Avoid Lemons

(ARA) – If your old clunker is gasping its last, you might think (like millions of other Americans these days) you can save yourself some money by buying a used car instead of a new one. You can — if you make smart buying decisions. Hasty or unwise used-car buying can end up costing you much more in the long run.

As new car sales have crashed, purchases of used cars continue to rise, according to many news reports. In March, PBS reported that dealerships sold more than 2 million used cars in recent months, about 25 percent higher volume than you would expect in a healthy economy. The math behind the trend is simple: new cars cost more than used, depreciate faster and are generally costlier to insure, so more Americans are buying used to save money.

But what about repair expenses? If you buy a used car for $15,000 and it costs you $5,000 in repairs in the first year, have you really saved? To ensure you’re buying a used vehicle that won’t turn into a money pit, follow a few simple steps:

Early in the Process:

Repairs are a reality of used car buying. As vehicles get older, they begin to need more maintenance and repairs. Some newer model used vehicles may still have some factory warranty left, but older models usually do not. An impending need for repairs, however, may not necessarily be a deal-breaker if you find out ahead of time how much those repairs might cost and budget appropriately.

You probably already have a few makes and models in mind. Before you settle on one, compare the cost of the parts needed for the most common repairs and maintenance. One model may have a sales price that’s $5,000 less than another you’re considering, but if the cost of parts is 20 or 30 percent higher than parts for another vehicle, the higher priced model might actually be a better deal.

Turn to resources like RockAuto.com to compare parts prices. The site’s Repair Index automatically pulls prices from the company’s vast auto parts catalog based on year, make, model and type of part. It’s a quick, easy way to compare parts costs for different models and the results can be surprising.

For example, you might think a Chevy Metro is an economical car, but parts for one can be expensive, according to RockAuto, which sells parts for an average 20 to 60 percent less than other parts dealers. The bulk of the company’s business is selling parts direct to consumers, so it’s possible to save even more money by buying parts directly and doing repairs yourself. Visit www.RockAuto.com to learn more.

Next, check the repair history for a particular make and model from a credible source like Consumer Reports. The independent ratings organization maintains a huge database of information on virtually every make and model vehicle available in America. Actual owners and drivers contribute the information based on their experiences with a particular vehicle.

Once You’ve Narrowed it Down

When you find a vehicle you’re interested in, check the repair history and maintenance for that specific car. Pull a vehicle history report from a third-party source like CarFax, which will generally list major (reported) maintenance and accidents. The report can also help you spot discrepancies in odometer readings, if the vehicle has been used in an area prone to flooding, or if it’s been rebuilt after being in an accident so severe it was declared a total loss.

Never buy a used car until you’ve had it checked by your own mechanic – not even from a dealership that offers “certification” on its used vehicles. If a seller isn’t willing to let you take the vehicle to your mechanic, walk away.

Finally, consult your insurance agent to see how much it will cost to insure the vehicle. A used car that actually increases your annual premium may not be the great deal you thought it was.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Before Your Leave

(ARA) – With the summer travel season upon us, people are looking for ways to have fun and get the most out of their trip, while staying within budget.

Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil car and co-owner of the Kevin Harvick Inc. race teams, spends a lot of his time traveling from racetrack to racetrack. Throughout the years, he’s gained a lot of knowledge and experience in managing his travel budget.

“We are on the road at least 34 weeks out of the year, so keeping travel costs down is imperative to keeping a balanced budget, but it’s not always just about finding the lowest price,” said Harvick. “There are a lot of different things we do to get the most out of every dollar, from planning travel routes and fuel stops ahead of time, to performing regular maintenance on the haulers and using payment options that help save money.”

One example is the Shell Saver Card(SM), where drivers can save five cents per gallon on Shell fuel purchases through June 30 and two cents after that. Plus, the card links directly to a checking account so it doesn’t impact consumer credit scores.

Another thing to keep in mind when traveling is that using high-quality gasoline helps protect and clean critical engine parts, which helps drivers get the most out of every drop. Harvick also recommends using the Shell FuelStretch tips.

“Practicing the FuelStretch tips helps conserve fuel, save money and stay within budget without sacrificing quality,” said Harvick.

* Drive smoothly
Avoid heavy acceleration or braking. Speeding, rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gasoline mileage by 5 percent at lower speeds around town and by 33 percent at highway speeds.

* Keep your engine well-tuned and repair any problems immediately
If your car has failed an emissions test or is noticeably out of tune, repairing the problem could improve your gasoline mileage by 4 percent on average.

* Make sure tires are not over or under-inflated
Proper air pressure cuts down on fuel used while driving. Keeping tires at the correct pressure can improve gasoline mileage by more than 3 percent.

* Minimize vehicle drag
Keep your trunk and back seat clear of unnecessary items that only add weight. Removing excess weight can improve your gasoline mileage.

* Use the recommended grade of oil in your engine
Following your manufacturer’s motor oil recommendation can improve gasoline mileage by up to 2 percent.

* Choose a high-quality gasoline
Top automakers say that carbon deposits can build up on critical engine parts, which can decrease the power, performance and fuel efficiency of your vehicle and recommend using TOP Tier Detergent Gasolines. All Shell gasolines meet TOP Tier standards and stop gunky build-up on critical engine parts to help vehicles perform at their best.

* Use cruise control on major roads and in free-flowing traffic
Maintaining a constant speed can improve gasoline mileage.

* Avoid idling
When you idle, you get zero miles per gallon.

* Avoid higher speeds
Gasoline mileage usually decreases when driving at speeds over 60 miles per hour.

* Plan your outings to avoid separate trips
Combine your errands into one outing to avoid short separate trips.

* Use payment options that save money
Payment cards offer a simple way to pay for things quickly, but they can also save you money.

For more information on the FuelStretch tips and saving money with a Shell branded card, visit www.shell.com/us.

Courtesy of ARAcontent