New Car Quotes

Did you know that your car could be repossessed?

2010-05-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it and you may lose not only the car, but also the money you paid for it.

Buying a used vehicle?

Vehicle Check provides you with peace of mind that you're making the right choice.

* View the Vehicle buyer's check list
* Buy safe with a car history check

Making sure used car buyers are protected

A consumer using Vehicle Check is covered for up to £30,000 in the very unlikely event that any data inaccuracies occur.

Used Japan Car Network

2010-04-16T07:47:00.000-07:00

Used Japan Car Network Currently listing over 100,000 used Japanese cars, tradecarview is the largest Used Japan Car export network on the planet. Our goal is to make it easy for car importers to buy used vehicles with ease. tradecarview is a hub connecting exporters and importers of Japanese used cars. Choose from our four categories: Car, Truck, Bus, Machinery. Or, browse by make: TOYOTA, NISSAN, HONDA, MITSUBISHI, etc. to find the Japanese used car you desire.

Why Cars From Japan? Japanese used vehicles are renowned throughout the world for high quality. Cars in Japan are subject to strict emissions standards that encourage the sale of used cars sooner than in most countries. The Japanese used car is peerless on price, quality and cleanliness.

tradecarview Dealers The used car export dealers in our network are all legally existing companies in Japan. Our used auto dealers have experience in car exports to all countries and they are located in various areas of Japan. This makes buying used cars easier than ever. You will be able to find cheap car and meet many car exporters.

Understanding Loans

2010-03-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

When you purchase a vehicle with a loan, a bank or other financial institution pays for most or all of the vehicle up-front, and you agree to pay back the money over time. The amount of money you borrow from the bank is referred to as the "principal." The amount of money you contribute up-front is referred to as the "down payment" and usually varies from 10% to 20% of the purchase price of the vehicle. You can often purchase a new car without a down payment (if you qualify); used vehicles generally require a 20% or more down payment.

The payback period for a loan is typically up to five years, although some newer vehicles are being sold with longer-term loans. The financial institution will charge you "interest" for your use of their money. Interest rates vary depending on a number of factors such as your credit rating and where you live. Currently, new car loan rates start at around 8.5%, with used car rates about a percentage point higher. Manufacturers frequently offer lower loan rates as a purchasing incentive, but sometimes these are attached to conditions that may not work for you. Make sure you ask enough questions to make yourself comfortable when investigating various loan options.

Key features of loans
The primary features of loans are summarized below. Make sure you review our articles on leases and the differences between loans and leases before making a final decision.

* You have ownership and equity in the vehicle. Your monthly payments are working to purchase that car and it's yours to sell or keep as long as you wish.
* Gives you control over your vehicle. You can modify the vehicle, add special features or alter it.
* Monthly payments are generally higher than with a lease.
* Usually involves a down payment, either a trade-in or cash.
* Maintenance is up to you. Always maintain your factory warranty and service your cars, but you're not on a strict schedule, with penalties as with a lease.
* No mileage limits.
* At the completion of the finance period, there should be no balloon payment.
* Because a typical manufacturer's warranty is shorter than your financing term, your maintenance costs may run higher than with a typical short-term lease.

How to get the best deal on a new car

2010-03-08T20:35:00.000-08:00

How to get the best deal on a new car

You need the right information and a savvy negotiating strategy to get the lowest price and cheapest loan on a new car or truck.

The salesperson hopes you'll go shopping without knowing how much the dealership paid for the car you want, how much other consumers are paying for similar models, whether any discounts are available and how much you should pay for a loan.

Without that information, you'll wind up paying thousands more than you need to -- almost guaranteed.

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That's why our 6-step plan for driving the best deal can make you a smarter, more confident buyer. Here's how it works:

Step 1. Pick out the car or truck you want to buy.

Talk to friends. Read reviews. Get a close-up look at the most promising possibilities. Take your favorites out for a test drive.

But don't even start negotiating.

You need three things to do your homework:

* A copy of the window sticker for the car you want to buy.

* The sales tax rate for your purchase.

* A list of all the taxable and nontaxable fees you'll have to pay to close the deal.

Step 2. Find out how much the car should cost.

Start at Edmunds.com or Kelley Blue Book to find out what you should pay for the car.

Use information from the window sticker to enter all the information you're asked about engines, accessories and even the color, into their price calculators. When you're done, Edmunds or Kelley will provide you with three prices:

* MSRP. This should be very close to the suggested retail price on the sticker. If it is, then you know you've put in all of the right information.

* Invoice price. This is the price the dealer paid for the car.

* Average transaction price. Edmunds calls this "What Others Are Paying." Kelley refers to it as "The New Car Blue Book Value." It usually will be somewhere between the retail price and invoice price.

Now, use our links to see if there are any rebates or low-cost financing options available on your car.

Step 3. Line up a loan.

Our most recent survey of major lenders taken March 3 shows the average annual interest rate for a:

* Five-year loan is 7.16%.

* Four-year loan is 7.17%.

* Three-year loan is 7.05%.

These are close to the lowest auto loan rates we've seen since we began keeping track, way back in 1984. So unless you have below-average credit, there's no reason to pay more than this. Indeed, you should qualify for a lower rate.

Our auto loan comparison charts show a wide range of rates on 60-month loans, with where you live playing a part in what you'll pay.

Pick a lender offering one of the best rates. You can usually apply online and receive a check in a few days.

That rate almost always will be better than the dealer's finance officer can arrange through the lenders he or she works with -- unless, of course, you choose a discounted loan from the automaker.

Lining up a lender before you buy also will protect you from one of auto-buying's most expensive mistakes -- finance charge markups.

That's where a dealer offers to finance your car but tacks on 3 percentage points or more to the interest rate one of its lenders is willing to charge you. The dealer doesn't have to tell you that you could get a lower rate elsewhere, and the practice is perfectly legal.

Step 4. Decide which discount to take.

If you have a choice between a rebate and low-cost financing, you need to pick the discount that will save the most money.

Let's say you're going to borrow $18,000 over 60 months and have a choice of two loans: 6.25% from a bank you found on our site or a discount rate of 2.9% from the automaker's finance company, like Ford Credit or GMAC.

If you took the bank loan, your payments would be $350 a month and you'd pay $3,005 in interest over the life of the loan. If you took the discount financing, you'd pay $323 a month and $1,358 in interest over the life of the loan.

Now, look at the difference between the total costs of the two loans. In our example, it's $1,647. If the rebate is more, take the rebate. If not, take the cheap financing, which will have to be arranged through the dealership.

Our low-interest financing calculator allows you to compare any amounts, any rates, quickly and easily.

Step 5. Settle on a price you're willing to pay -- and make sure you can afford it.

Your goal should be to pay somewhere between the invoice price and the average transaction price. Being a smart consumer should allow you to pay less than the average consumer.

If, for example, the invoice price is $22,000 and the average transaction price is $22,600, then you should set a goal of paying between $22,200 and $22,400, not counting any rebates.

If a rebate is available -- and you decided to take it in Step 4 -- plan on having that amount deducted from the final negotiated price of the car. Don't allow the rebate to enter into your negotiations.

Now, you know how much you're going to pay, how much you have for a down payment and how much you're going to finance and what that loan will cost.

The final step is to use our auto loan calculator to get a good idea of what your monthly payments will be. Just enter the price you expect to pay, the loan rate and term, and the tax rate and fees the dealer provided.

If you can afford the payments, you're ready to go back to the showroom.

Step 6. Make an offer.

Former car salespeople and consumer advocates say you'll have the most leverage if you:

* Buy at the end of the month, when salespeople are trying to make quotas and the dealership is striving to meet its budget for revenue and profits.

* Show up an hour before closing on Friday, when everyone is anxious to start the weekend.

Tell the salesperson you're ready to buy today and ask how much he wants for the car.

The salesperson probably will consult with the dealership's sales manager. If he or she comes back with an offer below sticker price, that's a good sign.

Respond with a counteroffer that's only about $100 above the invoice price. Sometimes the salesperson will resist taking your bid back to the sales manager, saying it's just too low.

Always remember that your salesperson and the sales manager are professional negotiators, working as a team to get you to pay as much as possible for their product. They want to see if they can get you to raise your offer without having to make a counteroffer of their own.

Don't budge. Insist the salesperson take your offer to the sales manager.

After you've gone back and forth several times, you should have reached the price you decided to pay back in Step 5.

If the sales manager is willing to accept that, you've got a deal. If not, that's your cue to graciously end the negotiations and try another dealer.

Top Ten Cars of the Decade Countdown 4 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

2010-02-26T01:18:00.000-08:00

2003 – 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIIIIf there was a single car this decade which caused auto manufacturers to pay more attention to the auto enthusiast, it’s undeniably the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.

While the rest if the world (mainly Japan and Australia) have enjoyed Mitsubishi’s turbocharged all-wheel drive rally special for years, the Lancer Evolution was a latecomer to the American Market. First introduced in 2003, the eighth generation Lancer Evolution (or simply Evo VIII to enthusiasts) was a smash hit. Dazzled by its 271 horsepower, killer all-wheel drive system and vast array of electronic doodads to help keep it shiny side up, the Evo VIII took America by storm. All it took was one test drive, and you were hooked.

2008 – present Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X

Within two years, the Evo’s model lineup expanded to include four different trim levels. By 2006, the Evo IX arrived with even more technically impressive gadgetry. But Mitsubishi’s real triumph is the current generation Evo X. Completely restyled, the newest Evo looks and drives like a performance car that costs twice as much, keeping it within the realm of reason for every true car guy and gal to own a true daily-driven 291-hp 4-door sports sedan.

To find Mitsubishi Evolution X pricing and incentives your neighborhood, click here*.

*If you prefer to find a used Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, click here.

Downsizing Your Car Is The Best Option 2010

2010-02-25T23:38:00.000-08:00

DOWNSIZING YOUR CAR IS THE BEST OPTION!

OK, you've worked out the sums - and a total lifestyle change just isn't going to pay the bills.

Giving up the car is not an option either, but you want to reduce those costs so you can start living a bit more.

The answer - downsize that precious pricey motor and get something that's going to start saving you money on fuel, insurance and tax.

DOWNSIZING YOUR CAR IS THE BEST OPTION!

Time to Downsize & Save On Costs?
Give the small car a chance...

Here's our list of the Top 10 best value cars for downsizing in 2010. But it's not all about Citroen CVs'

BMW 320d EFFICIENT DYNAMICS

For the genuine downsizer. Car nuts are raving about this compact executive, widely considered to be the best on the market, because of its bargain price. At roughly £27,000 the car, already on-sale, is stylish and cost effective, capable of almost 57mpg. With anticipated carbon emissions of 109g/km, this executive motor falls into the lowest tax band for company cars and will only set you back &pound35 a year. That's a tax saving of eeermm- £11, 150 on an Aston Martin DBS. Say no more. Did the kids want a horse for Christmas?

SKODA FABIA GREENLINE

This smart little number could save you big bucks, delivering almost 70mpg and churning out just 109g/km in CO2, putting you in the lowest road tax bracket. Prices begin at roughly £12,000.

PEUGEOT RCZ HYBRID

The regular edition is due in April but more exciting is the hybrid, expected later this year. The diesel hybrid's stylish design has drawn comparisons with the Audi TT. It is expected to cost roughly £20,000 but will offer more than 75mpg. Carbon emissions of 95g/km will also exempt drivers from road tax.

SKODA SUPERB ESTATE

If it's a family car you're after then the Skoda Superb Estate offers fantastic value for money. With 633 litres of boot space and ample leg room the estate, which goes on-sale next month, will set you back an estimated £17,000 but offers space and comfort. The 138bhp 2.0 litre diesel engine will also offer relatively low running costs.

TOYOTA AURIS HYBRID

The first Toyota hybrid to be built on UK soil, this motor will save you cash in more ways than one. With carbon emissions expected to come in at under 100g/km, you'll be exempt from road tax. Makers have also made front-end alterations to improve aero dynamism which, combined with the car's electric motor, will save you money on fuel. Due out in late 2010 at an estimated £17,500.

HONDA CR-Z

This stylish coupe employs the very latest in petrol-electric hybrid technology. Expected in mid-2010, price estimates begin at £16,000. The car won't run exclusively on battery power but will help cut your fuel costs at 56.4mpg. Carbon emissions of roughly 117g/km will set you back just £35 a year in road tax.

VW GOLF BLUEMOTION

This hatchback will set you back around £17,500 but its aerodynamic design gets you 68.9mpg. With carbon emissions of just 107g/km you'll be in the lowest road tax bracket, paying just £35 a year!

SEAT IBIZA ECOMOTIVE

Using regenerative brakes, this family car makes sure you get the most out of your fuel. Seat designed the car with the specific intention of making it as light as possible, which cuts fuel consumption and makes driving easier. With carbon emissions of 98g/km you will also be exempt from road tax. Expected to go on-sale at roughly £13,000.

TOYOTA PRIUS

This hybrid offers fantastic value for money. The Prius gives you 50mpg. With carbon emissions as low as 89g/km you'll also be free from road tax. You can also save a fortune in fuel by switching to battery power if you're travelling at 31mph or less. Price estimates begin at £16,000. Due in the UK by late 2010.

MINI COOPER D

Not the most fashionable of cars, but if you're looking to downsize then you could do a lot worse than this Mini. The Mini Cooper D will give you 72.4mpg and top speeds of 121mph. Carbon emissions come in at just 104g/km, putting road tax at just £35 per year. Prices begin at around £15,000.

New Car Quotes

Did you know that your car could be repossessed?

Used Japan Car Network

Understanding Loans

How to get the best deal on a new car

Top Ten Cars of the Decade Countdown 4 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

Downsizing Your Car Is The Best Option 2010

DOWNSIZING YOUR CAR IS THE BEST OPTION!

DOWNSIZING YOUR CAR IS THE BEST OPTION!

Time to Downsize & Save On Costs? Give the small car a chance...

Time to Downsize & Save On Costs?
Give the small car a chance...