Car Buying Resources

Looking to buy a car? Here's a list of resources for you to consult before stepping foot at a car showroom:

• 10 Ways to Buy A Car Without Getting Ripped Off (OutOfYourRut.com)
  
  
• Car Dealer Scams to Avoid (Forbes). What to watch out for the next time you're in a car dealer's showroom. See also In Pictures: Car Dealer Scams to Avoid and Tech Options To Forgo.
  


• Beat the "Four Square" Dealer Rip Off (Consumerist). A very detailed breakdown of how a car dealership manipulates buyers with the four-square worksheet.


• Showroom Turncoat Comes Clean (Car & Driver Magazine). Learn the tricks that car salesmen use on unsuspecting customers.
  


• Car Dealers' Tricks to Watch Out For (Car & Driver Magazine). More car salesmen's tricks of the trade.
  


• Car Shopping on the Offensive: 8 Aggressive Buying Tactics (Car & Driver Magazine). How to outsmart the car salesman.
  


• Deceptive Car Salesman Tactics For Popular Cars (My Money Blog)


• Fueleconomy.gov - useful site to check out how thirsty your new car is going to be.


• More than you ever wanted to know about buying a car (Broward College) - a Car Buying 101 site. Great for the newbie.


• Car Shopping Generates Many Questions (Washington Post)


• Smart Car Shoppers Ask to See Invoice (Washington Post)
  


• Dealing and Wheeling (Washington Post)


• CarBuyingTips.com


• TrueCar.com


• US News & World Reports' Rankings of Cars & Trucks
  


• 2010 Cars: Where the Deals Are (Kiplinger.com). Kiplinger Magazine's advice for finding deals for cars in 2010.


• Guide to Getting the Best Value (Kiplinger.com). Kiplinger Magazine's rankings of the best values in cars.

How to Avoid Being Fleeced When Buying A Car

Since the legislation for the "Car Allowance Rebate System" (CARS), popularly known as the "cash for clunkers" rebate program was passed, car dealers are now waiting for the hordes of potential new car buyers heading their way to sign the dotted line for a new vehicle. If you are one of those potential new car buyers, below is a round-up of resources to find out whether you qualify, what your "clunker" is worth, and how to avoid being fleeced by car dealers:

• In The Market For A New Vehicle? Here Are The Details Of The New CARS Credit Program. The Consumerist has compiled a list of helpful information that you need to know to determine whether it is worth your while to trade in your old car for a new car, and how to protect yourself from scammers.


• "Beware 'Cash for Clunkers' scams" A timely reminder from CNN about the usual scammers out to make you part with your hard earn money.
  


• www.cars.gov. Get the facts from the official government site.
  


• "Edmunds.com Provides List of Vehicles Eligible for "Cash for Clunkers" Rebate". Edmunds.com has compiled a helpful list of vehicles that are eligible for the "cash for clunkers" rebate. Check here to see whether your old car qualifies.
  


• Car Dealers' Tricks To Watch For. This article by Car and Driver is a must-read, to prep for the hardball tactics that many dealerships prey on unsuspecting buyers.
  

More Reviews on the new Honda Insight hybrid

Here are more reviews and articles on the new Honda Insight hybrid:

• Wall Street Journal: Honda's New Insight Targets the Prius


• New York Times: A New Hybrid Sprouts in the Shadow of the Prius


• New York Times: New Honda Takes on the Prius
  

I have also blogged about my interest in the Honda Insight: Honda Insight Launch

New Car Buying Tips & Avoiding Car Dealer Tricks

The website carbuyingtips.com gives lots of good advice, strategies, and tactics for buying a car and avoiding being taken for a ride by the dealer. It teaches you about how dealers squeeze money from car buyers and how you, as a buyer can save by understanding the strategies and tactics used by dealers.

Toyota Trims Price of Prius to compete with Honda's Insight Hybrid

Toyota has decided to lower the prices of their 2010 Prius to compete with Honda's new Insight hybrid, which will be officially launched on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. This is good news for those looking to save money on new hybrids.

See also my blog posting yesterday: Honda Insight launch

Honda Insight Launch

I received a mailing from my local Honda dealer to an invitation only launch of the new Honda Insight hybrid this Wednesday evening (Apr 22). Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it, since I have another appointment at that time. Moreover, as an early adopter who bought one of the earlier Honda Fit to arrive in the U.S. 3 years ago (April 2006), I am still ecstatic by my Honda Fit, which is a frugal yet chic/sporty car. When I have the time, I'll blog about my experiences after having this car for 3 years now. Anyway, for those interested in the new Honda Insight hybrid, here are links to information to satisfy your curiosity:

• Honda's official Insight page
• Honda Insight's Pricing & EPA Data
• Honda Insight's Specifications & Features
• Temple of VTEC's Jeff Palmer's Test Drive of the Honda Insight

Other Useful Information from Honda's Official Media Kit:

• Honda Insight's Overview
  
• Honda Insight's Concept & Background
  
• Honda Insight's Environmental Performance
  
• Honda Insight's Powertrain
• Honda Insight's Safety

I'd be interested in any comments/feedback from any early adopter who has bought a production model of the Insight.