The FCX Clarity hydrogen car is now available for lease from participating Honda dealers for Southern California residents who live in Santa Monica, Torrence or Irvine.

The FCX Clarity lease runs at$600 per month which includes maintenance and insurance costs. Honda is currently limiting the lease to residents who have access to fueling service areas.

The 270 mile range car runs off a hydrogen fuel cell and is refillable at designated filling stations provided by Honda. Honda has also partnered with Plug Power Inc. to develop a Home Energy Station which is small enough to fit in the home owners garage.

A study by TechnoMetricafound that over 60% of the vehicle purchases were financed. According to Raghavan Mayur, president of TechnoMetrica, “over the past two years, nearly two out of three vehicle purchases were facilitated through a loan.”

When considering a loan, keeping the terms to a shorter time span will reduce the overall cost of purchasing a car. Often consumers will finance the car for 48 to 60 months increasing the purchase price by over ten percent depending on the current interest rates.

Pre-qualification of an auto loan will help you negotiate a better price than what is offered by dealers when it comes to sign the loan contract.

If you’re a Motor Trader you’ll know more than anyone just how price sensitive the automotive industry can be. And as Motor Trade Insurance is likely to be one of your companies biggest outgoings paying the right price for your Motor Trader Insurance is going to be vital.

Whilst the UK has benefited from a pretty stable financial environment in recent years with rising house prices, low interest rates and many companies making money there now maybe signs of a change. During 2006 interest rates rose steadily and with 1 rate rise in 2007 already (and with more forecast as the year progresses) there is every chance that there will be less disposable income in the UK economy.

So what will this mean for consumers and Motor Traders?

Well for consumers it could mean they have less money to spend on new cars, second cars or indeed on the servicing and repair of existing vehicles. There is also every chance that as value for money becomes more of an issue they will shop around to secure the best price and service.

And when Motor Traders Insurance policies come due for renewal there is every chance they too will start looking around to secure the best deal on their Motor Trade Insurance. And if indeed money is an issue it is very easy for companies in the motor industry to opt for the cheapest is best option. After all, isn’t one type of Business Insurance pretty much the same as all the others?

Well for Motor Traders in the UK I would urge you to proceed with caution as whilst low cost motor trade insurance is available from many different insurance providers you don’t want to leave yourself in a position without the right level of cover or the right insurance excess (or deductable).

For many motor traders the best option to take when buying motor trade insurance for the first time or when their current motor trader insurance comes due for renewal would be to consult the services of an insurance broker. An insurance broker who specializes in motor trade insurance can search the market to find you the right cover at the right price so you not only save time – but you also save money.

In the event of you needing to make a claim they can also help you get the claim settled quicker and more favourably. A good insurance broker should give you advice and make sure you only pay for the insurance cover you need and want.

Whether to buy a new car or buy a used car is often times the first decision that needs to be arrived at before you can actively begin perusing purchasing your next vehicle.

Let’s take a look at some tips, pros, and cons when it comes to making this decision.

First of all, having been in the automotive business for many years, I almost always lean toward finding a good used car that fits what I am looking for. For me, I believe that used cars offer the best value for your dollar. In most cases, you’ll find used car departments are much more used to and willing to negotiate the price that they have posted on the car. From a negotiating standpoint, most used cars won’t have all of those superfluous dealer ‘add-ons’ stuck on the window either that will just never do.

In the automotive market, used cars will most certainly come with a lower initial price tag than a comparably equipped new car. And not only will the price be lower, you may also find that so is your cost to insure the used car as well as the tags, and taxes. Depreciation being what it is; means that with a car a couple of years old, the biggest depreciation hit has already occurred. And from a tangible perspective, you may have a better chance of getting those upgrades you’d like to have on the used car that you couldn’t otherwise afford going with the new.

Yet, with all of this, buying a used car isn’t for everyone. Finding a used vehicle that fits one’s entire car buying criteria can be a tough exercise in balancing what you want with the value versus risk inherent when it comes to used cars.

Not so many years ago, reliability was a major concern when purchasing a used car… and rightfully so. Today however, reliability problems are a fraction of what they used to be. Today’s vehicles, when properly maintained will easily go for 100,000 miles and it’s not uncommon for vehicles to be motoring along as they approach 200,000 miles or more. And with all of the information now available online, the risk factor is again reduced even a bit more.

Even though more reliable today, buying a used car for people means buying a car that is probably out of its original bumper to bumper warranty. This alone, is enough to repel many potential car buyers back to the new car side of the dealership.

As you know, if you are looking at buying a used car, you are probably looking at a car that is outside the factory warranty or at least would have very little remaining. With no warranty you’ll be on the hook to pay for any needed repairs out of your own pocket. However, the biggest expense for most all cars today are the things that aren’t covered by any manufacturer’s warranty anyway; items such as brakes, tires, alignment, batteries, etc.

Of course nobody can guarantee that you won’t encounter a lemon. No matter what the make and model, no manufacturer can produce a vehicle that can withstand years of neglect and/or abuse. Always, always, always give the used car a thorough inspection both by yourself and a qualified mechanic; doing this will catch most problems that may be looming on the horizon.

When it comes to financing the purchase of a used car, you find that the going interest rates will typically be higher than new car rates. This is definitely a piece of the puzzle you’ll want to check out. There is no rule of thumb as to what the difference in the interest rate will be between the two because there are just too many determining variables involved such as; the economy, rebates and incentives involved on the new car side, your credit, length of financing, and even the type of used car you’re looking at. Be sure to crunch the numbers for both sides.

With used cars, insurance can save you some money as well because you’ll typically pay less for your insurance on a like model from a few years past. The reason is simple; less cost of replacement for the insurance company and used cars are generally not high on the stolen lists.

And finally, (the latest) safety features could be a concern if you’re looking at used car (particularly if you’re going back a few model years).

All in all, if the touch, feel, and smell of a new car, isn’t a top priority for you, I think you’ll find that a well thought out used car purchase you can get more car and features and still be within your budget.

Before you even set one foot onto a car dealership check and know what shape your credit is in. Even if you know it is in good shape… here’s a flash for you – credit reporting companies make mistakes… and many of them. So, be smart… begin your car buying process the correct way… know your credit score.

You should begin the process of self evaluating your credit well in advance of doing your car shopping.

Why? Because if you find incorrect information or reporting on your credit report it will take some time in order to get it corrected or removed… and if you don’t you may pay for the mis-information quite handily in the form of paying a higher interest rate than you would otherwise have to.

For instance if you were to finance $20,000 for 5 years at 0% interest rate (obviously you’d pay no interest) your monthly payment would be $333.33. If however, because of credit issues (either correctly reported or not) you signed up at 7.9% your payments would be $71.00 dollars per month more for a painful $4,274.28 more in interest payments alone.

And just to pile on a bit more… this means that your loan payoff will always be higher so if you get the urge to trade cars two, three, or four years into your loan… you’re going to be much further upside down!

There are three credit reporting agencies – Equifax – Experian – Trans Union – and it’s best to get a report from all three. Also, if you are married you’ll want to get your spouse’s as well.

First check to determine what your FICO score is. FICO scores can range from about 300-900 with the higher the number being the stronger credit score. Lenders have differing criteria in how they evaluate and grade FICO scores so the break lines between poor – average – good – excellent can vary somewhat but generally the best auto financing rates are granted to those with a score of 700 or better.

Basically your credit score is based on five determinants: payment history – unpaid debt – how long you’ve had established credit – how much credit you’ve acquired or applied for lately – the types of credit you’re carrying.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a good website for understanding what your rights are under The Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Work to update outdated information that may be a part of your credit report and by all means begin the process of correcting any mis-information or incorrect payment history. Once you have corrected the mistake, be sure to check your credit report again in about 60 days to see how much of your credit report has changed and if your score has improved.

Working to get your credit report in order may take some time and diligence, but it’s like paying yourself. Remember, the difference of a not so many point swing in your credit score can get you that 7.9 interest rate instead of that 0% interest rate.

It’s your money… don’t waste what you can control.

By Mike Cain

The MGF, designed and produced by Rover, is a small mid-engined sports car, with a soft top roof and plenty of boot space. Despite this, it is not renowned for its practicality, but if that is what you are looking for then you are missing the point of the MGF - it is intended to be fun to drive and something of a head turner. The driving position is quite low to the ground, which means when the top is down you get a unique driving experience, it is ideal for the summer months. It grips the road well and has good balance when driving, which is just as well with a 0-60 time of just 8.5 seconds. It responds immediately to the slightest touch on either the accelerator or the break, roaring into life with a great burst of energy, yet slowing quickly without much effort.

However, the slightly cramped cabin (especially when the roof is up) and hard body styling makes for an uncomfortable time when taking in long journeys or negotiating bumpy roads and sharp corners. The plastic rear windscreen means is liable to cloud up, and can become creased and folded where the roof has been put up/down many times. Frequent problems have also been reported with head gaskets on the older models, and this is a common cause of breakdowns.

Second hand values have stayed quite strong, due to Rover restricting the supply, and cars can be picked up from around £3,500 for a 1995 model and upwards, and it proves relatively cheap to run. Fuel consumption is good, at around 38.4 mpg, and with an insurance group of 9/10 cover is cheap as well.

Production is due to begin once more in 2008, courtesy of Nanjing Automobile, at the old Longbridge plant in West Midlands, as well as in their yet to be completed Chinese factory. The MGF is expected to go back on sale in 2009.

All in all the MGF is a fun sports car, with great style and personality, suitably cosy and enjoyable during the winter, and a fast, thrilling ride in the summer sun. —————————————————————-

In this article, we will discuss the car dealer auction, giving our readers an insight into what goes on at the car auctions for dealers.

The car dealer auction is available all over the world to hundreds of people. However, we have come to learn that they are most popular in the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The procedures at the car dealer auction

There are normally set procedures what happen at the car auction, we will go through each stage so that people can get an understanding of what it is like at the car auction. To be honest, anyone can go to a car auction, there is no set format saying a car auction is for dealers only. However, in our experience, dealers of cars at the car dealer auction are the main people you will find at the auctions.

This is good news however for those wishing to get started as they can offer some insight from other dealers at the car dealer auction. If you are not a dealer and are just wishing to buy a bargain car, by all means, go and grab yourself a bargain. You may even find that you gain some interest in car auctions and may want to go again to pick up another good deal on a car to sell on for profits. This is how many dealers get started.

Test drive the cars on show

If you are bidding on cars, this will be your chance to test drive the cars on show. Generally, this part is only for dealers or those wanting to bid on one of the cars being put on auctioneer. It is up to you if you want to test drive one the cars available, however, if you are buying a car, we recommend that you test drive the cars you are interested in.

Bidding

This is where you will bid on the cars and try to outbid others at the car dealer auction. At this part of the auction, you will likely get a very good deal on a car, that’s assuming the auctioneer doesn’t put the prices at silly prices and there is no one there who is just going to blow spare cash.

Winning the car

When you win the car, you will be offered a method of payment and cut off dates as to when to pay, you will also be offered the keys to the car upon cleared payment.

Many people around the world drive cars sell cars; buy cars, in-fact, today many people, especially family’s need cars to survive. In this article we will discuss car auctions, not just cheap car auctions because this is where you get the bargain deals on cars, most auctions, and quality auctions especially, will give you the best possible deals on cars.

What to expect at car auctions around the world

At the car auctions, you will get very good deals on cars to be honest, based on our experience if you stick in, you will get bargain deals on cars worth far more than the price they go for. This is why many people start dealing in cars after they have been to a few auctions and experienced the events themselves.

Cheap car auctions are everywhere

Cheap car auctions are all over the world, and to be honest, there is no such thing as a cheap car auction because generally, a person goes to get low cost deals on cars anyway. This is the whole purpose of the car auctions events that are on worldwide. Many dealers are born and become successes from cheap car auctions alone. However, remember the flip side is that they are not just for dealers. Anyone can go to car auctions, and because of that getting a hold of a cheap car is available to anyone.

Some people have said that car auctions are only for dealers in cars, however, we weren’t dealers when we went, in-fact, we went to look for bargain deals on cars and we weren’t registered dealers or even registered of traders in the car industry business. In life it is always to take some advice as a pinch of salt.

In the end, it’s about trying things for yourself and then you will know the facts. People try things, but they don’t go all the way and put 100 percent in, then they say its only for dealers, like we said, take this with a pinch of salt.

Our conclusion on cheap car auctions and our final advice

On a final note, we advise that you take someone with you who has some knowledge on cars. It can be a nightmare thinking you have a bargain car on your hands, but not knowing whether to bid or not because you don’t know enough about the car.

The traditional car buying experience is often seen as an overwhelming task. But thanks to the Web, customers can save time and enter a dealership precisely knowing what they want to buy.

How many times have you started the process by visiting different car dealerships? Purchasing a new or used car is a significant investment and you will hopefully be keeping your vehicle for awhile. You likely have certain features and options in mind, which will help narrow the scope of which models you will consider. But because you want to find the best car to meet your needs, the process can be intense and arduous.

Many car companies and dealerships are posting their inventory online so you can search for a car to best suit your needs. If you begin with the website as your first step, when you walk into the dealership, you have a narrowed list of vehicles that have the features you want, in your price range and you don’t have to waste a lot of time driving around from one dealership to another.

There are three different types of auto retail sites available for car buyers and each has its own unique advantages.

The Coast-to-Coast Dealer’s Website

When browsing online for your car, one of your primary concerns may be selection. CarMax is an online car dealership with a large inventory, located in several states across the country.

When you visit the site, you enter the make, model, price range and other details for the type of car you want. You are asked to enter your zip code, and then given a list of available vehicles at locations near your zip code. You can compare models, pricing, features, mileage, and other details.

If you aren’t sure what type of car you want, this is a good option to check out as many cars as possible in your price range.

The Local Dealership’s Website

The local dealership is probably the best option if customer service, in addition to selection, is important to you. The difference is similar to shopping at a large retailer versus the small specialty shop owned by a local family known for their contributions in the community. But whereas that small specialty shop may not have an inventory comparable to the big guys, the local dealership may not only offer a comparable selection of cars, but services that you won’t find at the larger auto retailers.

Conklin Cars is a new and used car dealer with several locations in Kansas. When working with a dealership that has several locations, you have the advantage of a large inventory, and working with specialists at each location. Customers who have visited the Salina car dealer site, for example, can also visit the company’s Newton car dealership and Hutchinson auto dealer sites online or in person to compare models, features and pricing.

But in addition to searching for cars based on brand, make, model, new, used, and even “building” the car you want, customers can also send questions to the dealerships’ parts and service technicians. Rather than running all over town to try and find the right part your car needs, or taking the car to a mechanic that may not be familiar with your car, you’ve got both covered at one location. This works well because it gives you a one-stop-shop option for not only purchasing your car, but care and maintenance after purchase.

Other notable advantages of using a local dealership include better, low-pressure sales and customer service, in addition to unique services. At Conklin Cars, sales reps are trained to create relationships with customers for any of their car buying or car service needs. For example, customers can rent a vehicle from Conklin Cars, a unique feature of this local dealership not found at many auto retailers.

Brand Name Shopping

If you have a particular brand in mind, visiting the company’s main site is probably your best option. A manufacturer’s website will offer a comprehensive look at all of the company’s offerings. Saturn, for example, is known for its low-pressure, no-haggle pricing. Like most automotive brands, the site is quite comprehensive with a photo gallery of different models, pricing, features and other valuable information to help you make an educated decision on which one of their vehicles will best suit your lifestyle.

Modern technology has created an opportunity for the car buyer to save much time, effort and stress when shopping. Depending on whether you want a vast inventory, a local resource capable of providing all of your car service needs, or you’re focused on one particular brand, beginning the car buying process online is a smart move. If you know your budget and enter the dealership with a clear decision on which cars you want to see, you’ve got the hardest part of the car-buying process covered, and all that will be left to do is make a decision and go through the paperwork.

All cars need maintaining but if you really want your Volvo s70 or Volvo v70 to last you a lifetime, then you will need to take extra special care of your car. A well maintained vehicle can last for tens of thousands of miles if you. Proper maintenance is the best thing you can do for your investment.

Your Volvo needs regular check-ups and maintenance. Regular oil changes at a reputable dealer or company will often ensure that not only do you have plenty of oil in your car, but many will check your other fluid levels as well. As the car ages, they will also alert you to any Volvo s70 or Volvo v70 parts you may need. These regular check-ups are recommended at every 3,000 miles.

In order to maintain safe and reliable transportation, it is also vital that you have your tires rotated and balanced every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. With all the safety features that a Volvo has it can’t do anything to protect you should you have a blow out. By rotating your tires on a regular basis you will be ensuring that there is equal wear on all of the tires. Tires develop wear patterns over a certain period of time. If the tires are not regularly rotated then the tread will wear off on in certain areas, which may make it difficult for you to get the proper traction. This can be dangerous during wet weather. They may also wear thin in areas, which may lead to a blowout.

When you do get to a point in which you need to replace parts on your Volvo, you are better off using factory Volvo s70 parts or Volvo v70 parts. Factory equipment parts are made specifically for Volvos and ensure that each replacement part is just as safe as the original. If you hear any funny noises coming from your car, listen to it and have them checked out. This is often the first sign that something needs tweaked or repaired.

Maintaining your car’s appearance will keep your Volvo looking great for the thousands of miles you plan to drive it. It is recommended that your Volvo is washed regularly and waxed at least twice per year. Even if you are hard on your car, it doesn’t have to look like it.

Regular maintenance of your Volvo will keep it looking great and running great for the many miles to come.