Work Life Tips

*If you are looking for new car reviews, check out NewCarTestDrive.com.

NewCarTestDrive.com claims to be the world’s leading provider of automotive reviews. While that may or may not be true, the site does include reviews of most major makes and models of both new and used cars, plus a host of other terrific information and tools (including a car quote service, a car comparison tool, and tips and advice on financing and insurance).

If you can help it, don’t buy a new car or a used car under duress. Try to plan your purchase in advance so you can take your time finding the right car for your needs and budget.

The Federal Trade Commission’s booklet “Understanding Vehicle Financing” is a good resource whether you are a first-time car buy or have a car collector. The free downloadable PDF version is available at the Federal Citizen Information Center’s Web site. In it, you’ll read about how to get the facts on dealership financing, including what it is, how you apply, special financing offers, and cash back and rebates you may be eligible for.

*You can also order a copy of the 10-page print version from the Web site for $1.00.

When you take a new car for a test drive, take your time. Don’t let the salesperson rush you. A thorough test drive should take at least 20 minutes. During the test drive, make note of some important things, such as:

• How does the car fit you?
• Can you adjust it comfortably?
• Can you reach and adjust all controls easily?
• Is there enough legroom for passengers?
• Does the car accelerate fast enough for you?
• Is the level of interior noise acceptable?
• How does the car handle when you round tight corners quickly or shift lanes abruptly on the highway?
• How does the car responding to hard braking?
• How is the ride quality?
• Are you being jolted when you pass over the slightest bump?

You should test drive several cars in the same class to give yourself something to compare each car’s performance to. Chances are, any new car you test drive will be an improvement over your old car, but that’s not a fair or rational benchmark.

The best way to negotiate with a dealer over the price of a new car deal is to first determine how much the dealer paid for the car or the invoice price.

Instead of negotiating the retail price to buy the new car, bargain using the dealer’s invoice price. The dealer’s price is usually below invoice of the retail price.

Hypothetical Situation

Let’s say that you have a new car deal on a Saturn Sky and $1500 was marked

off the retail price. However, the car dealership’s invoice price is $3000 less than the new car’s retail price.

Solution: Determine the dealer’s invoice price compare it to the new car’s retail price. If there is more than a 50 percent discrepancy, either haggle a $200 to $300 or walk away from the new car deal.

It’s easy to find a new car review on just about any make and model you like. You can turn to the Internet to find reviews at sites such as AutoWeek’s, Car and Driver, Epinions, Motor Trend, and Road and Track.

If you’d rather have something in your hands that you can mark up with comments and questions, you can pick up a car buying guide at your local book store.

Consumer Reports, a publication of the Consumers Union (a nonprofit organization devoted to providing unbiased reviews of consumer products to the public) publishes an annual new car buying guide that is chock full of good advice on negotiating the best deal, financing, and reviews.

According to Bankrate.com, used cars outsell new cars three to one (probably because used cars run about half the cost of a new car). Both new cars and used cars have their pros and cons. If you are just starting to shop for a car and you aren’t sure whether you want new or used, visit Bankrate.com and use the auto advisor interactive tool for guidance.

Bankrate.com asks you a handful of questions and, based upon your answers, makes a recommendation as to whether you would do better buying new or used. Bankrate.com has pages upon pages of information. If you can’t locate the auto advisor easily using the navigational menus, simply search on the term “new vs. used car,” and select the first item in the search results.

Waxing does more than help maintain that fresh-from-the-factory look, it is actually and essential part of car maintenance that helps your car hold its used car value in the event you want to resell it someday. It can prevent damage to you paint job, which in turn, prevents rust from forming.

You should wax your car at least three times a year. If you live in a foul weather climate where sand, salt, and chemicals are used to treat the roads, make sure you apply a fresh coat before the first snow flies.

There are many different brands of wax, but most come in two forms: liquid or paste. Both tyes are effective,however, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s directions closely. A mistake with wax is often hard to hide.

No amount of car maintenance can completely protect your car from the elements. If you’ve ever had your car locks freeze in the dead of winter, here’s a simple solution:
Take a ½ inch stiff bristle brush and rub petroleum jelly into the joints of hood hinges, doors, and trunk and door latch strikers and receptors. This will prevent freezing even in the most severe weather.

*You can also rub plain old cooking oil on the rubber weather stripping around windows and the contact bumpers around the doors and trunk to prevent doors and trunk lids from sticking in cold weather.

When it comes time to replace parts on your new or used car or do routine car maintenance, your car manufacturer knows best. It’s always a good idea to check your owner’s manual to see how often the manufacturer recommends certain parts should be replaced or when fluids (transmission and oil, primarily) should be changed.

*If your car is under warranty, the manufacturer may require a specific type or brand of fluid be used in the car to maintain the warranty.

With gas at all-time highs, more and more people are asking themselves if they really need premium octane gas. However, it may actually be an essential part of your new car maintenance. The most common octane ratings range from 87 to 93 and represent the gas’s resistance to detonation (also known as “knock”). Knock is a process when more combustion than normal occurs within the engine causing the pistons and related engine parts to knock around resulting in damage to your car’s engine.

Today’s new cars have knock sensors that detect engine knock and adjust the engine performance to minimize damage. However, if left unchecked, damage to your engine will result. Check your owner’s manual, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding which octane gas to use in your car. If it says to use premium, bite the bullet and use premium.