Is It A Good Deal ?

IsItaGoodDeal.com has just launched our first video in a series of ongoing videos in all subjects related to buying or selling your next car.

The first video will walk you through all the steps required to sell your car on Craigslist. Watch it below!

Carmax recently reported a fourth quarter 48% drop in profits. Carmax also estimates an average profit of $2500/car, which means if you do some work you can find a car for cheaper than what Carmax is selling it for. Trust me I’ve been in the car business for many, many years and I know the margins on cars and Carmax is definitely on the top end.

So if you’re looking for your next car and need some help, click on the free advice link above and e-mail me for free car advice.

I’ve been in the car business a long time and I can tell you that is definitely a better vehicle history report service than Carfax reports. is owned by Experian, which you may know as the credit reporting agency.

I just had a few people asking for pricing on cars so I did a quick search on the usual websites like Cars.com, Autotrader.com and Craigslist.org. I compared the prices I found from reputable dealers to those of the same model, year and mileage vehicle that Carmax was selling. Here is what I found:

Carmax: 2002 BMW 325i with 36k miles $18,998

Other Dealers: Not only were other dealers listing 2002 325i’s with 30-39k miles for thousands cheaper, but you could find a 2003 with the same mileage for under $18,998.

Moral of the story: Shop around, because Carmax can be severely overpriced sometimes.

If you’re thinking of selling your car to Carmax and would like a second opinion on the price they quoted you or just a general idea of how much you should be selling your car for… e-mail us at the “Free Advice” link at the top of the page and we’ll e-mail you back with free advice.

Don’t let Carmax rip you off!

Just because Carmax claims they do a 125 point inspection on every car they sell, it doesn’t mean every car they sell will be reliable and without problems.

Read the following story about a guy and his problems with Carmax: Read It Here

Consumer Reports has named four new models to its Top Picks list for 2008-the Hyundai Elantra SE and Hyundai Santa Fe as top choices for small sedans and midsized SUVs, respectively; the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado as the top choice for pickup truck; and the Lexus LS 460L as the best luxury sedan.

Here, by category, are the issue’s best performers. Changes from last year’s Top Picks list are noted:

• SMALL SEDAN: Hyundai Elantra SE. The Hyundai Elantra SE ($18,000) is a well-rounded small car that provides good fuel economy, a comfortable ride, and an interior that’s quiet, roomy, and well-equipped. The SE also has standard electronic stability control, a proven safety feature that’s absent on many other small cars. The Honda Civic EX and Mazda3 scored almost as well and are more fun to drive, but lack ESC on more affordable versions. (Last year’s Top Pick for Small Sedan was the Honda Civic.)

• MIDSIZED SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe. Redesigned for 2007, the much-improved Santa Fe ($22,000 to $31,000) edged out the Honda Pilot in CR’s tests. It provides a quiet and roomy interior, excellent fit and finish, a refined powertrain, a relatively good ride, and an optional third-row seat. Standard ESC helps provide secure handling. (Last year’s Top Pick for Midsized SUV was the Toyota Highlander Hybrid.)

• PICKUP TRUCK: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab. The redesigned Silverado ($27,000 to $39,000)
is considerably improved. It achieves a nice balance between work attributes and livability, including a
generous payload rating, a comfortable ride, improved interior quality and steering feel, and easy access. ESC
is standard on all crew-cab models. The GMC Sierra is virtually identical to the Silverado. The redesigned
Toyota Tundra outscored the Silverado in CR’s tests, but first-year reliability of the 4WD, V8 version was
below average.

• LUXURY SEDAN: Lexus LS 460L. With a score of 99 out of 100 in CR’s road test, the LS 460L ($77,000)
is CR’s highest-rated vehicle. It provides a no-compromise environment of comfort and roominess, coupled
with an isolating quietness. It also delivers quick acceleration and relatively good fuel economy. While it’s
brimming with electronic amenities, its controls are easy to use. (Last year’s Top Pick for Luxury Sedan was
the Infiniti M35.)

• FAMILY SEDAN: Honda Accord. The Accord ($22,000 to $31,000), redesigned for 2008, is a well-
rounded roomy sedan with a comfortable ride, agile handling, and smooth, refined powertrains. Electronic
stability control is standard on all models, and crash-test results are impressive. Although the Nissan Altima
edged out the Accord in CR’s ratings, most affordable versions of the Altima lack ESC, a requirement to be a
Top Pick. (This is the sixth consecutive year that the Accord was named a Top Pick for Family Sedan.)

• UPSCALE SEDAN: Infiniti G35. The G35 ($33,000 to $35,000) successfully blends sportiness and luxury.
Available in rear- or all-wheel drive, it has an exuberant powertrain, agile handling, and a well-crafted
interior. (This is the second consecutive year the G35 was named Top Pick for Upscale Sedan.)

• FUN TO DRIVE: Mazda MX-5 Miata. The MX-5 ($27,000) won drivers over with its balanced handling,
quick and precise steering, and crisp-shifting six-speed manual transmission. It virtually tied the Porsche
Boxster in CR’s test scoring, but it’s roughly half the price. The manual top can be lowered and raised with
one hand from the driver’s seat, making open motoring a snap. (Unchanged from last year.)

• SMALL SUV: Toyota RAV4. The impressive RAV4 ($23,000 to $30,000) is versatile, comfortable, and
roomy enough for a small third-row seat. The spirited V6 version accelerates quickly (the same as a Mazda
Miata from 0 to 60 mph), yet delivers an excellent 22 mpg overall. The four-cylinder version gets 23 mpg, the
best of any nonhybrid SUV CR has tested. (Unchanged from last year.)

• MINIVAN: Toyota Sienna. The Sienna ($24,000 to $37,000) is CR’s pick for the second year in a row. Its
spacious, quiet, and refined interior is on par with some luxury sedans and its V6 engine is powerful and fuel
efficient. It is also the only minivan available with all-wheel drive. The Honda Odyssey, on the other hand, is
more agile and fun to drive.

• GREEN CAR: Toyota Prius. The gas/electric Prius hybrid ($24,000) retains its lock on this category for the
fifth straight year. Despite a wave of new hybrid models, the Prius’ 44 mpg overall is still the best CR has
measured in any five-passenger car. The interior is roomy and versatile, and the Prius has been very reliable.

Information and articles from the magazine can be accessed online at www.ConsumerReports.org

I was researching the Carmax website for selling my 2004 truck. They claim to use the Kelly Book in order to get a ballpark figure. I asked the salesman how accurate the Kelly book figures are and he said they aren’t off by much but that they really don’t go by those figures, just the “MARKET VALUE” of the truck. I told him that using the Kelly book sounds like a way to get people into the store if they don’t use those figures. He agreed with me and wondered why himself. When I got the appraisal results after waiting 45 minutes, their figures were $5700.00 less than the book value. Thanks Carmax for making me drive 95 miles one way for nothing!

Looking for a used car? Get a FREE VIN check at AutoCheck®.

Have you been late on a few credit card payments? Had a previous car repossessed? Do not worry you and over a million other Americans have and you both now face lower credit scores. Unfortunately, with the lower credit score comes a harder time getting your next new or used car loan. Not every lender is keen to take risk on an applicant with bad credit.

Down Payments and Interest Rates:

Depending on the severity of your credit score, credit and legal limits of a particular US State, the down payment ranges from 20 % to 50 % and the interest rates from 5 % up to 49.99 %. Yes, that is right, 49.99% interest rates. What makes matters worse is that most bad credit loans may be a 18-36 month term, while people with good to excellent credit may see up to 84 month terms.

Some dishonest dealers at times increase the interest rates on the loan financed for that car. This leads to a borrowers failing to pay on the loan further, and thereby, runs into the more bad credit. Even if that person makes all monthly payments, the person ends up paying the double or the triple value of that car.

If you need help getting your next new or used car loan click the “FREE ADVICE” link above and we can help you find the best financing rates based on your credit.

It’s been a really snowy and awful winter here in Chicago, but having snow tires has helped so much! Obviously some cars handle a lot better in the snow than others, but tires play a huge role in how well you get through the snow. Believe it or not a sports car with winter tires might actually drive better than a SUV with the wrong or bad tires. I’d highly suggest using Tire Rack, even most Car Dealers use Tire Rack for tires for the cars on their lots. They deliver nationwide and their pricing is the best around.

Shop for winter tires at The Tire Rack.

Looking for a used car? Get a FREE VIN check at AutoCheck®.