There are many expenses that come with owning a car. How can you save money? Often, saving money starts right at the beginning -- with the purchase. If you are looking to buy a new car, you might consider going small. Generally, the smaller the car, the cheaper it is. Plus, smaller cars usually get better gas mileage. The cheaper the vehicle, the cheaper the insurance premiums. You should pick out several different vehicles and then ask your agent for quotes on them. This way, there are no surprises after the deal is done. Did you know that automatic transmissions get five miles per gallon less than manual transmission vehicles? If you know how to drive a stick, it might just save you some money. Six-cylinder engines get five miles per gallon less than four-cylinder engines. Consider all of the options when purchasing. You can save money by keeping your car a little longer. Don't simply trade in for a new vehicle every two to three years. You lose money through low trade-in values. If you plan on getting a new car, why not try to sell your current one as a private sale. You can get what the dealer would out of it, giving you money for a downpayment on the new vehicle. Many dealers will try to push extras on you like credit life or disability insurance, service contracts, extended warranties and gap insurance. Your regular life, disability and gap insurance (through your auto policy) should protect you just fine. There is no point in being double-covered. You are paying twice, but you will only be paid back once. The extended warranties usually aren't worth what you are being charged. They are often very limited and are available directly from providers at a fraction of the dealer cost. Once you have your car, you should make sure that you are fanatical about keeping up on maintenance. A poorly tuned car will use almost 33% more gasoline each year. By changing the oil and oil filter every 3,000 miles, you are extending the life of your vehicle's engine. Make sure that the air filter is clean to get the best possible gas mileage. Also make sure that your tires are filled to the appropriate psi. You shouldn't use a higher octane gasoline than recommended in your owner's manual. Most cars don't need high-octane gas, so it is simply a waste to your vehicle. Check your manual for the correct octane level for your vehicle. When filling the gas tank, don't top it off. When it is hot out, gas expands and it will simply run off. You are paying for what you are never using. It isn't hard to find ways to save money on vehicle expenses. The number one way is to drive less. Consider carpooling or walking. Park in one central location when running errands and walk from place to place. This not only saves gas, but gives a good work out. |
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