Buy or Lease a Car Without Getting Taken for a Ride

by EPRESS

• ISBN13: 9781599180793
• ISBN10: 1599180790
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-03-27
• Publisher: Entrepreneur Press

Summary

Get a Great Deal! On the trustworthiness scale, car dealers rank right up there with advertising agencies and insurance salesmen. Whether you're buying or leasing, learn the key elements to watch out for to ensure that your wallet doesn't get taken for a ride. Protect yourself from scams and rip-offs, learn how to avoid common mistakes, speed up the process and save plenty of money along the way.Learn how to: Find an honest dealership or private seller Avoid paying higher financing rates or interest payments Discover the cars in your budget that are least likely to have maintenance issues Identify lemons and verify a used car's quality Use the internet as a car-buying, financing and research toolMechanics, dealership owners, lenders and insurance agents reveal the industry secrets that keep you from getting ripped off

Author Biography

Jason R. Rich is the author of 34books on business, personal finance and other topics,including a Wall Street Journal bestseller.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. vii
Choosing Your Vehicle	p. 1
Defining Your Transportation Needs	p. 3
Understanding Your Driving Habits	p. 4
Considering the Types of Vehicles	p. 8
Determining Your Budget	p. 13
Selecting a Make and Model	p. 18
Selecting Features and Options	p. 23
Your Credit Score and Refinancing	p. 27
Understanding Your Credit History	p. 30
Obtaining Your Credit Report and Credit Score	p. 40
Improve Your Credit Score Before Applying for Financing	p. 45
Determine the Interest Rate and Financing Terms for Which You Qualify	p. 49
Vehicle Financing Options for People with Bad Credit	p. 52
New vs. Used: Finding the Best Vehicle for You	p. 54
Should You Buy New or Used?	p. 57
How and Where to Shop for the Best Price	p. 67
Buying a New Car	p. 70
The Steps Involved with Buying a New Car	p. 76
Understanding How New Cars Are Priced	p. 87
Negotiating Your Best Price	p. 90
The Hidden Costs to Consider	p. 97
Completing a Car Loan Application	p. 100
Buying a Used Car	p. 102
What You Need to Know About Used Cars	p. 103
The Steps in Buying a Used Vehicle	p. 110
Pitfalls in Buying a Used Vehicle	p. 116
Finding a Used Vehicle	p. 119
The Commonsense Approach to Leasing a Car	p. 123
How Vehicle Leases Work	p. 125
The Potential Benefits of Leasing	p. 131
The Potential Disadvantages of Leasing	p. 132
The Difference Between Buying and Leasing	p. 135
Getting out of a Lease Early	p. 137
Meet Leasing Expert Al Hearn	p. 138
Always Do Your Research!	p. 145
Online Car Shopping	p. 147
Doing Online Research to Find the Best Vehicle	p. 149
The Top Car-Related Web Sites Worth Checking	p. 151
Auto Experts Share Their Secrets	p. 161
The Dollars and Good Sense of Accessories and Options	p. 187
Selecting the Most Suitable Manufacturer-Installed Options	p. 190
Choosing the Dealer-Installed Options You Want and Need	p. 194
Protect Yourself and Your Investment with Insurance	p. 203
Shopping for Automotive Insurance	p. 208
How Your Insurance Premium Is Calculated	p. 212
Meet Automotive Insurance Expert Chris Cunniff	p. 216
Make a Statement: Drive a Hybrid	p. 224
An Introduction to Hybrid Vehicles	p. 227
Interview with Hybrid Vehicle Expert Bradley Berman	p. 234
Car Maintenance Tips That'll Save You Money	p. 239
Ten Easy Maintenance Tips That'll Save You Money and Aggravation	p. 240
Seven More Tips for Saving Money on Gas	p. 243
Equipping Your Glove Compartment or Trunk	p. 244
Tips for Choosing a Mechanic	p. 245
Communicating About Problems	p. 249
Don't Neglect Routine Maintenance	p. 250
Appendix
Glossary	p. 253
Index	p. 271
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