Automobiles

1
Automobiles

• Personal Finance

2
Michigan

• Drivers 16 to 24 are involved in 1 of every 5
  crashes.
• Statistics show young driver crashes tend to be
  more deadly.
• About 23 of drivers under age 24 are involved in
  a traffic accident each year.
• By comparison, only 13 of 55- to 64-year-olds
  are involved in a road-way crash annually.

3
Michigan

• 16- to 24-year-old drivers have a greater
  involvement in fatal accidents than most other
  age groups.
• A younger person who is the principal driver of a
  motor vehicle typically pays 40 to 200 percent
  more for auto insurance than older drivers.
• The fatal crash rate for 16-year-olds declined
  sharply after states began enacting graduated
  licensing laws in the 1990s, according to the
  Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning.
• The number of fatal crashes involving young
  drivers has decreased 26 percent since 1997.

4
Michigan

• For teen drivers
• Deadliest month is June
• Deadliest day is Saturday
• Deadliest season is summer

5
Steps and Strategies

• 1. Narrow the Choices
• Match your needs (number of passengers, price
• range, gas mileage, new or used)
• 2. Research and Compare
• Magazines on reliability and safety ratings
• 3. Get Credit Preapproval
• How much will the bank loan you

6
Steps and Strategies

• 4. Visit Dealers
• Collect brochures, ask questions, write
• down info
• Ask about warranties and other cars available
• 5. Test and Inspect Each Car
• Test drive have outside mechanic check car
• Check dealers reputation
• 6. Make Offer
• Make up mind not to be pressured into paying more
• Initial offer lower than price you are willing to
  pay

7
Best Time to Buy

• Early in the Week
• Less people than weekends, get better attention
  from salesman
• End of Month
• Salespeople may get a bonus for reaching a sales
  quota
• End of Calendar Year - December
• New models coming out and winter months are slow
• Rebates and Incentives
• Holidays and long weekends will frequently see
  rebates, incentives or cheap financing offered

8

• New Models Come Out
• As the new cars begin to arrive, last year's
  model loses its luster and also its high price
• End of the Car's Design Cycle
• When a completely redesigned car under the same
  name comes out there are serious discounts
• End of the Car's Lifecycle
• When a car will be discontinued forever there are
  off the chart savings
• When the lot is full of them
• Taking up space and distracting potential buyers
  from new cars

9
Tricks the Dealers PlayPreying on your lack of
information.

• Salespeople love clueless car shoppers because
  you can't negotiate a fair price
• Forget the sticker price. Edmunds.com and Kelley
  Blue Book are among the best places to find the
  important information you need.
• For a more level playing field is for you to do
  your homework
• Once you know what vehicle you want, you should
  walk in knowing approximately what price you
  should be paying.

10
Tricks the Dealers PlayImposing finance charge
markups

• You picked the car you want to buy, now the
  finance manager is searching for the best deal on
  a loan
• The dealership isnt required to tell you the
  cheapest loan you've qualified for and can
  legally pad the interest rate with a couple
  percentage points for themselves.
• On a 22,000, five-year loan, that extra 2 will
  add an extra 1,277 to your payments.
• The lender could be in cahoots with the dealer.
  It collects the extra money, keeps half for
  itself and sends the other half back to the
  dealer.

11
Tricks the Dealers PlayMaking the deal all about
the monthly payment

• Salespeople often ask potential buyers what's the
  biggest monthly payment they can afford
• With that number, they'll calculate the most you
  can possibly spend and still hit that monthly
  payment by dragging out the loan for as long as
  possible.
• If you want a compact sedan that costs about
  20,000 but let slip that you could afford a
  payment of 450 a month.
• The salesperson immediately recognizes that a 60-
  or 72-month loan would allow you to buy a 25,000
  midsize sedan while keeping your payment at about
  450 a month and that is what he or she will
  try to sell you.
• The bigger sticker price, and longer loan, both
  mean more money for the dealership.

12
Tricks the Dealers PlayMaking deceptive payoff
promises

• Youre looking to buy a new car but still have a
  balance on your current car loanto close the
  deal, a salesperson will often promise Well
  pay off your loan no matter how much you owe.
• Many dealers count on making up that loss by
  offering you less than your trade-in is really
  worth.
• But some unscrupulous dealerships pay off your
  old loan, just as they promised, then secretly
  add that amount to your new loan---To get away
  with that, they're counting on you to focus on
  the monthly payment and ignore the total amount
  youre financing.

13
Tricks the Dealers PlaySaying the deal is only
good today

• Salespeople may say the "deal is only good today"
  to prevent you from checking other dealerships or
  having second thoughts.
• In most cases, you're likely to get the same deal
  if you return. You don't want to be pressured
  into a quick sale anyway.
• The only exception is around the end of each
  month when automakers set their incentive
  programs  rebates and discount loans  to
  expire.
• If you're being quoted a price or financing deal
  that includes those discounts, dealers can't know
  if they'll be renewed for the following month.

14
Tricks the Dealers PlayYo-yoing the financing

• You make a deal, sign the papers, take your new
  car home and think it's done.
• A week later, dealer calls and says you have to
  bring the car back because the financing fell
  through.
• This most commonly happens when dealers allow a
  buyer with shaky credit to take what the industry
  calls "spot delivery" on a car before the loan
  application is approved.
• Why would they do that? -- Disappointed buyers
  will do almost anything to keep their new car,
  whether it's agreeing to a higher interest rate,
  ponying up more cash for a down payment or even
  finding a cosigner for the note.
• Dealers have the legal right to be able to back
  out of the deal even after they send you home
  with the car.

15
Tricks the Dealers PlayRolling out the old
bait-and-switch

• You see an ad for a great price on a car you've
  been considering. But then you get to the
  showroom and find that's only for a stripped-down
  model, or trim level in auto lingo, that no one
  ever buys.
• The salesperson is sympathetic. When was the last
  time you saw a car with crank windows and no air
  conditioning?
• Over the next hour, he or she shows you
  better-equipped versions. By the time you finally
  see the car you thought the ad was touting,
  you're paying 4,000 more.

16
Tricks the Dealers PlaySelling worthless or
overpriced dealer add-ons

• Dealers boost their profits by selling all sorts
  of accessories, from roof racks to premium sound
  systems.
• But take a careful look at the cost. You can
  usually get the same thing for half price or less
  at electronics or auto parts stores.
• Be especially alert for "surprise" add-ons
   extras you absolutely don't need but that
  salespeople try to slip in as you're wrapping up
  the deal.
• Turn down paint protection, fabric protection,
  rust-proofing and upgraded car alarms
• A worthless 500 add-on increases the monthly
  payment by less than 9 on a 60-month loan, they
  could be easy to overlook these things

17
MSRP

• Monroney Sticker Price
• Base price
• Manufacturer's installed options with the
  manufacturer's suggested retail price
• Manufacturer's transportation charge
• Fuel economy (mileage)
• Affixed to the car window, this label is required
  by federal law, and may be removed only by the
  purchaser.
• https//www.youtube.com/watch?v30tSJYhwgJM

18
Financing Your Car

• 1. Credit Unions usually best loan including
  lower interest rates and smaller monthly payments
• 2. Car Dealers May offer better deals during
  certain times of year
• 3. Banks and Other Institutions repaid in
  equal monthly payments and they use car as
  collateral if it cant be paid off

19
Buying from a Dealer

• Pros
• Dealers must adhere to stringent
  operating/selling procedures. This means you're
  less likely to be cheated or burdened with a
  lemon.
• Dealers provide warranties on vehicles, often new
  or used.
• Dealers offer financing options.
• Dealers can be easily contacted should problems
  arise.
• Vehicles are inspected by certified trained
  technicians.
• Dealers offer certified cars.
• Car dealerships will usually help you with your
  state DMV's titling and registration process.
• You have the choice between a variety of cars in
  one location.

20
Buying from a Dealer

• Cons
• Higher prices and less room for negotiating.
• Must deal with professional sales teams, reliant
  upon commissions.
• It can be easy to get caught up in holiday
  specials, sales pitches, and signing incentives.

21
Buying from Private Party

• Pros
• More room for price negotiating. You may be able
  to get closer to a price that works for you.
• No high-pressure sales pitches.
• Lower starting prices.

22
Buying from Private Party

• Cons
• Dealing with an unknown person, not bound to
  Federal Trade Commission rules.
• No warranties on the vehicle. Private parties are
  more likely to sell the car "as is."
• No trade options. You'll probably need to pay the
  asking price in full at the time of purchase.
• You must complete and submit most of the
  paperwork yourself. This may include title
  transfers, a bill of sale, registration
  documents, etc.
• Limited to seller's time schedule for inspecting
  the vehicle.
• You may have to travel a long distance just to
  see a single vehicle.

23
Weighing Loan Options

• Focus on interest rate (APR)
• Look at the length of loan
• Be sure to look at total cost of loan
• Shorter loans cost less overall
• Long term loans lengthens the amount of time
  before you have built up equity
• Can cause issues with trade ins and insurance pay
  outs
• Consider your situation in life

24
Leasing

• Financing the use of a vehicle for a specified
  number of months
• Contract with a leasing provider that allows you
  to drive car and only pay for the portion of the
  vehicle's value that you use up during the time
  you're driving it
• Agree to pay for insurance, licenses, taxes,
  repairs, and maintenance
• Similar to renting and the leasing provider
  retains ownership and title to the vehicle
  throughout the lease
• At lease-end you can simply return your vehicle
  to the provider, or you may purchase the vehicle
  and continue driving it

25
Who Should Lease

• Here's how to determine if you are a good leasing
  candidate
• Are you willing to trade ownership of your
  vehicle for lower monthly payments?
• Can you stick with your lease until the end?
• Commit to driving your vehicle for a specific
  number of months typically 24, 36, 48, or 60
  months
• Changes in finances or tastes? Not a good lease
  candidate because ending a lease early is
  troublesome and costly
• Do you drive more than 15,000 miles annually?
• If yes, you are not a good candidate because
  lease contracts an annual mileage limit,
  typically 10,000-15,000 miles
• If you drive more that the specified number of
  miles you will pay a fee for every mile over the
  limit

26
Test Driving

• Is it easy to get in and out of the car without
  stooping or hitting your head?
• Is there enough head-, hip- and legroom? Remember
  to check the backseat, too.
• Is the driving position comfortable? Do you feel
  too low or too high in the car? Can you tilt or
  telescope the steering wheel for a better fit?
• Is the seat comfortable? Is it easily adjustable?
  Is there a lumbar support adjustment?
• Are the controls easy to read and use?
• How is the visibility? Check the rearview mirror
  and the side mirrors.
• Are the pedals situated to match your body type?
  If not, are they adjustable?

27

• Acceleration
• Engine noise
• Passing acceleration (does it downshift quickly?)
  
• Hill-climbing power
• Braking (do the brakes "grab" suddenly?)
• Steering (does it have any play in the wheel? is
  it easy to place the car?)
• Cornering (does it "hug the road" or does it
  wallow about?)
• Suspension (how does it ride?)
• Seat comfort and ergonomics

28

• Rattles and squeaks
• Cargo space (is the vehicle easy to load and does
  it expand?)
• Whats the car like in town, in faster roads, on
  the freeway?
• Will the car suit the journeys you typically have
  to make?
• For instance, do you drive mostly on freeways, or
  down country lanes?
• Can you park it easily? Is it easy to maneuver?
• Will the car fit on your driveway or in your
  garage?
• Can you afford the fuel bills, tax and insurance?

29
What Adds Value to Your Car?

• Valuable Custom Car Accessories/Options
• Rims/Custom Wheels
• Navigation systems
• Entertainment systems
• Satellite radio
• Leather seats
• Moon/Sun roof
• Intelligent keys
• Body kits
• Custom painting/tinting

• Little Value Car Accessories/Options
• Crazy paint jobs
• Cheap window tinting
• Stickers
• Seat Covers

30
Extending the Life of Your Car

• 1. Change Oil on Schedule
• Every 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever first
• 2. Follow Routine Maintenance
• Periodic checks can avoid major problems
• 3. Keep Car in Garage
• Keep in garage, safe from weather, theft, and
  vandalism
• Keep engine warmer, less stress on engine

31
Extending the Life of Your Car

• 4. Clean and Wax Your Car
• Use protective wax to guard from sun and water
• Touch up dents and dings to protect from rust
• 5. Preserve the Interior
• Cloth more durable than vinyl, but leather holds
  up the best
• Use floor mats to protect carpet
• 6. Follow Wise Driving Habits

32
Negotiating the Car Prices

• To prepare for a car price negotiations, you need
  to be familiar with the starting price of the
  car. Do a little research about manufacturer's
  suggested retail price of the car. Also, know
  which car is selling in your region. It might be
  because the suggested retail prices might be
  different from the actual selling price.
• Know the demand and supply of cars. There are
  times when dealers have to negotiate a much
  higher price than the standard price due to added
  costs. Once you will be aware of the trend done
  by dealers, you will either accept the added cost
  or choose a car in low demand instead.
• Bring with you an invoice price of the car when
  you want to negotiate for prices. Since invoices
  prices are the exact prices that the dealers have
  paid for the car, you can show the invoice price
  and deal for a much lower prices. If you are a
  smart negotiator, then you will surely do this
  exact tactic.

33

• Another trick to negotiate for the price of the
  car is to do trade-ins. Most negotiators do not
  understand the importance of trade-in allowances.
  So before you think of buying a car, know how to
  negotiate well. Be willing to discuss the prices
  without making car dealers hide the increased car
  prices in financing.
• Be familiar with jargon words and the standard
  options packages. Learn the language of dealers
  and how they work their way around customers.
  This is to avoid being scammed or getting tricked
  by any car dealers.
• While negotiating for the car prices, it is
  better ask the car dealer if it includes all
  taxes and fees when purchasing the car. If you
  are a first time buyer, then you may be greatly
  surprised by the added fees. Don't be tricked of
  these fees since these fees are not usually
  included in the car price.
• A car price negotiator must understand how to set
  a deal with car dealers. He or she must be
  willing to discuss any added options without
  getting a higher price. A negotiator must know
  when to put his foot down when being tricked of
  high car prices and costs. In short, always be
  smart when buying a car.

34
Odometer Fraud

• Tampering with an odometer is a federal crime.
• The U.S. Department of Justice estimates odometer
  fraud costs consumers an average of 4,000 per
  car.
• One in 10 American cars has a rolled back
  odometer, according to Jack Gillis from the
  Consumer Federation of America.
• Every year American car buyers lose over 1
  billion to odometer fraud, says the National
  Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
  When odometer rollback takes place, an average of
  50,000 miles are wiped from the cars clock.

35
Digital Odometers

• Harder to determine if a digital odometer has
  tampered with than a traditional mechanical
  odometers (since they have no visible moving
  parts)
• A vehicle's condition and a detailed history
  report are the best clues a buyer has for
  determining whether clocking has occurred
• Auto manufacturers developed the digital
  odometer, in large part, to alleviate the problem
  of odometer tampering
• Odometer fraud is highest in California, Nevada,
  Massachusetts, New York and Texas but it is so
  widespread that all used car buyers need to look
  out for it.

36
Detecting Odometer Fraud

• Ask to see the title and compare the mileage on
  it with the vehicle's odometer. Be sure to
  examine the title closely if the mileage notation
  seems obscured or is not easy to read.
• Compare the mileage on the odometer with the
  mileage indicated on the vehicle's maintenance or
  inspection records. Also, search for oil-change
  and maintenance stickers on windows or door
  frames, in the glove box or under the hood.
• Request a CARFAX Vehicle History Report to check
  for odometer discrepancies in the vehicle's
  history. If the seller doesn't have a vehicle
  history report, use the car's VIN to order a
  CARFAX vehicle history report online.

37
CARFAX

• Summarizes car history report to CARFAX for a
  specific vehicle since it left the factory.
• CARFAX receives data from more than 34,000
  different sources including every US state and
  Canadian provincial motor vehicle agency, plus
  many police and fire departments, collision
  repair facilities, auto auctions, etc
• Most comprehensive vehicle history database in
  North America, containing over 9 billion records
  and growing every day.
• Before you buy a used car, we recommend that in
  addition to getting a CARFAX Report, you always
  take a test drive and have the vehicle inspected
  by a qualified mechanic.
• Sample Report
• http//www.carfax.com/phoenix/vehicle_history/Samp
  leReport.cfx?reportNameconsumerMobileWeb

38
Advantages for Buying New

• Choose options, colors, interior trim and details
  yourself
• It's fresh, shiny and new and no worries about
  the car's past life
• Full manufacturer warranty
• It's easier to get redress if the car turns out
  to be a dud
• You should be able to trade in your own older car
  in part-exchange, unless it's a real heap

39
Disadvantages for Buying New

• Your new car will lose value the moment you leave
  the lot - and keep on losing value.
• Your new car won't look new for long
  manufacturer changes and updates
• Buying new doesnt guarantee reliability and
  customer satisfaction
• There can be troubles with newer models, or you
  could end up with a 'Friday afternoon' car with
  build or paint-quality defects.

40
Advantages for Buying Used

• Wider choice of models and types for the amount
  you have to spend
• Depreciation (value loss) will have slowed down
• Any initial running-in problems will already have
  been sorted
• Nearly-new cars may have some warranty left
• History checks take away most of the worry

41
Disadvantages for Buying Used

• You may not be sure if the car has been correctly
  maintained and serviced to schedule, let alone if
  it's been driven hard
• The higher-mileage the car, the greater the risk
  of component failure and breakdowns
• You never quite know where an older car has been
  and a history check may not show everything

42
Buying a Used Car?

• How old is the car? More than six years can be
  questionable unless the mileage is low.
• How old are the parts in the car? Has it been
  well-maintained? Have parts been replaced?
• Does the paint feel smooth or is it covering rust
  or dents?
• Can you get the paperwork that should come with
  the vehicle?

43
Costs of Operating a Car

• 1. Gas and Oil depends on size of auto and
  miles driven.
• 2. Depreciation
• Car age increase means mechanical difficulties
• Old vehicles appreciate in value
• Auto value depends on mileage and body condition
• 3. Registration and Titling
• Registration fee charged in all states
• Registration and sale taxes occur at the time of
  purchase only
• License fee is annual (based on value and/or
  weight depending on state you live in)

44
Costs of Operating a Car

• 4. Maintenance and Repairs
• Tune-up every 20,000 to 30,000 miles
• Plan on unscheduled repairs (flat tires, broken
  belts, hoses)
• As car ages increases, so does cost
• 5. Accessories
• Snow tires, floor mats, seat and wheel covers,
  sound systems, and striping and painting
• Sometimes add to value

45
Your Auto Repair Rights!

• A written estimate of cost before any repairs are
  begun that will cost 20 or more
• Know about and approve (or refuse) any work done
  beyond the estimate
• Have repairs made by a Michigan certified
  mechanic
• An itemized final bill
• AND..
• Inspect and receive replaced parts

46
Auto Repair Tips and Hints

• Do not try to diagnose the problem unless you are
  qualified.
• When looking for a repair shop, ask your friends
  or coworkers for recommendations.
• Shop around before agreeing to expensive repairs.
  
• Before you have a vehicle repaired, get a written
  estimate for repairing the vehicle, including
  teardown and reassembly.
• If a repair shop suggests repairs that you
  question, ask for a written reason why the
  repairs are needed.
• Ask the repair shop if it guarantees its work
  (labor, parts or both).  If so, all terms of the
  guarantee must be in writing.
• If you are asked to sign a document, take a copy
  of it for your records.
• Never sign a blank document.
• Leave a telephone number where you can be
  reached.
• If you have a problem you cannot resolve with the
  repair shop, call the toll-free telephone number
  below.

47
Follow Wise Driving Habits

• New Cars
• Dont drive for long stretches at constant speeds
• First 1,000 mi. drive progressively faster,
  accelerating gradually
• Avoid fast starts, sudden stops, sharp turns,
  rapid gear changes
• All Cars
• Dont race cold engines
• Coolants in summer, antifreezes in winter
• Dont shift forward while car is rolling backward

48
Follow Wise Driving Habits

• All Cars
• Dont turn steering wheel when car is motionless
• Keep windshield and back window free of ice
• Dont run dry wipers over dry glass
• Check gauges and warning lights
• Immediately get them checked out
• Wear seatbelt

49
Top 10 Things People Do to Ruin Car

• 1. Not Using The Parking Brake
• Its a little pedal near your left leg, or a
  lever on your right. Yes, that mysterious device
  that youve never used is actually valuable.
• When you park on an incline, or even on fairly
  steady ground, without using the parking brake,
  youre putting all of the stress of the car on
  your transmission. The only thing inside that
  transmission holding your car steady is a little
  pin called a parking pawl.
• By using the parking brake, you lock up the
  non-drive wheels as well as the drive wheels and
  take the stress off of the transmission. Itll
  add years of life to your cars transmission. Just
  remember to disengage it before you start driving
  again.

50
2. Not Coming To A Complete Stop Before Shifting

• Youre in a rush, and you pull out of a parking
  space and shift into drive while the car is still
  coasting backwards.
• Youve just added months of wear to your
  transmission in seconds. Inside your transmission
  is a complex set of gears, when you shift without
  stopping like that, youre asking those gears to
  work as your brakes, which puts an amazing amount
  of stress on such a small area.
• You can also damage your drive shafts, the things
  that send power to the wheels, by shifting that
  way. After a while, itll lead to sloppy
  suspension handling, and a worn out transmission.

51
3. Riding The Brakes Down A Hill

• If you are driving on a hill that goes on for a
  while, youll want to avoid riding the brake the
  whole time. Alternate between braking and letting
  off the brake so you dont heat up and wear out
  your brake pads.
• Its a common mistake, because it feels like the
  safest way to maneuver down a hill, but if the
  hill is sufficiently long, you can end up almost
  totally wearing out your pads, since as they heat
  up, they wear faster.

52
4. Forgetting To Change The Oil

• You need to change your oil every 5,000 miles at
  the most. Thats really all there is to it.
• I actually read a blog online that said you can
  wait until your oil light comes on to change your
  oil. Ive worked in the automotive business by
  the time your oil light comes on, the oil inside
  your engine has turned into jet black molasses
  and is of no use to your engine.
• In the short term, I suppose its not that
  important, but more frequent changes can actually
  double the life of your car and greatly increase
  its performance.

53
5. Pressure Washing The Engine

• I can respect a persons desire to want a clean
  engine. It gets grimy under there and a guy with
  a pressure washer is a dangerous thing for grime
  you want to point it at anything even slightly
  dirty. But a grimy engine that runs right is
  better than a clean engine that doesnt run at
  all.
• And if you spray a high powered jet of water
  around rubber seals and hoses and electrical
  bits, youre bound to dislodge something
  important.
• A modern engine is a complex thing, all manner of
  sensors and wiring harnesses and components, and
  its no place for a jet of high pressure water. A
  regular garden hose is OK if you want to wash it
  down, just be careful with the high pressure
  business.

54
6. Starting Your Car The Wrong Way

• It seems simple, but you can make a big
  difference by turning off your radio, wipers,
  climate control, all of those accessories, when
  you start the car. Most of the wear on the engine
  happens when you start the car, and by turning
  off those accessories, your engine doesnt have
  to work as hard when starting.
• Another thing people do is revving the engine in
  the winter. This actually doesnt help warm up
  the car. Although it does technically make the
  engine hotter, its not the kind of warming up
  that you want. Revving your engine in the winter
  causes extreme temperature changes right away,
  which is actually the opposite of what you want.
  When you start the car, the oil hasnt yet worked
  its way through the system, so the engine is
  working without lubricant. The right way to do it
  is just let the car sit and idle for about 30
  seconds to a minute at the least.

55
7. Ignoring Your Cars Sounds

• Every sound your car makes means something, if
  you pay attention, your car can usually tell you
  exactly what needs fixing.
• Those squeaking brakes mean you need new pads,
  and if you ignore that sound, eventually youll
  hear scraping metal, which means you need new
  rotors, and if you ignore that, youll eventually
  hear the sound of your own scream as you lose
  your brakes completely and fly off a cliff in a
  spectacular fireball of death. Its more common
  than you think. Listen to your car.

56
8. Letting The Interior Go

• Youre in a rush again, and you eat most of your
  disgusting egg and cheese bagel, and toss the
  rest in the wrapper on the passenger seat.
  Lovely. You know who you are, your car is filthy,
  never been vacuumed, 15 air fresheners hang on
  the mirror, and yet, no air freshener made by
  mortal man can stop the sickening wind within
  your car. You need to clean it.
• If you dont vacuum your carpets and clean out
  the garbage every so often, youll develop a
  smell that is impossible to destroy. Ive worked
  in the auto salvage business, and I know that
  there exist smells that are so obscene, so
  inhuman, that no shampoo can vanquish them. The
  only way to stop them is to never let them
  develop. Clean your car, for the sake of all
  mankind.

57
9. Running Your Car Down To Empty

• Theres actually a bit of a debate about this
  one. The old wisdom says if your car gets down to
  E, the sediment in your tank will get sucked into
  the system and foul your fuel injectors. Although
  some mechanics says that's not true. Either way,
  running down to E does pose other problems. You
  cut the life of the fuel pump considerably, since
  the fuel actually cools the pump.
• An interesting note Most cars can drive another
  60 miles after they hit Empty, automakers call
  this extra gas the buffer zone. US cars have
  the largest buffer zone of any vehicles. German
  drivers , for instance, like to know exactly how
  much gas in is the car, so their buffer zone
  between the gauges E and the actual empty tank
  is much smaller.

58
10. Driving Past Attractive Women

• This is a common mistake, especially among
  younger male drivers. Attractive women can be
  incredibly damaging to your vehicle, they can
  cause the driver to install bizarre over-sized
  woofers or 22 inch rims, or even spontaneously
  crash the car into a nearby tree or telephone
  pole.
• When youre driving, be careful to avoid swimming
  pools, beaches, college campuses, anyplace where
  beautiful girls assemble in any significant
  numbers. Your car will thank you.

59
Parent Survey

• At this time of year, parents from across the
  country are sending their driving-age kids to
  high schools and colleges. So we at AutoExtra.com
  were wondering how many of those students were
  sent back to school with a new set of car keys?
  Who bought the cars? Were they new cars or used?
  How much did the cars cost? The AutoExtra.com
  Kids First Car Survey is designed to ask and
  answer questions about parents, students and
  their cars. Here are some of the interesting
  findings
• 76  of their children have their own car
• 82  of those cars were bought used

60

• Money Matters
• 54  of the cars cost under 10,000
• 51  were paid for in-full by the childs parent
  or parents
• 23  shared the cost with their children
• 72  of the parents did not have cars bought for
  them when they were students
• Major Factors Parents Said Are Extremely
  Important When Buying Their Childs First Car
• 90  safety and reliability
• 79  price
• 68  fuel efficiency
• 67  age and mileage
• 42  make/model
• 24  style/coolness
• 13  cars color

61

• Major Factors that Parents Thought Were Important
  to Children   
• 66  style/coolness
• 61  safety/reliability
• 53  age/mileage
• 53  make/model
• 52  price
• 50  fuel efficiency
• 37  color
• Buying Habits  
• 54  of the cars cost under 10,000
• 36  purchased from a private seller
• 2  purchased through an online auction

62
Naming Cars

• Almost 4 in 10 polled said their car has a
  personality of its own.
• 2 in 10 have a nickname for their car. Most often
  it is a female nickname...
• Women were more likely than men to attribute
  personal traits to their cars, more likely than
  men to give their car a nickname and more likely
  to see their cars as female.
• 3 in 10 think of their car as having a gender,
  with 23 percent thinking of their cars as female,
  compared with just 7 percent male.
• 4 in 5 of those polled said they love to drive.
  Young adults and older people were more likely
  than those 30-39 to say they enjoy driving.
• People who make less than 25,000 were more
  likely than those who make more than 75,000 to
  say they enjoy driving.
• Also, 62 percent say they can tell something
  about someone's personality just by the car he or
  she drives...

63
Do you have a name for your car? Allstate
discovered the following about car names

• By far the most common name is Betsy (mostly
  Betsy, some Betsey)-- 26 citations in survey. If
  you add in Bessie or Bessy, there are an
  additional eight entries listed (and one Bessie
  Lou).
• Girls' names are more popular than boys' (some
  examples of girls' names include Marie, Minnie,
  Molly, Agnes, Bella, Diana, Ginger, Nellie,
  Ruthy, Tammy and Vanessa).
• Blue is popular with a total of five entries, not
  counting Big Blue, Blue Beast, Blue Bertha, Blue
  Sapphire, Blue Bomb, Bluebell, Bluebird and
  Blueboy
• Red is also fairly popular, but not on its own
  (only two "Red" citations). Big Red, Red October,
  Big Red One, Big Red Truck, etc.... also Red
  Baron, Red Car, Red Dragon, Red Racer, Red Robin
  and, of course, Red Hot Mama!

64

• Green is probably the next favorite color.
  Entries include Green Burrito, Green Goblin,
  Green Hornet, Green Weenie, Green Machine (most
  popular green name) and, of course, Green Meanie!
• People seem to have lots of issues with their
  cars! Examples include Little Blue Piece of
  Shit, Damn Mean Machine, Elizabitch, Fugly,
  Garbage Barge, Gutless Wonder, Mini Van of Doom,
  Piece of Shit, Rondi the Bitch Car, Car from Hell
  and Tin Can with Wheels.
• Two optimists named their cars Titanic. We also
  have Trouble, The Hearse, Grunt, 8-ball, The
  Chicken, and Barfmobile.
• Some other notables include Beepbop, Boris
  Badanov, Carry 2, Grocery Getter, Persephone,
  Saabena, Pimped-Out Mom-Mobile and Beeheemyth (a
  van).

65
Consumer Protection for Car Buyers

• - Warranty
• Written guarantee, states what manufacturer will
  do if it doesnt perform
• Vary in time and mileage usually cover basic
  parts against defects
• -Lemon Laws
• According to most states, you have a lemon if in
  first year of ownership or 12,000 miles
• Four unsuccessful trips to dealer to repair same
  defect
• Been out of service for at 30 days
• Allow you to get money back or new car
• Need good documentation and is a long process

66
FTC Used Car Rule

• Designed to help used car buyers
• Rule requires a Buyers Guide sticker in window
• As Is means buyer pays any repair costs
• Warranty seller will cover stated costs