by Heather Conary
When you buy your next car, you might think about trading your older one in to a dealership.  While this is convenient, and may be the best option for you, it can be more lucrative to sell your car as a private party.  Using the same process and techniques that dealerships use to sell cars, you can make sure you get top dollar for your investment!

In Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 we talked about how to get your car in tip-top selling condition, getting your information organized and ready, taking great photos, and researching and setting a price!  In Part 5, the final piece, we’ll talk about writing a great description and advertising your car.

To get a printable checklist to walk through Part 5: Write a Good Description, visit http://www.illuminationdesign.com/askpatty/

Write a Good Description
You should write your description as if you were having a conversation with the person reading it.  The best descriptions are friendly, yet thorough. 
•    Detail all of the information you gathered in Part 2, including the basic information (mileage, transmission, engine).
•    Note what features and options your car has, including any aftermarket/non-factory ones.

Think about who will want your car.  Use this to build a headline or summary, like one of the following:
•    Is it a little older, with higher miles?  Is it a small car?  “Perfect first car!”
•    Is it a minivan or SUV? “Perfect for a family!”
•    Does it need a little work?  “Great for someone mechanically inclined!”

Sadly, Fox Television has parked its cross-country driving drama after just two weeks on the air. "Drive" is (was?) an action-fueled drama following a group of Americans competing for their lives (or the lives of their loved ones) in an underground cross-country road race.

In its first night online, the two back-to-back episodes of "Drive" were stuck in the slow lane, and averaged only a 2.6 rating among adults 18 to 49, according to preliminary Nielsens. Its next regular one-hour show, which aired the following night, only received a 2.4 rating. (Ratings courtesy tvweek.com)

According to an article at cnn.com " 'Drive' never clicked with viewers, and its two low-rated airings on Mondays seemed to hurt its leadout, "24," which posted its lowest adults 18-49 rating for an original episode in more than three years." It can difficult for anything to click with anybody if you only allow them two weeks -- or four episodes - to connect.

Article from the Detroit News:
Katy Younglove hopes to someday make a name for herself as Ms. Goodwrench.

The 18-year-old from Monroe was the first-ever female to compete in the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition, and her team came in third. Her partner on the team was classmate Craig Suydam, also a senior at Monroe High School.

"I was really excited when I found out I was going to be the first female to ever be in the contest," she said. "I really wanted to show everyone what I can do."

Robert Kaczor, assistant vice president of automotive services for AAA Michigan and AAA Chicago, said Younglove's participation in the contest will hopefully start a trend. "You don't find too many women in the auto repair and service field," he said. "But it's nice to see Katy here. I think that this provides an opportunity to bring more diversity into the auto service industry."

The event -- now in its 14th year -- was held Wednesday at the Macomb Community College Sports & Expo Center in Warren.

Twenty students from nine Michigan high schools and tech centers vied for top honors in the contest, which pitted two-person teams against each other in a race to correctly diagnose and repair engine problems on identical vehicles.

 

by Kathy Gilbert
I used to think that shopping was only for women, until I watched men in the sporting goods store.  I realized that everyone enjoys shopping when they are buying something for themselves or for someone they care about.

Shopping for your new or next vehicle purchase can offer the same amount of enjoyment.  As women, we account for over 51% of the population and influence over 80% of vehicles and accessories purchased.  We are homemakers, single mothers, students, teachers, business women and hard workers.  We are taking the lead and making our own decisions.

As such, women are in the market to purchase cars without the assistance of a significant other.  Sure, they offer advice and support… but the ultimate decision is ours.  Some of us have purchased before and some will be going to the mall (the showroom) for the first time.

So, as you leave the shopping cart and move onto the dealership showroom, remember how much fun shopping (of any kind) can be.   So, how do we prepare for the next big purchase?

Prepare For The Shopping Trip
“Do your homework”, is the advice often given. But, guess what? That is exactly the first step. Being knowledgeable, doing your research and asking questions is very important. What type of car do you want, how much do you want to pay for it, do you have a trade, what’s the value of your trade, what features are most important to you… Many of us are focused on the monthly obligation and the down payment. But, safety, convenience and beauty are also on the list.

Once we have answered some of the basic questions. We use many of the resources available to us – like the Internet or the library -  to find out the asking price, the dealership that will offer the make/model/color we desire and most importantly, the features offered on the base model.

Trip To The Mall (Showroom)
Visiting the dealership with information in tow, we can expect to get varying responses.  Dealerships have been adjusting/modifying their marketing strategies over the years to address changing times (economic, market conditions, etc.)  And today isn’t much different.

Dealerships are doing more to market to women.  They are cognizant of our presence and making an effort to better service our needs.  With ads in the media outlets we read and hiring more diverse and female employees, dealerships understand the value we bring.  They understand the changing demographics and the buying influence.

From the initial window shopping to the final purchase, dealerships are making changes in the dealership to better appeal to and service the female shopper. 

Once the selection is made from a knowledgeable salesperson, that’s in tune with your needs, you move forward with the purchase, remembering that everything is negotiable.

When we present our customers with a large repair estimate for their older car, the question I get over and over again is: Should I keep this old clunker or buy a newer car?

When you’re faced with a large repair bill, it’s natural to dream of getting a better car, a newer model or just a more reliable vehicle.

However, most of us live in a practical world of hard financial decisions, and the purchase of a newer car is not to be taken lightly.  So, when should you repair your car, and when should you buy new transportation?

This is obviously a subjective question without a clear, right or wrong answer.  Many factors figure into this decision. If you figure that the average driver purchases perhaps only five to 10 cars in an entire lifetime, it’s not like deciding whether to buy a new pair of jeans.

First, you’ll need to ask yourself some questions.  If money is a finite resource for you, as it is for most of us, have you properly budgeted and examined how much you can afford to spend on repairs as opposed to buying a new car? Please don’t forget to factor in the cost of sales tax and the insurance payments on a newer car.

In addition, you will obviously need to determine the nature of the malfunction.  What broke down?  Is it serious?  What’s the total cost of parts and labor?  What’s that expense compared to the total outlay of a down payment and new monthly payments on a replacement vehicle?

In most cases, you save significantly by fixing your current car as opposed to purchasing a new vehicle.

Be aware of how much new cars cost these days – regardless of whether you buy or lease.  Even moderately priced smaller models (like Honda Civic, Toyota Echo and Ford Focus) can carry a sticker price of $15,000 loaded.  If you lease the vehicle and add in the various related fees, the total amount spent climbs higher and, you’re left with no equity after the lease period.

If the body of your current car is in reasonably good shape (check the underbody to see how rusty it is) and the car suits your needs, take it to your mechanic and find out how much it would cost to bring it into mechanically good condition. You may find that, even if it needs transmission or engine work with new tires and shocks, these repairs may cost less than the sales tax on a new car.  Check out your present vehicle thoroughly, then decide.

United Spinal Motorsports committee was in race mode  April 12th at Irwindale Raceway in California to support the Redi Auto Sport Track Challenge 2007.

With solo racing events and an array of entertainment and refreshments for the whole family, the event brought a new opportunity to promote and advertise the United Spinal Motorsports " Living Life in Motion" program to the disabled community and beyond.

Race car driver's representing United Spinal were Clair Russell Hesselton , President of the United Spinal Association , Carol Hollfelder, Steve "Wheels" Bucaro and Justin Bonsignore and committee members supporting our drivers Devera Lynn Director of Marketing for United Spinal, myself and several cheering race fans!

The mission of United Spinal Association’s Motorsports program is to encourage people with disabilities, including individuals who use adaptive automotive equipment, to participate in competitive motorsports. It is also to cultivate partnerships within the motorsports industry in support of the program, thus raising awareness about spinal cord injuries and disorders.

With the support of the SCCA, United Spinal members who are interested in hitting the track, will have access to many key contacts within the SCCA Family, including Jerry Lamb, a 45 year-old paraplegic United Spinal member and professional Solo driver, who will be able to provide driving and safety tips; Solo Tech Manager Doug Gil, an ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technician, who can assist with car maintenance and hand control advice; and Michael Dickerson, SCCA Region Development Manager, who can connect United Spinal members nationwide to Solo events in their area.

For more information about our Motorsports program, call 800.404.2898 ext. 239 or e-mail motorsports@unitedspinal.org

Jody DeVere
United Spinal
Motorsports Committee Chair
President
AskPatty.com

by Laurie Yarnell of iVillage's Embedded in the 'Burbs
One thing I don’t miss now that those younger people who share my DNA have both been granted permission to navigate two-ton hunks of metal on the road? All the schlepping. My fellow suburban sisters in maternal servitude know just the tiresome trekking I mean.

Of course, in addition to the other carpool moms, some babysitters, and occasional grandmas pressed into service, my husband did do a lap or two behind the wheel. But by the time I counted down the minutes to take-off, assembled and cleaned up the appropriate passengers, provisions and assorted gear, and had hand-drawn – to scale – a detailed map of the best route (highlighting any super-sized home improvement stores along the way), it would be, I’d discover, easier to just drive to say, Helsinki, and back, all by myself.

Indeed, why is it that Y-chromosomed individuals always seem to need assistants – someone to find the missing picture hook, hold the picture they’re attempting to hang on the wall so they can see if it’s centered, steady the step ladder, etc.? Those of us with X-chromosomes just seem to take the task and run with it, whether it’s whipping up that holiday family meal for 20 or unearthing the AWOL permission slip from the archeological dig otherwise known as the kitchen table.

Our other halves? They’re the ones that can’t find the corkscrew without a map – preferably one that shows the location of the nearest Home Depot.

When it comes to driving safely, it’s easy to take your vehicle’s ability to stop for granted – until you really need it.

According to brake expert Akebono, your brakes often reveal possible serious situations when they make noise, pull, judder – another term for vibrate – or feel soft. Addressing these symptoms promptly enhances your safety and may save time and money in the long run.

Brake Squealing and Groaning Squealing noises soon after a brake job may indicate there is a problem. You should return to the shop where the work was done as soon as possible, to have the brakes checked out by a technician. Installing premium brake pads, calipers and rotors may cost a bit more up front, but often provides noise- and vibration-free operation and longer pad life.

In some instances, however, brake squealing simply indicates the pads are worn down and those squeaking wear indicators are doing their job.

The abrasive nature of many traditional brake pads against the rotor may also cause squealing. Low quality rotors could be the noise culprit, as well. Neither of these situations is ideal, but the resulting noise is more annoying than anything else.

Groaning noises also can be caused by low quality or abrasive brake pads. Squealing and groaning can both be minimized by installing premium brake system components. Have your installer use the same type of pad fitted as original equipment or an upgrade pad. Ultra-premium ceramic pads, such as Akebono’s ProACT brand, are now available for virtually all domestic, Japanese and European models.

Ask Patty found this great article on The Digerati Life about the average life cost of a vehicle. Whoo boy, get out your check books!

Do You Really Know How Much It Costs To Own Your Car?
By Silicon Valley Blogger
his was once a Ferrari Enzo, and every time one of these gets totaled, it ends up in the news. This particular one was wrecked by comedian and actor Eddie Griffin. There are not very many of them around, so trashing one will get you some publicity. Such cars are priced at $1.5 million, so the sight of this total loss almost made me wince as hard as when I found out how much my 93,000 mile service was going to cost me last week. Somehow, I felt the same pain that the loss of such an exotic car must’ve cost its owner, even though I was simply $2,000 lighter.

The amount was such that I wondered if I were being fleeced for what I believe is a straightforward car check up. Still, I patronize a reputable dealership and my vehicle is an 8 seater van that was bogged down with what the dealer claimed were busted brakes, cracked engine mount, and old spark plugs.

Take a look at my charges.

Maintenance Fees for One Family Van

This is some serious outlay for us!  So before you purchase a vehicle, be aware of its true costs of ownership. Depending on the kind of car you get, it may end up actually costing you more than you think it will. Here is a chart showing what a family van can really run you, taking all its costs into consideration. Incredibly, I’m seeing that the total cost of owning my van appears to be actually twice the retail price I paid for it!

Check out Digerati Life for the rest of the article and even more specs and numbers!