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What is up with used car prices?

2008-02-21T20:07:00Z

I recently sold a Nissan Altima of the vintage year, 2002. What a pain. Kelly Blue Book told me it was worth somewhere around $8500 to$9500. Those people aren't dealing with the real world when it comes to used car prices in southern California anyway. I had one outfit who advertises on the internet that they will come to you and give you cash for your car.The only problem is that despite the car's excellent condition, they are going to only offer you 30% under low blue book, what a scam. It must work though because the guy told me he had ten cars to look at that day. I changed the brakes, put new rotors, spark plugs and tune up as well as brand new tires on this car and it meant nothing as far as getting a better price. There must be a glut of cars out there on the market, at least in my neighborhood because there are more cars out there than buyers. I still haven't figured out how it is that when I buy something it's worth a fortune and when I sell it, it's worth nothing. If someone can explain that to me, I'll listen.

Car Buying Advice

2008-02-11T20:35:00Z

People would, I think, rather go see a dentist that doesn't believe in Novocaine than go to a car lot to buy a car. The memories of sales vulture swooping down on you when you step on their lot, knowing that behind that fake smile is a dude or dudette that wants to shake you down ASAP. I still break out in a sweat thinking about that smarmy sales manager who is going to bring out that famous piece of paper with the four squares on it trying to get the biggest monthly payment out of me possible. In all fairness, I am sure that there are people who are ethical in the car sales business. Let me know if you are one of them. Anywho, here is an article from Cars.com that may help you if you do decide to brave a sales trip to your local car dealer. Getting the Best Deal: Purchase Price and Trade-Ins By Joe Wiesenfelder The key to getting the best deal is to understand where dealerships reap their profits and where they serve as middlemen. A car dealer's main sources of profit, in no particular order, are: the new vehicle's purchase price; trade-ins and resulting used-car sales; financing and insurance; "back-end" products and services, such as rustproofing and service contracts; and vehicle service (repair and maintenance). On this page, we'll deal with the first two of those factors: the new car's purchase price and your old car's trade-in value. TOP 2008 CARS, TRUCK AND SUVS * » 2008 Toyota Corolla * » 2008 Dodge Viper * » 2008 Land Rover LR2 * » 2008 Scion xB * » 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan Purchase Price The price you pay for a new car hinges on a number of variables. They include but aren't limited to: * the invoice price; * dealer holdback; * customer incentives; * factory-to-dealer incentives; * supply and demand; * and your car's trade-in value (in some states). For most vehicle makes, the published invoice price is not the true dealer cost because of dealer holdback. Holdback is a portion of a car's sales price (typically 2 percent to 3 percent of either the invoice price or MSRP) that an automaker returns to a dealer, usually on a quarterly basis. It's a way of boosting the dealer's cash flow and helps the dealer keep his lights on. Most dealers see holdback as something that they're entitled to. In a general sense, everything is negotiable, but this is one item on which dealers seldom budge. And we mean seldom. If a dealer claims he wouldn't make any money on the deal you propose, you may be able to use your knowledge of dealer holdback to call his bluff. Most car shoppers are aware of customer incentives — cash-back rebates and, usually, low-interest financing as an alternative. Lesser known are the factory-to-dealer incentives that reduce the dealer's true cost to buy the vehicle from the factory. Dealer incentives aren't as simple as customer incentives. But we list current offers for each type of incentive; additionally, we provide further context about dealer incentives here. Dealer incentives are a bit of a gray area, but they're not the only one. Supply and demand is another factor that's difficult to predetermine. The latest, hottest model will sell at a higher percentage over dealer cost — and possibly over sticker price — than the model that's been around awhile and is in steady supply. But you must realize this isn't just about models; it's about trim levels, colors and equipment, too. If you want a color or feature that's in short supply, you'll pay more. Bear in mind that supply varies from dealer to dealer. A dealer's allocation is based on previous years' sales. If he sold relatively few copies of a given model last year, then he'll get relatively few this year. If the dealer's supply is short, even if the market's isn't, then he'll probably want more money for it. If he doesn't have the model (or trim level or feature) you want and his allocation is used up, then he may be able to trade for or buy one from another dealership. Your current car's trade-in value can be used to lower the effective purchase price. Some states tax only the negotiated price minus the trade-in value, which results in a lower taxable amount and considerable savings for the buyer. Others tax the full negotiated price. If you're not sure which applies to you, ask the dealer — they're certain to know and should have no problem providing this information. Whatever the variable, it's important to shop around. By shopping multiple dealerships during an incentives period, you're more likely to get a better deal. Additionally, don't forget to factor in these costs: * destination charge: This is a non-negotiable fee set by the manufacturer that covers the cost of shipping the vehicle to the dealership (this charge is itemized in model reports within our Research channel). It's a fixed number, whether your dealer is 1 mile or a whole continent away from the factory. It may be called a "delivery charge," but under no circumstances should you pay a destination charge and a separate delivery charge that a dealer tacks on. One charge is required; the other is padding. * taxes: You can't avoid these, and they represent a good chunk of change on a purchase this big. As mentioned, the value of a trade-in in some states gets subtracted from the negotiated purchase price, which lowers the tax burden. Other states tax the unadjusted transaction price. license and title fees: The method and cost varies from state to state, but these fees are unavoidable. * insurance: Insurance is another unavoidable expense that adds up. Don't leave it out of your affordability calculations. Trade-Ins The car you currently own probably represents profit. The question is, whose profit will it be? With few exceptions, you'll get the most money for your used car by selling it privately. That's because dealers pay wholesale prices — not retail prices — for used cars. They sell them at retail, and the difference between the two is the only reason they bother. A used car's profit margin, though based on a lower selling price, is much greater than that of a new car. Don't underestimate your car's value to a dealer. If you don't want to make the effort or take the time, there's an in-between option that might add considerable benefit for little more cost: shopping your car to used-car dealers. For instance, if you have a Volkswagen Passat and you're considering buying a Nissan Altima, try selling the Passat to a Volkswagen dealer yourself. In most cases, a used Volkswagen is worth more to a VW dealer than a Nissan dealer. Whether you're working with one dealer or two, remember that combining the trade-in and new-car purchase is what you're trying to avoid. Aside from potentially earning you a higher price, this approach simplifies the complicated new-car-buying process. Simply put, keep the trade-in aspect separate from the negotiation for purchase price. Whoever you're selling it to, determine your car's value with our Kelley Blue Book listings. KBB will give you the trade-in and retail values for a range of vehicle conditions. You should also wash and detail the car and remove all personal items. A clean car makes a better impression, even on a professional car dealer.

Ford Taurus - Plugs Cap and Rotor

2008-02-11T07:58:00Z

Learn how to replace your spark plugs, cap and rotor on your Ford Taurus.

Tools that are required:

Spark plug socket Ratchet Torque wrench (not mandatory) Flat tip screwdriver 00:16

First remove shield on the front, covering the spark plug area. This shield is held on by four bolts and will require 5/16 socket. 00:30

Wiggle the spark plug wire and pull the end of the cover, not the spark plug wire, and pull it off the spark plug. 00:36

Remove the first spark plug. 00:42

Install the new spark plug, starting by hand and finish tightening with the socket for a snug fit. 00:59

Tighten tightly but be careful not to break the spark plug off in the engine block. 01:05

Go to the rotor cap on top and remove center wire (coil wire) and set aside. 01:22

Remove the two screws holding the rotor cap down and set them aside so as not to lose them. 01:36

Remove the cap and then remove the rotor from the center of the part. Look for burns or cracks and if any are found, replace with new rotor. 01:44

Slip the rotor cap back on and install the two screws back in place, starting by hand and snug with wrench. 01:58

Install the coil wire back in the center position and you are done. 02:04

"Motorhead Ed" Blog

2008-02-08T06:01:00Z

VehicleFixer.com is full of free auto repair videos for beginner gear heads to expert auto mechanics that show how to change your brakes, tune your car, check your fluids and tire pressure, change your battery, improve gas mileage and order parts all from the comfort of your garage. If your are student that needs to change your oil, mom that needs to install new spark plugs, dad that needs check the belts and hoses on the family car or truck, or you are building your own hot rod VehicleFixer.com has an instructional auto repair video that will help you find your inner mechanic. I once heard the story of how Thomas Edison invented the ni-cad battery specifically for use in the electric car. Henry Ford, it is said, paid for the development because he was planning the model A and T to be electric cars. J.D. Rockefeller is said to have swayed Ford to the gasoline engine with a cash inducement and history was changed.I would have liked to be a fly on the wall during that conversation, "you want me to not build a simple car that will run cheaply and have very little upkeep and replace it with a combustion motor that has a million moving parts, will be a huge pain to make it work efficiently and to top it off we are going to put a tank full of a very explosive fuel inches away from the passengers?" "How big is that check?" I have driven an electric car all of the way up Pike's Peak in Colorado and I have been broken down in another one in the middle of the Arizona desert and I can tell you that they have a place on the American Road. Brakes don't change, the transmission is replaced by a converter, tires are still round, the headlights, radio, windshield wipers , car seats and the hood ornament remain the same. The electric car is quiet and reasonably dependable. I came across this news release today and I thought it was worth sharing with you: Detroit Electric Car to Return After 100 Years PHOTO ZAP Alias to Carry Revived Detroit Electric Brand JINHUA, China and SANTA ROSA, Calif., Feb. 7 -- In a joint announcement, US electric car pioneer ZAP and China Youngman Automotive Group announced today they are reviving the 100- year-old electric car brand Detroit Electric for their automotive joint venture. Detroit Electric officials look forward to bringing new vehicle technologies to market by 2009, and beyond that the possibility of bringing new manufacturing and green collar jobs to California. Detroit Electric plans to introduce its first electric cars and buses in 2009. The ZAP Alias, which is under development for the joint venture, will be one of several vehicles being planned to carry the Detroit Electric brand. ZAP is planning a presentation on Detroit Electric for North American auto dealers at NADA 2008, the world's largest auto show for dealers. Learn more about the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) annual meeting and exhibition, February 9-12, 2008 in San Francisco at http://expo.nada.org/. Detroit Electric was an early 20th Century electric car, perhaps the most popular in history. The Anderson Electric Car Company started building the cars under the Detroit Electric brand over 100 years ago. Anderson of Detroit, Michigan is the longest running electric car company in history, operating between 1907 and 1939. In its heyday, Detroit Electric was an American icon and the cars were very popular with customers like Thomas Edison, Charles Proteus Steinmetz, Henry Ford's Wife Clara, and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Detroit Electric plans to build a special edition electric vehicle based on the original Detroit Electric as a tribute for the new name of the joint venture. While joint venture officials are reviving the Detroit Electric brand, the first offices and facilities are planned, not for Detroit, but California. Management will be opening offices in California and evaluating manufacturing opportunities for economic development within the state. "We see California as a launch pad. It is one of the most ready markets to adopt these new green vehicle solutions," said Detroit Electric Chairman Albert Lam. "The governor and his leadership here have created a fertile environment for us to create and grow. Many are talking about the future of the auto industry and Detroit Electric is a name that will speak to generations about the past and the future of automobiles." A British national, Mr. Lam left his position as CEO of Lotus Engineering in October 2007 to pursue the new business opportunity with Detroit Electric. He was responsible for bringing Youngman, ZAP and Lotus Engineering together. Since 2003, Mr. Lam served as the CEO for Lotus Engineering as well as Executive Director for Lotus Group International (2003-2006). Mr. Lam has 20 years of relevant industrial experience serving companies like Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford and others. His experience spans across Automotive, Consultancy and IT of which 13 years was spent at senior management/leadership positions, including Managing Director for Apple Computer Asia and Sun Professional Services. Mr. Lam has experience with startup companies and a track record in growing and expanding businesses. He attended Coventry University in the UK where he earned a Masters of Science degree in robotics and manufacturing, and registered for a PhD program in Complex Knowledge Systems. "Detroit Electric has already completed a five year business plan and mapped out the ten year product plan," said Mr. Lam. "It is our intention to introduce affordable and practical everyday electric vehicles, working with our technology partners to deliver some of the leading edge technology in motor drive, battery and hydrogen fuel cells. Our plan is to launch with a 12-meter pure electric transit bus, the ZAP Alias, and two family sedans as early as the summer of 2009. This is no longer a wish list but an eventuality; it is a matter of willingness to change." Detroit Electric plans to build an array of cars, trucks and buses with the latest automotive technologies. The vehicles will be manufactured under the supervision of Youngman Automotive, one of China's newest automotive manufacturers and a leading manufacturer of buses and trucks. Youngman is a government-sanctioned, private holding company with 12 manufacturing subsidiaries. Youngman is expanding it manufacturing in China, which covers an area over four million square feet. Youngman employs 4,000 workers, including 700 in-house research and development staff. With seven new production facilities in process, Youngman expects to soon have the capacity to produce 200,000 vehicles per year, including more than 10,000 buses annually. "We are proud to have a chance to re-build this great car name after 100 years," said Youngman Chairman Mr. Pang Qingnian. ZAP will manage the sales, marketing and distribution of the joint venture products. ZAP is selling a full-line of electric vehicles through a growing number of dealerships in the United States. ZAP is also organizing international distribution for its current and future vehicles. "Attitudes are changing around the world and in California I believe there is a growing awareness that environmental health and economic prosperity go hand-in-hand," said ZAP CEO Steve Schneider. "Green-collar jobs and innovative fuel efficient vehicles will be a win-win for California's environment and economy." For more information about Detroit Electric, visit its website at http://www.detroit-electric.com/. About Youngman Automotive Youngman recently introduced advanced manufacturing technology to its facilities in a joint venture with Neoplan of Germany. Youngman's manufacturing is based on the ISO9001 international standard of quality for its bus production. The manufacturing facility in China covers an area over four million square feet. Youngman employs 4000 workers, including 700 R&D staff. With seven production facilities in process, Youngman expects to soon have the capacity to produce 200,000 vehicles per year, including a capacity to build 10,000 buses annually. For more information about Youngman Automotive Group, visit http://www.youngman-bus.com/. About ZAP ZAP has been a leader in advanced transportation technologies since 1994, delivering over 100,000 vehicles to consumers in more than 75 countries. At the forefront of fuel-efficient transportation with new technologies including energy efficient gas systems, hydrogen, electric, fuel cell, ethanol, hybrid and other innovative power systems, ZAP has a joint venture to manufacture electric and hybrid vehicles with Youngman Automotive Group, one of China's leading manufacturers of buses and trucks. ZAP is developing a high- performance crossover SUV electric car concept called ZAP-X engineered by Lotus Engineering. ZAP is also developing a new generation of vehicles using advanced nanotech batteries with Advanced Battery Technologies. The Company recently announced a strategic partnership with Dubai-based Al Yousuf Group to expand its international vehicle distribution. ZAP also makes an innovative, new portable energy technology that manages power for mobile electronics from cell phones to laptops. For product, dealer and investor information, visit http://www.zapworld.com/.

Nissan Altima - Brake Job Part 1

2007-06-16T11:19:00Z

Learn how change the brakes on your Nissan Altima with this instructional automotive repair video.

Nissan Altima - Brake Job Part 2

2007-06-16T11:19:00Z

Change the brakes on your Nissan Altima with this instructional automotive repair video.

Nissan Altima - Fluid Check

2007-06-16T11:18:18Z

Learn how to do a fluid check on your Nissan Altima with this instructional automotive repair video.

Nissan Altima - Oil Change

2007-06-16T11:17:00Z

Learn how to do an oil change on your Nissan Altima with this instructional automotive repair video.

1. Remove the protective shroud that is located above the actual oil filter. This shroud will stop debris on the highway from doing damage to your oil filter. (00:15)

2. The oil filter is located to the left on the passenger side of the car. You can use an approved oil wrench tool, (check with your parts supplier) and after it is loose remove it the rest of the way by hand. It is important to not cross thread the filter or the threads on the pan. (00:23)

3. now you will notice that there is a plug on the back of the oil pan. This will be tight and should be broken loose by using a wrench. Finish removing the plug by hand being very careful not to drop it or lose it. Drain the oil out of the engine and into a pan so that the oil can be recycled. Oil does not wear out and can be cleaned up and reused. After oil has drained, install the threaded plug by hand and snug tight with a wrench at the end. Please note that you should check the gasket on the plug and replace if it is broken or torn. (00:58)

4. As mentioned before, use an oil filter wrench to loosen the filter, then remove by hand. Before installing the new oil filter, apply a light coat of clean oil on the gasket located on the top of the filter. This will help the filter to seat properly. Install new filter by hand careful not to cross thread as you install it. (01:30)

5. Remove the threaded oil cap on top of the engine. This cap is clearly marked. Set the cap somewhere safe so that you will not lose it or damage it. Use a funnel so that you don’t make a mess that you will have to clean up later. Pour in a light viscosity oil or check with your parts supplier regarding the best oil for your car based on driving habits, environment and how often that you want to change oil. Go ahead and replace cap to hand tight. (02:02)

6. Make sure that the car is positioned on a flat surface and check the oil with the dipstick. (02:25)

Nissan Altima - Tune Up

2007-06-16T11:15:00Z

Learn how to do a tune up on your Nissan Altima with this instructional automotive repair video.

TIRE FACTS

2007-06-16T11:13:52Z

Tire facts from Vehiclefixer.com

Honda Accord - Rear Brakes Pt.2

2007-04-26T12:23:18Z

Learn how to replace the rear brakes on your Honda Accord with this instructional auto repair video.

Honda Accord - Rear Brakes Pt.1

2007-04-26T12:22:00Z

Learn how to replace the rear brakes on your Honda Accord with this instructional auto repair video.

Honda Accord - Front Brakes Pt.2

2007-04-26T12:21:36Z

Learn how to replace the front brakes on your Honda Accord with this instructional auto repair video.

Honda Accord - Front Brakes Pt.1

2007-04-26T12:21:01Z

Learn how to replace the front brakes on your Honda Accord with this instructional auto repair video.

Toyota Tercel - Rear Brake Pt.2

2007-04-26T12:16:31Z

Learn how to replace the rear brakes on your Toyota Tercel with this instructional repair video from vehiclefixer.com.