If you don’t want to wait, or don’t want to pay full price, don’t despair. There are plenty of other fuel-efficient cars out there. A good place to start is www.fueleconomy.gov, where you’ll find mileage and emissions ratings from the Environmental Protection Agency for any car which may interest you.
Here are some other factors to consider as you shop:
* The smaller the engine, the better the gas mileage, so consider cars with four-cylinder engines. Your purchase price will be cheaper, and you’ll save money on gas.
* In the same vein, the smaller the car, the better the gas mileage. If you need a pickup truck or an SUV, then shop within those constraints. But if you don’t haul anything or do any off-road driving, a smaller, more gas-efficient car is a more rational choice.
* Standard transmissions get better gas mileage in highway driving, but may not be the best option if you do a lot of stop-and-go city driving.
Getting the Best Deal on Financing
Making a smart financial choice in buying your car is just as important as choosing the right model. Be sure to ask about any special promotions the dealer or manufacturer is offering, such as 0 percent financing. Otherwise, chances are the interest rate the dealer will offer you will be higher than what you could get through a bank or credit union. “If you’re not getting a special deal, you may be better off arranging your own loan,” notes Sweet. “This is where knowing your credit situation comes in handy – the better your credit history, the better rate for which you will qualify.”
An easy way to check your credit is to log onto www.experian.com. You’ll get quick and easy access to your credit report and a credit score to help you learn what positive and negative factors are affecting your credit risk, as well as find out what lenders will see when they review your credit. “You don’t want to be ready to seal the deal only to find out that you don’t qualify for financing,” says Sweet.
As you ride off into the sunset knowing you’re getting great gas mileage and the best financing rate, you’ll be glad you did your homework before buying your new car.
For more information on checking your credit report, as well as information to help you understand, manage and protect your personal credit profile, visit www.experian.com. Courtesy of ARA Content
