I was reading this excellent article by Jeffiner Waters about what not say when pulled over by a cop.

Citizens who are generally law-abiding are likely to come into contact with the police only under two circumstances: If you’re a crime victim or you get pulled over for a traffic violation.

Police officers are not out to make your life miserable, but to make sure you’re following the rules of the road and not endangering yourself or those around you.

With a few exceptions, and an egregious traffic violation is top among them, cops aren’t mandated to write tickets. Most would rather send you on your way with a friendly warning — that can save you time and money.

But handle the situation with an aggressive or arrogant attitude and you can expect to squeeze an expensive court date into your busy schedule.

Read the full article below.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/110666/what-not-to-say-when-pulled-over-by-a-cop

What Not to Say When Pulled Over by a Cop is a post from: Ask Car Expert

1. “These cars cost me less than you think.”

As car dealers try to move inventory off their lots, consumers can exert more leverage in their buying power and try to negotiate the lowest price possible.

And, with online buying and selling, consumers can arm themselves with more research before making an offer: Car-buying sites like CarsDirect.com provide a car’s invoice price and the manufacturer’s retail suggested price (or MSRP), and consumer information hub Edmunds.com even lists cars’ invoice prices with various options.

What’s more, “holdback” allows dealers to pay up to 3% below invoice for vehicles. Here’s how it works: The dealer buys the car from the manufacturer at the invoice price. Then after the car is sold, the manufacturer reimburses the dealer for the cost of keeping it in inventory for 90 days. When a dealer sells the car faster than that, part of the holdback payment becomes pure profit, even if the car is sold at invoice price. “You’ll never get holdback money back from a dealer,” says Burke Leon, owner of BL Auto Enterprises, a Fullerton, Calif.-based dealership that sells nearly-new off-lease cars, and author of The Insider’s Guide to Buying a New or Used Car. But just knowing about it can help when a dealer whines that he can’t meet your price.

2. “Our lenders aren’t as tough as I’ll make them seem.”

Some car dealers will try to pass the buck regarding pricing and sales tactics. One common trick: Blame everything on the lender. For example, some dealers who don’t want to give you the price you’re asking for may tell you that the leasing company requires all deals to be based on the sticker price, says Mark Eskeldson, founder of CarInfo.com, which provides consumer-protection advice to car buyers, and author of What Car Dealers Don’t Want You to Know. That probably isn’t the case, since lenders can’t control a car’s price.

Likewise, some dealers will try to sell you an extended warranty, claiming that the lender requires it. Don’t be fooled. In its online “Facts for Consumers” report on auto-service contracts, the Federal Trade Commission tells car buyers to watch their backs: “If you’re told you must purchase an auto-service contract to qualify for financing, contact the lender yourself to find out if this is true.” The FTC also says that some people have had a hard time trying to get out of a service contract they signed up for thinking it was a standard requirement for their car loan—another good reason to ask questions before any papers have been signed.

The above article can be read completely below:

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1511/5-things-your-car-dealer-wont-tell-you/

5 Things Your Car Dealer Won’t Tell You is a post from: Ask Car Expert

60% of new cars sold nationwide sold for below their invoice price last year, according to truecar.com, a Santa Monica, Calif.-based automotive data aggregator.

MSRP is the sticker price you see on brand new cars windows.

Invoice is what the dealers pay for a car and this is in a binder usually behind the sales managers desk.

Most dealers will sell a car at invoice especially if you buy on the last day of the month which is what I recommend.

For luxury cars there is alot of profit and dealers will sell below invoice to move inventory.

Some big suvs have $5,000 to $10,000 hold back which is money the car manufacturers will give back to a dealer if they sell a big suv like a Cadillac Escade or Yukon Denali.

So if a dealer says to you I will sell a big suv $2,000 below invoice you think your getting a great deal but what if the dealer is getting $10,000 in holdback money well the dealer will still make $8,000 profit.

The biggest car tip I can give you is when your 100% sure you want to buy a car, tell the dealer you will buy a car today if they show you the invoice and they will show it too you.  Then look at the invoice for dealer holdback so you see the big picture.

To read a similar article visit
http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/autos_content_landing_pages/1496/the-easiest-cars-to-bargain-for/

The Easiest Cars To Bargain For is a post from: Ask Car Expert

Dodge is having a tent event right now if you buy a new dodge charger, dodge caravan or dodge journey you get 60 days to decide if you want to keep the car.

Thats a great sales promotion when you can actually give the car back within 60 days.

Car dealers use simple tricks like take the car for a test drive or better yet take the car 24 hours overnight and show your wife then decide.  When this happens you show off the car to all your neighbors and friends with the car parked in your driveway.

How can you return the car back to the car dealer after bragging to everyone you just b0ught a new car?

My opinion is drive the car overnight but if your not sure and want to compare other makes and models then bring it back to the car dealer. 

I remember a car loaner overnight and they came back with like 300 miles on the new car.  Must of had a hot date.

Anyways here is the new dodge TV commercial using a monkey dressed like evil kenevil who blows up the cars.

Dodge got alot of heat from animal rights activists so they have an invincible money when they changed the commercial.

Go here to watcht the videos

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93924?fp=1

Dodge Makes Monkey Disappear is a post from: Ask Car Expert

When you buy a car in your retirement years you want to watch every penny you spend.

Your monthly car payment can take a big chunk out of your monthly social security check.

This article shows you some secret tips on how to maximize social security.

Here is the full article
http://finance.yahoo.com/retirement/article/110266/secrets-to-maximizing-social-security?mod=retire-planning

Secrets to Maximizing Social Security is a post from: Ask Car Expert

Here’s a few tips and ideas.

If your the type of person to buy a car every 3 years and want the manufacturers warranty then you probably should lease for 3 years.

If you want to save alot of money then you should buy a used car preferably certified from a reputable car dealer to get the extended service contract up to 100,000 miles.

You can buy a used car direct from for sale by owners but you need to be careful.

Try to get a used car coming off a 3 year lease with under 45,000 miles that may have been a corporate vehicle that was maintained according to the service manual.

If you buy from a private owner then you will need to get your financing at your bank or credit union.

If you buy from a reputable car dealer then they can get you financed but make sure you do your homework on that used car at KBB.com

Look at all the KBB used car values as a guide not the gospel, like trade value is what the dealer probably paid and your likely going to pay retail value so do your homework.

I recommend that you talk to your banker and get preapproved with a solid interest rate and then you know what they will lend you on a car before you even go to a car dealer to avoid their yo yo scams on financing.

How to Buy a Used Car: Used Car Buying Tips

1. Try to get as low as miles as possible, allow 15,000 miles per year in the equation
2. Check the tire tread because you may need a set of tires and even wear.
3. Look at the overall condition of the exterior paint, scratches, chips, repair damage
4. Check every jamb on the car by opening hood, trunk and every door for tape marks and paint overspray to indicate prior repairs.
5. Check the interior and see overall condition and if they were a smoker. Smoke will not leave that car.
6. Test drive the vehicle with the radio off and listen for noises, squeaks and if the car pulls left or right.
7. Check the VIN in the windsheild and compare to VIN in all door jambs to match
8. If you really like the car then say I will buy the car but you want to take the car to your mechanic and pay to have a diagonositic test.  You can get this done at a car dealer for about $100.  This will be the best money spent.

One time I bought a used Honda Accord for my daughter while I was working at the car dealer for like $4,000 with about 100,000 miles.

I did not pay the mechanic to look at the car. In my mind I said it’s a Honda it will go 200,000 to 300,000 miles easy.

Well my daughter was driving her used Honda and started to go slower and took the car to a Honda dealer who said one of the cylinders was bad on the 4 cynlinder and would cost $1500.

Later after we replaced the cylinder she was on her way to college and about 2 hours away the car broke down again and was the same problem.  Honda fixed the cylinder again for free but it was a hassle to be without a car during this time period not to mention the mental aggravation so we sold the car.

Had I paid the mechanic $100 before I bought the car I would have avoided this $1,500 repair bill and would not have bought the car.

So you learn lessons in life the hard way.

Robert Reuter “Black Belt Bob”
http://www.AskCarExpert.com

How to Buy a Used Car: Used Car Buying Tips is a post from: Ask Car Expert

Your going to have to deal with one new car salesman at each car dealer.

This is how to shop and not have to deal with sales managers allowing you to leave in a hurry.

After you walk around the new car dealer lot and looking at the MSRP of all the cars your going to want to leave.

Remember you have 3 car dealers to compare and shop today.

The goal of that salesman is to get you inside the car dealer showroom for a T.O. or turn over to the sales manager.

If you go into the showroom you will fall into the trap.

The sales manager might tell you what if we put a plate on the car and you can test drive it for today and bring it back later?

The sales manger might tell you are you trading in your car? If you say yes, then you just started the negotiation process because after he appraises your car he will automatically give you numbers and monthly payments on the car you want to buy.

The sales manager might lie to you and give you a trade in dollar value way higher than your car is worth so you will remember that number to come back to the dealership.  You have to listen real close to the What If I could give you X dollars.  The key word is what if?

So here is the car buying tip:

1. never go inside the showroom for a brochure or business card

2. stay by your car and do not go near the showroom door

3. tell the salesman your in a hurry to pick up your kids

4. tell the salesman your going to shop at 3 car dealers today then decide

5. tell the saleman your not going to buy for a few months even though you may buy today

Bottom line is never go inside the car dealer showroom unless your prepared to negotitate or want to waste your time.

When To Never Go Inside The New Car Dealer Showroom? is a post from: Ask Car Expert

When you first arrive at the new car dealer you will see a group of salesman waiting like vultures.

They are either on an open floor system which means who ever greets you first is there customer.

The other system is called ups list or rotation of salesman.  The manager has a board and he knows what salesman is next on the ups list which is the best system in my opinion.

As soon as you get out of your car the salesman will meet and greet you with a welcome to xyz new car dealer my name is and your name.

Here’s the secret car tip if you want the freedom to shop around the car lot without the salesman.

Tell the salesman you want to be left alone, to give you his business card and that you will call him from your cell phone when you find the car you want to look at and test drive. 

The salesman is going to lie to you and say I do not have any business cards on him.  Then you say I guess your not prepared to do business and just tell him to keep an eye on you and you can wave him over when you need him.

Then the salesman will have to go tell the sales manager that he has a hard to deal with customer who wants to be left alone.

If the salesman tells you he does not have a cell phone you tell him that your not going to buy a car from any salesman who does not have a cell phone because if you have any problems you want the customer support you deserve.

Most experienced salesman will have cards on them even if they lie to you and tell you they do not have any on them. Most salesman will keep there business cards at there desk.  They do this so when you want to leave the car dealer they will trick you and say come on inside so I can get you a brochure and my business card.

Here’s what you will find out once you go inside, Oh we ran out of brochures the new ones will be coming in a few days.  Just give me your name and number so I can call you when the brochure arrives.

I used to keep business cards in my pocket just in case a customer wanted to leave immediately at least he would have my phone number.

The real reason for bringing you inside the car showroom is for a T.O. or turn over to a floor manager or sales manager to try and sell you a car.

Try this new car tip so you can shop in peace and if you don’t like any cars on the lot just get inside your car and drive off.

Bottom line the salesman could care less about you and just wants to make a car sale right now!

How To Shop At Car Dealers Without Pressure is a post from: Ask Car Expert

When your at the new car dealer negotiating with the car salesman he is going to get you a price from the sales manager.  When he comes back never accept this price because its the highest price you will pay for a car. 

If  you accept this price the dealer will knock your head off and make a huge commission on you and call you a laydown customer.  This means your just laying down so the car dealer can take all your money. 

Never accept the first pencil when negotiating with the car dealer!

Car Dealer Negotiating is a post from: Ask Car Expert