Research Blog : automobiles

Cash for Clunkers…or the CARS Program: what you should know before you walk into a dealership

SuDocQueen@evpl — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:15:00 GMT

I was listening to the radio this morning when one of the announcers started talking about the great deal you could get by trading in your old gas guzzler for a new more fuel efficient car. It’s great that they’re helping to get the word out, but I don’t think they had enough time to go into the important details. And those details are great to know before you start talking to a car salesman.

For example, the announcer said the rebate is $4,500 but that’s only partially true. The rebate will be either $3,500 or $4,500. Which amount you get will depend on the difference in the fuel economy between your old car and the new one. Go to the FAQ section of the CARS program and look under “What is the value of the credit for the purchase or lease of a new…” to understand how the amount is figured. A $1,000 can be an important distinction when you’re counting your pennies.

The main page of www.cars.gov gives you a quick rundown of the most pertinent info you need to know about the program. From there you can click through to the questions that will determine if your car meets “clunker” status, you can peruse the above mentioned FAQs for more in-depth info, and you can find out which dealers are taking part in the program.

Happy car shopping to those who qualify!

A Good Time to Buy a New Car

kiya@evpl — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:18:00 GMT

A customer was in today looking for the book she used many years ago to buy a new car. The book gave a breakdown for each model, what the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price was, and what the vehicle actually cost the dealer, showing her how much room there was to negotiate a lower price.

We finally decided that she was looking for Edmund's New Car Guide, which isn't available in print anymore, but only because Edmund's offers a free car-pricing service online that is more up-to-date, and can offer more features.

When you look for Edmund's New Car Guide in our catalog, you will be directed to the website "Don't Get Taken for a Ride! at www.edmunds.com . When we went to the site, the customer found the details she remembered, including a feature that allowed us to specify exactly which options or option package she desired. Then, after giving her the MSRP and the Dealer's Invoice, it also used her zip code to look at market data to see what customers in the area have actually paid for the car recently, which turned out to be lower than the Dealer Invoice. Then it gave details on the various discounts and rebates available. Finally, it offered her an opportunity to send her contact information to local dealers so they could call her with a deal, knowing that she had seen this information, and had contacted other dealers as well. She decided to forgo that, but was quite happy to have the printouts from Edmunds in her hand to help her negotiate.

Other sources of information:

Another useful website: www.carinfo.com
Buying a New Car from the Federal Trade Commission http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps71484/newcar.pdf
A fun site for kids from the Science Education for Public Understanding Program http://sv.berkeley.edu/showcase/flash/car.html
Buy or Lease a Car without getting taken for a ride from Entrepreneur Press
Don't Get Taken Every Time by Remar Sutton

Ladies and Gentlemen Start Your Engines

wag.mado@evpl — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:18:00 GMT

Central Library’s Lobby Display starting next week will be featuring circulating materials about car racing and automobiles. With the Indianapolis 500 being this weekend, and NASCAR racing in full swing, it seems a good time to pull those items off the shelf.

If you like fiction, we have plenty of books and movies about the world of automobile racing.

There are biographies about race car drivers too.

We not only have car racing resources, but also materials regarding the history of automobiles, customizing, and maintenance/repair manuals on almost every make and model for the past 20+ years. If you cannot find the right manual, you can access our Auto Repair Reference Center database from your home computer and search for repair/maintenance instructions and diagrams for your specific auto.

Maybe you're not in “love” with your car like most Americans, but just want to know how to be a more responsible owner. In that case, we have books with information on saving gas, living greener, cutting back on the use of your car, and much more.

Visit your favorite library branch to take a look - and don't forget to buckle up!

Find the right used car for you

googler@evpl — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:16:00 GMT

Having second thoughts about buying a new car this year, but need to replace your old one? In the October 2008 issue, Consumer Reports said "choosing a three-year-old car instead of a new one can save you thousands of dollars over the first five years."

But choosing and buying a used car can be a little daunting. That's why CNET's Webware recently rounded up twenty-four websites to help you out. They include:

Carfax: Don't even consider buying that used car until you consult Carfax with its Vehicle Identification Number.

Cars.com: Research, reviews, general shopping advice, and more.

Edmunds: one of the most celebrated names in automobiles because of the depth and quality of its car reviews.

Kelley Blue Book: one of the most trustworthy resources for the real value of cars you're looking to buy.

Be sure to check out the whole article for more great sites. And happy shopping!