Gas Prices are Dropping

Two things that have actually been improving despite the current economy are car prices and gas prices. There are some great deals and rebates available on new cars due to slower sales. Gas prices have dropped 53% over the last two weeks and are predicted to continue declining, although at a slower rate. The drop in price is due to lower demand as well as crude oil prices. Americans have been driving less because of the high gas prices and other economic troubles. The popularity of hybrid vehicles and concern for the environment may further reduce demand in the near future.

In May, gas prices had reached as high as $4.00 a gallon or more. As of October 17th, Kansas posted the lowest gas price of $2.26 per gallon. Honolulu and Anchorage had the highest prices at $3.48 and $3.50 per gallon. Although many people will complain that the price is still too high, keep humble by remembering that the gas prices in much of Europe which can be more than $5 or $6 per gallon. There are some great websites that will help you find the lowest gas prices available in your state.

Paint That Can Repair Itself

Cars collect scratches and scrapes so easily, from car wash machines, finger nails, keys, pebbles, etc. Imagine buying a car that can repair its own scratches. That will soon be possible. Nissan has created an exterior car paint that can repair scratches automatically. It's called Scratch Guard Coat. It's also water proof and has a higher resistance to scratches. This technology is superior to other forms of scratch proofing.

How does it work? The new paint contains a special resin that retains fluidity, allowing it to slowly flow back into the scratched areas. It takes from one day to one week depending on the size of the scratch and the air temperature. Heat speeds up the process, it can be sped up by pouring warm water over the scratched area. It works on scratches and scrapes and it lasts for up to 3 years. The paint has the same thickness as regular paint and looks the same. It will be an available option with select Nissan models in the near future.

Nissan is also developing a color changing paint that they hope to have ready by 2010. It involves polymers lined with dyed iron oxides that become visible when hit with a carefully measured charge. When the vehicle is turned off, the car reverts back to plain white.

Roadside Assistance Services

It's good to have membership with a roadside assistance service in case of an emergency. There are a number of good providers out there. Even credit card companies and cell phone companies offer roadside assistance plans. One of the best known services is AAA. The American Automobile Association provides a wide variety of automotive services other than just roadside assistance. They offer other automotive services, travel services and even financing services.

AAA Automotive Services: They offer all emergency road services including jump start, tow, gas delivery and tire change. They have a large repair shop network of thousands of shops throughout North America. They offer online car buying services, such as research info and price quotes. AAA Travel Services: They can put together vacation packages including cruise packages. They can find hotel and car rental discounts. They can provide both printed and online travel maps. AAA Finance Services: They offer foreign currency exchange. They have their own AAA Visa credit card program. They can assist with financing a new car purchase or refinancing a current vehicle.

Another good quality service is GM's OnStar. Many GM vehicles have the OnStar system built in with 1 year of free service included. After that you pay a yearly fee of around $200. It provides a variety of safety, security, and convenience services including 24 hour live assistance.

Automotive Recalls

When a manufacturer has discovered a defect in a vehicle, they will issue a recall notice. These recalls are often announced in the news, online and by mail. If you want to check for recalls for your vehicle, there are several recall alerting websites available.

There are voluntary manufacturer recalls and compulsory recalls. A voluntary recall is when the manufacturer discovers a problem and voluntarily issues a recall. A compulsory recall is when the government has reason to believe that there is a serious defect that the manufacturer has not addressed. Most recalls are voluntary, as the automakers want to avoid the embarrassment of a compulsory recall.

Usually the problem is with models that were produced during a specific time period at a specific plant. So just because you hear that your cars make and model is subject to a recall, does not mean you particular car is included. If you find a recall notice that matches your vehicle model, date of registration and VIN number, the next step is to confirm where the required inspection or repair can been carried out. The official recall notice will outline what repairs need to be done and the specific dealers who will do the work.

The Best Time to Buy a New Car

There are certain times during the year that are best for finding discounts on new car prices if you are looking for every possible advantage. These aren't guarantees though, you will still need to be prepared to negotiate.

Special promotions: Special incentives and rebates are sometimes offered on holidays and long weekends. Keep an eye out for these special new car deals that may be advertised in local newspapers, in TV commercials and online. Business can also be slow for dealers on holidays so they may be more willing to bargain at those times. End of the year: the end of the calendar year is a good time to get a discount on a new car because the dealers want to get those vehicles sold and end the year with strong sales. The downside is that the vehicles value will depreciate faster because it will already be 1 year old. If you are planning to keep the car long term then that doesn't matter as much. End of the month: Most dealers have monthly quotas that they try to meet. You may be able to get a better new car pricing by going in on the last few days of the month. If they haven't met their quota yet, they may give you a good deal just to get the sale. This is a good time to play hardball. End of model year: When the next years models arrive on the market, the dealers want to get the leftover previous year models out, so the price goes down. Be aware that the selection might be more limited.

How to Sell Your Used Car

Are you ready to sell your old car or trade it in for a new one? Here is what I would do if I was going to sell my car:

       

Find out the http://www.kbb.com/ value of your car and compare that to the current condition of your car and the options that it has. You can also look at classified ads for the same model to see what other people are selling it for. Decide what your asking price will be and the lowest price you are willing to sell it for. If you're planning to buy a new car, it is easier to get rid of your old car by trading it in, although you might not get as much money for it. If your not getting another vehicle, you could still sell your used car to a dealership, or to Carmax, if you want to get rid of it fast and don't mind getting a little less. Find out what your state's requirements are for documents, such as title transfer, smog certification and odometer reading statement. Gather those documents as well as your maintenance and repair records. In many states, both the seller and the buyer have responsibilities during and after the transfer of a vehicle. Get your car ready for selling by giving it a thorough cleaning inside and out. Make it look and smell as nice as possible. There are many options for advertising. The first thing you should do is to put a for sale sign on the car that includes your phone number. Take some good quality photos of your car. Place ads online and in local newspapers. Get the word out to friends, family and co-workers that you are selling your car.

Tips on Choosing a Car Color

Do you need some new car buying tips on color? Some people believe that the color you choose for your car reflects something about your taste and personality. Dark colors can suggest an aggressive personality, bright colors a more energetic and vibrant personality, red cars, a speed demon.

For many years, silver has been the most popular new car color in North America. Perhaps because it looks modern and looks good on any type of vehicle. White had some brief popularity in 2007, but so far in 2008 silver has gained in popularity again. The next most popular colors are black, red, and gray. There are new color variations coming out every year. PPG Industries Inc., an automotive paint supply company, predicts that blue will be the next popular car color.

Bright colored cars are generally considered safer than dark colored cars because they are easier to see at a greater distance. Especially silver because it is reflective. Some people also take climate into consideration. If you live in a very hot, sunny climate, a black car will heat up faster than a white car. If you live in a snowy area, a white car will be harder to see and therefore less safe.

It's a common myth that car color affects insurance premium. The color of your car does not matter to the insurance company. Insurance rates are affected by year, make, model, your driving record, etc. They will likely not even ask you what color your car is.

Things You Should Never Say to a Dealer

If you want to get a good deal from a new car dealer, you need to negotiate. You don't want to give the salesperson an advantage by putting all of your cards on the table. What you tell the dealer can impact how they will treat you as well as what kind of deal you will get. Many new car dealers have planned scripts that they use in response to specific questions and comments.

• I need a car ASAP! - Never show any form of desperation to buy a car, even if you really are in a hurry. If they know you're desperate they will have less motivation to give you a deal. Also, don't get too excited over a specific model, color, etc. You want to remain calm and cool.



• I can afford... - Don't tell them what you can afford, they will always try to get you to spend that amount. Aim for the price you want, rather than what you can afford. Make a low ball offer first and wait for a counter offer.



• I'll pay cash. - Don't tell them that up front. Wait until the price has been negotiated. Dealers make an additional profit off of financing, if they know up front that you don't need it, they will try harder to get a profit from the sale of the car.



• Which model is best? - You don't want the car dealer choosing this for you. Decide on your favorite models before going to the dealership.



• I'll take all the options! - Carefully consider the available options, they can add a lot to the final cost of the vehicle. If you don't really need it, then just say no.

Choosing the Right Car

Buying a new car is not something that should be rushed into. When choosing a new car, make sure to choose a model that is right for you, your family and your lifestyle. Don't be tempted by shiny brochures for impractical cars. Think about what you need in a car as well as what you want. Research the models that best fit those needs and get an initial car quote for those models.

We have put together an easy checklist to help you narrow your search:

• Who is the car for? Just you, or also your family, kids and pet dog?



• What will you be using the car for, just for driving to work or also for other activities?



• What models will best fit all of those needs?



• What is your budget range? Look online for price quotes in that range.



• What are the safety and reliability ratings for those models?



• What is the fuel economy for those models?



• Which dealerships in your area carry those models? Are any of them offering special deals or incentives?

Once you've narrowed it down to a final few, consider test driving them first to see which one feels the most comfortable to drive.

MyKey System Will Increase Safety for Teen Drivers

Ford has developed a new system called MyKey that will be available with some 2010 models, including the Ford Focus, and is expected to be popular with parents. The MyKey system is designed to increase driver safety, specifically for teen drivers by giving the parents more control over unsupervised driving. The system sets the driving mode according to who's key is in the ignition, one mode for the parents key and another mode for the teen drivers key. The parents can program the keys through the vehicle message center with the features they want enabled.

MyKey will be able to do several things:

• Limit the maximum driving speed


• Set chimes when various speeds are reached


• Limit the maximum stereo volume


• Set a persisting chime when the seat belts are not buckled


• Permanently enable the traction control system


• Provide an early low fuel warning


• Park Aid, BLISTM and Cross Traffic Alert cannot be deactivated.

Statistically, teens take greater risks when driving than adult drivers, including not wearing a seat belt and speeding. Although many young drivers may not like the restrictions of MyKey, if it means that they will be allowed to use the car more often, it will certainly be more tolerable.