are a lot of car leasing companies that leases out vintage cars. Selling price of this pickup is around $US 43500; car leasing this would certainly lower down the price and break it down to affordable monthly payments.

Edward Cullen's Silver Volvo S60R

This is Edward's rather very infamous silver Volvo S60R. Edward has used this car from book 1 to book 3 as he saved the not-so-ordinary damsel in distress, Bella. The good thing about this car is the subtlety tough look, the brakes, good performance, grip, interior comfort, safety, build quality and it's attention to details. It has a monthly car lease payment of £530.67 if you made an initial payment of £1,592.01

Rosalie's BMW M3 convertible

Edward called this car conspicuous and you can certainly see why. The car lease starts around £984 per month depending on the car leasing company.

Carlisle's Mercedes S55 AMG Sedan

This car is used by Dr. Carlisle whenever he goes to work. Opting to car lease this elegant looking sedan would usually cost around $2,248.00.

Emett's Jeep Wrangler

Depending on the year model and the lease term, you can get the best car lease term for this jeep at a starting price of $ 295.

Edward’s “special occasion” car, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish.

This car is not only featured in the Twilight series but it has also been featured as the official James Bond Car in Die Another Day movie. This car is among the priciest car all over the world, car leasing this would roughly cost around £2,892 each month.

Alice Porsche 911 Turbo

This is the car Edward used to bribe Alice, his sister. The Cullens are quite noted for their expensive and fast cars. The car lease price for this car is $ 2375 - 2365 per month.

Bella’s Mercedes S600 Guard

This is Bella's pre-wedding gift from Edward. Even with the sleek design, this is actually an armored car. This car is fitted with run-flat tyres so it can remain drivable even when the wheels have been punctured. It also offers an unsurpassed level of protection against terrorist attacks and the threat of violent crime.How about that? There is no car lease price available for this car as of now. For the readers of this blog, if ever you find the car lease price, please leave me a comment and I'll update this post.

Bella's Post Wedding Gift from Edward Ferrari F43o

The F430 is the 360 Modena's replacement, but on a combative level it's designed to take on the universally acclaimed Lamborghini Gallardo, grind it into the ground and then turn up its nose as it races off into the distance in a puff of tyre smoke. The monthly car lease payments you'd make would cost around $3,326.25

How do you find the Cullen's taste in cars?

End of the Lease Terms to Note

2008-11-10T06:15:00.000-08:00

In this trying times, many are opting to lease their next car instead of buying one since monthly payments are lower compared to a car loan. It also removes a car owner's worry of what the resale value would be when the need of reselling the old unit comes.

Car leasing was accounted nearly 27% of all newly acquired car for the year 2007. To make car leasing even all more tempting, the average monthly lease payment has dropped 44 % in the past five years. However most of us simply pay too much when it's time to finally return the car.

For this post, we will note Important End of the Lease Terms so that you in the long run can maximize the savings you got on your car lease.

Excess Wear and Tear

Most leases make you responsible for the damages of the vehicle at the end of the term. Some lease contracts are reasonable enough to list what is considered over the normal wear and tear while there are some contracts that gives the lessor the right to identify what damages are beyond reasonable. Be sure to be fully aware of this, since your car is obviously going to depreciate over time. Note when can a wear and tear be considered excessive. Of course, when you decide to buy the car, you will spare yourself with these charges.

Excess Mileage Charges

Most lease contracts states the certain allowable number of miles for you to drive the car.Before jumping on that enticing car lease, it is advisable to have an approximate estimation of your car usage. You see, whenever you exceed the allowable mileage, you are usually charged for the excess when you return the car. You however won't be charge for this when you decide to buy the car.

Disposition and Purchase Option Fees:

When you return the car, most leases will require from you a fee to cover the cost of reselling the car. Such is called, Disposition Fee.

However when you do decide to purchase the car, you are charged a purchase option fee, instead, to cover the costs for paper works and such.

Most lease contracts will give you the alternative to buy the car at the end of the lease term for an agreed price. The price of the vehicle is either stated on the contract or the contract specifies the method to use in determining the total amount chargeable to you.

Every contract is different, so it is advisable that you read and understand your rights and obligations carefully.

Source:
http://www.consumerreports.org/
http://www.carleasinguk.com/

Removing That Pest of a Car Smell

2008-11-04T00:23:00.001-08:00

Cars have so much demands for maintenance that even men of hard labor would waver, doubting of owning one. From the car’s wheels, windshield, up to the minutest elements you see on the car’s carpet, this needs a lot of looking after, baby-sitting, you may say so.
There’s one culprit that women drivers may find more disgusting than men do, especially if they’re the rugged-looking, ranger-type guys. This nightmare goes by the name “smell.” Most cars need more tidying up every day; the car’s interior usually falls victim to drink spills, coffee marks, even lipstick marks; it’s also the most littered part of the car, more than the trunk. Hence, when you say there’s a bad smell, more often than not it’s not the cow dung outside the window, especially if it’s closed; it’s from that old brown paper bag right under your seat. And most probably that’s a two-week-old sandwich that you just forgot to throw. Sounds familiar, right?
So top advice to lose that nostril-tingling smell inside your car is, clean up, throw out, and wipe up. Rinse if need be. You can simply grab all plastic bags, paper bags, unnecessary items from inside the car out. Next is to vacuum the carpets, car seats, and any mats found in the car. When this is done, you can make use of a soft-smelling air freshener to give out a healthy and clean car environment. Another thing to contend with in the car’s interior is the stains, more particularly the removing aspect of it. If it entails you to be on all fours wiping off the stain on the carpet with a stain remover for upholstery, you need to do that. If this is done and all windows are rolled down for fresh air to come in and still the smell persists, then get your car detailed by a professional mechanic. They will be cleaning your car from inside out and leave it spic-and-span and smelling good too.
Removing a funny smell from a car is not fun at all, nor is it easy; but someone’s got to do it.

Minimum Reqs for a Car Loan

2008-10-27T02:39:00.000-07:00

When it’s about cars, the loop has grown too narrow. It seems for the many years you get to spend time reading car blogs and articles and keep track of trends, you run out of anything to learn. Luckily, this article stumbled right in front; most first timers in auto loans ask questions about the requirements for an auto loan or simply put: “How can I make a loan?”
Here is a list of minimum requirements, which means by the way that it’s generic; and it should not connote that a maximum requirement exists also.
You should be 18 years old. If not, your qualifier should be. Residential longevity is the last two locations you get to stay for more than 6 months. Your income should be at least $2,000 a month or $24,000 a year. Employment should be last 2 employers for more than 6 months. You should have no bankruptcies and must have a valid social security number.
There are also vehicle requirements. Mileage for one should be less than 100,000. It should not be older than 6 years old; you can’t bring in an old cranky granny of a car. Financing or refinancing should be more than $7,500. If there’s any concern you want to raise regarding the requirements, example you want to maximize it, then it won’t hurt to ring them up and ask.

Saying No to Car Alarms

2008-10-22T21:46:00.001-07:00

The quote "blessing in disguise" sometimes can go otherwise: "it's doom clothed as boon." It's the big bad wolf dressed as Little Red Riding Hood's granny.

This holds true for our long-time security partner--the car alarm. Recently, New York City council members proposed several bills restricting car alarm systems in the city. The reason behind: noise and the annoyance that it causes.

It was in 2002 when Liu's Car Alarm bill was introduced, banning the selling and installation of car alarms that drown out the city. Moskowitz's bill was also introduced in April 2002, proposing that NYC citizens can report annoying alarms to the police. A warning letter then will be sent to the car alarm's owner, the bill stipulated further.

Contrary to what has been perceived for a long time, car alarms are not much help in preventing car break-ins and theft. This has been proven with many studies done by insurance companies. It's concluded that burglars and criminals steal cars regardless if they have car alarms or not.

Having considered this as bare truth, it remains that a "camouflage" or simply not standing out from the rest is an effective stand-alone way to avoid car theft.

Cheap Car Sources Available

2008-10-13T01:25:00.000-07:00

I know you want this. And you need this too. So here are the best sources for cheap cars.

Public Car Auctions: This is an excellent source of cars below their trade-in value. Another added point here is that anyone can go for free. Many of these cars are bank repos and government- or police-seized cars. Most of them are high-mileage cars with repair needs. The challenge, on this source, however, is to locate a local auction as well as finding the right car you have in mind.

Car Brokers: Most of us deal with dealer-only auctions. But there are also car brokers like us; the only drawback is that they put a small mark-up on the car. But the best thing about it is that the broker does the dirty job.

Cars Sold by Owners: You can look in newspaper classified ads and web sites for private car sellers. They can't give higher rates than what the dealers give since there are no extra services provided.

Whichever source you would like to look into, there's only one thing you should have in mind and that is to be an informed and smart-ass buyer. You have to equip yourself with the following information: get that CarFax information and check the vehicle history report and always have the car checked by a mechanic before purchasing it.

More Tricks: Lease Dealers on the Loose!

2008-10-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

They say ignorance of the law is not an excuse for conviction. The same principle is best applied by lease dealers on their prospective customers. On the following paragraphs, we will be showcasing the varied ways dealers do a work-around customers’ limited knowledge of car leasing to close a deal at their best advantage.

Trick number 1 is that car leasing is always cheaper compared to buying. This is actually negated by the fact that there are a lot of hidden charges that are not calculated when you are given the amount for the monthly payments. In a setup wherein you can lease at the lowest price you can pay monthly for an extended time. Hence, in this case you will be gaining more mileage and higher fees for the wear and tear of your car.

Ten to twenty cents per mile is the usual charge for an extra mile exceeding the total amount agreed upon on the contract. So be cautious of the car leasing deal you’re choosing; don’t get blinded by the low monthly payment; learn to find the catch.

Trick number 2 is giving you inaccurate interest-rate information. Bear in mind that the right calculation is that of the money factor multiplied by 24. It makes a big difference, right? So when you plan on leasing a car, do the math yourself.

The third trick has something to do with early termination. They say it’s easy for you to just walk away from a lease if you have a sudden car change in the middle of the contract. The truth is most car leasing companies have ceiling-high penalties for early termination of contract or that you may pay for the remaining years you are under the contract. All these are usually stipulated in your contract. So before signing it, read everything, especially the minute details stated there. Usually, there are critical information written in fine print on the contract, which you should be more cautious of, because they are usually about extra charges to be incurred under contract.

Another trick dealers use for customers is the notion that rebates and price discounts don’t apply to car leasing. On the contrary, car leasing price is always based on discounts, negotiations, and rebates. This means you should always know your rights too.

Some dealers might also sell you items and deem them required. For whatever it is, always refer to the signed contract.

All these among many others that might soon sprout as the car leasing game continues are just the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot more that sometimes only experience can tell. The best option would be to look for a person with a good experience in car leasing and learn from him. That’s the way it is to win the game!

Is It for Real That You’re Turning Green?

2008-09-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

How plausible is it that car manufacturers have gone green too? It all started with the influx of hybrid cars although others keep saying that there's no accuracy that the car is cutting back on fuel usage. Whether consumers are getting hypercritical or not, it is quite clear to me that car manufacturers have been eyeing a greener world vis-à-vis advancing their technology.

There is enough proof. At the World Car of the Year Ceremony, which took place at the New York International Auto Show earlier this month, BMW bagged the best green car award. This has been another award to BMW, among other UK and European awards, for its EfficientDynamics programme. BMW is also an awardee of the Auto 1 Innovation award at the Geneva Motor Show.

It's even more inspiring when lately people have been cautious of how much fumes they are emitting to the environment with their cars. But this is solely true when they do this not just for cutting back on the expenses for fuel consumption. Same thing for not buying a brand-new SUV.

Wear and Tear: What's on It in a Car Lease?

2008-09-23T19:31:00.000-07:00

When a leased car is returned to the car leasing company, it should be in a considerable state of wear and tear. It would be examined by the company, and any excessive wear and tear has a corresponding penalty.
So what are the bases for the car’s wear and tear status? All these are found on the fair wear and tear section in the guidelines of the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA).
According to the book, "The aim of the BVRLA's Fair Wear & Tear Guide is to provide an industry-wide, accepted standard as to what constitutes fair wear and tear for contract hired and leased vehicles on their return to BVRLA Members at the end of contract."
BVRLA’s guidelines would serve as a Bible whenever you have an accident or are injured but most especially when you are in limbo regarding your mileage or when you are about to return your leased car.
You should also know that in a car leasing agreement, most of the penalties that you will be getting are for car damages and not for excessive mileage. Hence, the best way for you to avoid these super charges is to read your contract well before you sign it. As for the rest of the concerns with regards returning your leased car, you can rely on BVRLA's Fair Wear & Tear Guide.

Get to Know More of the World’s Car Makers

2008-09-09T19:54:00.000-07:00

What do car makers do exactly? You may ask. Technically speaking, they are involved in the manufacture, development, design (and redesign), marketing, and even sale of cars and motor vehicles in general.
So who are the world’s largest car makers? They are Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford. The names of these companies are still producing company-name-bearing cars. Chrysler Corporation produces Plymouth, Dodge, Chrysler while Ford has Mercury and Lincoln. General Motors, on the other hand, produces Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Cadillac, and Chevrolet.
To say that there are a few car makers around the world is not quite right. In fact, there are hundreds of them but only a few make a large number of cars around the world. We have to bear in mind that car makers are both producers and merchandisers of cars. They are also buyers of raw materials, i.e., rubber, iron, copper.
One out of seven jobs in the United States is directly related to car making and use of motor vehicles. Some of them are tuning cars, producing replicas of famous cars, and other car-making-related industry.
No matter how big a car-making industry is, it is necessary to know which type of car suits your preferences as well as you needs.

Source:
http://www.anythingaboutcars.com

Credit History Is All That Matters

2008-09-01T02:32:00.000-07:00

How is leasing affected by your credit score? Your credit is tantamount to the spokesperson for the president during a political crisis. Your public image and trustworthiness will be defined by your credit history. Here are a couple of information on how to calculate your credit score and top the ranks in car leasing companies.
First of all you have to know that your credit score is a gauge of your credit worthiness for car leasing companies to grant you a lease. This is based on your present and past credit history, and it can range from 350 to 850.
When you have a credit score higher than 720, then you have a prime score and can land on the best rates of the house; on the other hand, if you are below 640, then you are subprime and considered as bad apple among the group of car leasing dealers.
If you get into this trouble, it would be better to grab the FICO Credit Score from the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). This is a detailed documentation of your credit score from three major credit agencies. You can compare and check if there are discrepancies in the tabulation of your credit reports; if ever you’ll find one, you can call this agency and ask for a correction.
If you find no mistakes on it, you can work on paying your debts and make it a point to go over the threshold of 640 in your credit report. It’s not a wise decision to open a new credit account since it might cause further bad credits on your account.
Exert more effort in hitting your above threshold goal, and you’re good to go!

Source: http://www.car-leasing-help.com

Having Bad Credits? Here’s a Car Lease Deal!

2008-08-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

For those individuals who have bad credit histories, we introduce to you the greatest resolution to your dilemma: the sub-prime car leasing.
This type of leasing would surely help you by giving you a competitive pricing plan but is reflective of your credit issues.
Sub-prime leasing would allow you to still choose a brand-new car but only that you have fewer choices and that you have to pay higher compared to the ordinary car for the risk taken.
The first thing you need to do in this type of car leasing is to choose the car and the deal you want to avail of, contact the sub-prime leasing company, and submit the following documents for review: pay slip for three months, last three months bank statements, copy of driver’s license, and utility bill dated for ninety days.
All vehicles are from franchise dealers. The balance of the car’s former owner is provided for you to utilize. There are instances though when the financial institution would let you pay a higher initial payment or down payment.
Usually these companies would ask you to give an amount for the processing which is refundable if in case the deal won’t be granted but nonrefundable if the lease is approved.
You are also liable for insuring your car. Insurance is not covered by this type of lease. Mileage is another thing. You need to monitor your mileage. The lower your mileage is, the lower your rental payment. You have a corresponding charge for every mile in excess of the required mileage.

Source: http://www.subprimecarleasing.com/

iDrive System: Friendly Car Control Support

2008-08-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

BMW, being one of the world's top car makers, has one secret feature that it can boast of for efficiency and reliability. I'm talking about the iDrive system.
This incredible feature has the sole purpose of assisting the driver by aiding in driving orientation and car control. Mighty iDrive arranges all the instruments for navigating in a more user-friendly manner that the driver maneuvers the car with maximum comfort.
Sorting out the panel buttons and grouping them to make them more compact and highly navigable, the usual plethora of buttons has become one sensible system, which gives the driver total control of the car in its fingertips.
With this system, those functions that are frequently used are placed near the steering wheel; and the indicators; headlight, wipers, sound system, and steering wheel controls. It also features the Info Display or Head-up Display to show significant driving info such as directions and speed.
The car's air-conditioning and navigational buttons as well as the suspension settings are activated by a controller, a single dial in the center of the console. The controller can be used with one hand and gives feedback. The upper middle section of the instrument panel houses the Control Display, which serves as the dialogue display of important info for navigation.
Another controller at the cabin's rear allows the passengers to enjoy entertainment, multimedia, comfort and navigation systems.

Source: http://www.contracthireandleasing.com

Getting the Most Out of a Car Auction

2008-08-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

Make sure that you won't be giving out bouncing checks. To do this make sure that you have sufficient money in your bank to cover check payment. Other auctions might require bank drafts.
You can try checking online for some car pricing sites to check on the vehicle history report.
Make sure of the right title indication light of your contract. It may be red, green, or yellow.
You have to be at the auction site earlier than everybody. Be focused on the cars you want and avoid any distraction from the crowd. Bring important guidebooks whether it is a public auction or one that's wholesale. It may be helpful to bring your notebook or pocketPC and browse on some car pricing web sites from the auction.
Before you buy that car, try to verify first its vehicle history report. You can do that by yourself instantly when you the Palm Pilot or Pocket PC to aid you with the information. Another strategy would be to ask somebody to sit in front of a computer at home and call that person to check the history report of your desired car. Whatever is the cost given, try to remember that the primary concern of the auction is to sell the car. Don't trust the title checks given by the auction.
Read the contract and make sure that it is indicated there the number of days for you to get the contract. If they haven't furnished you the copy after the indicated date, take back your money; that is considered breach of contract. If possible, make it a point that the auctioned car has a title before you pay.
Bear in mind that you still have the buyer's premium to pay; calculate first if the auctioned car price will not go over its market value.
If you can't get the car at an affordable price below its published value, walk away and don't be entangled in a pricing war.

Source:
http://www.carbuyingtips.com

Getting the Most of a Car Auction

2008-08-11T01:24:00.001-07:00

Make sure that you won't be giving out bouncing checks. To do this make sure that you have sufficient money in your bank to cover check payment. Other auctions might require bank drafts.

You can try checking online for some car pricing sites to check on the vehicle history report.

Make sure of the right title indication light of your contract. It may be red, green, or yellow.

You have to be at the auction site earlier than everybody. Be focused on the cars you want and avoid any distraction from the crowd. Bring important guidebooks whether it is a public auction or one that's wholesale. It may be helpful to bring your notebook or pocketPC and browse on some car pricing web sites from the auction.

Before you buy that car, try to verify first its vehicle history report. You can do that by yourself instantly when you the Palm Pilot or Pocket PC to aid you with the information. Another strategy would be to ask somebody to sit in front of a computer at home and call that person to check the history report of your desired car. Whatever is the cost given, try to remember that the primary concern of the auction is to sell the car. Don't trust the title checks given by the auction.

Read the contract and make sure that it is indicated there the number of days for you to get the contract. If they haven't furnished you the copy after the indicated date, take back your money; that is considered breach of contract. If possible, make it a point that the auctioned car has a title before you pay.

Bear in mind that you still have the buyer's premium to pay; calculate first if the auctioned car price will not go over its market value.

If you can't get the car at an affordable price below its published value, walk away and don't be entangled in a pricing war.

Source:
http://www.carbuyingtips.com

All about Car Accidents

2008-08-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

Nobody ever wants to talk about the possibility of a car accident. We only talk about our neighbor whose leg almost got amputated after he smashed his car to a truck. But come to think of it; we do have to talk about what we should do about it to arm ourselves against any car mishap that might happen.
One major point to stress here is to hire a personal injury lawyer. This man of law will help you in determining the amount of insurance you should be getting or how much is your compensatory benefits, or simply that you are not being fooled by your insurance company or that of the other party’s.
Another significant thing; these benefits you are getting are based on the insurance package that you signed; basically, there are two types of insurance coverage: the comprehensive, which covers theft, vandalism, fire, and accidents caused by nature; the second one is collision coverage, which covers the insurance coverage of your car in any accident. However, the most basic tenet you should remember when you met an accident is to call your insurance to report the incident immediately; then you should file a police report, just to have some significant information documented, example the damages and the name of the persons involved, etc.
In some states, what is more troublesome is to determine who is at fault for the accident. In some states, a policy of no-fault liability makes every person involved in an accident responsible for damages on his own car. But still for some states, the at-fault policy requires a responsible party to pay all the damages of everyone involved.
Now what you must bear in mind is to document the pertinent information from the accident that will help your personal injury lawyer build a case with, such information as names and addresses of people involved in the accident, including the witnesses if there are any; insurance companies and the policy numbers of the people involved, a narration of how the incident took place, the property damages, and even names of those police officers who responded to the scene.
It’s good to equip ourselves of advance information for any accident or anything at all in life; in that case, we can lessen the inconvenience we experience in a car accident.

Source:
http://www.personalinjuryfyi.com

How Bad Is Your Credit?

2008-07-24T20:49:00.001-07:00

Generally, there are four factors to be considered in assessing a person’s credit for an auto loan or lease:
Credit bureau report which includes bankruptcies and proposals
Your credit bureau will give a comprehensive summation of all your credit activities: auto loans, credit cards, lines, and loans, even credit inquiries. It will also present data on your loan registrations, judgments, and collections. This will be the basis in determining your creditworthiness.
Bankruptcies and proposals are reported to the credit bureau seven years after discharge (in Canada). When these credits and bankruptcies are dealt with accordingly, it would be affirmative since it would be reflected as your credit-handling capacity.
You can request a copy of it through a reliable reporting agency for a fee.
Credit score
There are several credit scoring methods, the most common of which is the Fico score model. The score is derived primarily from your credit history and will determine your credit worthiness.
This will include your past credit records like the number and timing of credit inquiries, timeliness of payments, financial agreements made, and whether balances are above approved levels. Do bear in mind that the better the credit, the higher the score.
Debt service ratio
This involves the ratio of your monthly credit obligations and monthly income. These credit obligations consist credit card payables, mortgage or rent payments, and loan payments.
Job and residence stability
The longer you stayed in your company, the better your chances of getting a car loan. The most important is the main source of income. The secondary or part time employment doesn’t hold much weight compared to the main source. The longer one stayed in a residence the more likely you will be considered for a loan since you are less of a flight risk.
Availability of Cosigners/Co-applicants
Having any of your loved ones or any relative who could be the secondary driver of the car can be a
co-applicant or cosigner. They can surely give plus points for attaining that loan.

Source: http://www.ezeecredit.com

Car Trivia: What Is, What Isn’t?

2008-07-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

When did the car windshield wipers became a standard equipment for cars?
Answer: 1923
Who was the mechanic, race car driver, and the race car team owner whose cars dominated many races after World War II?
Answer: Enzo Ferrari
Whose he that created motorcycles with a meager $3,300 after the Second World War?
Answer: Soichiro Honda
When was the radio first offered as a standard car accessory?
Answer: 1923
How many cars registered in the United States during the fateful year of 1913?
Answer: more than 1 million
What was the car first offered for sale during 1887?
Answer: Benz
What was offered as standard car equipment during 1963?
Answer: seat belt
When was the first power windows introduced?
Answer: 1946
Who first introduced the first electric trunk release?
Answer: Ford

Source: http://www.anythingaboutcars.com

Things to Ponder Before You Lease That Car

2008-07-10T18:48:00.000-07:00

Length of Contract: Most car leases are 18, 24, 36, or 48 months in length.
Negotiate: Most dealerships buy cars in big volumes, and they get a good deal because of that. It’s not that hard for them to pass on that benefit to their customers. All it takes is a good negotiation.
Residual Value: A good residual value at the end of the contract will bring down the monthly installment. The residual value directly affects your monthly payment.
Early Termination Fees: Most car leasing agreements will demand large amount for penalties when a lessee terminates the contract.
Excess Mileage Fees: Try to measure up your driving mileage to the number that the dealership demands from you for the lease. If you’re that much of a driver and you think you’ll go beyond that number then check for another car.
Wear and Tear: Have a daily checkup of your car to monitor its wear and tear status. Bear in mind that in the end you would have to pay for any excess of that.
Car Modifications: If you’re intending to make your car an art car entry, take note that you have to pay for all expenses to revert the car back to its original make.

Sources:
http://www.carleasinguk.com/
http://www.edmunds.com

Short-term Lease: Anyone?

2008-07-06T21:08:00.001-07:00

When you need to fly away to do business in another country for the next six years and yet you want to impress your soon-to-be-wife, you can avail of your dream car for a car lease type called “short-term lease.”

The most common option for car dealers would be a car rental. It is advisable to avail of a prolonged car rental only when the duration of use would be from one day to several months. But when you want to use it from six to twenty-four months, it’s more practical to have the short-term lease.

The short-term car lease works just like the Swapalease wherein the concept runs in an “assumption” basis. This simply means when a lessee would want to get off the lease in the middle of the contract, the next lessee would finish the rest of the car lease and he/she is responsible for the car as regards the mileage, wear and tear, and other concerns, particularly for the excess of such.

To find dealerships or banks or any other financial institutions that can help you with this concern, it’s a good strategy to check online sources but you need to double-check each of them by calling. Now your chance to impress is not spoiled by time away from her.

Source: http://www.leaseguide.com

To Buy or Not to Buy

2008-07-03T23:46:00.001-07:00

Car leasing has become so popular an option that most car owners would have a lot to know about it. Entrepreneurs and car lovers both seized the opportunity to earn from its growing popularity.
Hence from coming up with a variety of lease types to the skyrocketing number of leasing companies, customers are not to worry about choices; what they should worry about is making the right choice.
Let’s say you have a concern regarding the calculation of your lease fees: the residual value, the monthly payments, how much insurance should you be getting, etc. It would come as a surprise that there’s actually an automatic lease calculator. This may appear superfluous, but it can be of some convenience for those who are not into numbers.
This tool can save you time and a head-splitting headache doing the math for the following:
Capitalized Cost -0 MSRP minus discount
Lease Price- minus $0 down payment
Residual Value-after 24 months
Depreciation Fee- part of lease payment
Lease Fee-part of lease payment
Monthly Payment- without tax
Usage Tax- 0% of 0
Total Amount Payment-what you pay
Among many others in the market, the automatic lease payment calculator can be not as exacting as you are when you are adamant of getting the right numbers in a lease. So to ensure that you are not misled by a button, double-checking is a necessity.
In the end, you are given the chance to risk accuracy in exchange for convenience. But then this goes for a lot of choices in the world.

Source:
http://www.bankrate.com

The Good You Get from Car Leasing

2008-06-22T19:22:00.000-07:00

Car leasing has gained momentum against car buying over the recent years despite the various money-back guarantee offers and other cut-back on prices and other purchasing promos for car buyers.

This fact is brought about by changes in lifestyle and preferences of today’s car owners. With car leasing, the car owners or soon-to-be car owners are given a large to enjoy the latest trend cars, equipped with the most up-to-date sound system and entertainment set-up. For those who don’t intend to own a car for so long a time, for about two to three years, car leasing is a highly desirable option.

So let’s try to delve on the positive this time, given the fact that the car wanna-be owner is resolute about leasing the latest model at a specific price range. It’s also necessary that he has chosen the right dealership, with whom he can strike a good deal.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, car leasing will allow you to enjoy the most state-of-the-art safety innovation, updated technology, and advanced entertainment system.

Second is that buying would be your prerogative. For as long as you stick to the mileage limit and is cautious about your car’s state in terms of wear and tear then at the end of the lease, you can buy the car outright or just hand in the keys and walk away to get a new one.

Another reason why you should get a car lease instead of purchasing is, you only have to pay for the depreciation of the car for the time it would be under the lease, so the monthly payment is not that high. There is a 30%-60% difference in the monthly payment when you purchase a car or just lease it.

The last plus factor for a car lease is that everything in a car lease from square 1 to closing the deal is negotiable. Everything depends on your research and negotiation skills. If you are well informed of how the dealers are competing in terms of pricing, then you can capitalize on that and be able to strike a deal to your advantage. With your perseverance to shop around for the best car lease deals, you can get the best insurance for your dream car with the maximum probable mileage.

Sources:
http://www.car-leasing-help.com/
http://www.leaseguide.com

Car Leasing: The Process

2008-06-15T19:43:00.001-07:00

The first step in car leasing is not that hard to take. You just begin by finding a car that suits your needs and preferences and budget. Try to dig in more on the pricing of the model you have chosen by doing some research. Try to calculate the monthly payment for the car lease by using the tool Calculate Your Own Lease Payment or you can use the web site Bankrate.com. Bear in mind that you have to minimize the drive-off fees and that a three-year car lease term would be the best option. You have to decide on how long you are going to keep the car, and find out how much mileage would you be able to consume and compare that to what the car leasing company allows you for the car lease. You can also add to that information the charges for extra miles.

The next step to take would be to undergo phone brigade, asking around for prices. One useful tip in doing so would be to give them the specifics of the car lease you want. You can tell them that I want a price quote for this model including the drive-off fees for a three-year car lease term. Don’t forget to ask also to have the taxes included in the calculation. Try to delve further on peripheral issues like asking for the liability during accidents or loss of the vehicle, if there’s gap insurance and how much, and also ask about the depreciation of the car. Take note that gap insurance is usually included in the lease but not part of the car leasing company’s policy. The catch here is that if in case your car gets stolen and you don’t have this then you get to pay more than the amount of the car lease as a whole.

After they give the initial pricing, write it down. Call another company and ask the sme questions for you to have basis for comparison. Call the same car leasing company again and see if they have altered their initial pricing. Do so until you have enough information. Once you have chosen the car leasing company you want to lease from, ask them to send you the “lease worksheet,” which is the document containing all the numbers you have agreed upon. In this case, you have a record of your agreement and not just a verbal one.

These steps need to be taken with precaution and perseverance since you would be dealing with people who are aiming to close a deal with the best amount that would work to their advantage. So take a shot and brace yourself.

Sources:
http://www.edmunds.com

http://www.ehow.com

Car Leasing versus Car Buying

2008-06-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

How different is car leasing from car buying? First things first, a car lease would allow you to rent a car and not own it. In a car lease, you return the car after the term ends. When you buy a car, you own it as soon as it gets fully paid.

Your monthly payments for the car lease would include payment for the depreciating value of the car as well as the interests, surcharges, taxes, and fees while for car buying you would have to pay for the full purchase price of the car.

Another advantage that car leasing has against car buying is that in case you want to return the vehicle, you can easily surrender the car and walk away. In car buying, you would have to trade in or sell the car when you want a different vehicle.

Most car owners would prefer to have the latest models and other innovations and amenities for cars. Here is where car leasing would play a big advantage since it would allow you to trade in your old Volvo for the latest C30 after two or three years, depending on the agreement you have.

However, to compare the two methods of owning a car, we would have to be impartial. What bothers most people about leasing is that it’s almost next to impossible to find a good deal for a lease. Some leases would offer you a low amount, not disclosing a lot of hidden charges. So what to do? Do research and don’t be in a hurry to choose. That’s the only way to ensure the best deal whether it’s car buying or car leasing.

Sources:

www.automotive.com

http://www.automotive.com/auto-loans/36/loan-tips/car-leasing-vs-car-buying.html

http://www.car-leasing-help.com/

http://www.neighborhoodlaw.org/page/78&cat_id=81

The Lease Provider

2008-04-10T23:41:00.001-07:00

Contrary to what many people think it is not the car dealers that offer car lease deals. It is the banks, credit unions, and finance divisions of major car manufacturers who offer car lease deals. The dealers are just agents and are there to arrange a lease for you. This is why it is so important that you know how to negotiate a good lease. Dealers will oftentimes want to add a little more to make a profit for themselves. Leasing can also be arranged through an independent leasing company or bank after you have negotiated a price with a dealer. There are some lease providers who will help you acquire a vehicle for reduced costs and lesser hassle.

Internet Car Lease Quotes

2008-04-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

When shopping for a good car lease, one of the best sources you can count on is the Internet. Many sites exist to help consumers find the best lease deal. However, many people still have the idea that they can actually buy or lease the car online from these companies. This is not the case and it is a common misconception. Car leasing sites do not actually sell or lease cars. In fact, State laws require that all cars are to be sold at brick and mortar locations, or traditional dealers.

So what are those Internet car leasing sites there for? These sites exist to give consumers the best deals from around the country. So the quotes that you are actually getting are valuable pieces of information on good deals from around the country. Basically they are servicing actual dealers by advertising and this is how they make money in return. Do they really get people the best deals? Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. It's left to the customers' best judgment to decide whether a deal is good or not.

For the best car lease deal information, visit http://www.carleasingsecrets/com.

Car Leasing? Read The Fine Print

2008-03-27T19:23:00.000-07:00

You know how people always tell you to read the fine print whenever you sign any contract? In many cases, nobody really does read the fine print and the business relationship is then therefore based on trust. But this isn't the case when it comes to leasing cars. In this kind of transaction, if you want to spend less in the long run, it's really important to read the fine print to see what hidden charges there might be after you sign up with a dealer.

It's a really simple formula: if you don't read the fine print then the deal will definitely not be for you. The point about negotiating a car lease deal is to control the transaction in its entirety as much as possible. If you do not read the fine print, you are bound to be misled about the deal you are getting into and you will most probably pay more than you originally thought you would. It's tougher to lease but if you get the negotiation and transaction right, it's a whole lot cheaper. Bottom line: Read The Fine Print!

The Secret To The Best Car Lease Deal

2008-03-19T21:12:00.000-07:00

There are all sorts of ways that you can negotiate for the final price of a lease contract. But if you don't know the terms and you don’t know what you are really paying for when you do lease, then it is all for naught. There really is only one secret to negotiating a good price and there are two words to the secret: "capitalized cost". This is also known as the final sale price.

The capitalized cost is one of the major variables in determining the monthly payments that you will make during a lease. This is something that many people don't know about and it is where there mistake lies. They fail to understand that they will still have to negotiate the final sale price when they lease a car. Keep in mind that the negotiation is just like when you buy a car. This will help you save thousands of dollars during your lease contract.

Some Leasing Terms That You Need To Know

2008-03-12T19:43:00.000-07:00

Leasing was originally intended to help businesses who wanted to own vehicles but at the same time wanted to avoid the high costs and maintenance. It's important to understand the terms in leasing so that you don't get lost in all the jargon of lease contracts and negotiations. Here are a few basic terms:

Lessee:
The consumer.

Lessor:
The company that is leasing the vehicle out; usually this is the bank or some other finance company.

Residual Value:
This is the value of a car at the end of a lease and is usually estimated at lease start. This is also known as the lease-end value and is a percentage of the MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price). If the residual value is higher, then your monthly payments are likely to be low. This is also a negotiable figure in a lease deal. Dealers will refer to the Automotive Leasing Guide to determine the value but be informed that some financial institutions will usually have their own guides as well.

Rent Charge:
This is an amount paid by the consumer or lessee that includes the principal, interest and profit.

Money Factor:
a.k.a the lease rate, it is the interest rate built into all leases. This is the leasing version of the rate of interest that is charged to those who buy using credit. This is something that is known usually only to the leasing company and dealer.

Some Answers To A Couple Of Tough Lease Questions

2008-03-06T22:18:00.000-08:00

How do I get out of a lease contract?

There are actually three ways that you can consider to get out of a lease contract. You can 1) find someone to assume the lease for you but this is only possible if the leasing company will allow this; you also have to make sure the one who assumes the lease will be someone with good credit history. You can also 2) sell the car to a private buyer. Of course this means that you will have to know the true value of the car. And 3) you can turn the keys in and walk away from the lease. This is the worst option you can opt for because it will be listed on your credit report as a repossessed vehicle.

How do I avoid extra expenses at lease end?

When you turn in your car, you are more than likely to spend extra for such charges like all the extra mileage you consumed, repairs to the general wear and tear of the vehicle, and all sorts of other penalties. You can keep your expenses to a minimum by making sure that you wash and detail the car, service all of the requirements of the car, keep all the maintenance records, have the car services before going back to the dealers, Fix all the general wear and tear areas (like chipped paint, etc.), and do not go beyond your mileage limit. These are only some of the things that you can do to make sure that you don’t pay too much money for things that could have been avoided.

Some Frequently Asked Car Lease Questions

2008-02-27T23:45:00.000-08:00

What is a closed-end lease?

There are actually two kinds of car leases: closed-end and open-end. A closed-end car lease is one where you may return the car at the end of a lease and simply walk away once your contract is done. However, you are going to be responsible for end-of-lease car charges, which may come in the form of extra mileage, wear and tear, etc. The option for you to buy the car is also given. The residual value of the car is pre-determined upon signing the lease so if you choose to buy the car, you pat the residual value and a processing fee. This is the car lease that most people buy into.

What is an open-end lease?

This type of lease is usually only considered for commercial leases. The market value of a car is determined at the end of this kind of lease contract. This is then compared with the residual value that is predetermined and the lessee ends up paying the difference which can be quite pricey.

Are there lease scams that I should be aware of?

Unfortunately there are many lease scams that you have to worry about. The list is endless and many of these deals are pulled off by dealers who look to make a profit. Be aware of the many shams by looking them up on the Internet, or even get around to asking your preferred dealer about them.

What is a disappearing trade-in?

This is one of the scams that can be quite profitable for dealers. They simply leave your trade-in off the contract and most probably they will exclude the rebate as well. Another way is the creation of random fees that are about the same price as your trade-in value or rebate. Oftentimes, the customer is not aware this is happening so make sure to do your own car lease calculations and make sure to get to know your dealer and see if he or she is trusted.

The Car Lease Calculator

2008-02-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

Worried about entering a car lease because of the money that it will cost you? Knowing everything from how much a car costs down to the monthly payments that you will have to prepare when entering a lease is crucial. You also don't have to take the dealers word for it. Crunch your own numbers and use an online calculator to help you out. There are many online calculators that you can choose from and each of these calculators has all the necessary formulas built into them already. All you need is the information and here are some of the things you need to find out to make your own calculations:

The Manufacturers Standard Retail Price (MSRP) of a vehicle

Your final negotiated price
The agreed upon Down Payment if any
Trade-in value of a car
Sales Tax
Length of the lease
New car lending rate
The value of the car at the end of its loan

A simple click of the mouse should show you exactly what your monthly rate should amount to. Then you can bring this back and compare numbers with the dealer. Any differences in the numbers can lead to a further negotiation and a better car lease deal.

Check out this car leasing calculator, and visit http://www.carleasingsecrets.com for the best car lease deals.

Need A Lease? Go Independent.

2008-02-13T00:16:00.000-08:00

Yes, there is independent music, independent books, independent t-shirt manufacturers, etc. In fact, the whole trend about going independent is so incredible that even some car lease dealers have gone the way of operating on an indie level. These independent car lease companies are actually non-dealer sources that can offer lease financing.

The usual thought is that you would have to go with a finance company that deals with particular dealers. This is not true and you can find much better deals at dealers who are independent of being tied with certain financing institutions. Of course, the only downside is that you won't be offered the same promotions that many major car dealers offer but you might actually find quite a bargain if you are looking into investing in a luxury car. Is it a guaranteed best car lease deal set up? Probably not but many major car lease deals can be disappointing, too.

Tips For Lessors

2008-02-08T21:42:00.000-08:00

Leasing or buying a car is quite the game for many dealers and this is one that you should know how to play well. After all, even if you walk into a store and lease exactly the same car as someone else, you might be shocked to find out that you might be paying higher than that other person if you are not well prepared. In fact the difference can be up to the thousands of dollars!

So before you go into the dealers, make sure that you know the exact car that you want, and also study up on its standard retail price as well. You should also have a clear idea about how much you want to pay as far as monthlies are concerned. This can be negotiated especially if you calculate the monthlies yourself just by knowing the residual value of a car. Do not give the salesperson the upper hand by allowing him to make all sorts of calculations for you. If you do that, then all is lost and you will end up paying more than you really have to. The two keywords here are research (what car you want and its value) and calculate (the monthly payments based on the residual value of the car).

Get more leasing tips here.

How To Negotiate A Car Lease

2008-01-30T19:40:00.000-08:00

All car leasing advice entries, posted or printed, will tell you that you can get good car lease deals if you know how to negotiate them. But the question is, how do you negotiate a car lease deal in the first place?

When it comes to car leasing, a negotiation is very straight forward. You can walk into a store, ask about a product, and negotiate right away. Of course, this will take a lot of guts but you may be surprised that dealers can be very open. And this is where you can start your negotiation skills.

Now, negotiation is quite tricky and if a dealer seems too friendly, you will want to look past that because he or she might be trying to trick you into paying higher fees. So what you need to do is to take down notes while you talk to the dealer. After all, when its written down as you talk, a dealer can not try and trick you by blurting out other rates and figures because you have note on them as you go along.

Next, remember that you are the boss and it is up to you to accept a deal or not. You have the power to say no and if things don’t go your way, never give into the dealer’s offers. It is important to know when to walk away. This in effect will result in the dealer losing a sale and he or she therefore earns no money. This is also one strategy that will help the dealer lower costs.

Lastly, do not mention any intentions of leasing or buying a car. First negotiate a fair price, one that you can work with. This is important because if a dealer knows that you are leasing or buying, then he or she can also prepare strategies on getting you to pay more.

Car Leasing Goals

2008-01-27T19:41:00.000-08:00

When you are out shopping for the next car lease, make sure that you know what you are looking for. This does not mean that you know what type of car you want to drive for the next 3 to 5 years. What you need to do is make a list of the best leasing goals and options that you can get your hands on.

All cars depreciate by about 50% in 36 months and this is something you need to keep in mind when leasing. In fact, this is one of the advantages of leasing over buying because in the end, you won't own the car and you simply have to turn it in. However, since there is money involved in a lease. Be sure to spend that money wisely. What you need is:

1. A low capitalized value.
2. High residual value especially if you are not buying the car at the end of the lease.
3. The lowest money factor that you can negotiate.
4. A no down payment, no security deposit, no bank fee, no dealer fee contract.

Is this possible? Definitely so and all prices are negotiable no matter what the dealer tells you.

More information can be found on http://www.carleasingsecrets.com.

Some Car Leasing Thoughts

2008-01-18T23:19:00.000-08:00

There are a few things to keep in mind before getting into car leasing. This may help you better understand the advantages over buying a car.

1. It's cheaper to buy than to lease. – Although this may seem to be the case because leasing ties you down to a contract wherein you have to pay every month for the duration of that agreement, this is not true at all in some cases. For example, let's say you lease a car for 3 years and have a monthly payment of $489. Turning in the car means you pay you pay a $395 turn-in fee and then you can walk away. But if you bought it and paid for 5 years at 7.9% then that makes your monthly payments up to about over $500. Of course, at the end of the five years the car will be yours to own but you would have paid a substantially higher amount.

2. You can't negotiate a good lease. – This is not true at all. You will be surprised at the offers that are made to you if you know how to haggle. Remember that car lease companies will try to add a little extra so that they can gain a little. You don't need those extras so make sure that you bring down the contract to as small a price as you can.

3. You get a tax break. – Yes, individuals can get a tax break, and they are not exclusive to just businesses. In many states you pay sales tax on monthlies but not on the price if the car.

4. Turning in a car means huge fees. – Untrue. You can actually negotiate a higher limit when it cones to mileage instead of a higher monthly payment. The result? Significant savings for you.

What’s In Your Trunk?

2008-01-10T19:17:00.000-08:00

Aside from the usual junk in your trunk (namely, the spare wheel, the jack, and tools), what other items are there that you simply need? Here is a list of some things (conventional and not) that are found in the typical car trunk:

1. Water – Lots of it. You never know when you or your car will suddenly get thirsty especially on the highway.

2. Flashlights and batteries – Don’t have any triangles in handy? Perhaps a few lights will help you. Emergency beacons or regular flashlights can be placed on the road to warn other cars that you are on the side for repairs. The batteries, of course, are self-explanatory.

3. Phone charger – Yes, you might have one in the glove compartment, but imagine if it simply just wasn’t there? Keep an extra in the trunk to make emergency calls.

4. Junk food – Waiting for the Triple A service to get to you and you’re hungry? Make sure to stack up on a few munchies so that you don’t starve.

5. Radio – The last thing you need is to use up your car battery listening to music. Store a separate music player or radio in the trunk so that you save up on battery juice and you don’t faint with boredom.

What’s in your trunk?

The All New Ford Fiesta

2008-01-09T19:00:00.000-08:00

If you think all car companies are virtually going crazy with the features that they are pooling into their new car models, then you haven't yet seen what Ford has done. The all new Fiesta ST from the American car manufacturer is the latest pocket-sized speed demon that's set to give all hatchbacks and mini's a major run for their money. With an all new look and superb engine improvements, the Fiesta is a feisty vehicle that’s set to be introduced soon to the American and European market (most probably in the second or third quarter of the year).

So just what's so special about it? A recent unveiling of pictures of the Fiesta ST first gives the impression of a vehicle that has more personality than its predecessors and competitors in the market. It has a sleek new look and looks like this hot hatchback will also do well in terms of speed and performance compared with its current rivals. A huge lower grille and massive alloy wheels gives the new ST a more aggressive look. Of course, it can't do without the blue oval logo right smack in the middle of the grille which just adds that touch of class. The rear window also has been touched up with a spoiler above it and the front bumper sports fog lamps and an obvious design for better air intake. Twin exhaust pipes sport the rear bumper and the lowered suspension gives the car a stance like it’s about to speed off 0 to 60 in a few seconds.

Speaking of speed, the Fiesta ST can do 0 to 60 in about seven seconds and this is not surprising. Standard models will be fitted with a 2.0 liter engine that can produce 275 horsepower. Of course, the ST will most likely be available in smaller engine models as well so you can expect a 1.6 liter that will perform just as well. The best thing about this mini car is that upgrade packages will be available to boost its performance, with parts being sold almost similar to that of the Focus. A diesel engine is in the works and while that's being manufactured, you will be glad to know that the new Fiesta ST's will feature stop-start technology to help you save even more gas on the city streets.

For a little over $30,000, fans will be able to own an ST hopefully in the summer for the United States and a little later around Europe. This is perhaps one of the first few times that one look at the Fiesta and you will forget that it was a Ford. Still, the manufacturer holds its own, known to have developed some of the best in handling vehicles in the last five years.

Check out leasing information on cars through http://www.carleasingsecrets.com.

Car Leasing Advice: The End Of A Lease

2008-01-08T23:41:00.000-08:00

Have you reached the end of a car lease contract? It's best to know your options from this point onwards. You only have a couple and that is to extend your lease contract with the dealer and probably get a new car. Or you can end the lease, turn in the car you have currently and then probably consider buying a car that you can own at the end of monthly payments. Of course, you will need to have some kind of down payment in order to make this happen. Leasing, on the other hand, requires no down payment. However, you may want to consider discontinuing car leasing because the payments will never end unless a contract ends. Depending on your agreement with a dealer, this can be anywhere between 3 to 5 years per car contract.

Best Car Lease Deal: The Baby Fiat

2008-01-08T02:17:00.000-08:00

With rumors abound on the new Abarth 500 (the Abarth SS), it's not a surprise why this future best car lease deal has got loyal Fiat fans and newcomers in a tizzy. Just one look at the vehicle shows just how hot this evolved 500 is going to be once it hits the street. It may be small, but performance-wise it is a midget car with an engine that was designed by the same people behind Ferrari's Formula One cars.

Ever heard of the name Paulo Martinelli? If you haven’t, just think Formula One. He's one of the brains behind engine performance for some of Ferrari's top cars in the series. So what’s the connection with Paulo Martinelli and the next best car lease deal in the new Abarth SS? Well, stepping into this vehicle and driving it around, you will have to thank this man as he is the person assigned to fine-tune the four-cylinder model of the Abarth SS, which is about to hit city streets in parts of Europe in 2008. Dubbed the Super Sport (thus the SS), the Abarth is a monster of a car that is the ultimate evolution of the Fiat-based Abarth 500 that we have come to know so well. It’s got enough "oomph" and style to give the Mini Cooper a run for its money and if you wait long enough, we just might see the introduction of the Abarth Grande Punto SS which sports a 1.4 liter turbo engine and even more race style than imagined for a slick little street car.

Aggressive and definitely a looker, the Abarth SS will most probably be a best car lease deal hit in all parts of Europe. The United States may not take a shining to it once it's introduced to the SUV-loving population but it does stand a chance, especially with its performance stats and history of its current build. The highest price for the Abarth SS would probably reach about US $30,000 and that's for one with all the trimmings. Expect to see this monster mini in March of 2008, with a public launch and sale just before the summer. Worried about warranties on a car name you might not have heard of before? Don't worry, Fiat has it all covered.

Leasing Discounts: Down Payment Info

2008-01-03T17:43:00.000-08:00

Ever heard car dealers tell you how to get leasing discount by making the right down payments? Usually, the right down payment to them means that if you pay higher, you save less in the long run. Although a higher down payment does assure you that you will be paying less on the monthlies, this does not mean that you will be saving money or getting a discount. This only means that you are making more advanced payments on the monthlies and therefore it lowers your monthlies in the long run. This is one of the oldest tricks in the dealers' books that actually snag people especially when they hear the words "leasing discounts". Be wary of these deals and make sure to make all calculations before leasing a car to see if you actually do save money on a lease deal. It's pretty much decided, however, that the figures do not change at all.

Best Car Lease Deal: Homework On Money Saving Tips

2008-01-01T17:34:00.000-08:00

Whether or not you have gone and entered a lease contract with your favorite car dealer, to get the best car lease deal you have to do your homework. The first thing that you should be researching about is how you can save money. A lot of car leasing companies out there may have some really great deals but they do not come spotless. There are things known as hidden charges and these are the elements of deals that dealers will not tell you about. They could come in the form of anything: extra accessories, extra insurance premiums, etc.

What a customer needs to do is research what those hidden charges are or try to at least get their dealers to mention them in their sales pitch. These dealer tricks can actually fool one into thinking that he or she is getting huge discounts or savings so as a customer one should know how to calculate his or her own monthly payments. Before negotiating on your next best car lease deal, do your homework. You will find that you will save yourself a whole lot of hassle and a whole lot of money in the long run.

Car Leasing Deals: Before Going For It

2007-12-27T17:20:00.000-08:00

Got the itch to try out a new car but don't think that you might have the budget to purchase to own one? One option is to go for car leasing deals that are offered all over the country. The trick behind it all is to understand how these deals truly work.

The main difference between the two is that buying a car means that someday you are going to own it when you make the last payment. With car leasing deals, when the contracts end, you have to turn in the vehicles leased by the dealer. However, car lease deals are actually all right for those who are on a budget because you can enter a contract with virtually no down payment. The consequence is that you will have to continue paying with the knowledge that you won’t own the car in the end.

Another advantage is that every 2 to 3 years you might have the option to switch your car for a new one which is especially great for someone who is always on the lookout for something that's new and trendy. Prices, however, are not standard and depend on the model of car that you are leasing. So before getting into car lease deals, keep these points in mind and research all the little details in a car lease contract.

The Leasing Quotation Secret

2007-12-25T18:14:00.000-08:00

Getting a car lease is just about the easiest thing to do these days. Walk in to a car dealership, ask for a few quotes on any model car, and walk out with a ton of options, all at different price ranges. But the real leasing quotation secret is getting to know about all the hidden charges. Yes, for those of you who don't know, the price presented to you on paper isn't the final number you end up paying when you do start a new car lease. Keep in mind that there are hidden charges that can come in the form of insurance rates, extra things you won't want in the first place, etc. This is one leasing quotation secret that will help you make the right decision when leasing a brand new car.

Then again, it might not always be a bad deal; it really depends on what kind of lease you are looking for. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a vehicle that is worth your money, then steer clear of hidden charges and your next purchase should roll out fine.

Know of a leasing quotation secret that might help your friends in their next car leasing arrangement? Share them all here.