Questions About Buying Cars and Auto Parts

Q. I'm wondering when is the best time to go buy a new car or truck. In other words, ignoring standing inventory, backorders, spiffs, factory incentives, rebates, etc., when are dealers most willing or desperate to negotiate and sell something?

A. Slower times for dealers are the year ending major holidays. Year-end model clearance prices drop to clear inventories. In your area, shop the huge auto malls. The competition is higher to sell. Magic phrase to mention: "I am going to compare prices and values with your competitors." Your next magic phrase should then be: "Make me an offer I cannot refuse." Another method that often works, at least for me, is to call ahead knowing what you want, or be willing to buy a car that may have come back to dealer from a prior sale. They take the first year's lost hit devaluation, you save, and they move the car off their lot much more quickly. You can save thousands, do them a favor and not pay more than 6 percent over costs. That is a win-win for you and for them. This is most likely the best possible deal, but you must be willing to compromise on a few items and/or colors, etc.

Q. My 1990 Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais had an engine installed one year ago. A relative was just in an accident. The insurance company ended up sending us a check, but they didn't want the car. We still have the title. The car was driven home from the accident, but the accident tore a hole into the seam or weld. The trunk and the exhaust system were damaged so the car sounds like a fire truck. The back bumper is crushed in, too. I am not exactly sure what to do with the car now; the body has been hit, but the engine looks brand new.

A. There probably is not a lot you can do except sell the car for parts. You could have the damage repaired to the point where it is safe to drive, but this option may not be feasible depending on how much damage was done to the vehicle. If you do decide to have it repaired, you may be able to keep the costs down with used parts.

Q. Does anyone know which is the best make or manufacturer of windshield to buy?

A. The brand that came with the car is most likely the best for that car. Windows are a structural part of a car and the glass specs can vary between glass manufacturers. So some other brand may not perform as well in a crash.

Q. The item is a Stabilizer (anti-sway) bar end link. AutoZone carries two different units for my car. One is sealed and the other has a grease fitting. Both are priced at $39. One is made in Taiwan (sealed) and the other in Japan (with grease fitting). Which would you recommend?

A. Go for the greasable ones. However, almost all newer vehicles have sealed joints. If you get the greasable ones, make sure that the lube guy greases them.

Q. I have read Consumer Reports, and they say it is a 50/50 gamble with extended warranties. I have not decided if I will purchase the warrenty or not. Does anyone have a name of a good warranty company?

A. There are two things that make it worthwhile for a company to sell you an extended warranty.

1. They hope the buyer will fail to even remember that he bought the warranty, or they hope the buyer will not comply with the warranty "rules." Almost all warranties require certain concessions to be made on the part of the buyer. Say for instance the warranty states that the car can't be "fooled with." A year later, you install a CD player in the car - warranty voided, sorry.

2. They sell warranties under the assumption that any repairs covered by the warranty will cost less for them than what the purchase of the warranty brought them in the first place.

Buying an extended warranty depends on a few things:

Your past experience. That will usually tell you all you'll ever need to know.
The product in question.
The environment the product will be used in.
The amount of time you plan on keeping the product.
Resale value of the warranty. Can you transfer it to a new buyer, therefore increasing resale value of the product?

Basically, evaluate all those things, make a decision, and go.

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