Lifers
By Steven LangAugust 14, 2008 - 4,249 views
For 33 years Jane Hoyt has been driving her baby blue 1975 VW Beetle. Is it love? Madness? A '70's thing? When I asked her about the appeal of her longtime automotive companion, it was none of the above. "It's a story of inertia. Really, it's a metaphor for my life. I always stay too long at the fair." That last word struck me as kinda funny. If a car ownership is a metaphorical "fair," can you get a lifetime of kicks from a four-wheeled Ferris Wheel?
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 72 comments 
Dealing with Dealers
By Steven LangJuly 31, 2008 - 4,529 views
Once a car salesman "data captures" you, the calls never stop. Some are rude. Some are sweet. All are pushy. The salesman's goal: get the sale. Meet the quota (placate the Alpha Dog). Pay the bills (placate the Ex). In America's cratered new car market, the chances of a car salesman making his nut are only slightly less than that of the squirrel in Ice Age. Has this stopped dealers from getting up to their old tricks? Hell no. If anything, they're abusing their customers MORE. Still, if you know how to handle the heat, this is The Mother of All Buyer's Markets. Here's how to work the system...
Dealing with Dealers editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 68 comments
SUrVival Guide
By Steven LangJuly 22, 2008 - 285 views
All across the nation, SUV Sally's and Sam's are cussing at the pumps. They're watching the readout with mounting horror: $80, $100, $120+ per fill up. The automotive source of this pain of portly plenitude is has become the pink elephant of the American lifestyle. And it's true: SUVs suck. Not just gas. Depreciation, insurance and street cred. And so, the "Livin' Large" folks of the Oil War Era are giving up their SUVs en masse. Which brings us to a simple question. Should you?
SUrVival Guide editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 84 comments
PT Cruiser?
By Steven LangJune 24, 2008 - 734 views
$11,800. That’s the price for a 2008 Chrysler PT Cruiser down at my local Chrysler dealer. Throw in the “Refuel America” $2.99 per gallon guarantee into the equation and you end-up with a pre-tax, tag, title price right around $10,200. Not bad. Not bad at all. Then again, is it? There are a lot of factors to consider when approaching any of the bargain basement cars currently on offer during this, Detroit’s [most recent] dark days. Join me as we journey down the PT-shaped rabbit hole…
PT Cruiser? editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 60 comments
Negotiating Today’s Car Parts Mine Field
By Steven LangApril 29, 2008 - 8,744 views
Last year, I scored over $400 worth of auto supplies. All it cost me was sales tax, a few stamps and about thirty minutes of my time. It was a lot of good stuff too: 24 quarts of synthetic motor oil, six gallons of coolant and a seemingly endless amount of top quality car waxes and detail products. Heck, I was even able to get three different tool sets and free wipes once all my maintenance work was done! Unfortunately, for a frugal enthusiast like me, that was then and this is now.
Negotiating Today’s Car Parts Mine Field editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 29 comments
The Epistemology of Buying Tires
By William C MontgomeryMarch 11, 2008 - 19,095 views
I studied epistemology in a college religion class. Epistemology is a fifty cent word for the branch of philosophy that explores the way in which man learns truth. What leads a person to the certain conclusion that God exists? Is it the conclusion of a logical process? Or personal spiritual experience? Maybe it’s embracing family tradition? At the risk of offending deity and condemning my soul to an eternity burning amid fire and Bridgestone, I liken the process of buying new tires to the quest for faith.
The Epistemology of Buying Tires editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 47 comments
Nissan GT-R: What Price New Hotness?
By Jay ShoemakerFebruary 19, 2008 - 26,981 views
In Michelangelo Antonioni's film "Blow Up," Thomas (David Hemming) watches a rock guitarist smash his ax and toss the remnants into the audience. Caught up in the spirit of the moment, Thomas joins the scrum scrambling for a piece of the dead guitar. He grabs the lion's share and runs away. Dozens of fans give chase, attempting to wrest the prize from his grasp. Finally, Thomas is clear of the crowd. Alone with his treasure, he contemplates his booty-- and then casually tosses it into a nearby trash can. Nissan GTR anyone?
Nissan GT-R: What Price New Hotness? editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | Sales and Marketing | 44 comments
In Praise of: Brand New Old Cars
By Michael MartineckJanuary 21, 2008 - 26,365 views
When it comes to buying fish, stocks, bonds or cars, timing is everything. The factors determining a savvy buyer’s ideal window of opportunity are mercurial. And, like the mystery surrounding a good fishing hole, there are plenty of industry professionals whose livelihood depends on shrouding the “inside line” in secrecy. For example, you won't find prices for “leftover” ’07 Chevrolet Malibus on Edmunds or kbb. Of course, when it comes to car buying advice, The Truth About Cars is on YOUR side. We’re here to help.
In Praise of: Brand New Old Cars editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 23 comments
The Truth About Craigslist
By Steven LangDecember 31, 2007 - 36,952 views
From candy corn to Lincoln Continentals, Craigslist is the ultimate Turkish bazaar. It's an almost universally accessible free market for millions of folks who once paid (and paid) for the ‘privilege’ of selling their stuff. From a pistonhead perspective, Craigslist seems to be a great place to buy and sell automobiles. Even a brief scan shows that the site offers a vehicle for every type of appliance seeker, enthusiast and hobbyist. I’ve been using Craigslist as my site du jour for nearly three years. During that time, I’ve sold more than a hundred vehicles through the service. But I'm a pro, and I’m here to warn you that there's a dark side to the deal.
The Truth About Craigslist editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 38 comments
In Praise of the $500 Car
By Steven LangDecember 6, 2007 - 23,468 views
“Wooden Shoe Rather Be Dutch?” Sigh. Bumper sticker humor aside, the Subaru Legacy had 140k miles on the clock and a well-maintained powertrain (records in the glovebox). The hardback book about Abraham Lincoln under the driver’s seat gave me hope that the owner was equally conservative with his driving. After a bit of tire kicking, I slowly concluded that the old girl had plenty of life left. Fortunately, the kicked-in driver’s door and smelly interior made the other dealers turn-up their nose when the Subie went across the block. For $500, the Legacy became mine… all mine. BWAHAHAHHA!!!!
In Praise of the $500 Car editorial continued »
Posted in Car Buying Tips | Editorials | 41 comments
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