Archive for June, 2009
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
In a time when gas prices have eclipsed the $3 mark and continue to climb, fuel-efficient vehicles have seen their stocks rise. With U.S. consumers finally moving away from gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs, smart, a division of Mercedes Benz, has decided to debut the smart fortwo - a two-person car that measures only 8.8 feet long - in the United States.
The smart fortwo is the shortest car on the market and the company claims you could fit two of them in a single parking space. The vehicle’s innovative design even earned it exhibit space in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City - one of only six cars ever to bear that distinction. With over 770,000 fortwos already on the road worldwide, smart is now ready to introduce this much-buzzed-about car to the U.S. market. The company has opened up an online smart fortwo Reservation Program, allowing interested buyers to reserve their choice of model and color for a $99 fee (applied to the eventual purchase of a fortwo or refundable at any time). Once smart finalizes its dealership locations in the U.S. (expected to be announced at the end of January), dealers will begin calling reservation holders to formalize their purchase agreements.
Three different models of the smart fortwo will be available in the U.S.: the entry-level pure (starting at $11,590), the well-equipped passion coupe (starting at $13,590) and the convertible passion cabriolet (starting at $16,590). All of the models come with a 3-cylinder, 1-liter gasoline powered engine and have an electronically limited top speed of 90 mph. The gas tank holds 8.7 gallons, and the smart fortwo is designed to achieve 40 city/45 highway according to 2007 EPA standards (or 33 city/41 highway miles according to the EPA’s revised 2008 standards). Along with standard safety features like electronic stability program and ABS brakes, smart also touts the vehicle’s tridion safety cell - designed to keep occupants protected in the event of a crash through displacement of impact and redistribution of energy.
Perhaps what surprises people the most considering the compact size of the smart fortwo is the amount of space inside of the vehicle. The back of the car features 8 cubic feet of storage space (12 feet if you load to the roof line), and smart also notes that the fortwo has the same amount of headroom as most luxury vehicles. Other innovations incorporated into the production of the fortwo include the use of energy efficient and recyclable materials, removable door panels (you can actually change or mix and match colors for the car) and a high driving position for visibility. With its fuel-efficiency, compact size and unique design, the smart fortwo could very well become this year’s Mini Cooper - a car that’s both practical to drive and hip to own.
Posted in Smart Car Prices, Smart Car Quotes | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
If you are looking to buy a new car, you may be a little hesitant about taking the plunge. It is after all a big decision to make. You might therefore find the following 6 essential tips to buy a new car rather useful:
1. There is a “good time” to buy a new car. The end of December is one of those times. Everyone is out Christmas shopping, leaving new car dealerships short of customers and the dealers there anxious to meet their targets. Don’t shop for your car at the weekend either. This is when everyone goes. Go in the middle of the week when he car dealer will be more anxious to close a deal on your terms.
2. Be prepared to negotiate to get yourself a good deal on your new car. Car dealer are masters in the art of negotiation and you must learn that skill too. The secret to this initially is to be well prepared and to know what price your car you are interested in would normally sell at. This will mean that you are not oversold and you will not be sold “extras” you do not want.
3. Do your information gathering on the internet. There are excellent new car buying advice sites that give you new car prices, rebates and dealer incentives, tons of great negotiating tactics, and industry intelligence on the latest sales figures for your car. Print out your information from the best quotes and bring tit to the dealer that you are most willing to work with. Bringing in lower quotes form another company might be your best chance of getting a good deal.
4. Know your credit score. Get a copy of it and bring it with you. It can lower your interest rates on your car loan. Your dealer should not know more about you than you do. The dealer is not the only one that can finance your new car. There are of course online financing options and getting a car loan from a bank. Having your financing worked out before you walk through the dealer’s door will avoid being at the mercy of the dealer’s interest rates.
5. Be aware of the potential dealership scams so that you do not become a victim of them.
6. Never buy a new car when you are in desperate need of one because a dealer will see that and take advantage.
May these 6 essential tips to buy a new car make it easier for you to get the car that suits you best.
Posted in Smart Car Price Tips, Smart Car Prices | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
So you want to buy a new car, but you might need a little help? These negotiating tips will start you on your way to the car of your dreams.
Choose the car you want to buy BEFORE you go to the car dealer. Be clear on the make, model, options and extras that you want. Don’t let the dealer talk you into something else.
Know how much you want to spend on that new car. You must be realistic. Do your research and know about what the dealer paid for the car you want. Then decide on a fair price to pay for the car.
Know your method of payment. If you are going to finance the new car be prepared. Contact your bank or credit union to get a quote. You can always finance through the dealer, but only if it is a better deal than outside financing.
If you plan to use your current car as a trade-in be sure to know what the car is worth. Most likely the dealer will offer much less than the current value of that trade-in car.
Do some comparison shopping of dealers in your area. Check out the local newspaper ads, any internet ads and you can also go down to the different dealers just to “window shop.” This should also give you a good idea of the dealer you want to work with.
Choose the dealer and go to the car lot with the confidence that you have done your research. The first thing to ask the salesperson is “What is your best price for this car?” Since you already know what a fair price for the car is, you know where to start the negotiations.
Remember if negotiations aren’t going well you can always walk away and go to another dealer. But, remember to leave on good terms. You may want to go back to this dealer to see if they can beat another price you may get elsewhere.
So as you can see doing your homework can give you the confidence to negotiate a new car price. But for the best deal let an ex-car salesman give you the inside scoop on “how car dealers work their customers”
Posted in Smart Car Price Tips, Smart Car Tips | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
So you’ve decided to buy a new car. This is an exciting time but new car price negotiations can be scary if you’re not prepared. The good news is with some planning on your part you will be able to get the best deal on that new car.
The only time you should go to the car dealer without planning ahead is when you first start to look for a car. Be sure to let the salesperson know up front that you are “just looking.” Walk around the lot, check out the cars, take notes and start to get a feel for the best car for you.
After you have visited several car dealers to “window shop” it is time to do your research. By this time you should be pretty clear on the car you want to buy. Now do some research online for what the dealer most likely paid for the car. Remember the invoice price is not the price that the dealer paid. A good price for you should be somewhere between what the dealer paid for the car and the MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price).
This is the time to also decide how you want to finance your new car purchase. Most dealers do offer financing, but it would be best to research outside financing before negotiating with the dealer. Check out rates and terms with your bank or credit union. Get a quote before going to the dealer. I know it seems easier to get the financing from the dealer but this could end up costing you more money in the end.
It is a good idea to check out the value of your trade-in, if you do plan to involve your current car in the negotiations. But, remember to not discuss your trade-in with the dealer before arriving at a final price for your new car.
Your fact-finding trip to the car dealers should have given you a good idea of which dealer you want to do business with. Go down to the car lot with confidence and always remember that if you feel the negations are not going well (trust your gut) you can always walk away. But always leave on good terms as this may have been the best offer you get and you may want or need to go back.
Posted in New Car Prices, Smart Car Prices | No Comments »