Sunday, August 23, 2009

Transporting Your Exotic Car -

Exotic car transport is a growing branch of the car transport industry, a specialized field that includes auto transporters of custom-built automobiles, luxury cars, antique autos, exotic cars, and prototypes. Exotic car transport companies utilize state of the art satellite tracking and mobile phones to keep track of your vehicle every mile of the way. Secure and safe loading on custom built covered trailers with full lift gates and unique tie-down systems provide security without damage to your vehicle. Airtight sanitary environments and full air equipment for smooth and even travel are just some of the many special options available for shipping an exotic or special car.

Custom equipment designed to meet your specific needs is a standard in the exotic car transport business. When investigating exotic car transport companies check to see whether they maintain fleet of opened and enclosed transports at their facility, and whether they employ a professional crew of mechanics and maintenance people to serve your needs. To protect your interests, also make sure they carry the finest insurance coverage available.

Some popular trailer options for secure exotic car transport are: six-car enclosed trailers, four-car enclosed trailers, and two-car non-stacking enclosed trailers. Most auto transporters of exotic vehicles will offer delivery from door to door or delivery to the customer wherever they choose. Most exotic car companies will accept non-running vehicles. Many exotic car transport companies will design an itinerary according, solely, to your car transport requirements.

When you are searching for a exotic car transport company ask if exotic and vehicle shipping is their main focus or a sideline of another business, further find out if they contract out shipping jobs to third parties. Be certain when you are investigating exotic car transport companies that exotic and custom-made cars are their specialty and they are experts.

Many exotic car transport companies will offer worldwide vehicle transportation solutions to individuals. These car transport companies specialize in dependable, efficient service with numerous departures from major U.S. ports. Usually you will be assigned a very knowledgeable customer service person to insure the safe convey of your exotic car.

Exotic car transport companies use various methods and vehicles to move your car long distances, such as custom designed flatbed trucks, enclosed single and double non-stacking trailers and enclosed rail service. Your car will probably travel flat without being tied down by chains.

It should not be difficult to find an exotic car transport company with a crew of certified professionals who maintain an exceptional fleet of opened and enclosed transports to fit your needs and budget. Just knowing the some basic information about the nuances and services of moving exotic cars will make finding the best exotic car transport company an assured success.


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Want Extra Gas Mileage? Get Your Own!

Yes you can! Increasing gas mileage of your car has never been easier; with all the gas saving products around to choose from, the fact is, you need none of them. This article will give you the background to start reaping the gas money you’ve been dreaming of…

Recent technology advancement in automotive industry has seen an upsurge in improving the fuel economy of our car engines and thus making them as efficient as they can be. Heavy investment has been poured in making the car engines as clean as possible, where exhaust emission is concerned, thus increasing the gas mileage capability of the car. This has created a new batch of vehicles with engines more fuel economical compared to engines of comparable size a decade or more ago.

We can’t deny that apart from the engines alone, electronics do play an important part on the quest to reach the best mileage cars available with better fuel economy. However, with the ever going onslaught of constant and increasing fuel hike, there’s no way that advances made in producing more engines with higher fuel efficiency may far exceeds with the increasing cost of gas.

Much budget and investment have been spent on research and development of better car engines with best fuel economy, which in the end may take years to recoup the cost of initial investment alone: let alone the vast manpower needed for these arduous tasks. Thus,where corners can be cut, manufacturers will, although it must be emphasized that this will not be done at the expense of the safety of the driver, passengers and other road-users.

But are there additions that may be fitted with vehicles to improve fuel economy and make them even more fuel-efficient?

Well, the good news is that there are loads and loads of gas saving devices in the open market and can help improve fuel mileage or increase gas mileage of your car and will work on your car like a charm, so to speak. These products claim to save money on gas and increase fuel efficiency of your car. But the bad news is, most of the so-called gas saving devices that purportedly claim to increase gas mileage of your car are nothing but are subject to advertising hype and thus are a waste of your time.

Hence, there are several ways you need learn to use when it comes to increasing fuel mileage of your car.
1) Electronic Ignition Systems
2) Fuel Catalysts
3) Free-Flow Air Filters
4) Tire Inflation
5) Other Products

Electronic Ignition Systems
This class of accessories really applies to the older vehicles that still run on the traditional contact breaker systems. Those who wish to keep vintage vehicles on the road will find that fitting a contact-less ignition system is the way to go.

Although it is not strictly a fuel-saving device, it ensures that the vehicle stays in tune and retains the fuel economy that a freshly-installed contact breaker system would provide. Minimal maintenance and consistent fuel economy result in increased gas mileage and fuel savings of your car.

Fuel Catalysts
Due to the recent increases in fuel prices, we’ve been getting a lot of response on this method. Suffice to say, fuel catalysts are elements you would put on your gas tank to speeds up the combustion process. This in the end will improve your car fuel efficiency and improve your gas mileage.

Some catalysts can simply be dropped into the fuel tank, while there are some that require to be installed somewhere along the fuel line, between the tank and engine.

A catalyst is a chemical, substance or compound that accelerates a chemical reaction. But it remains unchanged and is not used up during the process. When a catalyst is installed along the fuel system, it speeds up the combustion process, rendering it more complete, and allows for the complete release of energy from fuel combusted.

Installation is pretty straightforward and one-off affair. You’ll recover your initial investment spent on catalyst within a short period of time, from the increased gas mileage savings of your car. Catalysts may also be used for the entire life of the vehicle, and are transferable from one vehicle to another.

The more popular fuel catalysts are made of compounds of tin and other precious metals, but the actual formulation remains a commercial secret. They claim to promote smoother engine operation, cleaner exhaust emissions and can increase fuel mileage savings of up to 8%.

Free-Flow Air Filters
Grouped in the same category as the contactless ignition systems, free-flow air filters offer no gas mileage savings over a brand new item. Most filter elements are washable, and can be used over thousands of kilometers. After that, you may need to replace the air filter on regularly basis. According to the report on http://www.extragasmileage.com, studies have shown that replacing a clogged air filter can improve the mileage that you get with your car as much as 10%.

Tire Inflation
Oxygen in compressed air permeates through the wall of the tire, and inflation pressure is reduced over time. In the process, oxygen oxidizes the rubber compounds in the tire, causing under inflation and deteriorated rubber. Dry nitrogen will can prevent auto-ignition; it will not corrode rims, and can will help the tire to run cooler, resulting in longer tread life. So tire replacement costs go down.

Other Products
Fuel and lubricating oil additives claim to lower internal engine friction drag and improve combustion respectively. Some may work and some may fail considerably. It is important that the device fitted or the additive used does not destroy the catalytic converter. Neither it should void your new vehicle warranty.

At last, increasing your car gas mileage and doing every bit to save money on gas does not require rocket science to understand its importance. No doubt there are no products ever produced by man that could save you thousands of dollars in gas money, but every little penny you would save from every drop of gas goes a long way.

A little step each day will lead to success so you should really start now. Get all the tips and techniques and learn how to get extra mileage when you subscribe to ExtraGasMileage newsletters at http://www.extragasmileage.com. Good luck in your quest for extra gas mileage!

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What to do when a hot engine is hard to start

Although usually engines exposed to cold weather is the most known problem related to car starting difficulties, hot engines might bring obstacles as well. Many people realize that the car do not start as easily as it should when the engine is hot and do not know what to do about it. In order to be able to overcome this problem, it is important to start by learning why it happens.

Most of the reasons by which a hot engine would be hard to start are based on problems related to the fuel. When the engine is too hot, fuel can't circulate properly due to the way in which vapor obstructs it and therefore the engine wouldn't start as easily as it should or it wouldn't start at all.
A car engine would keep on gaining temperature until a while after it was shut off. During this period of time is when the highest amount of vapor would be circulating around and therefore that is when the chances it obstructs the engine are bigger as well. This way, if you are driving in hot weather and you have just turned off the car in which you experience start problems, you should wait for a few minutes until starting it back.

Fuel injected engines do not experience this problem as much as others do due to the fact that the fuel remains inside the injectors by being under a very high pressure. This way, fuel injected engines would not become so easily obtruded by vapors as other engines would and therefore the car would not have the same problems to start as another would.

Also, engines might become hard to start while being hot if it coincides with the season in which refiners change from a fuel blend to another. Sometimes gasoline refiners change from a higher volatility fuel to a lower one when summer approaches due to the way in which hot weather causes fuel to evaporate easier. If refiners change back to a higher volatility fuel while the engine is still exposed to days of high temperatures, this could cause the fuel to evaporate too much creating too much vapor and therefore obtruding the engine.

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Summertime Car Care

Because we feel the effects of winter more harshly than summer, we go to extra lengths to protect ourselves with coats and hats and gloves. Most of us make sure that our cars are ready for the onslaught of frigid winter weather too. We make sure we have snow tires, an ice scraper and deicer.

However, in summer months we can shed our heavy and restrictive coats and hats and take life easy. We also tend to be more lax with our car care too. Remember, you car needs protection and routine maintenance year round, no matter what the temperature.

Your engine is effected by extremes of temperature. Don't think that it isn't hard on the engine when you sit idling in a traffic jam in 90 degree plus temperature with the air conditioner blasting away inside. The first reason to keep up a maintenance schedule is to save yourself money in the long run. If you have a newer car in order to keep the warranty in effect you need to have it serviced according to your manufacturers recommended schedule.

If your car is older and out of warranty you need to be more vigilant. It's up to you to make a service schedule for your car. Make a checklist and keep track of the following items;

Oil. This should be changed every 3,000 miles. If you car is "using" oil as the saying goes, check it every other time you fill up. Carry an extra quart of oil in the trunk. Along with an oil change most "speedy" oil change business check belts, hoses, fluid levels, tires, etc.

Antifreeze. Have your cars heating and cooling system checked on at least yearly. You want to make sure you have adequate temperature protection, summer and winter.

Air cleaner. This should be checked at the same time you have your oil changed. A clogged air cleaner can really slow down your engines performance.

Brakes. If you notice any squealing of your breaks have them checked as soon as possible. It's much cheaper to replace worn pads than it is to have to replace expensive rotors if they become worn.

Tires. The air pressure is usually checked at the same time you have your oil changed. You should also have the tires rotated on a regular basis, this can really prolong their life.

Battery. Batteries are sealed units now. Have the battery checked at least once a year.

Following these tips all year round will help you keep you car in top running order.


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Some Useful Tips for Improving your Dodge's Fuel Economy

As global oil prices continue to rise meteorically to record levels, we have to find ways to improve our cars' fuel economy and save money. Especially now that drivers are doing a lot more traveling than ever, the importance of fuel economy cannot be over emphasized. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that vehicle miles traveled by the average American has increased by over 115%. This increase in miles traveled and the present dilemma of rising fuel prices means that we are spending more on our fuel than ever before. Thus, we have to find ways to save money on gas and improve fuel efficiency, especially if our vehicles are not really known for their excellent gas mileage.

There are many ways you can significantly improve the fuel economy of your vehicle. Managing your vehicle by minimizing operating costs on gas as well as minimizing emissions is our goal. Here are some helpful tips you can use to help you achieve a fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious vehicle. Start by determining your car's actual gas mileage or your car's miles per gallon. If your car has poor gas mileage then it is more important than ever to start improving your fuel economy. You can do this by changing your driving habits. Take your time and drive slower, instead of 60mph, try driving at 70mph. Although it may take you longer to reach your destination, what is important is you can save up to $5 in gas costs because of the reduction in speed. This is because aerodynamic drag increases as you drive faster and gas mileage deteriorates at speeds of over 60mph.
Regular maintenance is a very effective way to improve and keep up your car's fuel economy. The simple reason is that a poorly maintained car works harder; and a car that has to work harder will definitely use up more fuel. Thus, maintenance issues such as under inflated tires, dirty and clogged air filters, spark plugs and fuel injectors must be resolved. Make sure that your tires are inflated to their proper pressures. Tires that are in good condition and properly inflated provide less road resistance thus improving fuel. You should also check tire pressure regularly and look out for signs of uneven wear or gas leaks that could compromise your tire's performance.

Another excellent way to cut your fuel costs is by planning your vehicle use in such a way that you can combine, streamline and consolidate your trips and reduce unnecessary travel. You should also avoid excess idling, which is a waste of fuel. Stop your engine if you think your car will be idle for more than 30 seconds. You can also minimize air conditioning and use your car's flow-through ventilation. You should also check which gas you use, stick with the right octane gas indicated in your car's manual.

Have your Dodge regularly checked by your trusted auto mechanic. Give more attention to those auto parts that are connected to the fuel consumption of your car such as Dodge fuel tanks, Dodge catalytic converters, Dodge gas tanks, Dodge radiators and others. If your Dodge's parts are either defective or is not functioning properly then it is necessary and wise to replace these auto parts as soon as possible. You can save more money in the end by replacing dysfunctional parts and ensuring that everything in your car is in tiptop shape.

However, make sure that you purchase the best Dodge Parts only from a trusted and reliable auto parts store. Pick an auto parts supplier with an excellent reputation in the auto parts industry. Inner Auto Parts is one of the many auto parts wholesalers today, but stands out from the rest because it is a reliable source of useful and relevant automotive information and a known expert in the field of auto parts. They now have an excellent auto parts store that offers top quality Dodge Parts including Dodge A/C Condensers, Dodge Lights, Dodge Weatherstripping, Dodge wheels and other major product categories. With excellent quality, replacement Dodge auto parts from Inner Auto Parts, you can be sure that your car is maintained in excellent condition thereby improving its fuel economy and helping you save money on gas.


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Learn how to choose the right fuel treatments for your car

Choosing the right fuel treatments might be the difference between your car mechanism's receiving bad deposits or not as well as it could reduce the engine's wear or increase it in case it was wrongly chosen. Due to all these reasons, it is very important that you buy the right fuel treatments for your car instead of choosing them randomly.

If you wish to learn which the right fuel treatments for your car are, you should start by consulting your car owner's manual. Most car owner's manuals come with indications regarding the use of fuel treatments and some of them would let you know which ones you should buy and which ones you should avoid since some of them could be very prejudicial.
Fuel treatments are applied in order to improve specific car functioning areas and therefore you should have a clear idea on what you need to correct before buying the treatment fuel for it. This way, one of the best ways to make sure you will buy the right fuel treatment for your car is by choosing it according the specific problem it is going through.

Although there are some low cost treatments which are not bad, you should always try to make sure you buy a well known one or one which has been recommended to you by your mechanic or someone who knows what he is talking about. Another great way to buy your treatments is when they are on sale which happens very often in many stores.

After you have bought the right treatment, you should wait to add it until the next time you will add gas to the tank. This way, you should add the treatment, with a maximum of one bottle, and then add the gas you wish. If you have any doubts regarding fuel treatments you should ask your mechanic, or, in case you have doubts on how to use it you should ask the treatment manufacturer for further advice. You shouldn’t add any treatment to your car if you are not sure about it and what it could do to the car.


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"My Motorcycle won't start!! What now?"

9 times out of 10 the reason why your bike won't start is usually because of the battery condition or loose connections. A charging system failure is less likely but is still possible.

I will talk about both of them here.

First look at your battery connections. Check for obvious and easiest to fix problems first. A loose connection, poor ground etc. will likely cause intermittent operation of the starting and charging systems. If you find a loose connection and/or corrosion, clean the connections with a wire brush.

Before re-attaching apply a little grease to the contact points. The grease helps to prevent any of the white corrosion residues building up around the battery terminals.

Try and start her up now. You still have a problem? Go down to the mall and buy yourself a small electronic multimeter. (Make sure it has both AC and DC volt functions, as well as a continuity (or OHMS)function. Pull out the battery and set it on a counter. Set your multimeter to DC volts. Measure the Battery voltage by placing the red lead on the positive and the Black on the negative.

The voltage read should be around 12.5 volts (higher is OK) If the voltage is less thanthis it may indicate a poor battery. Notice I say, "may" here because the bike's charging system might be at fault. In this case the battery will most likely be OK.

Confirm that the electrolyte level in each cell of the battery is good. Add distilled water only to cell's with a low level. (Obviously you cannot add water to a maintenance free battery) Charge the battery overnight with a slow charger only. Motorcycle batteries cannot handle a fast charge. Make sure the charger only charges at a rate of 2 amps or less.

Install the battery and try and start her again. If she still won't go buy a new battery and your problem will likely be fixed. If she starts and runs like a charm, then you have to find out why the battery went dead. You need to check the charging system.

With the engine running, place the multimeter leads on the battery. Rev the engine a little. The system voltage should rise with engine RPM. A voltage of around 13.5 to about 14.5 should be displayed. If the voltage stays constant and/or is slowly decreasing, or if the voltage rises above 14.7 volts the charging system is not functioning.

What do you do now? You have to check two things. The Stator and the Regulator. The stator creates an AC voltage. The regulator changes the AC to DC voltage and also maintains that voltage at the proper level.

The Stator can be checked with the Ohms function on your meter. Locate and remove the plug for the stator on the front of the engine block. You will see two or three pins inside.

Set the meter for low Ohms, and measure the continuity between these pins. 5 Ohms or less is what you are looking for here. Set the meter to the highest setting. With 1 lead attached to a metal part of bike check for continuity to each pin. You meter should read infinite, or no continuity. If these tests check out then your stator is fine. If there is a fault in any of these tests, then see your dealer

The regulator is the easiest of all to check. The regulator is made of solid state electronics and can't be opened. Replace the regulator if everything else on the charging system checks out or if there is an overcharging situation.

On most Harley's you will not know if the charging system is beginning to fail. The evidence shows up when you have dim lights or she just won't start. There are aftermarket accessories that you can install on your bike that will tell you the current state of the charging system.

Save yourself some bucks here!! With a simple multimeter available from any Electronics parts store you can troubleshoot your charging system and check your battery and most likely repair any problems yourself.



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Getting Your Car Ready For Summer Driving

We always seem to make sure our cars are ready for the winter, right?

But what about during the summer? Believe it or not, the heat takes its toll on your car, too, so it’s important to keep your car serviced.

Periodic maintenance on your car will save you tremendous hassle in the long run. Your vehicle should last longer and command a higher resale price, too! I made it a point to get my car serviced according to the dealer’s schedule, and when I traded it in, I got far more than I expected due to the stellar condition of the engine.

Now I know this isn’t bedtime reading, but the owner’s manual can be your best friend – assuming you read it! At least take a look-through periodically. How about while you’re waiting to get your oil changed?
Follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules. This could save you a major breakdown.

Have the air conditioning system looked over by a qualified technician. A check up here can save you a huge bill later.

The greatest cause of summer breakdowns is overheating. Prevent this problem by making sure the cooling system is flushed and refilled as recommended.

Have your car’s belts, clamps, and hoses checked by a technician. This only takes a few minutes and is usually inexpensive.

Change your oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles or four times a year.

Replace air and fuel filters as recommended.

Get plenty of windshield washer solvent – we have a tendency to use a lot of this in the winter, so your fluids may be low.

Tires should be rotated every 5000 miles or so.

Check the spare tire to make sure it’s inflated properly. Also, make sure you have a jack along with it!

Transmission troubles equal money troubles equal emotional troubles! Have your transmission serviced periodically, and prevent big-time repair bills.

If you notice that your brakes are less efficient, get them checked out right away.

Have your battery checked periodically to see how much life it has left!

Inspect all lights and bulbs to make sure they’re working.

Carry a first aid kit, flares, jumper cables, a flashlight, and a cell phone.

There you go – a simple list to keep your car in great running shape. Remember, your car needs to be maintained and checked over even in the summer.

Taking care of your car takes only a few minutes each month, and pays you big dividends for the life of your vehicle!


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Different Forklift Accessories -

There are several types of forklift accessories that make it possible to use the forklift in a variety of different situations. Add-ons make it possible to carry metal drums filled with liquid, large rolls of carpet, or even people.

Drum handlers make it possible to safely transport liquid filled drums on a forklift. Most drum handlers slide onto the forks of the lift, allowing the operator to lift the drum handler by raising the forks off of the ground. Drum handlers hold the drums in one of two ways. The most common method is for the drum handler to clamp onto the rim of the drum in one or two places. This is perfect for keeping the drum upright and stable during transportation. Another way is to attach the drum by chaining the drum to a drum faucet from the cab of the forklift. This way, the forklift operator has the option to control the speed at which the drum contents are dumped by operating a chain pulley.
Carpet poles are long, sturdy poles that are used to carry roles of material such as carpet. They can be mounted to the carriage or to the forks. Carpet poles are useful because they allow forklift operators to safely transport carpet rolls by putting a pole through the hollow center of the roll. The carpet is not able to roll around during movement as it would if it were merely sitting on the forks.

A man basket is perfect when a person needs to be lifted off of the ground in order to perform some type of maintenance or repair. The forks of the lift slide into slots on the bottom of the man basket to provide stability. The forklift operator can then use the forks to lift the person in the man basket as high as the forks can rise. Most man baskets have a swing door and a safety chain to insure that the person doesn’t fall out. Man baskets are often safer than ladders or scaffolding.

Forklift accessories make forklifts even more versatile. It is very important to use the forklift accessories in the manner for which they are intended to avoid costly equipment repairs or serious bodily injury.

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How To Never Make Another Car Payment

Car prices today compete with small houses and well-equipped
mobile homes. As these price increases become more accepted by
consumers, so too are the longer terms that are necessary to fit
them into cost of living budgets. At one point, the magic payment
amount for the retail automobile market was $200 per month. But
that payment would only satisfy a loan of approximately $8000-
10000 depending on interest rates.

The average car payment today is closer to $400 per month and
that's with financial institutions stretching the terms to 72-84
and 120 months. Something has gone terribly wrong in the psyche of
consumers to even imagine that an automobile will not become
obsolete before it is all paid up, 6, 7 or 10 years down the road.

All they really need to do is take a look at a vehicle sold in
1995, 1997 or 1999, to get a live preview of what their new car
will look like and potentially what it will be worth.
Interestingly, research indicates that most Americans get bored
with a car after driving it for 24-36 months. Why then
would the typical financing term be 72-120 months?

At the point of purchase, most consumers tend to forget that car
payments never include the cost of insurance, required maintenance
and gas. When these items are added to a car payment, it can
easily exceed what some people are paying in mortgages.



It's analogous to the Middle Eastern people like Iranians whose
culture practices beating themselves on the back with chains and
whips. Every month, millions of Americans face the self-inflicted
pain of making another car payment. Like the Iranians, they
believe that if they can do it, it must be good and it will
somehow make them better people in the hereafter.



A self-made millionaire, Dr. Cooper, an advocate for reversing
unnecessary consumer debt has come up with a simple plan to change
how we think of automobile ownership. His plan uses the same
philosophy that our grand fathers grew up with, i.e. never buy
anything that you cannot afford to pay for out of your own pocket.



Unfortunately, if we lived by those rules we would need traffic
lights and zebra crossings on our major highways because they
would be packed with pedestrians.


Well let's share Dr. Cooper's plan. He calls it the "Vehicle
Saving Fund". This is a basic commercial bank savings
account that can be started at any local bank. To make it more
meaningful to you, lets call it the "Freedom From Car
Payment Fund." Anyone can start such a fund; it does not
matter if they are currently financing a vehicle.



The idea is that if you intend to be a productive member of
society and enjoy the benefits of your labor you will need to have
personal transportation. This is not optional for most people who
do not live in a big city where public transportation is
available. The fund should be considered absolutely necessary,
much like the rent or mortgage, it's a living expense.



Here is how it works; if you are currently driving a financed
vehicle, resolve to pay it off in its normal term. It's hard to
keep making payment on a vehicle you do not like but that's where
the discipline becomes important. Also, resolve to put aside a
small amount every month to your "Freedom From Car
Payment" account. Initially, it is totally understandable
that it may be a little difficult but the amount is not important,
it's the habit and the psychology of doing it that makes all the
difference. You can start with as little as $5-$10-$25 just be
committed to doing it every month until it becomes a habit.


You will also have to make a decision to continue driving the
vehicle you are currently paying, this plan does not work if you
decide that you need a new vehicle before paying off the one you
are driving. The closer you are to your end of term, the better
position you will be in to get what you want. But there is no
rush, when you pay it off you should then begin to put the amount
of your previous payment into your vehicle fund. Now with the
equity in your current vehicle and your savings you can begin
shopping.

Considering the prices of automobiles today, there is a high
probability that because of your vehicle depreciation and the
small savings, you might not have enough money to buy a new
vehicle. If you do not have enough to purchase what you want,
there are always other options; the first is to buy what you can
afford. The alternative (worst-case scenario) is facing the dealer
with no savings and having negative equity in the vehicle you are
currently driving.

Strange concept, I know, but when its all said and done,
transportation is transportation, it gets you from point A to
point B. The only difference is what you are willing to pay to get
there. For many, because of the values they hold "whatever
it takes" is an appropriate answer but the mind set has to
now change to discipline and the desire to stop making lifetime
payments.

If you don't have a car right now and are enjoying the bliss of
not having a financial obligation to an automobile, you can begin
your savings immediately so that when the time comes you will have
a sizable chunk to begin your search for your new car. You are in
a very good position if you are not in the market presently
looking for a vehicle.

You have the time to save and plan for your next automobile. Begin
the "Freedom From Car Payments Fund" today and in a
couple of years you will really be much better off. Contrary to
what dealers try to make you believe, car ownership does require
long term planning in order to break the cycle of swapping
payments every 3-4 years. It is a long term serious investment.

It's that simple. Easy, no but simple, and it can be done. It
requires discipline and patience two characteristics that are not
easily harnessed in by the now generation. The obvious benefit is
no car payment but you will also save on insurance and have much
more disposable income for other necessities. With determination,
a little vision and planning anyone can drive exactly what they
want; without the burden of a monthly payment. Could that be you?

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Buying new vs. used cars.

Owning a brand new car is exciting. But financially speaking, it makes more sense to buy a used car. As soon as you drive a new car off the lot, it loses a great portion of its value. This is because your car is no longer “new”.

New cars lose about 40% of their value within 3 years, then depreciation starts to slow down. Why not buy a used car and allow someone else to take that depreciation hit? The previous owner will have absorbed the steepest part of the depreciation cycle. At that point the costs of owning and operating the car will be reduced. The money you save on depreciation will surely go a long way.

Another benefit of buying used is lower cost. By buying used you pay less. You will also save on financing costs, insurance premiums, registration and licensing fees. You don’t have to worry about paying sales tax.

As with everything else there are a few downsides to buying a used car. There are greater chances for costly unwarranted repairs. You may very soon have to do major maintenance on your car, including replacing tires, battery, brakes, muffler, and perhaps even the transmission.

A used car is usually less reliable. You don’t know exactly what you’re getting into and how the previous owner treated the car. However, every situation is different and some used models may actually be far more reliable than some new ones.

If you can pay cash, go the new car way. Enjoy the feeling of knowing you're the original owner of a new car in mint condition. Nothing can replace that feeling.

Otherwise do not hang your hat higher than you can reach. Practice financial prudence. Save your money and comfort yourself knowing that one day you will be able to afford that dream car. One day when money is no object.



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