You are here: Home / Archives for Car Prices

Researching Car Prices

Like most things in life, buying a car has changed. Before the internet, we used to scour the for sale advertisements or classifieds in the newspaper. Maybe, we spent a Saturday afternoon going from car dealership to car dealership looking at the various makes and models, taking leisurely test drives of these cars, then haggling with the car salesman about car prices. With the rise of the internet, a new tool has graced our car buying experience—online researching tools.

Many of us are still confused about researching cars and car prices online. How can I be sure this information is accurate? Will my online research really be helpful in my search for great car prices? There are so many benefits of researching car prices on the internet, and you can get a better car price if you know how to research car prices.

First, you need to decide which cars, vans, or SUV’s that interest you. In order to find the best vehicle for you, you need to know what you want to drive. Too many people show up on a car dealership lot and have no idea what they want or need. By researching on the internet, you can see the various car prices and even compare cars side by side. You will not have to waste so much time at the car dealership deciding which car you like.

Secondly, you should bring the research on the car prices with you to the dealership. When you are negotiating with the sales person, you can show him or her the listed prices for the same car from other dealerships. You will have leverage for haggling over the car prices if you have your researched information with you.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Car Prices Tagged With: , ,

Family Cars Grow in Popularity – Be Aware of Cost Cuts

Cupholder (Saab 9-5)
Image via Wikipedia

Each family seems to want something different in the “family car” and carmakers are stepping up to the challenge. The offerings of the new models have different packages , and unlike their prior year cousins, the makers remembered there are children in the backseat.
Some cars are less expensive because they cut corners on features that are almost unnoticed until after the purchase. For example, a joke is made about the number of cup holders in a vehicle but this is a needed feature when you are shuffling children back and forth and eating dinner on the go. Your child needs that cup holder in the back as much or more than the driver needs the cup holder. If the four year old doesn’t have a place to rest her Happy meal drink she will likely plop it down in the seat. You will find this later, much later when the sugary drink has dried into the upholstery. Another feature that is often cut from the car is the vents for the back seat. The customer may not even think to look for this at first, then as soon as little Joey gets hot in the back you search to redirect the air conditioner vent and there isn’t one. Of course in the winter, Joey will be cold and you will need to run the heater a little extra warm to fill the back with warm air.
Cash for clunkers increased sales of the economy car, because people were looking for a bargain deal. Now families feel a little more confident about the economy and they have turned out to shop for quality and a car that meets their needs. The bottom line here is to thoroughly check out your product before you buy. Don’t be fooled by the apparent good deal only to find out you can’t tolerate the item they chopped.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Car Prices Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Best Small Cars Under $20,000

Ford Fiesta 2 XR2 in Cambridge, England
Image via Wikipedia

With the economy still lagging, many people who have been putting off buying a new car are getting to the point where it is time to buy a new car, even if their budget isn’t as strong as they had hoped. Because of this, affordable small cars are getting more attention than they have in the past by the press. U.S. News and World Report magazine released a list of their top 30 small cars under $20,000. The cars were chosen based on value, features, safety and durability.

The cars included on the list are a mixed bag including cars by domestic and foreign companies, new models and old standbys. The full article is available on the U.S. News and World Report website; however this article will discuss some of the highlights and surprises on the list.

Number 27 on the list is the 2010 Smart ForTwo. The MSRP on this one starts at less than $12,000 and it is well known for its unique looks and getting excellent gas mileage, but safety concerns and a sluggish motor keep it from charting any higher. The two cheapest cars on the list come in at number 14 and number 23.

The Nissan Versa and the Hyundai Accent both have prices that start at less than $10,000. They are no-frills cars that get good gas mileage and would make an excellent starter car for a young person, but the lack of space and premium features may keep them from reaching a wider customer base.

The Nissan Cube has one of the largest interiors of cars listed, the unique look is not for everybody but many people like its one of a kind styling. Number one on the list of affordable small cars is the Ford Fiesta. This model has gotten rave reviews, has a classy look, gets excellent gas mileage, and with a base price starting at less than $14,000 it won’t break the bank.

There are a great number of small model cars that contain just as much power and attractiveness as other luxury models, but aren’t as heavy on your wallet. Websites like Truecar can help you narrow down your search by type and price in order to find what you find attractive and can afford.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Car Prices Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Lowest Car Insurance Cost

Many people never think about how much a new car will cost to insure. Of course the main consideration is the sticker price, and people looking at used cars may think about maintenance costs, but 21st car insurance is usually at the bottom of the list, if it makes it on the list at all.

According to a study done in California by Edmonds, an automotive expert, car insurance can make up as much as 25 percent of a household’s automotive expenses. This is a pretty high percentage of a family’s expense, which means it should be taken into consideration when buying a new or used car.

During the study, it was realized that certain car models are less expensive to insure than others, which can help make the choice in buying a car that will fit into the family’s budget. This company did the research and came up with the top three vehicles in a variety of categories that have the cheapest car insurance costs.

The top three trucks that cost the least amount to insure include the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon, and the Ford Ranger. The three coupes that have the least expensive insurance are the Kia Forte, the Honda Civic, and the Chevrolet Cobalt. In the Sedan division, the Volkswagen Jetta, the Chevrolet Aveo, and the Suzuki SX4 are the cheapest to insure. As for Hatchbacks and Wagons, Smart Fortwo, Chevrolet HHR, and the Nissan Cube topped the list as the lowest car insurance cost in their class. Lastly, the top three SUVs and Crossovers that have the lowest car insurance costs are the Hyundai Tucson, the Jeep Patriot, and the Kia Sportage.

These results were based on the five-year projections for every car model in each class. Each car model’s costs were based on the trim model, with the bells and whistles, which is also the cheapest to insure.

Filed Under: Car Prices Tagged With: ,
Newer Posts »