"One must choose, in life, between making money and spending it. There's no time to do both." - Edouard Bourdet

SavingAdvice.com Blog

Bridging the gap between saving money and investing

Cars

These 22 Cars Are The Highest Quality Models of The Year

By Leave a Comment

Highest quality models

Buying a quality vehicle can help you save money in the long-run. You won’t have to purchase a vehicle as often if you lean towards the highest quality models. These 22 cars being made in 2019 will give you a good run for your money.

What Are The Highest Quality Models in 2019?

For the second year in a row, Korean car brands dominated the list of highest-quality cars in the United States. Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia took the first three spots on the list. All three brands are part of the same Korean manufacturing group. According to the annual survey by J.D. Power, the electronics performance in the vehicles was especially great.

The survey, which is released every year, takes a look at how new cars perform within their first 90 days. It tracks defects, shortcomings, and any problems with advanced safety systems. This plays an influential role in the public perception of vehicle brands. However, it does not gauge reliability in the long-term. It also doesn’t track the popularity or value of the vehicles.

In 2019, vehicle quality stayed flat and did not improve for the first time in five years. “Automakers continue to make progress in areas like infotainment that attract a lot of consumer attention,” Dave Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power, stated. “However, some traditional problems crept up this year including paint imperfections, brake and suspension noises, engines not starting and the ‘check engine’ light coming on early in the ownership experience.”

2019 Quality Cars

Highest quality models

It seems many car buyers are having issues with advanced assistance systems in their vehicles. In most cases, these systems are critical in helping build trust in automated cars in the future. Below is a list of the highest-rated vehicles in 2019.

  1. Genesis
  2. Kia
  3. Hyundai
  4. Ford
  5. Lincoln
  6. Chevrolet
  7. Nissan
  8. Dodge
  9. Lexus
  10. Toyota
  11. Buick
  12. GMC
  13. Mazda
  14. Mercedes-Benz
  15. Porsche
  16. Honda
  17. Cadillac
  18. Jeep
  19. Infiniti
  20. BMW
  21. Ram
  22. Audi
  23. Mini
  24. Acura
  25. Chrysler
  26. Subaru
  27. Volkswagen
  28. Volvo
  29. Alfa Romeo
  30. Mitsubishi
  31. Land Rover
  32. Jaguar

Tesla was not measured in this year’s survey. “For certain states, we need the manufacturer’s permission for us to contact their customers,” J.D. Power said in a statement. “These states make up approximately 70% of Tesla’s sales volume, and Tesla does not give us approval in these states. (All other automakers do give permission.) Therefore we only have responses from states which comprise about 30% of Tesla’s sales volume, and our current rules preclude us from reporting publicly on what may be an unrepresentative sample of customers.”

Read More

10 Car Maintenance Tips To Prep for Winter

By Leave a Comment

car maintenance tips
With kids headed back to school, many people don’t have travel plans until the holidays. Not having any plans to drive long distances, the fall presents a perfect time to perform regular maintenance on your vehicle in preparation for the winter. Here are a few car maintenance tips to get your car ready for cooler weather.

Car Maintenance Tips for Winter

Preparing your car for the colder winter months is important. Below are 10 tips from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and CarCare.org.

  1. Read your owner’s manual and follow the recommended service schedules. Generally, there are two service schedules listed (normal and severe). Any service lights on in your car should be taken care of before the weather gets colder.
  2. Replace wiper blades and fluid. Freezing rain and snow will be here before you know it. You may consider stocking up on wiper fluid and keep an ice scraper in your car. Your wipers and fluid will deteriorate quickly.
  3. Check heater and defroster. Defrost is necessary in order to have good visibility, especially in the snow. Not to mention, not having heat in your car throughout the winter is miserable. Check these functions and have them fixed if needed.
  4. Have your battery checked. If you do get stranded in the snow or even need a tow on a cold night, you’ll want to be sure your battery is charged. This way, you’ll have a way to turn the heat on while you wait.
  5. Stock your car with the items needed for emergencies. Even if your heater, battery, and everything else is in tip-top shape, you should prepare for emergencies. Keep a blanket, jumper cables, flares, water, flashlight, snacks, gloves, a small shovel, and a car charger for your cell phone.
  6. Make sure your brakes are up to par. Have your brakes checked or have them replaced before winter. Driving on worn brake pads will destroy your rotors and it decreases stopping power.
  7. Check your tire tread. If your tire tread is low it will impact your ability to safely drive in snow or ice. People living in areas that have heavy snow may consider purchasing snow tires.
  8. Replace filters. You’ve probably been running your A/C all summer. Be sure to change your air filters prior to the colder months.
  9. Get any existing problems fixed. Cold weather will only make them worse. If your brakes have been bad, the cold weather will make them break down faster. The same is true of any engine problems. Extreme weather changes will intensify your problem. Take your car in to get serviced before it gets cold.
  10. Perform other basic maintenance. This includes oil changes, fluid top offs and flushes, tire alignments, and other basic care. Each of these things needs to be done on a regular basis. Doing so will minimize the likelihood of you having car trouble.

The end of summer marks the perfect time to be sure your car is in the best shape possible for fall and the upcoming winter. Consider the car maintenance tips above when prepping your vehicle.

For money-saving car maintenance tips, check out the video below!

Readers, do you have a car maintenance tip you’d add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!

Read More

Should You Buy Your College Student a Car?

By Leave a Comment

cars and college students
Preparing for college can be stressful. Oftentimes, many questions arise that you’ve never considered, like should you buy your child a car for college? When it comes to cars and college students, there are a number of things to consider before making a decision.

Financial Considerations

Whether or not your child needs a car at school depends on a number of things. Obviously, you want them to be able to travel to-and-from the grocery store and visit home without any mishaps. However, it may not be all that necessary for them to have a car on campus. In fact, many schools prohibit first-year students from having a vehicle on campus.

This is to promote freshmen to be more involved on campus and not travel home as much but it can have its financial benefits as well.

The average 18-year-0ld pays $3,148 in insurance each year. Annually, you can also expect to spend more than $1,200 on gas, $800 on maintenance, and around $700 on licenses, taxes, and registration. Not to mention that if your child decides to bring a car on campus they will also have to pay for a parking pass as well as other parking costs.

It is also good to consider the financial perks of having a car on campus as well. Although having a car may be expensive, on-campus stores usually charge high prices for snack items. Having a car can help save money on groceries. It can also provide a way for them to save money when traveling home for the holidays. Instead of an expensive plane ticket, they’ll be able to drive their car.

All in all, you will need to weigh out how much you stand to save vs how much you stand to lose when sending your child to school with a car. This should determine whether or not you decide to do so.

Best Cars for College Students

If you’re going to spend the money on it though, it is a good idea to do research and determine which car may be a good fit for your child. Luckily, Edmunds releases a list of best used cars for college students each year. Parents considering purchasing their college student a car should think about the options listed below.

  • 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid: On average, a newer used Honda Accord runs about $16,430. It gets 49 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. It is a popular car amongst college students because of its fuel efficiency and utility (seating up to five).
  • 2013 Volkswagen GTI: The GTI has an appeal to people who love cars. You can get a 2013 GTI for around $13,826. This model gets 24 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
  • 2014 Mazda 3: Comparable to the GTI, a Mazda 3 is a bit more affordable at an average price of $12,770. It also gets better gas mileage at 29 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.
  • 2016 Toyota Rav4: For students looking for a bit more space and utility in their vehicle, there is the Toyota Rav4. You can get a 2016 model for around $21,235. It isn’t as great on gas mileage (23 city/30 highway) but you’ll have plenty of space for road trips.

When it comes to finding a car that will be safe and provide value for your student, you’ll want to go newer but used. Each of the options above, along with a number of other used cars may be the perfect fit for your child. The key to finding the right car is determining what will fit your budget, shopping around, and comparing prices as well as weighing needs and wants.

Readers, do you think you should buy your college student a car? 

Read More

What Determines Your Car Insurance Premiums Might Surprise You

By Leave a Comment

Car Insurance Premiums

Insurance companies keep the exact formula for calculating car insurance rates a highly guarded secret. However, there are known things that affect car insurance premiums. Some of them will surprise you.

Your Gender

Car insurance costs less for women because numerous statistics show they are much safer drivers.  The following statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety were found on the website for the Department of Motor Vehicles:

  • Men accounted for 71 percent of driving fatalities during 2012;
  • Men are more likely to drive while under the influence (38 percent of males killed in a car accidents during 2012 had blood alcohol levels higher than 0.08  — compared to 20 percent of women; and
  • Men are more likely to drive over the speed limit (23 percent of male drivers involved in fatal accidents were speeding at the time, in contrast to 14 percent of female drivers in those circumstances).

Your Age

Young people between the ages of 16 and 24 have higher premiums because they have a higher accident rate.

Drivers aged 16-17 are 3.5 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Your Career

Some insurance companies factor occupation into their car insurance rate calculation, and it can make a $500 difference in your premiums.

Occupations that lead insurers to charge the most  tend to have the following attributes:

  • High stress levels
  • The person spends a lot of time in the vehicle
  • Heavy cell phone usage

By contrast, ocupations on the low end of the rate spectrum have the following characteristics:

  • Low stress levels
  • They’re responsible for the well-being of others
  • They use public transportation
  • They need to pay attention to details, which insurers believe carries over to their driving

These factors together account for scientists enjoying the lowest premiums — at an average annual cost of $870; at the other end of the spectrum, business executives have the highest rates, with an average annual cost of $1,375.

Your Education

Apparently better educated drivers represent less risk to insurers — and vice versa.

People who have not finished high school are 4.3 times more likely to be killed in a car accident than college graduates, according to data published in The Washington Post.

The more education you have attained, the lower your monthly premiums, and vice versa.

Your Marital Status

Marriage tends to make people drive more responsibly than single drivers.

Unmarried drivers were twice as likely to be injured in an accident as married drivers, according to a study published in a journal called Injury Prevention.

Because of the reduced risk of injury, being married can reduce your insurance rates.

Your Credit Score

Insurance companies use your credit score as an indication of whether you will pay your premium on time — and the impact on annual rates  can be significant.

Single drivers with good credit ratings each paid $68 to $526 more per year on average than those with the highest credit rating, according to Consumer Reports

Your Car’s Characteristics

Several things about your car impacts how much it costs to insure:

  • Age – generally new cars are more expensive to repair and therefore have higher premiums.
  • Safety features – Enhanced safety features can discount your insurance 5 to 30 percent.
  • Theft history – The recovery rate stolen cars can be as low as 19 percent in some states, so the cars that get stolen most frequently have higher premiums.

Your Claim History

Many people believe submitting an accident claim will increase your insurance rates, but that’s not always true.

Circumstances surrounding the accident in the claim dictate whether rates will be increased, and by how much:

  • Fault – If you are not at fault, your rate may not increase since your insurance company did not have to pay.
  • Severity – A claim for a minor scratch may not affect your rates, but a major at fault claim exceeding $2,000 could result in a premium increase of 41 percent.
  • Accident Forgiveness – Some policies include accident forgiveness, which can lock in your rate even if you get into an accident.

Your Traffic Tickets

Non-moving violations, such as a parking ticket, is unlikely to affect your insurance rates. However, moving violations such as speeding may depending upon your insurance company.  For example, a single speeding ticket in California results in an average annual insurance premium increase of $688. The more tickets issued, the more your rate may be affected.

Your Coverage and Deductible

The more coverage opt for, the higher your premiums are; similarly, having a high deductible can lower your premiums.

Increasing your coverage isn’t a matter of dollar amounts but types of policies. Most states require liability insurance as a bare minimum. If you choose to adding optional collision and comprehensive coverage that can increase. your premiums.

On the other hand, increasing your deductible lowers your premiums because you assume more risk, but how this calculates can be surprising. For example, increasing your liability insurance deductible from $50 to $1,000 could reduce your premiums by 56 percent.

Your State’s Laws

From here, insurance rate formulas can vary based on different state laws. Some states prohibit insurance companies from basing premiums on certain factors. For example, California, insurance companies cannot use occupation and education levels.

Your Insurer

Individual insurers can also have their own variations in the way they calculate premiums — reach out to your insurance company to find out exactly how it computes premiums.

You can also get more information on this topic from the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Readers, which of the factors affecting car insurance premiums surprise you surprise you the most?

Read More

Read more insurance related articles:

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

 

7 Ways to Negotiate a Car Price Down

By Leave a Comment

<img src=" 7 Hacks to Negotiate a Car Price Down.jpg" alt”pictureofredmustang">
When you shop for new cars, the price you see on the sticker typically isn’t what you have to pay. That leaves room for you to negotiate a car price down.

Dealer markups on new vehicles can vary dramatically. Small cars and high-volume vehicles usually have retail prices approximately 5 percent over the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

However, the markup on luxury brands and upgraded models may be closer to 10 percent.

While this definitely means you have room to negotiate, you do need to know how to approach the discussion to get positive results.

1. Timing is Everything

Most car salespeople and dealerships receive commissions based o their sales, at times according to specific thresholds. Typically, these bonuses are awarded at the end of the month, quarter, and year.

By waiting until the end of one of these periods to buy your car, you may get a better deal.

Also, if a salesperson is close to crossing a threshold to the next tier’s bonus or commission rate, she may be more willing to bargain. Even if she takes a loss, the incentive increase could offset it, making the deal more attractive to her.

2. Know the Value

Before you begin negotiating a car price down, you need to know the vehicle’s real value. Luckily, a range of online resources can help you do just that.

Sites like Kelley Blue Book and TrueCar can give you information about fair prices in your area.

Usually, these prices are based on recent sales data from your region and other information about the car’s actual worth.

3. Find Discounts

Car dealers offer a range of discounts to buyers, but you have to know they exist to get them.

For example, military members, veterans, and their families may qualify for automatic price reductions; AAA members may also be eligible. In some cases, new graduates can get a discount in the months near graduations. Teachers, firefighters, and police officers may also receive price reductions.

Being loyal can result in cash off too. If you currently own a vehicle of the same make or previously made a purchase at that dealership, see if the seller offers loyalty discounts.

Sometimes, details about these reductions are available on the dealership’s website. However, you can also ask toward the end of the negotiation process.

4. Say “No” to Add-Ons

After negotiating a price, you are typically sent to the office to solidify the sale. But, even at this juncture, that doesn’t mean the dealership is done trying to upsell you.

At this phase, attempts to sell add-ons are common. This can include anything from sealants and rust proofing to insurance and maintenance packages.

Generally, these add-ons won’t be the best possible deals, so stand firm and don’t hesitate to say “no.”

5. Don’t Mention Trade-Ins

When you negotiate the price of a new car, mentioning your trade-in can actually hurt your position. Dealers will use your current vehicle to make it seem like you are getting a better deal than you actually are.

Instead, act as if you don’t have a trade-in. Negotiate the sales price of the new vehicle completely and make sure to get everything in writing. After that, pretend you had a change of heart about the trade-in and negotiate that separately.

Ultimately, this increases your odds of getting a good deal on both arrangements, providing you with the most value.

6. Shop Around

Playing dealerships against each other can result in significant savings. However, you have to do the legwork to make that happen.

Before you commit to a purchase, speak with multiple dealers. That way, if one location offers a lower price, you can mention it to the other dealership and see if they can beat it. Plus, if that second salesperson tells you to take the other offer, you know you’ve hit a reasonable price.

Just make sure you get a commitment from each dealership in writing. Otherwise, you only have your own word when speaking to other salespeople, and that usually isn’t enough. Plus, if the first price really was good, you’ll have something to fall back on. If you don’t get it in writing, the first dealership doesn’t have to offer you that deal again, so you may miss out.

7. Don’t Be Afraid to Walk Away

If a dealership isn’t willing to negotiate a fair price, there’s no obligation for you to keep trying. Present your bottom line and don’t be afraid to be firm. Additionally, let them know that you are willing to walk and be ready to follow through.

Then, if they still can’t meet your price, head to another dealership and see what they can do. Another dealer may be more willing to bargain. Plus, if the first salesperson was bluffing, they may contact you later to try to save the sale.

However, it’s important to understand that walking away can be risky, especially if you don’t have anything in writing.

As mentioned above, a dealership doesn’t have to honor a previous verbal quote. This means that if you have a good deal in front of you, you need to be smart.

Don’t just make a hasty exit in the hopes of getting an even better price (essentially by bluffing). Doing so could backfire, so it’s vital that you keep that in mind.

By following the tips above, you can negotiate a car price down. Just make sure to do your research, are ready to wheel and deal, and won’t hesitate to walk away if the need arises.

Readers, do you have a favorite tactic for negotiating a car price down? Tell us about it in the comments section beneath this post.

Read More About Autos

Looking for more great articles? Here are a few to get you started:

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

How Much Do Hybrid Cars Depreciate in Value?

By Leave a Comment

<img src=" How Much Do Hybrid Cars Depreciate in Value.jpg" alt”vehicle interior">
One might think that hybrid cars might retain value better than other types of autos, but alas that’s not the case. The second any kind of car leaves the lot with its first owner, it loses approximately 10 percent of its value.

At that moment, a $30,000 hybrid car is suddenly only worth $27,000. That’s a pretty big hit for something that’s practically brand new.

While you can’t entirely stop a hybrid car from depreciating in value, some of them lose it faster than others.

Factors like the condition of the vehicle and current mileage also impact value, regardless of the make and model.

How Much Do Hybrid Cars Depreciate in Value?

On average, a vehicle depreciates 15 to 25 percent for each year during the first five years of ownership. This is on top of the 10 percent you’ve already lost.

These calculations do include nearly every major make and model on the road, and there are times when some vehicles might depreciate differently than the average.

Ultimately, depreciation is a reflection of supply and demand. If supply exceeds demand, resale values fall. When it’s the other way around, and demand exceeds supply, then the hybrid car doesn’t depreciate as quickly.

Demand for Hybrids

Yes, this means in-demand models hold more value. However, it’s important to realize that other factors affect demand for hybrids.

Whenever gas prices rise, hybrids become more desirable, while low gas prices may decrease interest.

For instance when gas prices were soaring in 2013, around half a million new hybrid vehicles hit the road. But when fuel costs were lower, in 2017, only 360,000 units sold. This clearly demonstrates the shift in demand.

Hybrid Cars That Hold Their Value

According to Kelley Blue Book, the 2018 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is likely to retain its value best over the next five years, dropping only to 33 percent.

Other solid options are the 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-in Hybrid at 31 percent and the 2018 Toyota Prius at 30.1 percent.

However, when it comes to a resale value comparison, none of the hybrid cars made it into the top 10 on Kelley Blue Book’s list.

Toyota Tacoma

The 2018 Toyota Tacoma keeps 61.1 percent of its value over five years, showing just how different even a winning hybrid car comes in.

Currently, trucks and SUVs are in demand, so many of the most reputable makes and models outperform hybrids when it comes to depreciation.

Additionally, the average vehicle maintains 33 percent of its value over five years, and only one of the hybrid cars hit that mark.

Calculating Hybrid Car Depreciation

In some cases, you can estimate how much a hybrid car depreciates in value using a Cost to Own calculator that factors in depreciation rates.

There are also many car depreciation calculators available online, but some don’t factor in essential variables.

For example, the age of the car isn’t the only relevant point when it comes to depreciation. The number of miles on the hybrid vehicle is incredibly important.

Physical Condition

Also take into consideration the car’s physical condition. In some cases, an estimated value calculator may be a better choice for determining your vehicle’s depreciation rate.

Try checking out what similar hybrid cars cost in your area and use that to gauge your vehicle’s worth.

You can also use an estimated value calculator is see how various factors influence depreciation. You could adjust the information about the mileage or condition and see how it impacts the final number.

Are Hybrid Cars a Wise Choice?

So far in 2018, hybrid cars are depreciating in value faster than the average vehicle as of 2018. However, if you choose one of the models that holds its value better than others, you may be able to get closer to the average.

Additionally, as time goes forward, hybrid cars may retain their value more effectively. The technology is more robust and increasingly affordable, which will help sway things in a positive direction.

Readers, do you own a hybrid vehicle that’s holding its value? Tell us about it in the comments section beneath this post.

Read More

Interested in more great vehicle-related articles? Give these a try:

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.