Take the car to an independent mechanic and have them do a buyer's inspection. Don’t go to the mechanic the seller goes to. Also, check to see if your state requires the car to pass a smog test prior to being sold. In California, the seller must get a smog check 90 days prior ...
Before choosing a vehicle, buyers should determine the best way to finance their purchase. Some individuals pay the full price of the car in a lump sum. This is a good idea if you can afford to pay cash upfront. Otherwise, you may need to take out an auto loan. ...
You can often pay to bring the car up to standard, but it will be very expensive. More often than not, you're better off just buying a different car. Fourteen states and Washington D.C. have adopted the same standards as California. So, a car registered in any of these areas will c...
Pros and cons of leasing a car When youlease a car, you pay for the right to drive the vehicle for a fixed period — typically three or four years, unless you opt for ashort-term lease. Most leases are financed through the dealer. ...
Some dealers add loan protection insurance automatically to a new car purchase. This protects you from repossession if you lose your job. The fee is usually optional, and you should be able to decline it if you don't want it—feel free to walk away from the deal if the dealer refuses ...
Buying in pricey markets such as Hawaii and California can cost up to 60% or more of local per-capita income. Patrick S. Duffy,Dawn BradburyandLiisa RajalaJan. 28, 2025 What Can You Buy for $1,500 a Month? Buying an affordable home can be tough right now, but it's not impossible ...
A sales slump at car dealerships is bringing down U.S. retail sales; a major coal company files for bankruptcy; LinkedIn releases job data on millennials and more MoneyWatch headlines.
Data from the 2009 National household Travel Survey are used to compare the plug-in car buyer's characteristics to the general population and new car buyers in California. The results of this study can be used to improve the modeling process of the potential demand for plug-...
Where to Get Car Finance Buyers can obtain auto loan financing from a variety of sources, however walking into a dealership after being pre-approved for a loan provides the buyer with negotiating power. Loan pre-approval also removes some of the emotional aspect of buying a car because the bu...
Brett and Nicole Webster – San Francisco, California “Like most people, car buying for me has always been a painful, long, drawn out ordeal. This website completely made it painless, time efficient, and effortless. I was grateful to have the Car Angel at my side. I can’t wait to ...