The name sounds very suspicious: police car auctions. People tend to think these auctions are selling only used police cars (cars that have POLICE written all over). They immediately imagine an area filled with police cars for sale.

Those who believe that police cars are also sold in these auctions are perfectly right, because the good ones are. These cars won’t be given away with police colors, stickers and inscription. These cars will get a new paint job and will be stripped of all stickers and other police inscriptions.
Read more...

Question: Why should I sell my car on my own as opposed to trading it in at the dealership?

Queen of the Road: Hi there. Welcome to AutoBragBlog! Several reasons to sell your car instead of trading in…

1.) Dealerships will majority of the time offer you a price that’s below what you’re car is valued for. Dealershps make alot of their profit by flipping cars. They’ll offer to buy it for less than wholesale value, then turn around and sell it for 12-14% over wholesale (which is the minimum %).
Read more...

Which drivers get ticketed the most? A company specializing in helping insurance companies identify risk, has compiled a list of the most heavily ticketed vehicles on the road. The Hummer and Scion tC dominated the list, receiving 463% and 460% over the average. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Jaguar XJ sedan and the Chevrolet Suburban attracted a mere 11% and 16% of expected tickets.

The president of the company offered this theory…
Read more...

Those in the business of selling automobiles said tighter lending restrictions also are hampering efforts to move cars off lots, even though many potential buyers appear to have solid credit. On the flip side, used car sales, unlike new autos, are solid.

The entire auto industry has been on the ropes lately, with two of the Big Three auto manufacturers in the U.S. seeking federal bailout funds to stay afloat. Sales of almost all makes and models of automobiles, foreign and domestic, have slowed.

If you have bad credit and want to buy a new car, you haven’t got a lot of financing options. For that reason you are likely to look for a car dealer that can provide the money required for the new car.

1.) Previously Wrecked Car Sold As Is
Some car dealers do not know that the car is a wreck however some know and try to cheat. The real problem with buying a wrecked car is that you will be asked to signs papers that will state the car condition and that you agree to buy it “As Is”. In this case you have no warranty. If something happens to the car the dealer will step back and there is practically nothing you can do. Always check the hisotry by doing a Carfax. Always.
Read more...

Smart Fortwo: Because it’s much smaller and lighter than most vehicles on the road, auto critics doubt it can hold its own in a serious crash. Many also note that strong gusts of wind can make controlling the Smart on the highway a difficult task.

Volkswagen New Beetle: I know teenage girls will fight you no matter what the stats say, but test drivers find its bug-like shape to also be the source of great concern. To revamp the bulbous shape of the original Bug, Volkswagen extended the New Beetle’s windshield and dashboard into the engine cavity, creating an elongated dash with blind spots around the front pillars.
Read more...

Imports once again dominated Kelley Blue Book’s annual ranking of the most-researched new vehicles on its website. Of the top 20 vehicles, 15 were Japanese, 3 were American and 2 were German.

Given the spike in gas prices earlier in the year and the recent slump in the economy and stock market, shoppers gravitated toward fuel-efficient, economical models.

1. Honda Civic
2. Honda Accord
3. Toyota Camry
4. Toyota Corolla
5. Nissan Altima
6. Honda CR-V
7. Toyota Prius
8. Toyota Highlander
9. Toyota RAV4
10. Mazda3
11. Toyota Yaris
12. Ford Escape
13. Honda Odyssey
14. Honda Pilot
15. Honda Fit
16. Ford Mustang
17. Chevrolet Malibu
18. Toyota Sienna
19. Mini Cooper
20. Volkswagen Jetta

High gas prices mean low demand for gas guzzlers, new or used.  You And the last thing a used-car dealer needs from you is another big SUV sitting unsold on his lot. So here’s a few tips on selling your SUV.

Sell to individuals, not dealers: It is harder to get the price you want with dealers, of course, since they need to resell the vehicle at a profit. ”

Leave on bells and whistles: While SUV owners are sometimes advised to take off the rooftop carrier to remove some weight–and be able to advertise better mileage–this could be counterproductive. Any extras that could attract a buyer should be left as they are. People want it as stocked as you can get it.
Read more...

With all the problems in the auto industry, you may wonder if the car brand you’re thinking about buying today will be around tomorrow. The bottom line is this: Stick with the strongest brand. It’s not what could go wrong with your car while you own it. It’s what happens when you want to unload it.

There’s been a lot of speculation lately that Chrysler and General Motors may be in talks to join forces. Great!!! If the two companies do become a single automaker, analysts expect a number of brands to be phased out.
Read more...

It is quite common for people buying a new car to trade in their old car. Many times the happy customer drives away into the sunset and forgets all about this tiny detail only to get a very rude awakening a few weeks later. They suddenly find out that their new car dealer did not pay off their car loan in a couple of days as promised.

Legally when the bank calls, the loan is still in your name and you are therefore still liable and responsible.
Read more...

What To Consistently Check Up On

1. ENGINE COOLANT AND ANTIFREEZE
How Often: Check twice yearly, once before summer and again before winter; change if coolant has brown tint or rust bits.
Pay Now: Free to check; up to $5 to top off with correct mix of water and coolant or antifreeze. If you don’t use the right coolant for your car, you could damage your engine.
Or Pay Later: Without coolant, you can damage the water pump ($50 to $100) and possibly your engine.
Read more...

Whether you are buying new, used, or trying to make the most out of your current wheels, these money-saving car tips are designed to keep your car budget out of the red.

Always remember a car is a depreciating asset. No matter how cool the ride, the moment you drive a vehicle off the lot it looses 20% of its value and just continues to go down.

Treat your car like you treat your skin. If you give life to this object, chances are you’ll treat it better. Keep your car out of the sun (heat can evaporate gas as well as warp leather). Wash it when it needs it and learn to perform routine maintenance.
Read more...

Before you commit your business to a shop, check the local Better Business Bureau and government consumer-affairs offices for complaints against it. Better safe than sorry!

1. That minor fender bender will be a major expense.
A survey of repair shops in the Washington, D.C., area by Consumers’ Checkbook, a consumer-information group, shows that replacing a fender on a 1998 Buick LeSabre can cost as much as $982. A new front bumper on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class can go as high as $1,350.
Read more...

Always visit dmv.org before going to the DMV.

1.  Why does everything take four visits and roughly three hours of standing in line to a DMV prolem fixed. The problem? Everything from not bringing enough or the right forms of ID to having his records confused with those of another driver of the same name. Making sense of the DMV is an $11.5 million business for DMV.org, an unofficial guide to state rules and peccadilloes.
Read more...

If fuel is warm when it’s delivered to a station, it’ll still be warm when it’s sold a few hours later.

Some people say it’s better to buy your gasoline first thing in the morning, rather than in the heat of the day. That’s because gasoline, like all liquids, expands when heated. The basic facts are correct, but the advice is not. Gasoline does expand and contract a little depending on its temperature. When gasoline rises from 60 to 75 degrees F, for instance, it increases in volume by 1% while the energy content remains the same.
Read more...

With gasoline prices hitting record highs almost daily, you might be wondering if you can get away with filling up your expensive car with regular instead of the expensive premium gas your manufacturer recommends. The answer: Regular’s fine in most cases, but it’s best to check your owner’s manual.

There are three basic provisos for gasoline usage in owner’s manuals: when only regular gas is required, when premium is “recommended” and when premium gas is “required.” Only in the third instance will deviating from the manufacturer’s requirements potentially harm your car.
Read more...

Find Out What You Need Before Buying A Car

An investigation into the sales taxes paid on used car purchases has uncovered a host of crimes going on in the used car business. From stolen cars, to fake car titles, to identity theft, authorities are seeing a lot of the problems at the tag office. Authorities at the tax office have seen dozens of cases of people trying to get around the taxes owed on the sale of a used car. When investigators took a closer look at the issue, they found more than tax evasion.
Read more...

Ford feels the squeeze… again

Gas has hit a record high in the past week topping $135 a barrel last Thursday. Americans are making the transition from SUVs to more fuel-efficient sedans and crossovers, a scary scenario for auto manufacturers like Ford. For the first quarter of 2008, sales of the popular Ford Explorer have fallen 25% compared to the first quarter of 2007. With Ford so heavily invested in SUVs, their overall sales are bound to drop tremendously as prices at the pump continue to rise.
Read more...

Do You Have One In Your Car?

A roadside emergency can happen at any time, whether your car is new or old. Being prepared with a basic emergency kit can increase your safety, reduce stress, and help you get back on the road faster. Even if you have roadside-assistance coverage or an automobile-club membership with roadside assistance, you usually need access to a phone in order to contact them and you may have to wait on the side of the road for an hour or more before help arrives. That’s its recommended that drivers carry certain items in their vehicle, even if it only gets used for everyday, around-town driving.
Read more...

Car Buying Is Easy If You Have The Right Resources

With car sales expected to be down this year, many dealerships will be desperate for any sale they can get, says Danny Chan, CEO of AutoBrag.com, a car-shopping comparison Web site that compiles price data from no-haggle dealerships. The slow conditions could prompt many of them to accept better deals as they struggle to keep their doors open, he added. But even though dealers might be hungry to make a deal, don’t expect that they’ll give in to your offers without a fight.
Read more...