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Car terms to know when trading in

Car terms to know when trading in
  Trading in may be a convenient way to sell your current car and put that money toward the cost of a new one. Knowing the following terms may help you walk into the dealership with the confidence to negotiate a better deal.   Trade-in value The trade-in value of your car is the amount that your dealer is willing to offer you to buy your vehicle. This amount can be influenced by a number of factors including the vehicle’s age, mileage and condition, demand for such a model, and your location.   Trade-in allowance Once you have agreed on… Read More
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Category: Financing

How to keep your summer road trip rolling

How to keep your summer road trip rolling
  7 ways to prepare your vehicle for a smooth journey The arrival of Memorial Day marks the (unofficial) start of summer and with it, road trip season. A time to load up the trunk, set off for a well-earned vacation and have some fun along the way. Memorable sights, stops and finds courtesy of your car can add something special to any summer holiday – but an unreliable vehicle can easily take the shine off things. Here are seven easy steps to prepare your car for a trouble-free trip.   1. Get an oil change If you’re embarking on… Read More
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Category: Car and Driver Tips

Car-shopping steps after visiting an auto show

Car dealer and car buyer sitting in car
    An auto show is a valuable place to get first impressions, compare vehicles side by side and, ultimately, get a better picture of what you next car purchase might be. To make the most of the information gathered, here are some tips for your next car-shopping steps.   Read ratings and reviews Check out expert and consumer reviews of the vehicles you’re most interested in. Use sources such as Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book to find out their strengths and weaknesses and how they compare to the competition.   Look up pricing and model options See what model options… Read More
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Category: Car and Driver Tips

What I learned about getting a good car-buying experience

What I learned about getting a good car-buying experience
  Everyone has a story about buying a car. Whether it was the first or 15th, it’s probably an experience that will never be forgotten. When my father was looking to replace his car, I tagged along and watched the process he went through, and learned a lot.   The dealership experience We really relied on the dealership staff to steer us toward the right product – one that truly met our needs. Just because we had a personal relationship with the particular dealer we visited did not mean we didn’t go through a process. Things such as new versus… Read More
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Category: Car and Driver Tips

Should I refinance my car?

Man driving car with dog
  Many things can change over the course of an auto loan to make refinancing worth considering. A lot of times, borrowers want to save on their financing costs or find a more affordable payment, but they may also want to get cash out against the value of their vehicle, or change their loan for other reasons. Take a look at these common situations in which it can be worth replacing an auto loan with another that has new terms.   4 common situations for refinancing a car loan Your credit score has improved In most cases, credit score has… Read More
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Category: Refinancing

8 Ways to safely share the road with cyclists

Safety tips for sharing the road with cyclists
  Throughout the month of May, Americans are celebrating cyclists with National Bike Month. According to the League of American Bicyclists, “from 2000 to 2013, the number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. grew by more than 62 percent.” Seeing as bicycle transportation has become more common, hopefully we can stay aware and be considerate of bikers all year in order to keep our roads both active and safe. Drivers may find it confusing or challenging to share the road, however, so here are some tips on how to effectively and safely share the highways with bicycle riders.   1.… Read More
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Category: Car and Driver Tips