-New car buying tips:

1. Deciding how much you can afford to spend on your new car:
a. What you can afford to spend on a car in total.
b. How much money you have for a down payment.
c. A monthly payment you can afford.

2. Investigating the new car you want to buy:
a. Which do you prefer, manual or automatic?
b. Which do you need: 2, 4, or all wheel drive?
c. Do you go off-roading?
d. How long is your daily commute to work and back?
e. Does the seat adjust (if you are shorter or taller and need to adjust)?
f. Do you need cup holders in the car?
g. Is leg room for your passengers an issue?
h. Does the trunk provide sufficient room?
g. Does it have a AM/FM, tape player or CD player?
h. Do you go on a great deal of road trips?
i. Do you need a lot of cargo room?
j. How many passengers do you have in your car on a regular basis?
k. Are you looking for a specific color (not all cars are available in the same color)?
l. What is the car's top speed?

3. Finalizing a deal on your new car:
If you follow this step by step guide to buying a new car and make wise decisions, you should have no problem driving a brand new car off the lot with the relief of knowing that you got what you wanted and will be able to afford it.

Special thanks to cartipsandmore.com

-Used car buying tips:

1. Deciding how much you can afford to spend on your used car:
a. What you can afford to spend on a car in total.
b. How much money you have for a down payment.
c. A monthly payment you can afford.

2. Finding the used car for you:
1. Asking price.
2. What is the lowest offer you are willing to accept? or Is your price firm?
3. Are you the original owner? (If not, where did you buy the car?)
4. Color of the car.
5. Description of the car.
6. What work has been done to the car? (New parts, service records, etc.)
7. Has the car been in any accidents (no matter how small)?
8. Why are you selling your car?
9. Are there any potential problems that you know off?

3. Picking the best used car for you.
How long is your daily commute to work and back?
Does the seat adjust (if you are shorter or taller and need to adjust)?
Do you need cup holders in the car?
Is leg room for your passengers an issue?
Does the trunk provide sufficient room?
Does it have a AM/FM, tape player or CD player?
What is the car's top speed?
Do you go on a great deal of road trips?
Do you need a lot of cargo room?
How many passengers do you have in your car on a regular basis?
Which do you prefer, manual or automatic?
Which do you need: 2, 4, or all wheel drive?
Do you go off-roading?

Buying a used car can be a very tricky process but if you are careful and take your time, you will be very happy with your car. Don't rush into a used car because it could end up costing you so much in repairs that you would have been better off buying a brand new car that was more expensive.

Special thanks to cartipsandmore.com

-Selling your car:

1. Set a fair price for your used car. Don't get greedy. Do a little research and see what other used cars similar to yours are being sold for.

2. Get your car cleaned up and do any minor maintenance that may be necessary. Don't let a potential buyer be discouraged by a headlight that's out or a filthy car. Fluid top offs, minor repairs, inflating the tires to specs, and changing lights that may be out are small steps but can get you a better price.

3. Buy a maintenance log, gather all of your maintenance receipts and put together a presentable maintenance log. Any potential buyer who is a smart car shopper will want to see how the vehicle has been maintained.

4. Set aside a sales budget of about $100.00 - $150.00 to advertise the sale of your car.

5. Start advertising the sale of your car. There are so many ways to do this. All newspapers have classified sections that are relatively inexpensive to advertise in. There are also numerous car trader magazines that are printed and sold as just classifieds for car sales.

6. Make up a flyer, preferably color, about your car. Give all details, a photo of the car, your name, address, and phone number. These flyers can be given to any potential buyers or anyone you may be talking to who seems interested in your used car.

7. When people reply to your advertising and want to come see your car, be careful and make sure you meet them in a populated area in good light. If its at your home, make sure your driveway is well lit and let one of your neighbors know that for the next week you will be having people look at your car.

8. When allowing people to test drive make sure you know they have a license first. If they are unlicensed and they get in an accident, the insurance company will put this as your responsibility.

9. When a potential buyer tells you that he is very interested and would like to buy your car, he needs to leave a deposit if he would like you to hold the car for him. Be sure to tell him that even with the deposit, you will only hold the car for a certain amount of time and the potential buyer has to be back by that day with the money to buy the car or you will consider selling it to someone else.

10. When selling your car, make sure to write out or type out 2 identical bills of sale with all the important information on them for each one of you to sign. Once both parties have signed both, each person would get a copy. Also make sure that all promises and agreements are listed and signed.

11. Make sure all paperwork is filled out completely and taken care of. Don't leave any loose ends. The title will need to be signed by both parties and transferred within 15 days.

When selling your used car, patience is definitely a virtue. This is not an overnight process so be patient. Because the process of selling your used car takes time, make sure you start the process early so you don't get desperate when you want to get into that new car.

Special thanks to cartipsandmore.com

-Use your Safety Belt:

In most country, safety belt use is required by law. Because your car is equipped with an air bag does not mean you can get by without wearing your safety belt. Air bags are only a supplement to safety belts.

A properly adjusted safety belt has the lap belt positioned low and tight across the hips, not the stomach. If the safety belt includes a shoulder belt, it should be placed over the shoulder, not under the arm or behind the occupant. A lap belt and shoulder belt, properly used, will minimize most injuries due to a crash.

-Vehicle Care

Defensive driving starts with vehicle maintenance. The following items should be checked regularly:

• Brakes and brake fluid
  
• Belts (fan, alternator and A/C)
  
• Tires and tire pressure
  
• Engine fluids (motor oil, transmission fluid, coolant)
  
• Lights
  
• Wiper blades
  
• Windshield and window cleanliness

The inside of the car should be well maintained, too. All items should be secured during the trip so they don't become a projectile during a sudden maneuver.

-Plan Your Route

Before leaving on your trip, know the route you are going to take. Keep a current map in the car for reference. If you have to refer to a map, pull off the road to a safe area, such as a rest stop or parking lot. If lost, ask for directions. Most important, if you are lost, stay in control of your emotions.

- Cell Phone

Car phones are very popular and many people now own one. Research indicates that the improper use of car phones is a safety hazard. Some research indicates a driver's reaction time is slowed by three to four times while using a car phone. The best and safest situation is to be stopped when using the phone.

If you are planning on purchasing a phone, consider the type of phone and its ease of operation. The best type of phone would include a hands-free, speakerphone option. This type of phone allows you to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times. The phone should also allow for speed dialing of frequently used phone numbers.

-Being Sleepy is Danger

Being sleepy is dangerous when you are behind the wheel. Sleepiness slows reaction time, decreases awareness and impairs judgment. The following are some danger signs for drowsy drivers:

• Your eyes close or go out of focus by themselves.
  
• You have trouble keeping your head up.
  
• You can't stop yawning.
  
• You have wandering, disconnected thoughts.
  
• You don't remember driving the last few miles.
  
• You missed your exit.
  
• You keep driving out of your lane.
  
• Your speed becomes variable.
  

• Get rest and don't start a trip late in the day.
  
• If possible, don't drive alone.
  
• Avoid driving at night.
  
• Adjust your vehicle's environment to stay alert.
  
• Watch your posture.
  
• Take frequent breaks and exercise.
  
• Stop for light meals and snacks.
  
• Don't allow your eyes to become fatigued and hypnotized. Wear sunglasses to fight glare.
  
• Break the monotony.
  
• If all else fails, pull over to a safe area and sleep.

• One way to practice safe driving is to allow space between you and the other vehicles. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by the two-second following rule.
  
• When the vehicle ahead of you passes a fixed object, start counting. Count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two." If you have reached the fixed object before "two," you are following too closely. If this is the case, slow down to create the two-second space.