Edmunds Daily
Tip of the Day
August 7, 2009
Cash for Clunkers has generated a lot of interest in Edmunds' pricing and sales data.
You've probably seen Edmunds.com data quoted on the TV, radio or in the newspaper, especially lately, since Cash for Clunkers (C4C) has dominated mainstream media. We produce quite a wide variety of reports and analysis, and the results of this data is made available to all our users via our True Market Value pricing, True Cost to Own, Industry News for Car Shoppers, and consumer advice in our Tips and Advice section -- just to name a few.
Our raw data is generated by a large Edmunds.com team consisting of statisticians, data collection and processing staff, and our pricing analysts. It's complicated stuff. Edmunds has spent many years and millions of dollars gathering and refining our methodology. It just doesn't get any more reliable.
We regularly share some of this data with the media, and you've even see us quoted on the Senate floor if following the C4C debate. You can find a list of the reports we've made public by viewing our Press Releases. Because our information is proprietary, though, we don't offer our data for sale or license. If you don't find what you are seeking through one of the links above, you can try one of the organizations listed here.
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- Joanne Helperin August 7, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, FAQ Friday, Tip of the Day, Vehicle Incentives and Rebates
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- Edmunds.com Data, True Market Value
July 31, 2009
Everyone wants to "time the market" with a new car purchase if they can, just like they try to do with stock prices or mortgage interest rates. That's why there are so many theories as to the best time to buy a car. Many of those theories aren't very reliable. What is true is that we are at moment in history where the factors influencing car deals have converged to make this an incredible time for bargain hunters.
One of the important things to remember, though, is that there is a lot of pent-up demand for new cars. Manufacturers have also cut back drastically on production. In the not-so-distant future, those factors will combine to drive the prices back up.
Where does this leave consumers who are trying to figure out when to make the jump?
Continue reading...
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- Joanne Helperin July 31, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Advice Articles, Car Buying, Tip of the Day
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- Buying Cars, C4C, Cash for clunkers, New Car Buying
June 30, 2009
Hyundai is adding a new perk to its Hyundai Assurance program: Gas for up to 12,000 miles at $1.49 per gallon for regular fuel, slightly higher for midgrade and premium. Called Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock, the program covers most models leased or purchased between July 1 and Aug. 31.
Continue reading...
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- Joanne Helperin June 30, 2009, 1:35 PM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Fuel Economy, Hyundai, Tip of the Day, Vehicle Incentives and Rebates
- Technorati Tags:
- Gas Lock, Gas Prices, Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Assurance
April 27, 2009
I recently received an email from someone who had put a deposit down on a vehicle and had decided to back out, and they were having problems getting the dealership to refund the deposit. They had paid the deposit with a check, and while the check had not been cashed, getting it back was proving difficult, with the dealership threatening to keep the deposit if they didn't go through with the deal. Most dealerships are more respectable than this, but there are still those bad apples out there. While consumer protection laws vary from state to state, the vast majority prevent a dealership from keeping a deposit in the event the consumer does not purchase a vehicle. Learn how to protect yourself from those dealerships that still think they are doing business in the 20th century, after the jump.
Continue reading...
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- Lee Scott April 27, 2009, 2:00 PM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Tip of the Day
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- Buying Cars, Credit Cards, Deposit
April 9, 2009
If you've recently bought a used car, or even if you've owned yours for some time, occasionally checking for TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) and Recalls is well-advised. TSBs are typically non-safety-related defects whereas Recalls are safety related. You can get the low-down on both with this article.
Either way, you'll want to know whether or not your car has any potentially upleasant surprises in store for you. To get the skinny on your car, go here and you'll see links for "Safety Recalls" and "Service Bulletins" on the left hand side.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor
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- John DiPietro April 9, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Advice Articles, Car Maintenance, Car Safety, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day, Used Car Corner, Used Cars
- Technorati Tags:
- Recalls, Technical Service Bulletins, TSBs
April 7, 2009
Thanks to lower gas prices, fuel economy isn't the be-all and end-all that it once was with car shoppers. Still, those with any kind of foresight know that change is the only constant. Fuel prices might be agreeable enough today, but historically, they've shown themselves to be as unpredictable as hormonal teens.
Shoppers taking a longer-term view when it comes to gas prices will want to check out our list of the 10 most fuel-efficient sedans.
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- Warren Clarke April 7, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Ford, Fuel Economy, Honda, Hybrids and Alternative Fuels, Nissan, Tip of the Day, Toyota, Tuesday's Top 10 List, Volkswagen
- Technorati Tags:
- Ford Fusion Hybrid, Fuel Economy, Honda Insight, Sedan, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Jetta Diesel
April 2, 2009
(In modern engines, oil dipsticks, are usually color coded such as this yellow one just below the Hemi logo.)
No fooling; April is National Car Care Month and we have three simple things you can do today and over the weekend to show your car you care. As you hopefully already know, these are things you should be doing on a regular basis:
1) Check the oil. This is the lifeblood of the engine so we advise doing this at every other gas fill-up.
2) Check your tire pressures. Too-low tire pressure leads to accelerated tire wear, increased fuel consumption and, most importantly, compromised handling and safety.
3) Detail the car. C'mon, you know that you'll feel better too driving a squeaky-clean car with no bird crap on the hood and no crumbs on the seats.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor
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- John DiPietro April 2, 2009, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Car Maintenance, Car Safety, Tip of the Day, Used Car Corner
- Technorati Tags:
- Maintenance, National Car Care Month
March 31, 2009
With the recent, horrible floods in the Midwest, many people have natural disasters on their minds. How prepared would you be if an earthquake, blizzard or some similar catastrophe struck while you were behind the wheel of your vehicle?
Read our Top 10 Tips for Surviving a Disaster in Your Vehicle to learn how you can protect yourself.
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- Warren Clarke March 31, 2009, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Tip of the Day, Tuesday's Top 10 List
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- Blizzard, Car Safety, Disaster, Earthquake, Flood
March 24, 2009
Don't get too excited, but spring has officially entered the building. This means that somewhere ice is melting, flowers are blooming and birds are once again bursting into song. More importantly, though, the advent of spring suggests that it's time to start getting your car prepped for the warmer weather that lies ahead.
If you live in snowy climes, you'll want to enlist the help of your garden hose or lawn sprinkler to get rid of road salt before it does a number on your car's undercarriage. And how about those wiper blades? If they've been working hard all winter battling the white stuff, they'll likely need some attention; don't wait for a heavy spring or summer rainstorm to discover your blades aren't performing properly.
To learn more about how you can help your hauler get some spring in its step, read our Top 10 Ways to Get Your Car Ready for Spring and Summer.
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- Warren Clarke March 24, 2009, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Car Advice Articles, Tip of the Day, Tuesday's Top 10 List
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- Car Maintenance, Spring cleaning
March 17, 2009
Stops from high speed are the mortal enemy of brakes. And a little more speed hurts more than you can imagine.
You can make your brakes last a long time or you can wear them out quickly. The choice is yours. Done judiciously, the following money-saving driving techniques won't clog traffic and few other drivers will notice.
If your brakes wear rapidly and these tips don't help, the problem is with your car, your mechanic, poorly chosen or installed brake parts, or others who drive the car (teenage boy in the house?). The problem could be one of simple geography, if you happen to live in the mountains.
Get the full story by checking out our Top 10 Ways to Make Your Brakes Last Longer.
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- Warren Clarke March 17, 2009, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Tip of the Day, Tuesday's Top 10 List
- Technorati Tags:
- Brakes, Money-Saving Tips
March 10, 2009
If -- like most -- you're currently feeling the pinch financially, you'll want to take a look at your automotive spending. Even if you think you've done all you can to trim the fat, there may be more ways to save.
One route may be to raise your auto insurance deductible -- in some cases, this can slash insurance payments by a third or more. Another may be to stretch oil changes to at least as long as your automaker recommends -- that's 10,000 or more miles for some cars.
Read more in our Cheapskate's Top 10 Money-Saving Ideas for Car Owners.
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- Warren Clarke March 10, 2009, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Tip of the Day, Tuesday's Top 10 List
- Technorati Tags:
- car insurance, Money-Saving Tips
February 26, 2009
Even those considering a used Porsche 911 can appreciate a bargain, especially in these economically depressing times. If we told you that you could buy a nice, low-mileage (25k to 35k miles) Porsche 911 for $25 to $30 grand, you might wonder if we've been spending too much time inhaling fuel fumes and burning rubber at the test track.
Continue reading...
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- John DiPietro February 26, 2009, 1:05 PM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Deal of the Week, The Savvy Shopper, Tip of the Day, Used Car Corner, Used Cars
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- Porsche 911
February 10, 2009
If you're planning a romantic Valentine's Day rendezvous with your significant other, your checklist probably includes a reservation at a romantic restaurant. And flowers. And breath mints. But have you given any thought to the car that'll transport you and your paramour to your moonlight-dappled destination? There's nothing like a weathered old junker to kill the mood.
You can go the extra mile by renting a car, but not just any car. Pick a car that will impress your date, and anyone else whose eyes are fortunate enough to behold its glory. This list will help: Top 10 Exotic Cars You Can Rent.
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor
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- Warren Clarke February 10, 2009, 12:01 PM
- Categories:
- Tip of the Day
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- car rental, Valentine's Day
January 22, 2009
Anybody familiar with the Barrett-Jackson auction (the Mecca for classic car enthusiasts that just took place in Scottsdale, AZ and was broadcast big-time by Speed TV) knows that often times the prices paid are just ridiculous. As they say, it only takes two bidders and if they're both rich, both just have to have that car and both have big egos that won't allow them to be out-bid, then the end result is an over-inflated price. Furthermore, the buyer must also pay a 10-percent fee for the privilege of taking part. I wrote a piece on the B-J experience some time ago called Fantastic Cars and Foolish Money.
That said, sometimes there are some pretty good deals to be had, particularly during the first few days of the show.
Continue reading...
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- John DiPietro January 22, 2009, 3:00 PM
- Categories:
- Tip of the Day, Used Cars
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- Auction, Barrett-Jackson, Collector Cars
January 20, 2009
If you're buying a new car, you've probably invested lots of time and effort trying to make sure you get the best deal possible. You've compared TMV numbers. You've ferreted out the latest incentives and rebates.
We hate to hit you with yet another item to ponder, but how much thought have you given to car insurance? Taking the time to consider potential insurance costs before you buy can help you choose a vehicle that truly fits your budget.
Car shoppers aren't the only ones who can benefit from taking another look at their insurance -- there are things you can do to lighten the insurance bill on vehicles you already own. For example, if you own a ride that's a bit long in the tooth, you may be better off relinquishing collision and/or comprehensive coverage.
Discover all the ways you can save by reading our Top 10 Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance Bill.
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor
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- Warren Clarke January 20, 2009, 3:49 PM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Tip of the Day, Used Cars
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- car buying, car insurance
January 15, 2009
For many, buying a car is as much an emotional as it is a practical decision. Sometimes we just can't believe the things that push the right buttons for folks when they're looking for wheels -- certain colors, the gold emblem package. Knowing what you like is all well and good, but when it comes to considering a used car, things such as condition, mileage and a solid maintenance history take priority.
So in the interest of helping you keep a clear head and making sure you do everything possible to ensure the used cars you're considering are worth taking a look at, we've created this handy worksheet for you. Use it when you're calling or e-mailing prospects. It's a pre-emptive strike designed to minimize the chances of you wasting time going to see a car, only to discover, for example, that it doesn't have the features you want or is going to need some big repairs. It's also a good idea to bring it along when you examine the car in person; as any lingering questions can be answered at that time.
John DiPietro, Automotive Editor
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- John DiPietro January 15, 2009, 2:34 PM
- Categories:
- Car Negotiating, Tip of the Day, Used Cars
- Technorati Tags:
- Used Car Questionnaire
January 10, 2009
Marley cuts a brutal swath of destruction.
The hit movie Marley and Me tells the story of a family and its lovable but psychotic very wayward dog. If you have a similar dog in your life -- or any dog, for that matter -- you know that traveling with your pet can sometimes prove to be a real test of your relationship. Get man's best friend in a car and he can quickly morph into an upholstery-chewing, driver-distracting four-legged foe like no other.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to make automotive adventures with your favorite canine a whole lot easier. Getting up to speed on these tips can help you keep your car's cabin free of unsavory accessories like dog puke -- did you know that there are steps you can take to prevent your dog from getting carsick? Other tips could wind up literally saving your pet's life.
Get the full story by checking out our Top 10 Tips for Traveling With Dogs. Both Fido and your car's beige Novillo leather upholstery will be grateful.
Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor
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- Warren Clarke January 10, 2009, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Safety, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- dog harness, pet barriers, pet carriers, road trip
January 8, 2009
The great thing about Edmunds is the wealth of information on our site. The bad thing about Edmunds is the wealth...
This embarrassment of riches is of course an enviable "problem". But we're sure that some useable articles may escape your attention in your quest for automotive advice. So occasionally, we, the editors, will remind you what we have at your service.
Continue reading...
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- John DiPietro January 8, 2009, 3:00 PM
- Categories:
- Tip of the Day, Used Cars
- Technorati Tags:
- Best Bets, Used Cars
December 31, 2008
Along with getting in shape and giving up whatever vices you may have, you might want to consider a few more New Year's resolutions. We've got some suggestions, automotive-related, naturally, for you...
Continue reading...
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- John DiPietro December 31, 2008, 2:29 PM
- Categories:
- Car Maintenance, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
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- New Year's Resolutions
December 24, 2008
The latest addition to our growing stable of investigative stories is Confessions of a Car Thief. It's a peek into the world of an auto thief -- his motivations, education and techniques -- that can help empower you as a car owner, give you some tips on what to do, and what not to do to decrease your chance of having your vehicle stolen.
For this 4-part series, Senior Features Editor Joanne Helperin tracked down a reformed car thief who was willing to reveal the tricks of his trade, what happens to a car once it's stolen and what you can do to protect your car from thieves.
Shopping for a car this holiday season? Check out the other articles in our series: Confessions of an Auto Finance Manager and the story that started it all: Confessions of a Car Salesman.
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- Bryn MacKinnon December 24, 2008, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Car Safety, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- auto security, auto theft, car security, car theft, stolen car
We told you earlier about our Holiday Gift Guide for Car Lovers; now here's another list for those on a budget: Top 10 Stocking Stuffers Under $50. These car-themed gifts can be ordered online, which means you can probably get overnight shipping and still get them (more or less) in time for the holidays. Besides, who wants to brave the crowds and cold that blanket much of the country right now?
I'm partial to the computer mice, above. They come in Challenger, Charger, Corvette, GT40, Mustang, Viper and new Camaro. (Pick your color!) You can even get black-and-white police and highway-patrol versions. PCs and Mac compatible, they feature 800-dpi resolution for precise movement and have working headlights. At $44.95, they're more or less compatible with the price of other mice. Now there's a gift you know will get used.
City-folks should definitely check out the Parking Meter Alarm Keychain. The gift's recipient will thank you profusely the first time this neat little gadget foils the meter reader.
Many of these gifts are so affordable you could buy them for yourself, as well. Happy holidays from all of us at Edmunds!
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- Joanne Helperin December 24, 2008, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Audio and Electronics, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- holiday gifts, stocking stuffers
December 19, 2008
Don't let the ominous skies above dissuade you -- right now is undoubtedly the best time in recent memory to buy a new car. Here are three reasons why, as well as a couple tips to help you find a screaming deal as the year draws to a close.
3. An initial Big 3 bailout, probably on the order of $10-15bn and sourced from the TARP, looks to be just around the corner. The incoming Obama administration has repeatedly expressed its intention to help the auto industry get back on its feet. The long-term future of the industry looks bright, believe it or not, so consumers should feel increasingly confident about taking advantages of hot deals in the here and now.
2. Lagging demand is a good thing for car shoppers, as you may recall from Economics 101. Over the past few months, demand has slackened to historically low levels, which is largely why there are so many bargains to be found right now. It's not just American cars that are going for cut-rate prices -- Audi/Volkswagen, Hyundai/Kia, Nissan/Infiniti and Toyota/Lexus are all offering cash rebates on new car purchases. How do we know? We checked the Edmunds.com Incentives & Rebates page, which gives you a rundown on current cash-back offers, as well as exclusive insider information on how much money dealers have to play with on particular models.
1. You have the upper hand. Why? Because you're armed with the Edmunds TMV price for every model you're looking at. For example, suppose I go check out a stripper '09 Audi A6 3.2 Quattro sedan. The MSRP is $46,875, and the Invoice is $43,648. The salesman says he'll cut me a sweet deal: "$42 grand out the door...that's almost two thousand bucks below invoice!" But I've checked my TMV, so I know that, thanks to current incentives, the True Market Value is actually $39,314. The salesman was trying to pull a fast one, and it probably would have worked if I hadn't been prepared. So do your TMV research before you shop -- it'll get you a great holiday deal instead of a good one.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com
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- Josh Sadlier December 19, 2008, 1:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Tip of the Day
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- Weekly Top 3
December 17, 2008
With Hanukkah starting this weekend, which is also the last weekend before Christmas and Kwanzaa, you might be in a bit of a mad dash for holiday gifts that won't break your budget - like I am. If your list of giftees includes a car lover or just someone who could use a good car-related accessory, check out our Holiday Gift Guide for Car Lovers. You'll find lots of car-themed or car-related gifts, all for less than $30, like the Griffin iTrip Auto Universal Plus (pictured above). It's perfect for loved ones who own an iPod or MP3 player, but whose cars lack an auxiliary jack. They just plug it into their music player's headphone jack, tune into an available FM frequency on their car's radio and enjoy listening to their music through their car's speakers. It'll even charge up their player via the USB plug and their car's powerpoint/cigarette lighter. See more about the iTrip and lots of other fun gift ideas here.
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- Bryn MacKinnon December 17, 2008, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Car Audio and Electronics, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- car accessories, car lovers, christmas, hanukkah, holiday gifts, holidays, kwanzaa
December 11, 2008
With the recent announcement that GM is trimming nameplates, it would seem to make sense that extraneous "twinned" (or more) versions of vehicles within GM would be among those sent to the gallows. Though we think highly of the Lambda platform (Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook) aren't four versions of the same vehicle a bit ridiculous? Really, two would be enough -- one lower-priced (Traverse) and one premium (Enclave) brand. You'll see why I've pictured a Pontiac Vibe above after the jump...
Continue reading...
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- John DiPietro December 11, 2008, 3:00 PM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- Twinned Vehicles
December 3, 2008
Confused about how to evaluate a used car? Check out our top 10 on the subject
Top 10 funniest commercials, top 10 pop albums, top 10 Chicago bartenders, and my personal favorite, Lifehacker's top 20 top 10s. As December 31 quickly approaches, seems like everyone's got a top 10 list or two of the best, worst, weirdest and other sundry ways to categorize the year that preceded.
But rather than wait for the rush of the holidays and the end-of-year crush, Edmunds.com publishes Top 10 lists frequently throughout the year. You can check out all of our Top 10s on your own, but some of my favorites are Top 10 Deals of the Month - Cars (perfect for shoppers who are ready to buy now), Top 10 Tips on How to Test-Drive a Used Car (used cars can be a great way to get more for your money) and Top 10 Cool Features on Cheap Cars (you don't have to spend a ton to get the latest gadgets and conveniences).
There are all kinds of topics, some funny, some serious and dozens of Top 10s to choose from. So check 'em out! And remember to come back throughout 2009 to see what's at the top of our list all year long.
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- Bryn MacKinnon December 3, 2008, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Tip of the Day, Used Cars
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- car buying, car shopping, top 10, Used Cars
November 21, 2008
Most typical new car test drives generally amount to little more than a drive around the block. Often times, this is by design as the salesperson would prefer to give you just enough of a taste to whet your appetite and get you excited, without giving you too much time to form any negative opinions. However, as I learned over the last 24 hours, taking an extended test drive can help bring out the little things that can both annoy and delight you. Things you won't have realized during just that short drive around the block.
Continue reading...
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- Lee Scott November 21, 2008, 12:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- Audi A4, Cute Kid, Test Drive
November 6, 2008
A colleague of mine was thinking of getting a used sports car and we ended up talking about the Honda S2000. After perusing Craigs List and eBay, we found a fair number of low-mileage, 2001 to 2003 examples in nice condition for $12,000 - $17,000. By low mileage we mean low-to-mid 20,000-mile range. These high-winding, stiff-riding but tons of fun roadsters are typically bought as fun weekend toys, and thus usually lead pretty good lives.
Continue reading...
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- John DiPietro November 6, 2008, 3:00 PM
- Categories:
- Tip of the Day, Used Cars
- Technorati Tags:
- Dark Horse, Used Cars
November 4, 2008
Too many drivers don't give much thought to winter driving or worse, think they don't have to. Especially those with all-wheel-drive vehicles such as SUVs. The common "wisdom" among these fools seems to be "I've got all-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes and stability control -- I'm immune to the laws of physics." I'm guessing that is why I would often see -- when I lived back in snowy New England -- SUVs and pickup trucks spun out on the side of the road, a befuddled expression on the driver's face.
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- John DiPietro November 4, 2008, 6:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Safety, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- Driving in Winter
August 28, 2008
There's something convincing about hard copies. When something is printed out, it lends substantially more validity to a subject than just the spoken word. Nowhere is this more true than when you're in the heat of battle. That is, when you're at the dealership negotiating the price for your new set of wheels.
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- John DiPietro August 28, 2008, 2:01 PM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Car Maintenance, Car Negotiating, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- Edmunds TMV, Pricing Report
I thought I would take some time today to update you on some stories I have previously blogged about.
Back in March I blogged about Honda clamping down on internet warranty sales, due to the fact that online retailers were discounting the warranties and taking business away from less tech-savy dealers. I updated the story in April, Saccucci Honda, which has been doing quite the business selling extended warranties on their website, decided to single-handedly fight back by challenging Honda in court. You can follow the story in our forums. The outcome of this court case may determine whether the public will have to start over-paying for extended warranty coverage, or if the free market will prevail.
Last month I posted my prediction that we would all be paying more for cars in the future, due to ever-increasing raw material costs. Since then, several automakers have announced price increases, including Nissan and Toyota. The latest is BMW. As the global demand for raw materials continues to increase, it is likely that we will be paying more for everything, not just cars.
In an effort to display my prowess in business, I posted my thoughts on what I thought Cerberus was going to ultimately do with Chrysler, with respect to their decision to drop leasing. Most did not agree with my ultimate conclusion, and rightfully so. Recently I spoke with Mike Jackson, the CEO of AutoNation, the nation's largest auto group. I asked him what he thought of Chrysler's move to no longer lease vehicles. He told me that it was a move that was necessary for them to assure that they could continue to secure funding for maintained operations and future product development. By divesting their portfolio of leases, investors would be more willing to purchase securities backed by Chrysler and Cerberus. Ultimately, this is a move that will help assure the long-term viability of Chrysler as an automaker. Although Chrysler does have many challenges to yet overcome.
Finally, I blogged about MyGallons.com, which was supposed to offer consumers a way to hedge against rising gas prices by letting them buy gas credits at current prices and them redeem them in the future, when gas prices presumably go higher. Shortly after my post, the Better Business Bureau gave MyGallons an "F," when it was discovered that they did not have a contract in place with a vendor who could process transactions with gas stations across the country. MyGallons stopped accepting paid memberships and offered a refund of all existing membership dues. As of this date, MyGallons is still not accepting new memberships and appears to still not have a vendor in place. Of course, it probably doesn't help that gas prices have gone down, and not up, since the site was launched in July.
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- Lee Scott August 28, 2008, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Fuel Economy, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- AutoNation, BMW, Chrysler, Fuel Economy, Gas Prices, Honda, MyGallons.com, Prices, Updates, Warranty
August 21, 2008
This has been mentioned before on our site, but it bears repeating. If I prevent one person from wasting 5 quarts of perfectly good oil, using 5 new quarts of a finite resource and frittering away $25-$50, it's all worth these keystrokes...
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- John DiPietro August 21, 2008, 1:36 PM
- Categories:
- Car Maintenance, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
- Technorati Tags:
- Oil Change
August 7, 2008
Back in May, we instituted a company-wide experiment to see how much gas we could save if we properly inflated our tires. On average, our employees' tires were 7-percent under inflated, which is much better than the government's estimation of 26-percent under inflation for the average American. However, if the nearly 250 million registered passenger vehicles in the United States (according to a 2005 Department of Transportation study) were only 7 percent under inflated, and brought their tires up to the specified level, together they would save about $23 billion per year. Think about how much we could save if that 26-percent number was used.
Who would've thunk it possible that we here at Edmunds would be ahead of the political curve? When a woman at a town hall meeting asked Sen. Barack Obama about what sorts of steps normal Americans can take to lower their energy costs, he suggested making sure their tires are properly inflated. Within hours, the McCain campaign starting arguing that Obama's new energy plan amounted to nothing more than keeping your tires inflated and Sen. McCain himself mocked it as a ridiculous notion. The McCain campaign is even selling tire pressure gauges with "Obama's Energy Plan" written on them. Could they possibly get more snarky?
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- James Riswick August 7, 2008, 11:31 AM
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- Car Maintenance, Fuel Economy, Tip of the Day
March 11, 2008
Occasionally, you are getting ready to take delivery of that new or pre-owned vehicle and something is either wrong or missing. It could be a paint blemish or those missing floor mats you had asked for in the deal. Your excitement is dashed because the car is not completely as you wanted it and the dealer is telling you that they can't get it taken care of today. The dealer tells you to come back another day when they have time to correct the problem or the part is in stock...
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- Lee Scott March 11, 2008, 5:08 AM
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- Auto Leasing, Car Buying, Tip of the Day
March 10, 2008
As if you need more bad news...
Another sign of a weakening economy is that vehicle repossessions are way up. Last year repos climbed by 10 percent. This year they are rising more sharply and some are predicting that 1.6 million cars will be repossessed this year...
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- Philip Reed March 10, 2008, 8:31 AM
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- Tip of the Day
March 2, 2008
We try to cover topics that we think you might find beneficial. However, there may be questions you have that we have not yet answered. So, post questions you would like to have answers to, and we will try to address them in future entries.
What's on your mind?
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- Lee Scott March 2, 2008, 9:39 AM
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- Auto Leasing, Car Buying, Car Loans and Financing, Car Maintenance, Car Negotiating, FAQ Friday, Fuel Economy, Life with Cars, Selling Cars, Tip of the Day
February 13, 2008
In this time of rising fuel prices, I have received more than a handful of questions regarding the need to use premium fuel, even in vehicles that require them. Most modern vehicles that require premium fuel can run fine on regular gas. However, you will see reduced performance and fuel economy as a result.
First, let me give a brief and simplified explanation of how vehicles that vehicles that require premium fuel extract extra power...
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- Lee Scott February 13, 2008, 7:20 AM
- Categories:
- Car Maintenance, Fuel Economy, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
January 30, 2008
Question: Would a 2007 auto,which has never been sold, be considered a new car or a used car with low mileage? Hasn't it lost retail value after sitting on the lot for a year?
Answer: A vehicle is considered legally new if it has never been titled. However, from a practical standpoint, a leftover 2007 model that has been used as a demo vehicle probably has some pretty hard miles on them, even if they are not a lot of them. In addition to losing value due to mileage and wear on components such as brakes and tires, a 2007 model year vehicle is already a model year old, and value would certainly be deducted for that factor too...
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- Lee Scott January 30, 2008, 5:56 PM
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- Car Buying, Car Negotiating, Tip of the Day
January 17, 2008
Question: Last June, I bought a new Toyota Camry Hybrid for its advertised fuel economy--40city/38hwy mpg's; however, the car gets between 24-28 mpg's. The service manager at the dealer said the car was fine and that my driving, the weather and other variables applied to diminish fuel efficiency. Do I believe him?
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- Lee Scott January 17, 2008, 6:35 AM
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- Car Buying, Fuel Economy, Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
January 15, 2008
Question:
I am a safety freak when it comes to my young daughters. I see what you have rated the best all-around family vehicle. But I have always wondered and wanted to ask, "What is the all-around safest vehicle?" Monster truck, Civic, Hummer, Accord, what? Thank you for your time!..
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- Lee Scott January 15, 2008, 6:04 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, FAQ Friday, Tip of the Day
December 28, 2007
While most of us will be ringing in the new year in just a few days, the new year starts a bit late for most car dealers, and buyers. Taking a look at
the list of current incentives, we can see that nearly all of the December 2007 incentives expire on January 2, 2008. This means that buyers have some time this weekend to shop around and to negotiate their deal without feeling pressured to actually make a final decision before their new year celebration. Of course dealers will try to push that it is the "end of the year" and the deal may not be there after the new year, but we all know that is not the case...
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- Lee Scott December 28, 2007, 7:17 AM
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- Car Buying, Car Negotiating, Tip of the Day
December 26, 2007
Question: Is buying a 2007 vehicle a good idea, and what should I pay since the 2008's are already out?
While the idea of saving a bunch of money on a "leftover" model seems appealing at first glance, keep in mind that your new 2007 model will have already suffered an entire year's depreciation because of the fact that most all 2008 models are already out. If you plan to keep this vehicle less than six years, the money that you saved when you bought that 2007 model may be off-set by the lower residual value the vehicle will have down the road.
This is not to say that buying a previous model year vehicle is a bad idea, I am just suggesting that you take all the factors into consideration when making a major purchase, such as a vehicle. Buying a previous model year's vehicle can make sense, especially if the current model year vehicle has made changes you don't like or certain options or colors are no longer available.
As far as what you should pay, I wouldn't offer more than invoice minus any available customer or dealer incentives. Often times, there are thousands of dollars in dealer incentives on previous model year vehicles, so depending on the make and model, it can really be a major upfront savings...
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- Lee Scott December 26, 2007, 7:34 AM
- Categories:
- Car Buying, Car Negotiating, Tip of the Day
December 20, 2007
Question: Can I pay for a new car with a Visa credit card? If not, do dealers require a certified or cashier's check?
Most dealers will take a credit card as partial payment of a vehicle, but generally they will not let you pay for the entire vehicle on a credit card. Since the credit card companies charge a 2-3% transaction fee on every purchase, it could cost the dealer hundreds of dollars in fees if they put the entire amount on a card. This is an amount that they would almost certainly want to pass onto you in one way or another...
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- Lee Scott December 20, 2007, 6:18 AM
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- Car Buying, Car Loans and Financing, Car Negotiating, Tip of the Day
December 12, 2007
Question: We have a 2004 Grand Cherokee but would like to buy a drivers front seat that has a lumbar adjustment. Can you give us any help or suggestions?
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- Lee Scott December 12, 2007, 8:11 AM
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- Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
December 10, 2007
We get asked a lot about Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles and many people think it means you don't have to inspect the car. This account, by a former car salesperson, will show you that you still need to have your critical faculties fully engaged and to not be blinded by the light of a CPO label.
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- Lee Scott December 10, 2007, 3:16 PM
- Categories:
- Tip of the Day, Used Cars
September 19, 2007
When you have a baby, car seats represent yet another unknown in a huge string of unknowns that all go with being a new parent. What kind of seat do I need? How do I install it? What is the safest?..
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- Lee Scott September 19, 2007, 5:48 AM
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- Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
September 18, 2007
We are all aware that cars and trucks, along with other consumer products, are recalled from time to time to address manufacturer defects and other issues. Edmunds.com even makes it easy to find out if your vehicle has been recalled by maintaining a web page with all of the current recall and technical service bulletin (TSB) information. However, few people think about possible recalls on the very product that helps protect their children.
Luckily, the Safety Restrain Coalition makes it easy to check recalls on child seats since they maintain an updated list of all car seat recalls...
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- Lee Scott September 18, 2007, 7:47 AM
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- Life with Cars, Tip of the Day
July 30, 2007
You might have heard about carbon offsetting recently. The theory is simple. A person or company purchases so-called "carbon credits" that off-set their car, home, business or air travel's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by removing an equal amount of CO2 from the atmosphere. While CO2-free cars are still a ways away, carbon offsetting companies like TerraPass provide concerned citizens with a way to negate the environmental harm they're doing every day.
As a concerned citizen, I bought a TerraPass to offset my automotive emissions. Here's what that means.
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- James Riswick July 30, 2007, 10:05 AM
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- Tip of the Day
April 23, 2007
Last week I talked about features that I had assumed would be available on a vehicle. I wanted to point out a couple of other examples, one of which is a missing feature that can be the difference between life and death.
My first example actually happened to me, and was not so serious. I used to have an '01 VW Jetta GLX and an '03 VW Passat GLX, both vehicles had rain sensing wipers...
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- Lee Scott April 23, 2007, 8:25 AM
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- Car Buying, Tip of the Day
April 20, 2007
I've been casually looking for a CUV that has adult-sized third row seating and the Mazda CX-9 was high on my list. It has the appropriate amount of seat room and it offers many of the luxury and tech goodies that I am happy to pay extra for. One of these features is memory seats. Our current Nissan Murano has them since my wife and I often swap vehicles, depending on daughter driving duties...
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- Lee Scott April 20, 2007, 7:47 AM
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- Car Buying, Tip of the Day
March 30, 2007
Are you a Republican or a Democrat? Red Sox or Yankees fan? Equally emotional is this question: do you change your oil every 3,000 miles or follow the owner's manual and change it at 7,000 or 8,000 miles?
Get a bunch of car guys together, ask them what keeps a car running a long time and someone is bound to say it's frequent oil changes. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say, "Getting 200,000 miles out of your engine is easy, just change the oil every 3,000 miles." There are variations on this theme too...
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- Philip Reed March 30, 2007, 8:26 AM
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- Tip of the Day
March 23, 2007
I did an interview recently where the reporter asked me for my internet car buying tips. After I wrote them out, and emailed them to him, it occurred to me that I share them with my readers. I've used these tips over the past six years of car buying. Here they are for you to help you get a good price and and streamline the car buying process...
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- Philip Reed March 23, 2007, 12:08 PM
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- Tip of the Day
February 16, 2007
The profit for dealerships is moving from the front end of car deals (high profit for sales) to the back end (hidden charges, warranties, aftermarket products, parts and repairs). Knowing this will help you keep your money in your wallet where it belongs. When you reach an agreement on price with your friendly car salesman, the deal is only half done. It's only over when you have signed the contract...
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- Philip Reed February 16, 2007, 10:31 AM
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- Tip of the Day
February 1, 2007
It's a market crowded with choices. I've had friends try to decide what car to buy and get bogged down in the research phase for months. Months stretch into years and they are still researching. Undecided...
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- Philip Reed February 1, 2007, 8:25 AM
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- Tip of the Day
January 30, 2007
To lease or not to lease? That is the question. When I do radio and TV interviews the host doesn't want to hear a list of ten pros and cons about leasing. They want one quick hit...
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- Philip Reed January 30, 2007, 9:08 AM
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- Tip of the Day
January 26, 2007
You're shopping for a car when something occurs to you. This is your chance to help reduce global warming and help our country become energy independent. But how do you choose a "green" car?
When I bought my 2007 Honda Fit last year I was mainly attracted by the fuel mileage and the price. I assumed it had an efficient, low-polluting engine...
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- Philip Reed January 26, 2007, 8:43 AM
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- Tip of the Day
January 22, 2007
When you shop for a new car, it's a good idea to test the market. This means you have to get quotes from different dealerships to see who has the best price.
In the old days, this meant you had to go to each dealership and ask for their best price. This was time consuming and stressful...
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- Philip Reed January 22, 2007, 10:06 AM
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- Tip of the Day
January 18, 2007
"What's going to happen with the energy crisis?" my 16-year-old son asked. He seemed a little accusative as if to say, "It was you and your generation that screwed up the world I'm going to inherit." He had a good point. The hands of The Doomsday Clock were moving closer to midnight because of the threat of global warming and nuclear war. The future for my son, and all of us, often looks bleak...
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- Philip Reed January 18, 2007, 9:21 PM
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- Tip of the Day
January 17, 2007
I went to the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, this week and it reminded me how exciting this style of selling is. They had large screen TVs everywhere showing you the action on the stage. And just the machine-gun sound of the auctioneer's voice made you want to open your wallet. I feel that auctions are risky for the average car buyer...
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- Philip Reed January 17, 2007, 11:14 PM
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- Tip of the Day
January 16, 2007
I read an article in Mother Jones that I can't stop thinking about. It talks about the king of the "hypermilers," a guy named Wayne Gerdes, who can get 60 mpg in a regular Honda Accord. The part that stuck with me is where he says he was like anyone else before 9/11. Here's how that changed him:
"Wayne's driving obsession began after 9/11...
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- Philip Reed January 16, 2007, 8:59 AM
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- Tip of the Day
January 4, 2007
Anyone notice a big difference while shopping for a 2008 car? It seems like the fuel efficiency has dropped overnight. Actually, nothing has changed -- except for a higher degree of reality. The new figures, while still "estimates" are much more realistic about the mileage you'll really get...
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- Philip Reed January 4, 2007, 7:57 AM
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- Tip of the Day
January 2, 2007
You're buying a car that you will probably have for five years. Yet the test drive lasts 15 minutes, tops. Does this make sense? It seems to me that you can't really learn, from such limited seat time, whether this is the car for you...
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- Philip Reed January 2, 2007, 9:23 AM
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December 15, 2006
We've told you this before but now there's proof. Even college professors agree that you'll save money by car shopping on the internet.
A pair of studies by a marketing professor at the University of California, Berkeley, says car shopping over the Internet saves you money. Associate Professor Florian Zettelmeyer looked at 1,436 car deals and wrote an article in the Journal of Marketing Research with this snappy title: "How the Internet Lowers Prices: Evidence from Matched Survey and Automobile Transaction Data." How much do you save?..
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- Philip Reed December 15, 2006, 8:48 AM
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- Tip of the Day
December 14, 2006
The first 2008 cars are coming into the marketplace and if you're car shopping right now, watch out! You might find yourself comparing window stickers from 2007 and 2008 cars and seeing a big difference. The EPA has changed its fuel economy testing methods to give a better "real world" picture of the actual mileage you can expect. The effect is that it appears that 2008 vehicles are getting much lower fuel economy...
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- Philip Reed December 14, 2006, 10:13 AM
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December 7, 2006
Car salesmen will ask a customer what they would like their monthly payment to be. If the customer answers, "About $350 a month," the salesman will casually reply, "Up to...?" Most people say, "Oh, I don't know, maybe $400?" Big mistake! You just bumped yourself $50 a month! Chances are the car salesman will come back and say, "The best I could do for you was $425 a month."
In negotiations, salesmen want to create as much "wiggle room" as possible...
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- Philip Reed December 7, 2006, 4:34 PM
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December 4, 2006
The favorite negotiating tactic of the car salesmen is to ask, "What do you want your monthly payment to be?" Buyers eagerly respond to this question because they think in terms of a monthly budget. But beware -- it's actually a trap. If you negotiate as a "monthly payment buyer" the real cost of the car is hidden.
Instead, we recommend that you carefully budget your auto purchase ahead of time...
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- Philip Reed December 4, 2006, 7:41 AM
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November 30, 2006
Car buyers are financing for longer than ever. Five years, six years -- even seven! But just because you have low payments doesn't mean it is affordable.
You could buy a Bugatt
i if you financed it for long enough...
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- Philip Reed November 30, 2006, 5:29 PM
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November 17, 2006
Salemen are told: "Never negotiate on your feet." They know that if they can get shoppers into the sales office they can turn them into buyers. So, at the end of the trest drive, when the salesman says, "Would you like to run the numbers on this?" you should politely decline. That is, unless you are really ready to negotiate. This means checking all the pricing data and outlining a negotiation strategy (opening offer, target price and lways to sweeten the deal)...
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- Philip Reed November 17, 2006, 12:50 PM
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- Tip of the Day
November 16, 2006
Make sure you take your time on the test drive. You're making a decision you will have to live with for years to come. Turn off the radio. Drive the car as you intend to use it...
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- Philip Reed November 16, 2006, 5:17 PM
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- Tip of the Day
November 14, 2006
If you shop for a car that fulfills your needs, rather than your wants, you will wind up with a car that satisfies you for a long time.
Ask questions like these to determine your needs: What is your budget? What is your driving style? How long do you keep cars?..
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- Philip Reed November 14, 2006, 9:04 AM
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November 13, 2006
People who enjoy managing their money are good candidates for leasing. The money they save by leasing (lower downpayment and lower monthly payments) can be invested to boost their income. And leasing can be a tax deduction too.
On the other hand if you have a strong desire for ownership, and want simplicity in your life, leasing is probably not for you...
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- Philip Reed November 13, 2006, 11:07 AM
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November 8, 2006
Your car payment should be only 20 percent of your take-home pay. Same goes if you have two cars; the total monthly pament for both should be 20 percent of your available household income.
This 20-percent rule may seem rather restrictive -- and it is. But it's better to confront this ahead of time before you are overwhelmed by new car smell on the test drive...
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- Philip Reed November 8, 2006, 5:16 AM
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