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Posts Tagged ‘cars’

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Top 5 Car Rental Tips For Summer Travelers

July 16th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 2 Comments | Filed in Travel Tips

My family just returned from a quick trip back to our old home to see our family, an excursion we took by car. This year our small SUV seemed extra tight, causing me to desire a larger vehicle for our next trip.

car rentalInstead of a buying a new car, we’ll more than likely rent a larger sedan to give everyone more room to stretch out as well as space to carry all of our goods. Hotwire, the discount travel website I use to compare prices on airfare and hotel stays also offers information about car rentals.

5 Tips To Help You Save Money

In addition to checking Hotwire for great rates, here are five tips they are sharing to help consumers lower their car rental expenses this summer:

1. If you see a good rate, reserve it right away. Prices are expected to
continue rising through July and are expected to stay high all the way
through August.

2. Rent on the weekends. When business travelers have gone home for the weekend, there is more inventory and lower prices for the consumer.

3. Rent away from the airport if possible. Off-airport and local rental
centers can often be cheaper due to lower taxes and fees. Often, by sacrificing convenience, you can save money.

4. Make sure to fill up the tank before returning your car. Rental centers charge a much higher rate than you’d find at the pump for those who  forget to fill up. If you don’t want the hassle, many rental car  companies will also allow you to pre-purchase your tank of gas to avoid fees, but it’s still cheaper to fill it up on your own.

5. Book opaque. Although prices are expected to spike this year, by
booking through opaque sites such as Hotwire, consumers can save big.
Hotwire Hot Rates allow you to choose your car category and pick up and
drop off times without knowing the exact car rental company in exchange
for deep discounts – up to 40 percent and rates from $14.95 a day.

“Car rental firms have cut their fleets by almost 15 percent in the last year, creating an artificial shortage that has raised car rental prices,” said Clem Bason, president of the Hotwire Group. “The game has changed for consumers, so they need to be smart when renting a car.”

Source: Hotwire.com

Adv. – The season of travel is now upon us! SayFunTravel.com is your one stop travel portal offering information about US destinations with tips on overseas travel in the works. In the meantime, you can save on airfare, rail travel, lodging, special events and so much more, by comparing prices and looking for last minute deals.


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4 Tips To Make Your Car Road Ready This Summer

July 10th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 1 Comment | Filed in Autos Express

Hitting The Road: Is Your Car Up To The Task?

Families who are planning to hit the road this summer for an extended vacation may be doing so for the first time in two years. Last summer, as gas prices pushed above $4/gallon, many American families simply canceled their plans and stayed closer to home.

Toyota CamryWith gas prices at a more manageable $2.65/gallon, Americans are expected to hit the road again though perhaps not approaching 2007’s level. Still, for those people who haven’t traveled in awhile, a reminder on how best to prepare is being offered by AAA courtesy of Red Line Oil which offers drivers the following five smart tips:

1. Inspect your tires. Tires should be properly inflated to the pressure listed in your owner’s manual, sidewalls should be clear without checking or cracks, and there should be at least 1/16-inch of tread left. Also make sure your spare is inflated.

2. Check your cooling system. Many modern cars often have long-life coolant engineered to last up to 100,000 miles; older cars and RVs need to have the coolant changed more frequently. Make sure the radiator is full (check while engine is cold), and the overflow tank should be filled to its indicator line. All hoses should be firm and dry. If the level is low, try using distilled water to prevent scale and mineral buildup.

3. For added insurance, try a bottle of Red Line’s WatterWetter(R), designed to keep the coolant temperature from climbing when challenged.This product can lower temps as much as 20 degrees F by increasing the “wetting ability” of the water that comes in contact with your engine. Think of it as “road trip insurance” for cars on road trips, tow vehicles and RVs.

4. Check your oil. Many owners forget to check the level between oil changes. Make sure your oil level is full, and for longer drain intervals switch to a top-quality, ester-based synthetic. Red Line’s fully-synthetic motor oils provide the highest protection, cleanliness and superior drain intervals with the lowest friction for your gasoline or diesel engine. Also note that you can add a quart of synthetic to conventional oils without issue.

5. Check your transmission fluid level. Most automatics have a dipstick clearly labeled in the engine compartment. Fluid should be full and clean (clear red, not brown or black). Manual transmissions should be serviced at intervals recommended in your owner’s manual. When having your transmission serviced, consider using a fully-synthetic fluid like Red Line for increased durability and wear protection. Also ensure that the fluid you select is just right for your vehicle.

Enjoy your trip – make sure that you carry up to date maps with you or, if you have a navigation system, that all of your key destinations are keyed in accurately.

Source: Red Line Synthetic Oil Corp.

Adv. — You’re planning to buy a new car, but should you accept dealer financing or shop around for the best deal? If it is a choice between getting a nice rebate or low interest financing, take the money and shop for an auto loan elsewhere. Visit SayLending.com for all of your lending needs including new and used car auto loans at rates you can afford.


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New Car Buying Tips For Today’s Buyers

May 19th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 6 Comments | Filed in Autos Express

Consumers shopping for a new car are probably aware that some spectacular buys are awaiting them. This is due mostly to a market that has basically collapsed, forcing car manufacturers to slash prices in a bid to move inventory.  Most manufacturers are posting discounts amounting to thousands of dollars off of the sticker price, deals that won’t be around when manufacturers complete the readjustment of their inventories to account for the reduced demand.

Unsold Goods = Big Buys?

Car DealerSome buyers are hoping that with Chrysler and General Motors slashing dealerships that they’ll be able to purchase a car at a fire sale price from a dealer about to close down their operation. That scenario may or may not happen as both companies don’t want prices to collapse. Instead, each manufacturer could end up buying back unsold inventory or other dealers may step in and purchase unsold inventory.

Regardless of how everything shakes out in the months ahead, you can save money on a new car by keeping some things in mind including:

Buy What You Want, Not What Is Cheap – Both General Motors and Chrysler are offering the biggest discounts in the industry along with government backed warranties. With prices so low you could be tempted to buy something that is cheap, but is it what you really want? Likely, you’ll be keeping your car for many years so only purchase the vehicle you know that you can live with five years or more down the line.

Comparison Shop — One of the problems experienced by GM, Chrysler and Ford is that they have too many dealers in the same geographical area competing with each other. Tight competition lowers profits, but it makes for some good options for consumers seeking a deal. Get quotes from three dealers to see what is available for you; you could save hundreds of dollars if you shop around.

Should You Buy Used? — A late model used car sometimes represents the best value of any car on the dealer lot for the simple reason that these cars often reflect their price depreciation. However, some new models are moving at prices that have been lowered to take in depreciation, making the new car much more enticing than the one or two year old model with 25,000 miles on the odometer.

Dealer Service After The Sale — Once the sale has been finalized, who will service your car? If you are buying your new car from a dealer facing closure, where will you take your car to be serviced later on? Other GM dealers can service your new Pontiac, but if Saab, Saturn and Hummer shut down, will you be left with an orphaned model?

Consider What Your Dealer Is Going Through

Inasmuch as you stand to end up with an excellent deal, if your dealership is slated to close, don’t insult them by offering a ridiculously low price on a new car. Employees may be facing the prospect of losing their jobs or being transferred to another dealership many miles from their homes. You want to get a great deal, but you need to consider that for some salespeople they’re about to lose their jobs.

Adv. — If you are considering purchasing a new car, there are some steps you can take to make sure that you get the best deal. Come on over and visit SayLending.com for auto loans information including new car research to help you find the vehicle that meets your needs.


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Shop Wisely When Shopping For A New Car

March 11th, 2009 by Matthew C. Keegan | 2 Comments | Filed in Autos Express

If you are in the market for purchasing a new vehicle, one part of the decision making process is how you will pay for your purchase. If you have enough money for a cash payment, then you are in a position to leverage the best possible deal.

car loanMoreover, if brand loyalty isn’t a big consideration, then your options are greatly expanded. Consider the following points when shopping for your next car:

Seasonal Deals – As the old model year comes to an end, new models begin to show up in dealer showrooms. But there is a problem: many dealer lots are filled with older “new” cars and they are eager to move them. Some of the best new car deals come during the months of September and October as rebates totaling thousands of dollars are made available.

However, you don’t have to settle for those rebates alone as manufacturers offer incentives to dealers to move inventory. Research online to find out what they’re getting because you want a piece of that action!

Model Ending Deals – If a particular brand is discontinuing a model or replacing that vehicle with a newer version, then big deals on the discontinued model should be available to you. In this case, you are in the driver’s seat as most consumers prefer to buy the latest model. If you don’t mind an older version then go for that model as it will offer the biggest savings.

Zero Percent Lending – Which should you choose: the zero percent loan or the big cash rebate? If you are paying cash it would be in your best interest to simply finance the purchase and bank the money. In effect the auto lender will be giving you thousands of dollars in interest money for your choice. If you lack a sizable down payment, seeking independent financing at a low rate and taking the cash credit is a good way to go too.

Slow Movers – Several manufacturers are desperately trying to get back on track following record losses, sales declines and potential bankruptcy. And they’re eager to do a deal! Just make sure that you come away with a car that you really want as some of the deals being offered are on models that have a low resale value.

Yes, you most certainly can save money on a new car. Do your homework, shop around and compare offers. The current state of the economy has revealed that we’re in an unusual buyer’s market, one that may not last beyond the end of the recession.

Adv. – How about a card you need that fits your financial objectives? Whether you are a savvy consumer or first-time user, there is a credit card that will meet your buying-power needs. Please visit nBuy.com to conduct your smart credit card search.


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