Car Prices Blogs - July, 2010

The New 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe is Now Available

July 23rd, 2010

The beautiful and stylish 2 door car is available in dealerships nationwide. This model has a shorter body if compared to the sedan and a lower roofline amongst its characteristics. The CTS Coupe, presents as well as many of the other CTS versions, a luxurious interior covered in wood and leather for the greatest comfort and the best look.

It has a powerful (DI) 3.6-litre V6 engine (304 horsepower), rear-wheel-drive 6-speed manual and averages 17/25 mpg.

Besides the gorgeous design and amazing features Cadillac will provide all customers with maintenance service for the first four years free of charge.

According to Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac Marketing: “CTS Coupe is a compelling new alternative for luxury and performance-minded drivers. The addition of a Coupe, especially one this dramatic, provides an important entryway for new consumers to experience Cadillac Art and Science.”

We, at CompetingCarPrices.com provide you with all details you need to know about Cadillac CTS Coupe and all other Cadillac models. Request a free price quote now and compare new car prices.

Buying Your Car When the Lease is Up

July 14th, 2010

When your car lease term is up, you may decide you want to buy the car and keep it. Keep in mind that it may or may not be a good deal, depending on the buyout price and your specific circumstances. There could be a number of good reasons for you to buy the car:

  • You really like the car and the buyout price is fair.
  • You don’t want the hassle of starting a new lease or buying a new car.
  • You’ve exceeded the number of miles allowed and want to avoid penalties.
  • There is excess wear and tear on the car, and you want to avoid the fees.
  • You know the car’s mechanical history and know that it’s reliable.
  • The first thing to do is to find out the buyout price of the vehicle and if it’s negotiable, and how far you can negotiate it down. Keep in mind that the leasing company ultimately wants you to buy the car. Check the current blue book value of that vehicle and also take into consideration the current condition of the vehicle and anything that you may owe, such as extra mileage fees.

    Don’t mention if you are over the allowed mileage limit or that there is excess wear and tear on the car. If they know this, they will realize they have you over a barrel and might be less willing to negotiate on the price. Allow several weeks to negotiate the final price for the car and assume that the negotiations will probably go right up to the return date for the car. Just make sure you have reached a fair price and that you are aware of any other related fees before you agree to the deal.

    Can You Afford to Buy a Car?

    July 6th, 2010

    The most important part of buying a car for most people is the price. How do you know if you can afford to buy a car? How much can you afford to spend?

    First, you have to sort out your personal finances. To do this you need to look at your monthly income and your fixed expenses. How much is left over per month after all of your bills and necessities have been deducted? How much of that amount are you willing to spend on a car? The general rule is to not allow payments to exceed 20% of your monthly income.

    Other factors that need to be considered when thinking about the price of your new car are insurance costs, gas costs, and maintenance costs. It is important to calculate how much you can afford in total before visiting dealerships. You don’t want to fall in love with a car that you can’t afford.

    Keep in mind that buying a car at the agreed on price does not mean that is the final price. There are still taxes, fees, financing charges, etc. These will affect the total monthly cost.

    Another method is to compare the monthly payments of a new car to the monthly payment you paid for the last car you had. This will give you an idea if you are comfortable spending more or less each month.

    To estimate your monthly payment, you can also use an online finance calculator. These calculators will take into account the purchase price, down payment, your credit rating, interest rate, length of the loan, the value of your trade-in, etc.

    Car Buying Tips for Women

    July 1st, 2010

    Unfortunately, even in this day and age, women still sometimes experience subtle or not so subtle discrimination when buying a car. So, how does a woman purchasing a car on her own defend against this sort of treatment? Start by reading our new car buying tips for women:

  • Remember that there are thousands of dealerships out there, if you feel you’re being treated unfairly or talked down to, don’t waste anymore time with that salesperson, go to another dealership.
  • Do some research before you go to the showroom. Go online to research the vehicle you’re interested in and to get an idea of what a good price is for that vehicle. Also check to see if there are any incentives available on that car.
  • If you are planning to finance the vehicle, get pre-approved by your local bank or credit union before you go to the showroom. There’s a good chance you’ll get a better interest rate at your personal financial institution.
  • When you arrive at the dealership, make it clear to the salesperson that you know exactly what you want and exactly how much you are willing to pay. Don’t give them the chance to play any games with you. Make your offer and stand firm.
  • If the dealer will not meet your price, go to another dealer. In some cases, you can even get dealers to bid against each other. With a little homework beforehand and a little persistence at the dealership, you’ll get a good deal and have a good car buying experience.