How much do you usually spend on buying a new car?

415*

I'm 22 and going to start studying for my license, tired of the muni and spending money on bart. also since I have a toddler it's harder to travle with a stroller and everything else. So, I'm asking how much do people usually spend on a new car? or at least at a place where they sell used cars, that are still good, and worth it?
Of course since I'm a mother I need a safe car, with good air bags, and saftey features. but I'm also into small cars that can at least fit 4 to 5 people, like for example; my favorite types of cars would be between: Toyota Yaris, Ford Focus, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Fiesta.. and well, yeah. Those type of small cars, there's others that I was more interested in, but I can't remember the names..

Whenever I see a car commercial, I see the amount you'd pay monthly, plus the amount you need Due at Signing in the fine print of the commercial.. what is the amount you'd pay monthly for? if you pay around $3,000 at signing??

I know a new car is expensive! Would it be cheaper to buy a car from a friend, or someone selling them and have a michanic look at the car to make sure everything is Ok?

- leave tips on buying new car from suspicious dealers, things to look out for, and anything you'd think I should keep an eye out for, and how to make a better deal to fit my budget, money is a bit tight, but I'm able to save $100 a month till I'm at a ok price to get a car..

so, thanks :)

Answer
I have been in your shoes....okay....you are asking a very simple question that has about a billion different answers. first, how is your credit? If you dont have any, you will need a co-signer. A down payment on a car is generally about 10-15% of the sale price. Oh, and those offers on TV----don't listen to them. they DO NOT apply to you. A car payment should be no more than 20% of what you bring in per month. If you make $2000 per month, your payment should not be above $400. Just remember that.

Do your research. Ask family. Do not ask friends, they are just as unknowing as you. Mechanics want you to buy the least reliable car so that they can make money on you later. Maybe a family mechanic would be okay.

Don't buy a car from a mom/pop shop. They will ruin your life. go with a bigger name, like a new car dealer that sells used cars, or Carmax. Don't go to "Jim's Used Car Depot" for instance.

If you go used, invest in Carfax. It is about 30 bucks a month, but it allows you to search VIN's, which is pretty much a car's SSN. Carfax registers accidents, major fixes, smog repairs, insurance claims, owners. All that.

Avoid "prior rentals." As Jeff Foxworthy says, " Buying a rental car is like going to a house of ill-repute lookin for a wife. If something has been driven that hard, for that long, by that many people.....you dont want to be stickin your key in it."

Dont EVER trust a car salesman. If you are not a good negotiator, stay away from the dealership, or bring your dad with you. I was a car salesman, I know. They are up there with Lawyers and thieves.

What I would do is get approved for financing before you go to a dealership. this will prevent you from having to have credit when on the dealership. Talk to banks, and get approved before you step on the dealership. If you step on the lot with "a cash offer", so to speak, it has a very big advantage in getting a lower price for more of a car. It means the dealer won't have to finance you, and credit will not be an issue. If credit IS an issue, they will not make anything available to you until they see your credit. Any questions on that, talk to your folks.

Check fuel mileage, and insurance rates, so there is no surprise. Sports cars cost more in insurance than subcompacts, for instance.

Lastly....test drive everything you are interested in, and use it on the freeway, as well as the city, to make sure you will be comfortable in it. check the safety rating for the back seats of cars (this can be found on IIHS website). Searching for a car is fun, as long as you dont get sucked in.

P.S.----and this is important-----If you buy a car from a private seller, like out of Auto Trader or off of Craigslist, you are buyin the car AS IS. IF THE CAR BLOWS UP 10 MINUTES AFTER YOU BUY, SELLER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. Dont buy a car that cant pass smog. If you do decide on a car, pay a mechanic 60 bucks to look it over before you sign the pink slip or bill of sale.

Good luck!

What is the average weight of a car?

i need to know what the average weight of a car is, but i don't want any answers that say it differs greatly. there is an average weight to every car on the road.

Answer
Average U.S. Car Is Tipping Scales at 4,000 Pounds
The E.P.A.'s weight statistics show that the average weight of a 2003 car or light-duty truck, like a pickup, sport utility, van or minivan, was heavier than in any model year since 1976, when the average peaked at 4,079 pounds. Just five years later, after the oil shocks of the 1970's, the average had fallen by more than 20 percent, to 3,202 pounds. The figures take into account the sales volumes of different models.

http://cars.lovetoknow.com/How_Much_Does_My_Car_Weigh

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anyone have a little sports car they want to trade or sale?

boy toy

i need a little fast sports car that is a stick not an automatic. if you dont can you suggest a good little sports car for me?

Answer
yes i have an srt-4 that i would love to sell you. it has a turbo!!!

Which is the hottest convertible sports car for sale?

Susan W

Answer
I am no car expert but this is what I found out from the net.

Toyota Camry Solara is one of the hottest convertible sports car for sale. It is 190 inches to 191.5 inches in length, 71.1 inches in width, and 55.1 inches to 55.5 inches in height with a wheelbase of 105.1 inches. Its fuel capacity is 18.5 galloons. It is manufactured from 1999 to 2003 and was assembled in Cambridge and in Ontario, Canada. It has SXV-20 (I4) or CV-20 (V6) platform. Its engine could be 2.2 L 5S-FE I4 or 3.0 L 1MZ-FE V6. It has two modes of transmissions which are 4-speed automatic and 5-speed manual.

Joining the list of the convertible sports car for sale is the Cadillac Fleetwood which has both sedan and coupe or convertible versions which differ in body type. The sedan is a 4âdoor while the convertible is a 2-door.

Another coupe in the convertible sports car for sale list is Saab 9-3 (pronounced "nine three"), which is badged as 93. It has both hatchback and coupe or convertible versions which differ in body type. The convertible is a 2-door while the hatchback may be a 3-door or a 5-door.

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What are some basic information i should know before buying a used car?

sports cars 4 sale image

Q. I'm interested in buying my first car. Unfortunately I know little to nothing about cars. I do know that when buying a used car that it should have good milage. That's all i know. If you could tell me what type of cars would be good for a new owner or some helpful hints in what to look for so I don't show how obvious it is that I know nothing to the seller I would really apperciate it.

Answer
I may ramble so stay with me.

The best way to know if someone is a rube is if they don't know or incorrectly use the "lingo".
This is as true of cars as almost anything.

The second best indicator is they seem uncertain what they want.
The choices they make are wildly different. Sports car,the SUV,then family sedan, you get the idea.

Finally the "deer in the headlights" glazed look that's says "take my money,just don't hurt me".

Fortunately, the solution to all three is the same, it's free,anybody can do it and it can be loads of fun.

Still with me ? Good.
Im going to give you some tips and you are going to go out on a nice day have lunch out and go car shopping.

Not buying, shopping.

Get educated.
What kind of car do you need ? What will you be using it for most of the time ? How many people will it have to serve ? How many different needs ?

2.The lingo.
Car types
A Sedan has 4 doors and a trunk.
A Coupe has 2 doors and a trunk.
A Hatchback has 2 doors and the whole back opens.
A SUV is a truck with an enclosed body,unlike a pick up which has an open box in the back.

Engines and transmissions.
Most engines are either 4,6 or 8 cylinder. 4 is the most economical, 8 the most powerful, 6 is a good compromise for must sedans and coupes.
Transmissions are either automatic or manual. Automatic is simpler to operate and very common but costly to repair.

What to look for.
The mileage you describe is how far the car has traveled. 12K miles a year is average.
Typically a car will last well past 100k miles before expensive repairs will be needed.
Everything should work. Every switch and lever should function.
Under the hood, have someone "check the fluids". Oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, typically they should appear opaque and not have a burnt smell and be full to the limit.
The car should track straight,not pull to either side on a flat road either under braking or
just going foward.
The tires should match for brand and size (brand should be at least 3 of 4).
Measure tread with a penny. If the tread covers the top of Lincolns head it's OK.
It should recover quickly when it hits a bump.
Fluid stains under a car could indicate a leak or at a dealership that cars are moved to hide leaks.
A musty smell in the trunk or carpet indicates water damage.
A small magnet from your fridge and help you find rot and body repairs to metal parts as it wont stick to body filler or fiberglass. The place to check is around the wheel arches on the sides or anywhere the paint doesnt match.A lot of cars have plastic or fiberglas body panels these days so keep that in mind,

Try this out at a delaership where you know you won't buy a car.
Makes it easier to resist sales pressure. Be prepared to tell a dealer NO and mean it.

Last thing, check out Edmunds.com, Kelly Blue Book.com and E Bay motors to see what you like and about what it costs.
Good luck, now wasn't that a lot ? Hope it helps.

Where can I find a good web page with car seat ratings?

Expecting

We are looking to buy a convertible car seat for our 8 month old. Who's growing out of his infant car seat. If you know a web page that shows ratings and all that good information please post it on here.
Thank you.

Answer
Well, you won't find a website with safety ratings on car seats. In the United States, car seats don't receive 'ratings'. When they are crash tested they only receive a pass/fail grade. If its on sale brand new in the US, it passed. That's all the information we are given. In that light, all car seats are safe. Some things do affect how safe they are in reality, though.

When shopping Remember these rules:
1)the BEST seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and will be used correctly 100% of the time. (This is why convenience features DO make a difference and ARE worth the money!
2)children need to stay rear facing as long as possible.
Turning kids forward at 20lbs/1year is an outdated practice that could cost you your child's life!
A)A forward-facing child under 2 years old is 5 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than a rear-facing child of the same age.
B)A child's vertabrae do not fully fuse until 3-6 years old, before then, she is at great risk for internal decapitation. The spinal column can stretch up to 2 inches in a crash BUT the spinal cord can only stretch up to 1/4 inch before it snaps and baby is gone.
C)Current research suggests that children under the age of two years are 75 percent less likely to die or be seriously injured when they are riding rear facing.
D)In a recent article from Injury Prevention, it was found that the odds of severe injury to forward facing children age 12-23 months old was 5.32 times higher than a rear facing child. (Car Safety Seats For Children: Rear Facing For Best Protection; Injury Prevention 2007; 13:398-402.)
3)Once you do turn them forward facing, they need to stay in a 5 point harness as long as possible. 4 years/40lbs is the minimum for riding in a booster, and most 4 year olds have no business using one yet. If they can't sit upright for an entire trip, they need the harness of a car seat still. And, even if they do sit properly, a 5 point harness is safer, so you want to keep them in one as long as possible. This is important to consider b/c most car seats only forward face to 40lbs.

So...knowing all that, here's some about specific seats. Don't get a Graco Comfort Sport. Car seat techs call it the 'crappysport'. LOL Its a crappy seat that won't last your child very long b/c it has a really short shell. The straps twist all the time, and if they're twisted they won't support your child in a wreck properly. They're hard to install. There's nothing good about these seats except perhaps they're cheap sometimes. Ditto the Safety1st 3-in-1/Cosco Alpha Omega/Eddie Bauer 3-in1 seats. These are all the same company - same seat, just different covers. They stink. Hard to install, b/c of narrow belt paths. Ever tried to wash a skinny cup by hand? Now imagine that skinny cup with pointy edges. That's what putting your hand through these to install them is like. AND they have too short a shell to really go to 40lbs. And that's another misleading thing the box says - 5-100lbs. What the box fails to mention (you don't find out until reading the manual!) is that the harness only goes to 40lbs, NOT 100lbs! After 40lbs it must be used as a booster.And they do not make good boosters. Also, most kids have to use boosters until they're at least 8 years old. Car seats expire 6 years after the date of manufacture, so no matter what they say it is NOT the last seat you'll ever need to buy...Had to edit this part now, b/c Dorel has revamped the 3-in-1s, and if make sure you get an ALpha Omega Elite or 3-in-1 that specifically says up to 50lbs, its not a bad seat. The Triumph Advance and Britax Marathon install a heck of a lot easier, but the AOE is an ok option as long as its the new one.

The Britax Marathon/Boulevard/Decathalon (These 3 are the same seat, just different features. The Marathon a wide open easy to route belt path, which makes using it correctly a lot easier, as do the built in lockoffs, which mean you never again have to use a locking clip. Because of the way the base is made, it fits in most cars. And, it is worth the money, b/c it lasts usually twice as long as most other car seats lasting a baby till they are 5-6 years old, where most at Walmart will only last till 2-4 years old. Rear faces to 33lbs, then forward to 65lbs. and top slots 17inches tall, lasts most kids to ages 5-6 years old.

The Evenflo Triumph Advance (not the original Triumph, make sure it says Advance) is a great seat. Top slots 17", harnesses to 35lbs rear facing, and 50lbs forward facing. Wide open belt path, easy to install. The harness adjusts at the front of the car seat, you don't have to take the car seat out of the car just to raise/lower the straps. It has infinite harness adjustment so the harness always fits perfectly until its outgrown. You tighten and loosen the harness using knobs on the side of the seat. It can be used in a recline position even in forward facing mode.

The Compass True Fit, same as First Years True Fit, is great too. 16.5 inch top harness slots, half inch shorter than the Britax Marathon and Evenflo Triumph Advance. Rear faces to 35lbs, forward faces to 65lbs, has built-in lockoffs, and you never have to rethread the harness to change harness height. The headrest is removable to fit better in smaller cars.

WHY REAR FACING:
http://www.carseat.org/Resources/633.pdf
In the foreground is a forward facing seat, in the background a rear facing seat. You can see how much trauma the forward facing dummy has to endure. The rear facing child simply rides it out.
http://www.oeamtc.at/netautor/html_seiten/kisitest_2002/videos/test2002/frontcrash/maxicosipriori.mpg

Here's another video. You can see how there is NO trauma to the baby, it simply sits there waiting for it to end.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v163/jen_nah/carseats/?action=view&current=video06A_MGA_213_RearFace-Convertib.flv

The story of a child who suffered severe injuries from being forward facing when he could've been rear facing:
http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=59783

http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/stayrearfacing.aspx
http://www.car-safety.org/rearface.html

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What is the best and safest Convertible car seat on the market?

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Durty's Wi

I have done a lot of research and I am between the Britax Boulevard or the Cosco Alpha Luxe. I have to have one that holds 65 pounds or more when forward facing b/c I do not plan on buying another one until it's time for a booster seat. Anyways what car seat do you recommend, out of these two? Or any other suggestions are welcome? Thank you

Answer
The Cosco Alpha Omega Deluxe/Elite, Eddie Bauer 3-in-1, whateveres, the harness only goes to 40lbs, not 65lbs or higher. You must remove the harness and use as a booster when the child's shoulder go above the 2nd to top slots (the topmost slots on those seats is not reinforced) or he reaches 40lbs. So count that seat out. It definitely will not get your child to booster age - and it stinks as a booster anyways.

Remember these rules:
1)the BEST seat is the one that fits your child, fits your car, and will be used correctly 100% of the time. (This is why convenience features DO make a difference and ARE worth the money! If its easy to use, you're more likely to use it correctly.
2)Children should stay rear facing AS LNOG AS POSSIBLE!!!! The 20lbs/1 year rule is outdated and provides a bare minimum for turning kids forward facing. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration both recommend keeping kids rear facing as long as possible, up to the limits of their seat, preferably until at least 2 years of age. For good reason: A forward-facing child under 2 years old is 4 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash than a rear-facing child of the same age. A child's vertabrae do not fully fuse until 3-6 years old, before then, she is at great risk for internal decapitation. The spinal column can stretch up to 2 inches in a crash BUT the spinal cord can only stretch up to 1/4 inch before it snaps and baby is gone. In other countries, rear facing 2 - 3 - 4 year olds is standard, they understand that its safer. Here, we turn them as soon as we get to, seeing it as a right of passage thing or something. Ridiculous. Most convertible seats have a 30lbs rear facing limit, Cosco/Dorel/Safety1st/Eddie Bauer seats rear face to 35lbs, Britax rear faces to 33lbs.
3)Once you do turn them forward facing, they need to stay in a 5 point harness as long as possible. 4 years/40lbs is the minimum for riding in a booster, and most 4 year olds have no business using one yet. If they can't sit upright for an entire trip, they need the harness of a car seat still. And, even if they do sit properly, a 5 point harness is safer, so you want to keep them in one as long as possible. This is important to consider b/c most car seats only forward face to 40lbs. My son just turned 3, and is in the 95th% for height and weight - 40" tall and weighs 41lbs. He outgrew the 40lbs seats shortly after his 2nd birthday. It was a total waste of money.

So...knowing all that, here's some about specific seats. Please don't get a Graco Comfort Sport. Car seat techs call it the 'crappysport'. LOL Its a crappy seat that won't last your child very long b/c it has a really short shell. The straps twist all the time, and if they're twisted they won't support your child in a wreck properly. They're hard to install. There's nothing good about these seats except perhaps they're cheap sometimes. Ditto the Safety1st 3-in-1/Cosco Alpha Omega/Eddie Bauer 3-in1 seats. These are all the same company - same seat, just different covers. They stink. Hard to install, b/c of narrow belt paths. Ever tried to wash a skinny cup by hand? Now imagine that skinny cup with pointy edges. That's what putting your hand through these to install them is like. AND they have too short a shell to really go to 40lbs. And they do not make good boosters. Also, most kids have to use boosters until they're at least 8 years old. Car seats expire 6 years after the date of manufacture, so no matter what they say it is NOT the last seat you'll ever need to buy.

The Britax Marathon/Boulevard/Decathalon (These 3 are the same seat, just different variances of luxury additions, with the Marathon being the cheapest base model) can be found for regular price of $269, and on sale at Albee Baby online for $209-$219. The Marathon a wide open easy to route belt path, which makes using it correctly a lot easier, as do the built in lockoffs, which mean you never again have to use a locking clip. I can get it into 4 different vehicles in under 2 minutes. Because of the way the base is made, it fits in most cars. And, it is worth the money, b/c it lasts usually twice as long as most other car seats (all car seats expire 6 years after the date of manufacture) lasting a baby till they are 5-6 years old, where most at Walmart will only last till 2-4 years old. Rear faces to 33lbs, then forward to 65lbs. and top slots 17inches tall, lasts most kids to ages 5-6 years old.

The Evenflo Triumph Advance (not the original Triumph, make sure it says Advance) is a great seat. $150 version at Babies R Us has padding similar to Britax seats, top slots of 17", harnesses to 35lbs rear facing, and 50lbs forward facing. $120 Walmart version just has little less plush padding. Wide open belt path, easy to install, though it doesn't have built in lockoffs. The harness adjusts at the front of the car seat, you don't have to take the car seat out of the car just to raise/lower the straps. It's one of only 2 seats that does this (The Britax Boulevard is the other, I believE), and it has infinite harness adjustment so the harness always fits perfectly until its outgrown. No more tugging straps to tighten them either. You tighten and loosen the harness using knobs on the side of the seat. As a major bonus, it can be used in a recline position even in forward facing mode. Awesome for kids who still sleep in the car. I LOVE THIS SEAT! LOL My son, who is too big for every other car seat at Walmart has the same amount of room in this as the Britax Marathon.

The Fisher Price Safe Voyage Deluxe Convertible seat is great, it is made by Britax, without all the frills. It's the same shell as a Marathon, but for less than half the price. $130 at Albee Baby online with free shipping, or at their eBay name, babysurplus. Rear faces to 33lbs, forward to 55lbs. Easy to use, fits in most cars.

These are the best you can buy that will give you the most bang for your buck. As a single parent I'm always watching the budget - I have no money to speak of, and these are what I would buy. (My son has a marathon and is soon getting a Britax Regent). They will last the longest. I only wish someone would've told me all this before I had him, I coulda saved some money for the extra seats I started out with!

All seats in the US must meet the same safety criteria to sell, so technically they all are safe, however, if its hard to install, then it won't be used correctly and that makes it unsafe. Also, they only must meet the guidelines, some seats barely pass, some exceed them. Britax exceeds the guidelines and is easy to use.

Its ok to hope that the convertible seat will get your child to booster age - but keep that flexible. It doesn't always happen! My son,being big, outgrew them all but his Marathon by his 2nd birthday, and then has now outgrown the Marathon by height at 3.5, way before he's ready for a booster!

P.S. Britax is having one of their semiannual sales sometime in February (you just have to watch for the prices to drop and nab it when they do - it only lasts 7 days or less!) You could snag a Britax seat for $200 or less including shipping!

How much does it take to start a nascar business?

FunFungirl

How much does it take to start a nascar organization? A nascar business with 2 cars teams for both and building and everythingBasicallyly like Stewart Hass racing. I got a project for school and its to start our on business and I am going to do a nascar race tim and I was just wondering how much it cost to start up and the step by steps of how to do it? Thanks
NOTE PEOPLE THIS IS A PROJECT FOR SCHOOL NOT REAL LIFE!!!!!!!

Answer
I thought you were going to build your own team?

Last I heard, about 6 million for a one car team but that's 2 large track cars, 2 medium track cars, 2 small track cars, and 2 sports car track cars. Then 4 test bed cars. I do not think 6 million would include an engine shop, so you might be buying or renting your own. And I think that would include a hauler. Try Racingjunk.com. They have a lot of stuff for sale including haulers and some equipment, to give you more ideas.

6 or 10 million to run one season.

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