Archive for September, 2009

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Choosing the Right Car

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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When trying to decide what car to buy, there are a series of things to keep in mind. Aside from personal preferences for models, sizes and design, other things to consider include:

  1. Do you want a gas or diesel car? This is mostly a financial and environmental issue. Always consider environmental impact and economy concerns before making a choice.
  2. Do you want manual or automatic? Many luxury cars are manual but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you can’t drive manual and are choosing one just because they look cool.
  3. The reliability and safety ratings of the car, especially if you have kids, drive long distances or use the car for specific purposes, such as backcountry driving, where a good car will keep you out of trouble.
  4. Insurance costs should also be considered. Some luxury models and large cars have high insurance rates, which can end up being a burden if your finances. Always check in advance.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 1 Comment »

How to Find A Car’s Background

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Checking a car’s history is one of the basic steps to ensure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Even when a car seems to be in excellent condition at first view, you may still run into issues if your car has underlying issues that the seller is not reporting and that are not obvious at first view. The best way to verify a car’s history is to obtain its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and then run a report. Companies such as Carfax allow you to enter a VIN number online and check if the car has ever been totaled in an accident, suffered flood damage, has any lien on it, had an odometer rollback, what it has been used for (was it always a private vehicle or was it ever rented out or used as a taxi?) as well as the repair history of the car.

Carfax and similar companies charge you a fee for the report, but this is well-worth it if you’re buying on your own and you want to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care, Car Curiosities | No Comments »

Where to Find a Good Used Car

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Once you’re ready to buy your new car, don’t think you are limited to visiting a dealership. Used-car dealers are a good option if you want to avoid the hassles of looking on your own, but you can be missing out on a bargain if you refuse to look elsewhere as well. Two less explored options for used cars are:

New-Car Dealerships: While their main business is selling new cars, they also have lease returns in stock. You won’t be getting a huge bargain, but you will get a car that has been well-maintained, under warranty until just recently and rarely more than a couple of years old. Always resist the temptation of accepting a pitch for a new car before you ask for a used one.

Private Sellers: Don’t be afraid to buy from owners. You are more likely to get you a good price and be able to bargain if you’re dealing with a private individual instead of a professional. To avoid being ripped-off, bring a mechanic along to check the car before you sign any papers, and make sure there are no liens or legal obligations against the car that will make it impossible for you to legally own the vehicle. Private sellers usually advertise in newspapers or through bulletin boards. Ebay is also a good place to look for vehicles but you should beware of great deals that require advance payment without you seeing the vehicle first. Also, never sign a “as is” contract if you can’t inspect the vehicle first.

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Preparing Your Car for a Long Trip

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Long road trips require a major overhaul of both the car and the packing process in order to ensure a safe move. Whether this is a vacation ride or you’re trying to ship your car to the other side of the country, there are major things you need to keep in mind.

  • Check the motor and make sure transmission fluid, engine oil, coolant and battery are all operating properly
  • Verify that the tires are properly inflated and are appropriate for the type of weather you’re likely to encounter on the way (for example, winter tires for an area with lots of snow)
  • Have the steering and suspension checked
  • Make sure you have a spare tire, a jack and a small set of tools in your trunk
  • Consider getting a GPS if you’re bad at keeping your way or need help getting to your destination
  • Make a list of the things you should be taking along, such as a basic emergency kit (don’t forget antifreeze, electrical tape and an emergency stop sign )
  • Bring a first-aid kit

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | 7 Comments »

Why You Should Consider Terminal Car Shipping

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Most car shipping companies heavily advertise their door-to-door service, which allows you to stay home and wait for the driver to ring the doorbell and give you your car back. However, door-to-door vehicle shipping is expensive, and it may lead to additional expenses if for some reason you miss the delivery the first time around. A good alternative is to inquiry about terminal car shipping. While this may not be available in every area, it is a much cheaper (and sometimes simpler) option if you can get it.

Terminal delivery is also a good option if you are rarely home. Why pay extra for door-to-door car delivery is chances are high that you will miss the delivery. Instead, have the car or motorcycle delivered to a terminal and then pick it up at your convenience. Do remember that storage fees will apply for each day you leave the car at the car transport terminal, so make sure you pick it up as soon as possible after being notified of its arrival.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping, Motorcycle Shipping, Uncategorized | No Comments »

How Car Shipping Price Rates is Determined

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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When it comes to vehicle shipping, there’s no such thing as one-fits-all price. In fact, there are a few factors that affect shipping price significantly.

While distance is a major factor in car shipping price rates, traveling cross country is also more expensive than shipping your car north or south, as trucks are more likely to run into highway problems, weather issues or other difficulties when you’re traveling from coast to coast.

Working cars are cheaper to ship than those with engine or wheel problems, since those need to be rolled onto the trucks and require additional man power.

Bigger cars cost more to ship, but so do newer cars, collectibles and other cars that need to be shipped in enclosed car transport carriers or under special circumstances. Large vehicles, like hummers or trucks can cost up to 50 percent more to ship than a standard-size car, as they occupied more space that could be used to ship other cars.

Before you agree to a price for the vehicle shipping services, make sure you understand all the fees involved.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping, Motorcycle Shipping | No Comments »

What Affects Car Shipping and Car Delivery Times

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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Car transport times are all approximate time frames. This means that you will be given a time period in which your car or motorcycle will be delivered, but not a specific date. In most cases, it sounds something like “10 to 15 days.” This is because many factors can affect car shipping times, most of which cannot be controlled by the carrier driver. When you book car delivery pick up, remember the following factors that can affect when you’ll get it.

Road Conditions: blocked roads, highway accidents or detours will all affect how fast the truck can make it to its destination. Even heavy traffic can slow down delivery.

Distance is of course the major reason delays occur during car transport. Trucks going through long distances have more of a chance to running into complications than those delivering to the next state over.

Finally, trucks that carry a large number of cars will have to deal with a number of deliveries. If your car is number 10 in the delivery order, you have more chances of running into delays, as the truck will have to deal with maneuvering through streets, dealing with car owners who are not home and other problems.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping, Motorcycle Shipping | No Comments »

International Car Shipping Insurance and Fees

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

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International deliveries are riskier than in-country shipments, as cars have to be moved through customs, rolled on and off closed containers and transported across the ocean, increasing the chances of running into problems. When booking international car shipping, you need to make sure the insurance provided will be enough to cover potential damages.

All car shipping done by a company, both locally and overseas, include insurance against damage. This will cover everything from scratches to dents to incidental damages. Cars shipped by water, however, should also have insurance against total loss. This will protect you in case the vehicle is stolen or the boat sinks. Total loss is not part of your general agreement and you will have to pay for it. It generally costs 1.5 percent of the blue book value of your car. Full-coverage insurance will protect against all possible damages, even the ones not included in your basic policy. If you want to make sure every little thing is protected, you will have to pay for this type of insurance out of pocket. It will cost you about 2.5 percent of the total cost of your vehicle.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping | No Comments »

How to Keep the Engine in Top Shape

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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Protecting your car’s engine is an ongoing process. Rather than worrying about it once you run into a problem, you can do a few little things on an everyday basis to prevent problems from becoming serious.

Among the things you need to do are:

  • Change the oil every 3,000 miles
  • Change coolant fluid when you reach 100,000 miles
  • Replace anything that appears broken, worn or cracking, including belts, distributor cap and fans
  • Keep the air filter clean and replace if it becomes clogged
  • Make sure the fuel injector and the spark plugs are in good condition. This may be a good thing to ask your mechanic to look up, as it may be difficult to figure out on your own unless you have mechanical experience
  • Take your car in for a tune up every 35,000 miles or once a year

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Posted in Automotive, Car Care | No Comments »

When To Leave It Behind and not get Car Shipping

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

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Sometimes, it just doesn’t pay to pay for car shipping. While taking your car along may seem like the best option, you should consider your situation and all costs involved before you decide whether to pay for vehicle shipping or to sell your car.

Car shipping is a bad idea if you’re tight on money. Aside from the obvious car transport fee, you may also incur in additional expenses, such as storage fees or penalties if you miss the delivery truck and your vehicle needs to be taken to storage.

Car shipping estimates vary and you won’t have a guaranteed delivery date. If you’re moving tomorrow and you don’t have access to public transportation in your new town, how do you plan on moving around? Will you rent a car? Consider whether it makes more sense to simply sell the car you have and buy another one at your new location.

Old cars are usually not worth the expense of vehicle shipping.

If your car won’t fit into the environment of your new location, why move it at all? If you own a convertible and moving to Maine, it probably makes more sense to sell it and buy a 4×4 once you get there.

If your car will end up being more a problem than a solution, just leave it behind. Cars are an inconvenience in places like NYC, where parking is difficult and expensive and where public transportation takes you anywhere you need to go. Instead of paying a car shipping company, just rent a car when you need it and sell your old one.

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Posted in Car Shipping, Enclosed Car Shipping, International Car Shipping, Motorcycle Shipping | 3 Comments »

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