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Getting a good deal on a used car does not have to be a hassle. It simply requires that you know what you are looking for and what the car is worth. Buying a used car does mean a bit of research on your part, but you should plan to do research for the purchase of a new car as well.

First you will want to get an idea of the lemon laws in your state. These laws will tell you the responsibility of someone to take a car (or other consumer item) back if it has continual problems. Also find out if these laws apply to car dealerships only or if they also are applicable to individuals selling you the car. The next bit of information you want to know is what the laws are regarding full disclosure in your state. In other words, if the owner tells you the car has a great engine, but it goes kerplunk on you a week after you get it, then can you return it? Knowing where you stand on these laws will let you know how cautious you need to be.

Now that you have an idea of the laws in your state, it is time to begin your search. You should decide if you want to purchase from a dealership, an individual, or either. If you want to go to a dealership, head out to your local supermarket. Look in the freebie magazines and newspapers for a used car guide. The cars in these guides probably are not available anymore, but they will give you an idea of the types of cars at each dealership. Some specialize in less expensive cars while others will sell only Mercedes. You can decide which dealerships fit your needs so that you will know where to go.

If you plan to buy from an individual, then set aside some time to sit down with the Sunday newspaper. That is where you will find most of the car ads. You should go through each ad looking for several key pieces of information. First check for the price. Immediately X out any cars not in your range. If an ad does not have a price, you may want to call if you are really interested, but it should be a red flag to you that either the car is priced too high or that it does not live up to what the ads says.

Once you have looked at a few choices from each place, you should check out the Blue Book Value of the car. This term has become a big part of the car-buying culture. Kelley Blue Book is a way to find out how a car is assessed. You can check the book out at the library, or you can go online to www.kbb.com to check out the same information. You are looking for the resale value of a used car. The site will ask you to enter the year, make, and model of the cars. You also will need some information, such as the mileage, the general condition, and any non-standard features that the car has. You should find this information out to get an accurate estimate.

Once you have completed the information, you will get an estimate back. For example, I looked up a 2002 Buick Regal with only 15,000 miles and in excellent condition. The Blue Book Value for the car was $9,045. You can use that number in general to determine how much you are willing to pay for the car. Anything under it, and you are getting a good deal. Anything over it, and the seller is trying to make additional money on the car or possibly pay off a loan that has too much left owing on it.

Be sure that you make it clear you have looked at the value of the car and that you know what it is. While you do not have to be snide or snarky about it, you should not let someone else try to take advantage of you by telling you how great the car is. Some people legitimately do not know how much their car is worth before they try to sell it, so you should be nice about the value of the car if you want to pay less than advertised.

When you go to buy your first car, you will find that the experience can be exciting and pleasurable or frightening, depending in part on how much you have done your homework before you get there. Work to make your experience as good as it can be by knowing what it is you need and want to get out of your car.

Your first step is to determine what you need in a car. Think about your commute. Are you looking for fuel efficiency because you will be driving 50 miles everyday, or can you splurge a bit on fuel issues because you only drive 1 mile each way to work? Also consider what uses you will have for the car. For example, you may need to carry samples for work with you often, so cargo space will be an issue for you. Consider whether you think you will be having children before you purchase a new car or not. Also think about how long you want the car to last and how much your life is likely to change in that time.

Next you will need to know how much car you can afford. Do not get tricked by that statement. You need to consider the total cost of ownership for the car, not just how much you can spend on monthly payments. At the minimum, you will need a tank a month (probably much more), and you will need an oil change every three months, new tires and a checkup annually.

So, let us run some numbers. If gas is $2.15 a gallon, and you have a 15-gallon tank, then you will spend $32.25 per fill-up, which is $387 annually for one tank a month. Then you can expect to spend about $25 per oil change, $250 for tires, and $100 for a checkup. So the total for annual basic maintenance is $837 or $69.75 per month. You need to factor that money into your estimate for the cost of the car. A lot of people look only at the payment and fail to consider the whole picture for car ownership. You can call your insurance company (or pick a couple to get quotes if you do not have car insurance right now) to find out how much it will be to insure a certain car so that you can get a good estimate on that cost before you buy.

Okay, now that the money talk is out of the way, let us move on to considering features for the car. There are some features that you probably feel are a must-have. For many car buyers, a CD player is on that list. Others want to or are willing to get their CD players from stores and have them installed (likely for less money, by the way) while other drivers do not listen to music often enough to care one way or the other. Know how you feel about these kinds of features.

Also consider whether you want features such as a moon roof, a tail fin, or a navigational system. Remember that each feature you get adds to the cost of the car. Your salesperson should be able to give you a breakdown of the various features. For example, automatic transmission is about $1,000 more for most cars. You may think the money is worth it while someone else may consider it too much to pay or may even prefer to get a manual transmission. When you are considering extra features, think about the cost versus the pleasure you will get.

Other issues to consider include the type of seats you want. Some models come only in upholstery, but others come in leather as well. Color almost always is a choice when you are picking your car. Go with something that works with your life. If you do not plan to eat and drink in the car, lighter may work. Otherwise, stick to something that will at least allow you to camouflage any stains.

Buying a car is a huge decision so do not make it lightly. Take the time to research, research, research. Then look as long as you want. There is nothing saying you have to pick the first day or even the fourth.

Station wagons seem to have gotten a bad reputation in recent years (maybe even decades), but I am hoping that is changing. That is because I have become a recent convert to the idea of a station wagon. When my compact car died last year, I was in a bind. Without the money for a used car and too strapped for big car payments every month, I had to buy an old station wagon off my brother-in-law, who was moving cross country and did not want to take the car with him.

I have had the car for nine months now. I am hoping it will last three more as one year was my original timeline for the car, and then we will be looking for a good used car to pick up. It did not take long for me to begin to like driving the wagon, a fact that amuses my husband to no end.

For starters, we needed something with more space. I was driving a small car, which I got when I was single and the thought of having children was far in the future. My husband drives a Chevrolet Cavalier, which is a decent car but still not good for long trips. We go camping and take a number of weekend trips, and we needed something bigger. Here is what we have found about station wagons.

First they have tons and tons of room. One of the complaints we have heard about the Dodge Magnum is that while it looks cool, there really is not a ton of cargo room in it. Our wagon is a Mercury Sable, which is a fairly popular brand of station wagon, and it could fit the entire contents of our living room in it. We take all of our camping gear, suitcases, and other stuff for trips to the lake in the back of the wagon. We have the rack on top, which is a pretty standard feature for station wagons, but we have not needed to use it.

The wagon also will fit furniture, including bookshelves and cribs, and tons of shopping goods. Station wagons actually have more room than many sport utility vehicles or mini-vans. The larger SUVs have huge seats that take up the back area, and drivers we know often talk about the lack of storage space for sporting gear and other kid-friendly stuff.

Speaking of kid-friendly, our station wagon was designed with carrying children around in mind. First, the seats sit high and the windows low so that even our toddler, who is still in a car seat, can see out of the windows while we are driving. It occupies him very well. Plus, the standard seats lie down. Mini-van commercials are touting the ease with which their seats lie down, but they have nothing on the wagon. We press a button, pull, and we are done. There is no twisting and turning and no removing seats from the car. Plus you can fold down only half of the seat so that one person still can ride in the back.

The car has a different social stigma from the mini-van or the SUV, but it is one that we enjoy. As a couple with one child and one on the way, we do have to think about transporting them. That means that we have to have plenty of room for the kiddos (and their car seats) and anything we get to go in the car. The mini-van mom is a sort of newly iconic figure, but she does not represent my style of parenting (or driving). I have no desire to be a soccer mom from the suburbs.

When we looked at SUVs, we kept coming back to one concern: the environment. Though we are not strict environmentalists, we try to do what we can, and the thought of driving an SUV was too much for our consciences to bear. The station wagon moms, though, are a bit more Bohemian, perhaps even a little hippie-ish, and that works for me. I am okay with that image, and all of the perks of driving the car (easier parking, more storage, and cool features), makes it worth it.

Every car needs a good maintenance schedule. Setting up that schedule does not have to be a difficult process. In fact, if you take a little while right now to sit down with a calendar, you can begin to put together a maintenance schedule that will work for you. A maintenance schedule for your car is something more important than just a way to add something to your to do list. Instead it is a way to help ensure that your car will last longer. Well-tuned cars do better than cars allowed to go until something dies. Plus when you take your car in for regular maintenance, you will find that you may have a heads-up on certain problems that your car could have instead of finding out by being stranded on the highway.

The most basic of car care pieces is the oil change. Conventional wisdom says that you should get the oil changed in your car every three months or three thousand miles whichever comes first. If you are like most people, the three-month mark probably will hit first. Even if it does not, you can go about five thousand miles before you really need to change the oil in your car. So, you should plan right now while you have your calendar out to have your oil changed. If you have not had it done in a while, then put next week down as the first appointment. Then move out three, six, and nine months to mark your next changes.

Second, you should plan to get the tires on your car changed annually. Now you may not need the tires changed as often, especially if you drive the car little. Still you should plan on it. Should the time come and you find that you do not need new tires, then you are in a better position than needing them and not being able to get them.

If you are not sure when you had your tires changed and if you need new ones now, then you should go out and check them. The treads (the part of the tire that sticks up in a pattern) should tell the story. If they are worn very thin, then you are in danger of having a tire blow. Otherwise, you can get an idea of how good the treads are and mark the tire change on your calendar accordingly.

The final piece of basic maintenance is the tune-up. Although many people skip this step in car maintenance, it can save you some headaches in the future. Your best bet is to get your tune up before the worst season for your car. If you live in the south, then choose to get it in April or May; northerners should opt for November. That way you are headed into the harshest season with your car tuned up.

A basic tune up will consist of the mechanic checking all of the fluids in your car (likely topping them off if needed) and checking the basics, such as your heater, air conditioner, air filter, and windshield wiper blades. The mechanic also will check belts and other moving parts on the engine to see how they are working and whether or not they need to be changed. A good mechanic will give you a list of things that you need and things that could be changed soon.

Many mechanics will try to strong-arm you into getting massive repairs done every time you are in. Just be sure to do your homework, especially if you feel you are being told that work does not need to be done. Know how often the shocks, plugs, fan belts, and other basics are likely to be needed on your car. For example, the CV axle needs to be replaced about every five years in many cars; if you have had yours two, then ask the mechanic what would make it wear out so quickly. Do not agree to any repairs at the tune-up. There will not be an extra cost for bringing the car back after you have had time to do your homework.

This regular maintenance schedule for your car will improve its life and put less hassle in yours.

For some people, cars are pristine places meant to be kept free of junk and personal items. for others, cars are a house on wheels. They are mobile units that may hold any number of items from old fast food wrappers to clipboards to soccer schedules. If you have ever been embarrassed when someone needed a ride in your car, then you are in the second category.

Why is it so hard to keep our cars in order? It should not be, and it would not be if we simply cleaned it out after each time we drove. The problem is that most of us do not keep the needed equipment to clean the car after each use. Nor do we have the time to clean the car after each use. We hop out and move on to the next scheduled event in our lives. If you are that way, then try to use the upcoming new year to encourage yourself to keep your car cleaner.

First take a few minutes and a little money to invest in getting the proper supplies for your car. You should get some paper towels or napkins for your car. You can use them to mop up spills or to wipe down the car when needed. Then get some type of cleaning wipes that work on the type of interior you have. You should try out the basic all-purpose anti-bacterial wipes as they tend to be great for just about any spills.

You also will need hand wipes. (You cannot use the cleaning wipes for dual duty.) Even if you do not have children, you will want to get a few wipes because they come in handy when you get something sticky on you in the car or when a drink spills. Also pick up some trash bags for the car. There are little triangular pieces that you can get with a hole in the middle. You simply pull a small trash bag out when needed, and the container is only about one inch on each side.

These basic necessities will help you to keep your car free from clutter. You just need to begin to use them. If you are busy, try to start working the car cleaning in during down time. When you are waiting in traffic or at lights or for the kids to come out of school, you can take a few seconds (that really is all it takes) to wipe down the dash of the car or to pick up soft drink bottles accumulating in the floorboards. If you have kiddos, make them pitch in as well. They should not leave any trash in their seats, and they can pick up the car while they are in the backseat.

Once you have mastered this part of your organizational system for your car, you can move on to the big stuff: tissues and change. If you look in most cars, you will find a crumpled up box of tissues in it somewhere that the owners have to hunt every time they need. Instead you have three options. You can get a regular-sized box and put it in a behind-the-seat compartment. You can get pocket-sized tissues and place them strategically around the car, or you can pick up the rounded containers that are made to fit in cup holders. Any of these choices will improve the organization of your car and allow others to sit without stepping on anything.

Loose change also lives in most cars although I am not quite sure about how it gets there. If you are one of those people who could pay the electric bill out of change from the car, then you should think about collecting it all. If you do not have the desire, tell your kids they can have the money if they do the job. Get all of the change picked up and then get a small change purse (one with a zipper or easy-to-close top and put it in the door on the driver side of the car. Then you can put change from meals and other purchases there. Empty the purse once a month to keep it from getting out of control. It is convenient and oh-so-organized.

We plan to purchase a car in the next few months. Though it will not be a brand new car (considering the depreciation value of cars), we will be getting a dealer-owned used car. We will have to get a loan for the car, which is a scary proposition. Both my husband and I always have paid cash for our cars, but we need something a little better quality in the next few months.

Searching for car loans has been an interesting experience, but I have learned a good deal about the process. First as with mortgages and signature loans, all car loans are not created equal. Our research has shown us time and again that getting a loan from a lending institution before going to the car lot is a great idea. That is because these institutions typically have higher standards but also have better terms.

In fact, buy here pay here car lots in a number of states have been the targets of lawsuits in recent years because these lots prey on people who have (or think they have) bad credit. These car lots promise that anyone can get a loan, and that is true, but many state officials are deciding that these lots do not give customers with good credit the interest rates promised.

Using your home bank, even if all you have there is a checking account, is a great way to get a better deal on a car loan. That is because the bank has an established relationship with you. They know that you have money there (and can see how much). If you have had the account for a while without any bounced checks or other problems, then you are ahead of the game with a good record at the lending institution.

Also check into what happens if you pay the loan off early. Penalties for repaying loans early once were a standard practice. In the world of mortgages, they have become anathema to buyers who want to get lower mortgage payments but reserve the right to repay early if their finances improve. In the world of car loans, however, these clauses may still exist. If you know that you will never pay a penny more than your minimum payment, then go ahead and forget about this clause.

If you think you may be able to make some additional payments or plan to pay extra in months when you can afford it, then check the fine print. Ask upfront if there are penalties for early repayment. Also ask what happens when you send in extra on your account. In some situations, the account actually rolls ahead. For example, if your payment is $200 a month, but you pay $225 this month, next month, you may only owe $175 for a full payment. That system, which is a little different from mortgages and credit card payments, may work for you, or it may be a pain. Either way you should understand the deal before you sign.

The interest rate, of course, is an important consideration for your car loan as is the monthly payment. You should have maximums that you will go on both ends to make sure that you are getting a car you can afford (and are willing to pay for). You may want something at no higher than 10 percent interest. While that may be doable, it could put your monthly minimums out of range because you will have less time to pay off the car. Make sure that you are able to negotiate with both the interest rate and the monthly payment so that you can get something that makes you happy.

Do not settle for a bad loan just because you love the car. It is best to know how much money you can get before you go shopping. Ask your bank for a pre-approval so that you will know your price range before you head out. Stay away from cars outside your price range. Car dealers count on you being excited about the best cars on the lot, but you cannot be tempted if you leave them alone. Once you get the finances figured out, sit back and enjoy the experience of purchasing a new car.

By Christina VanGinkel

As the owner of an older vehicle, one that has suddenly had a series of small issues, and a few larger ones, I have come to learn that wile there are perks to owning either a new or an older vehicle, there are also unforeseen issues that come with the older vehicles. Some issues that new vehicle owners normally do not have to deal with. There are also advantages. Read on as I ponder what it is I like so much about our older vehicle, and some of the things I do not.

Diagnosing Problems is not always Simple

Older vehicles can sometimes be difficult to diagnose when problems occur. They might have a host of sounds they make that you consider normal, but when a mechanic takes it for a ride, knowing what sound you believe to be a problem over the sounds that you as the driver have come to learn to live with, may be a problem in itself. Even explaining the different sounds to a mechanic might be a problem. You hear a sound, along with one that you long ago identified as nothing to get excited about, but to a mechanics ears, all they hear is that noise and not the new, worrisome sound you are listening to.

Just How Much is Too Much to Spend on Repairs

There is also the decision factor of how much are you willing to spend on a repair. Do you really want to spend X amount of dollars for a repair that might just be the beginnings of more issues? Or is that one somewhat costly repair, going to mean you get to keep driving your vehicle, at a cost savings over the long run, as you will not yet need to look at buying something newer or even brand new? When you paid less for the vehicle to purchase it, than what you are being quoted on a repair though, you can really be at a disadvantage on what to do. The mechanic might think the repair is worth it, yet you are at personal odds with yourself over a repair that to you is a small fortune.

From Oil Changes to Insurance Costs

Owning an older vehicle has its ups and downs. It advantages and disadvantages. Insurance costs are often deeply discounted when compared to what you would pay for a newer vehicle. Simple upkeep, such as oil changes and tires, might even be less. For example, my husband knows how to change the oil on his older model work truck. When he bought a new truck this past year, also a work vehicle, he realized that changing the oil on it was not as simple and straightforward as it is on the older model truck. While he could surely do it, the time involved is just nor worth the exchange, so he has decided that all the oil changes on the new vehicle will need to be down by a garage or oil change center, at a cost nearly double of what he can do the old truck for his self.

Your Comfort Level

There is also a comfort level of driving an older vehicle. You are not so worried about small dings, meaning parking in a crowded lot is not all that big of a deal, yet the thought of parking the new vehicle into a tight spot where someone is likely to bang their door against the side of yours, is just not all that pleasant. An older vehicle also routinely means no monthly payments. That alone is often enough of a factor to keep people driving what they are used to. Until the vehicle starts experiencing problems that is. Then it is time to make the decision to junk the vehicle or try to keep it running just a bit longer by fixing just that one more repair that you hope will mean you get to drive your older, but favorite vehicle for at least a little while longer.

Yes, a new vehicle has numerous pluses, with reliability a major one. So does an older vehicle, such as more money in your pocket. If you find you are somewhere between the two, take time to consider what differences you will encounter by upgrading, including the advantages you will gain by going ahead and retiring your old one.

By Christina VanGinkel

Trunk essentials go beyond the basic emergency kit that you should always carry in your vehicle but it does include it. Trunk essentials are those items that everyone should stash in the trunk of their vehicle, or behind the seat of their truck, for those times when they least expect needing one of these essential that can make travel time, short or long, easier to handle.

Emergency Medical Kit

An emergency medical kit can be purchased pre-packed, with basic emergency medical items like bandages and charts to follow on what to do in the case of various medical issues. You can also assemble one yourself, putting together a list of a typical medical kit contents. If you or someone who travels in your vehicle on a regular basis has an allergy, for example to bees, it can be a good idea to include an extra EpiPen or other prescribed medication. A blanket or two is also a good idea, whether you are traveling or live in a warm or cold climate, as a blanket has many uses other than keeping warm. If you do have a medical issue, keeping documentation not only on your person, but also in such a kit can be invaluable to others who might find themselves in the position of helping you. Do keep a photo of yourself or the individual the information pertains to though, with the documentation, to help them identify the person in need.

Emergency Auto Care Kit

Such a kit should include a jack, a flashlight that is kept up to date with fresh batteries, replacing them as needed, a small sized, heavy duty rug (This can be used to kneel on if you find yourself having to change a tire, or to stick under a tire if you become stuck on slippery terrain), and a small shovel. It should also include a map of any area you plan to travel, even an area that you feel you know well. A duplicate map to the one you are using is especially a good idea if you are going to be traveling off the beaten track and picking up a duplicate map at a gas station is just not likely to be an option. Also, add flares, booster cables, and a fire extinguisher to round out the emergency auto care kit.

Nourishment Essentials

This should be added to your trunk for any trip that is going to take your outside of the routine few miles you might drive on a regular basis, or all of the time if you live in or travel a rural route where becoming stranded might occur. It should include bottled water, and high-energy snacks that will last a few days, such as dried fruits and nuts, granolas, and other packaged foods that you would eat if needed.

You Never Know when you Might Need them Items

None of the previous kits and essentials should realistically take up all that much room, especially if you keep everything together in an easy to get at bundle or box. We have always used a plastic milk crate type container (bought at the local Wal-Mart for a dollar or two) to keep it all corralled. If you are going to be sticking this gear behind the seat of your truck, consider a roll of some sort, or several small ones, to keep down on the bulk. After assembling the above yourself, add in any other extras that you think you might have a use for, including a can of Fix a Flat or similar product, an extra quart of oil, a few rags, and a portable air pump ( for inflating tires) that runs off your car's battery through your power outlet. Also, toss in some extra fuses, a pair of rubber boots (or winter boots depending on where you live), a pair of gloves, rain gear, even a warmer winter jacket than what you might normally toss on when driving. If traveling long distances, you might also want to include a pack that has copies of any important contact information, such as your name, and a contact number of a family member or friend.

Being prepared by keeping these items together in the trunk of your vehicle, or behind the seat of your truck, is not only a good way to avoid small problems from turning into larger ones, it is just a smart thing to do in this hectic world we live in. For all the technology that exists, it is often the basics that will help you through a vehicle breakdown, especially in an out of the way area or at an inopportune time such as the middle of the night.