Auto Added by WPeMatico
Auto dealerships make a lot of money off financing. Mostly, they act as intermediaries to connect their customers with banks and credit unions, earning either a flat fee for each loan referral, a percentage of the loan amount, or a portion of the interest. Some loans make a dealer very little, $100 or even less,… […]
Do Car Dealers Make Money Off Financing? Read More »
A market adjustment on a new car is simply added profit. The dealership believes demand for the vehicle supports a price higher than the manufacturer-suggested retail price on the government-mandated Monroney window sticker. The practice goes by several other names: Added dealer markup, or ADM. Added dealer profit, or ADP. Adjusted market value. You’ll find…
What Is a Market Adjustment on a Car? Read More »
While the final bill depends on several factors, the national average cost to tow a car is around $100. But your bill might be higher if you’ve been in a collision, your car is stuck in mud or snow, or you drive an oversized vehicle. You might be able to save some money if you…
How Much Does It Cost to Tow a Car? Read More »
Given that Craigslist is one of the internet’s largest classified websites, it’s no surprise that it’s a popular platform for private-party car sales. Unfortunately, Craigslist can also be home to scams in the form of fake advertisements, bots posing as interested buyers, and other digital hustles. Be wary of giving your personal information to anybody…
Craigslist: Buy or Sell a Car Read More »
Title jumping is when someone purchases a car and then resells it without having titled it in their own name. Also known as floating a title, the practice is illegal. A title is a record of the vehicle’s ownership history kept by the state. Title jumping leaves no trace of the previous owner, leaving the…
Title Jumping: What It Is and How to Fix It for Your Car Read More »
Before you take out an auto loan, it’s important to fully understand what you’re getting yourself into. Depending on where you live and the situation, there may be some hidden costs to watch out for. Take a moment to learn about these costs you may incur and take steps to minimize them or avoid them
6 Hidden Costs of Getting an Auto Loan Read More »
TrueCar offers a treasure trove of information for car shoppers, from extensive rankings and detailed vehicle reviews to helpful pricing analyses. The app stands out with its “best of” lists that allow buyers to look for everything from the roomiest cars for tall people to the best supercharged and turbocharged cars. TrueCar also tells you…
TrueCar App Review: Find a Car Read More »
It’s time for your teen to buy a car. You’ll want to set some ground rules. The last thing you want is to put your child into the driver’s seat of the wrong car. The best way to avoid disagreements is to set clear expectations and boundaries with your teen before the car browsing begins….
When Your Kid Wants to Buy a Car, Don’t Take a Back Seat Read More »
Have your eyes on a new set of wheels? As of January 2022, the average price of a new car topped $46,000. An auto loan can help you cover some or all of the cost of your next vehicle. When shopping around for a car loan that fits your financial situation, you’ll have to decide
Short-term vs. Long-term Car Loans: What You Need to Know Read More »
Private-party auto loans help you pay for a car you buy from an individual, such as a family member or on Craigslist. When you purchase a car from a private seller, you won’t have a car dealership finance department to set up financing. You can find private-party auto loans at banks, credit unions and online…
What Is a Private Party Auto Loan? Read More »
Our take The bottom line: Best for people who don’t need to use their vehicle as a trade-in for another car or who have an old or damaged vehicle. Key facts Offers are good for 24 hours and are not negotiable. No charge to pick up your car. Current loan or negative equity are OK….
Algo Review 2022: Sell Your Car Read More »
The used car you bought online has already been inspected — by the seller. Now that the car is at your front door, you’re wondering if you should have it inspected yourself. The answer is yes. Online car buying sites such as Carvana, Shift and Vroom ask shoppers to sign on the dotted line without…
Inspect That Used Car You Bought Sight Unseen Read More »
Technically, you can buy a car without auto insurance, but you probably would not want to. If you don’t have insurance, more than likely, you won’t be able to legally drive away with your new purchase. Most states require proof of liability coverage to register a car, and the registration process typically begins at the…
Do I Need Auto Insurance to Buy a Car? Read More »
The out-the-door price of a car is the amount you would pay to walk out of the dealer’s door with keys in hand. Whether you’re a seasoned or first-time buyer, chances are you’ve heard the phrase. The out-the-door price, sometimes abbreviated as OTD, includes all taxes, fees and extras. If you’re writing a check, the…
What Does ‘Out-the-Door’ Price Mean? Read More »
Can you decline an approved car loan? Absolutely. If you’ve gone through the necessary steps to apply for an auto loan and been approved, you’re not obligated to accept the offer. Auto experts advise borrowers to seek preapproval with multiple lenders to find the best offer, then use that as a backup at the dealership….
Can You Decline an Approved Car Loan? Read More »
My wife and I are planning a once-in-a-lifetime, 10,000-mile, coast-to-coast road trip. The dream is an epic journey along roads less traveled, but the reality is careful planning to lower our stress, prevent mishaps and spend money where it matters and save where it doesn’t. In doing so, we’ve unearthed some great resources and made…
A 10,000-Mile Road Trip: Prepare to Enjoy the Ride Read More »
Car loans work by providing a lump sum of money for you to buy a car. Then, it’s yours to drive, while also making monthly payments on the loan (with interest) over time. Until you fully repay the loan, the lender holds the title to the car and can repossess it if you fall behind…
How Do Car Loans Work? Read More »
During the previous round of stimulus checks, almost 9 million Americans used the money to buy a car, and with an even bigger stimulus check fresh in many checking accounts, we can expect a lot of car buying in the upcoming months. The big question that many people will ask themselves as they consider replacing
Should I Finance a Car or Pay Cash with Stimulus Money? Read More »
When the price of oil spiked during the February deep freeze, I started using a gas price app and was amazed to find that the cost of fuel in my area varied by 70 cents a gallon. By purchasing the cheapest gas, I could save $8.40 each fillup and as much as $220 a year….
Put the Cap on Gas Prices: 6 Ways to Save at the Pump Read More »
Catalytic converter thefts have soared during the pandemic as drivers drive less and leave their cars unattended. Thieves can steal this antipollution device in a matter of minutes and sell it to scrap metal dealers for several hundred dollars for the precious metals it contains. A catalytic converter replacement can cost as much as $3,000…
5 Ways to Foil Catalytic Converter Thieves Read More »
