Choosing the Best Car Alarm System

It is not uncommon when you began shopping for a car alarm system to see the advertisements of different brands and models all claiming to be the best car alarm system you could buy. This is the nature of a competitive business environment and a smart consumer will take the time to investigate each car alarm system and how it works in application before making their choice.

Finding the best car alarm system begins with understanding the type of vehicle you own and what type of car alarm system is compatible with it. If you own a car that was manufactured in the year 2000 it may not be able to sustain the requirements of some of the sophisticated car alarm systems that have been developed in accordance with automobile production in 2005.

I Bought The Car

The first place to find this information is in your automobile owners' manual, and it is important to note that many automobiles were manufactured with car alarm systems installed. If this information applies to your vehicle and you want to upgrade your car alarm system you may need to talk to an experienced auto mechanic in order to understand which system you should select.

Choosing the Best Car Alarm System

For the owners of automobiles produced within the last two years that do not have factory installed car alarm systems, the array of choices available to you may be broader due to the increased awareness of automobile manufacturers in designing vehicles to be compatible with the more sophisticated car alarm systems.

Finding the best car alarm system for your vehicle in this case becomes more of a task where you must select the security features that you want for your car. Many drivers prefer the pager of car alarm systems with a remote control device that allows them to remain in continuous communication with their vehicle while other drivers are more focused on how to take advantage of keyless entry systems.

Once you decide on the category of car alarms that you were interested in that will provide you with the security that you want for your vehicle, you can begin to look at the manufacturers product descriptions as well as consumer review reports to determine which car alarm system is best for you. Narrowing your selection to a few brands or models can help you compare features easier and will enable you to ask the questions that are important for your situation that may not be covered in consumer reviews.

It would not be fair to say that one car alarm system is best for everyone regardless to what manufacturers of car alarms want to believe. The best car alarm system for you is the one that best meets your security requirements at a price you can afford.

Give yourself sufficient time to work through the process of evaluating a car alarm systems you have selected; talk to other drivers about their experience with their personal car alarm systems, this is an auto security store and review the features of close and personal with a salesperson who is knowledgeable about how they work as well as the installation process required to make them functional in your vehicle. Keep in mind that the car alarm systems being developed and sold today in many cases must be installed by a professional technician.

Choosing the Best Car Alarm System

Which States Have the Cheapest Car Prices?

It is no secret that some cars are cheaper than others. When people are looking for a car, they often stick with a brand they can afford. However, it is more of a secret that some states have cheaper cars than others. There are actually states out there that have cheaper prices for their vehicles. When you are looking for a car, you can cross state lines in order to get in on the savings.

First, Oregon is a good choice. The reason people pick Oregon when buying a car is because the state does not charge sales tax. If you live in Oregon, this can save you thousands of dollars. However, if you live outside of the state, you will have to check with your home state, as they may collect the tax from you.

I Bought The Car

Montana is another state that does not charge sales tax. Like Oregon, you can get a great deal of savings because of this. However, you will need to check with your home state and make sure you will not have to pay the taxes to them.

Which States Have the Cheapest Car Prices?

While saving on sales tax might not seem like much, consider how much you actually pay in tax when you get a car. When you are getting an expensive item such as a car, sales tax can really add up. If you can get away with not paying it, it is well worth it.

Texas is also known as a place to buy affordable cars. Texas does charge sales tax, but they also offer great deals on cars. You will be able to find a great deal when you visit one of the many car lots. There is a lot of competition in Texas, which is why the state is able to offer the deals they do. Many people cross state lines to go into Texas so they can buy a vehicle.

Michigan is also known for its affordable pricing when it comes to cars. There is quite a bit of vehicle manufacturing that goes on in Michigan, and that actually helps with the price. If you live in or around Michigan, you can get some great savings passed onto you. You will find that great deals go on in Michigan throughout the year. People who live in Michigan can take advantage of the deals, as well as people who live elsewhere.

As you can see, it really does matter where you purchase a car from. The good news is the internet has made it easier than ever before to purchase a car in another state. You can do all the research you need and get the car you want at a price you can afford.

You will then either be able to get the car shipped to you, or you can go and pick it up. Either way, if the savings is large enough in regards to the sticker price, this will be well worth it. You will still be able to save money on the overall price of the vehicle.

Which States Have the Cheapest Car Prices?

Buy a Car With Bad Credit With No Money Down

You've got bad credit and dealer after dealer is wanting money down. To buy a car with bad credit, with no money down, you need to know a few things.

First, there are only two reasons that a dealer would want a down payment...

I Bought The Car

The most common reason is because it adds profit to the sale. The other less common reason is because it's needed to lower the total amount financed for approval by the lender.  Trying to figure out which is the real motivation to pressuring you for cash is a little difficult so long as, you are depending on the dealer to get you approved.

Buy a Car With Bad Credit With No Money Down

Most people think that if they have bad credit, they have to use the financing offered through the car dealership. After all, the local bank won't give you a loan right? This is a common mistake that can cost you thousands of dollars in outrageous finance charges.

Let me fill you in on a little BIG secret...

Car dealerships mark up the price of the car. Everyone knows that. Did you know that they ALSO mark up the interest rate? Yes, they do. They submit your credit application to lenders. The lender responds with an offer. Let's say that they approve you for a rate of 9%. Guess what? The dealer, knowing that you know you have bad credit will try to convince you that you are approved at 12%. The 3% difference becomes nothing more than profit that the finance manager gets paid a commission on. Guess you pays for it... you. Your payments go up 10, 20, 30, 50 or even 0.00 per month simply because the dealership marked up the interest rate.

The truth is this. You can buy a car with bad credit with no down payment and also with lower interest rates by simply avoiding the dealer finance department altogether. If you know where to look and prearrange your financing (yes it's done everyday), then you can have the confidence to walk into a dealership, pick out the car of your choice based on the amount the finance company preapproves you for and had the dealer a check. This puts the power of negotiating price in your favor.

Car dealers will be jumping over backwards for your business.

Buy a Car With Bad Credit With No Money Down

Infiniti Cars

Infiniti cars have quadrupled in popularity since its launch in 1989 in North America, and have captured a niche market. This premium brand is manufactured by the luxury car division of the renowned Japanese car manufacturer Nissan Motor. However, this brand is not available in Japan. Infiniti rolled-out its brand with two luxury cars - the Q45 and the M30. Later, it introduced its entry-level G20, and gradually introduced new models.

Based on the Nissan platform, the Infiniti coupes, sedans and convertibles are highly sought after cars and are exceptional performers. These sleek and aesthetically appealing cars are known for their braking, acceleration, and handling features. The center of the engine of Infinite cars is placed behind the front wheels, making the weight distribution more constant.

I Bought The Car

If one plan to buy or know more about the Infiniti car models, the website of Infiniti can help in locating the retailers near one's area in the U.S, and also one can find relevant information on the site. The interested person only needs to type the zip code to obtain information about the retails. Also, the website provides information regarding special offers on various models.

Infiniti Cars

If the plan is to own the 2011 Infiniti M, the company recently announced that it boasts the most horsepower in its class. It's designed to provide exhilarating power, and exclusive VVEL technology continually tunes valve lift and timing, giving quicker engine response and a broader torque curve with improved fuel economy. The 2011 Infiniti M offers a choice of 3.7-liter V6 or 5.6-liter V8 with direct injection gasoline.

Infiniti Cars

Autocross Buying Guide - Select the Right Car

In my experience, autocross can be a very fun and exciting sport. I have participated in several events in my local area. I found the hobby to be very addictive as well.

Out of all my other hobbies, I think this one is the best "bang for the buck" as far as thrills go with your car. Everybody can participate. Every car (some clubs have exceptions to this though like no SUV's, no Trucks) can race. The nice thing about this kind of race is that you are competing against others in your class usually defined by the SCCA, however, you are on the course alone so there is minimal chance of hitting other cars.

I Bought The Car

The hardest part about autocross (aside from learning how to race) in my opinion is finding the right car. Sure, you can use a daily driver, but that is not recommended if you are going to participate in several events a year. Autocross can create wear on the tires and other components very quickly and can get expensive very fast. I would recommend to get a vehicle that you can use for autocross. This can be a "trailer car" or a car that you can still drive on the road, but use only for this hobby.

Autocross Buying Guide - Select the Right Car

There are 4 key components to consider when selecting a car for autocross:

1) What type of car to get
2) The Price of the car
3) The overall condition of the vehicle (if used)
4) Aftermarket upgrades/modifications

WHAT TYPE OF CAR TO GET FOR AUTOCROSS:

For autocross racing, some people would assume that the car has to be very powerful, small, 2 doors and modified. This is not entirely accurate. While that type of car would be nice, it is not required to be competitive in autocross.

Remember that most autocross events and clubs have the cars grouped in to some sort of class. The club I participate with follow the SCCA Class guidelines. The classes help group the cars so the same "level" of vehicles can remain competitive within each class.

This is done to avoid the "biggest and fastest is best" state of thought. It would be unfair to put a heavily modified Porsche GT3 up against a stock Ford Focus. This is why they do that.

So, to pick the right car for autocross, you would probably want a coupe or convertible FIRST if possible. Sedans can work well too, but some sedans are not geared for modifications, although, the sport sedans of today are really starting to take over.

Manual transmission would be recommended, however, if you have an automatic that is OK too. You may want to consider trading it for a manual in the future to remain competitive. Again, there are still "sport shift" type automatics out there that are getting better and better each day.

Ideally, you would also want a rear-wheel drive car for autocross. RWD cars typically provide better control and handling in most cases. I know some enthusiasts out there will disagree with me, but that's OK. On the other hand, I have used several front-wheel drive cars that run with the best of them.

PRICE:

The price of buying a car for autocross is always the factor for me. I, like many others, cannot afford an expensive vehicle for autocross. There are, however, those that can afford it and price is still something for them to consider.

The -00 range:

This is the range most of us beginners want to start. Of course, free is GOOD, but consider the 3rd component (overall condition) when this option comes to mind. Several cars that can perform well and have a lot of upgradable options are the following:

1989-1997 Mazda Miata - Very nice power to weight ratio. It is VERY popular at autocross. 1979-1991 Mazda RX7 - Fast small car, handles well. Many upgrades available. 1989-1998 Nissan 240sx - Several aftermarket upgrades, handles very well. 1990-1999 BMW 3 Series - Very versatile car. You can find very nice models in this range now. 1988-2000 Honda Civic/CRX - I have seen several models compete well in autocross. 1984-1999 Toyota MR2 - Low center of gravity, great performance, mid engine. 1990-1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon - Many upgrades, some models Turbo AWD. 2000-2007 Ford Focus - Very competitive cars. SVT models available in price range. 1997-2003 VW Golf - Hatchbacks always like autocross. VR6 models available in range. 1990-1999 Acura Integra - Like the Civic, very competitive with many upgrades out there.

There may be a few more cars that I missed that fall under this price range. The method I use to hunt for cars can vary depending on the type I am looking for. I will use local classified ads, Craigslist. I will also use the bigger car searches and expand my general "hunting" area. I have successfully found great cars using VEHIX, AutoTrader as well as Government Auction Sites.

But what about the autocross cars above the 00 range? Well, I am glad you are think that because I am about to list them below.

If you have some money to work with and want to get something newer, you can consider the following cars:

The ,001-,000 range:

This range can include newer cars as well as pre-owned cars that are no more than a few years old. Remember, cars usually depreciate very fast, so as the years go by, some of the newer cars can be within reach for less money and are great for autocross. The cars below come to mind in this range:

1998-Current Mazda MX-5 - Still same basic car, but more power as they got newer. 2003-Current VW Golf - Even more modified than the previous versions, compete well. 1992-1997 Mazda RX7 - 3rd Gen is twin-turbo and can compete in autocross. 1992-2006 BMW M3 - M3's are designed for racing. Some newer models will fall in this range. 1998-2003 BMW M5 - M5's are very powerful and compete in their class well. 1994-Current Ford Mustang/Cobra - Very versatile car. Competes well in class. 1994-2002 Camaro/Firebird - Competes well in class. Many autocross upgrades. 2007-Current Mazda Mazdaspeed3 - Turbo, hatchback, competes well in autocross. 2003-2008 Nissan 350z - Great autocross car, very popular on the track. Special Autocross Kit cars such as the V6 Stalker fall in this range as well.

Now, this price range can vary in vehicles. A lot of these cars are still new and may require loans to purchase them.

The ,001 spectrum will consist of some of the current-day models as well as the obvious "super cars" we all respect such as the Corvette, Viper, Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus and others. I will not include a list for those because if you are buying one of those for an autocross car, you did your research.

OVERALL CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE (USED):

When buying a second car for autocross, treat it like when you are buying your daily driver car. You want the car to be relatively free of major problems. Autocross racing can put stress on the car's frame, the suspension, the brakes, the tire and the overall body of the car.

You want to be sure that the car has not been in any major accidents. Frame repair or frame damage can be very dangerous mixture when you autocross. That is the MOST important thing to check for when buying a car for autocross. I have experienced and used the service by Experian called AutoCheck. They offer an unlimited number of VIN checks for one of their service options and the price is way better than the other services out there. I have used it when shopping and comes in very handy when you are checking the history of a vehicle.

The next important item to check on the car is major component problems such as smoke coming out of the back of the exhaust, major oil leaks (small leaks are expected on most used cars) slight/major overheating of the engine. Autocross is outside and you push the car to the limit. You want the major components to be in the best shape they can be. The mentioned problems can leave you stranded at the track if you do not look out for them.

I usually have some expectation to do minor repair or preventive repairs on my vehicles when I am buying to autocross them. As I stated above, small oil/fluid leaks are "OK" and can usually be fixed very easily. Small leaks tell us that the car is just used and may not be suffering from the leak as a result. Large/major leaks tell us the car may have been neglected by the previous owner and may carry residual problems unseen at the moment. When looking at a car, start it up, drive it around with the A/C engaged (even if it doesn't work). When you are finished with the test drive, leave it idling while you walk around the car continuing to inspect it. If the car has an overheating problem, often this is the time it will show. This tip has helped me avoid several beautiful autocross cars that had an overheating problem.

Belts and hoses are my most frequent "preventive" repair I do, even if they are not a problem. It is always best to know when an important component has been replaced rather than to "guess" and trust the previous owner. Water pumps, too, fall in this category sometimes.

One thing people always check when buying a used car are the tires. Yes, this is important for an autocross car, but not to see how "good" the tires are, but to see if the car needs an alignment. Autocross is about handling and you need to be sure the car's stock "handling" ability is where it should be.

Why not worry about the tires? Well, tires should be one thing to consider buying for your autocross car to begin with, so the existing tires should be removed anyway. Tires are probably the most bought wear item an autocross member will buy. A lot of autocross racers will bring a set of tires for racing, one for driving home (those who do not use a trailer) and some will even bring spares for the racing tires. This is so common that Tire Rack offers tires just for autocross. I have used them and they are the best place to get tires for this.

AFTERMARKET MODIFICATIONS FOR AUTOCROSS:

If you ever look into the aftermarket world of the auto industry, you know that there are literally thousands of places to look and buy. I will list a few spots that most people do not think to look, but surprisingly have things for the autocross fans.

First and foremost, autocross cars do NOT always need major upgrades to be competitive. A driver can use a stock vehicle and compete against fellow stock vehicles and remain competitive. Once you start to modify or upgrade heavily, you may start to move into different classes and compete with other cars that are equally modified. Keep that in mind when you want to change something.

Usually, I say modify the easy things first: Intake, exhaust and general tune ups. Most autocross drivers do not go far from that. These should be the first things you try to upgrade while you participate in autocross to get the most performance out of your vehicle.

If you decide to go further to be more competitive, my next recommendation would be suspension and body roll modifications. Please remember, certain upgrades in this area may change your class. Be sure to check your club or groups rules with these modifications.

Usually, the fastest upgrade to an autocross car would be front and rear strut tower bars/braces. They are usually inexpensive to buy and easy to install. They are also very modular meaning that when you buy these, they will work with other suspension components in place (usually). This modification helps stiffen the car's suspension and frame and helps with cornering.

The next modification recommendation would then be the front and rear sway bars and links. These parts also help the body roll while cornering and handling and can sometimes be modular to the suspension system as a whole.

The final suspension upgrade is usually the most expensive: The struts (shocks/springs). This upgrade usually works well with the above items, but ads more stiffness, more response to the handling and sometimes lower the car overall for a lower center of gravity.

Once you have modified the entire suspension, my next recommendation would be to upgrade the brakes (at least the pads). This will help your stopping ability for those moments where a tap of the brake is needed during a lap. Please keep in mind that high performance brake pads usually wear much quicker than OEM.

One of the last things I recommend to upgrade is the tires. Now, I'm not saying that you should not FIRST buy new tires when you autocross, but I am saying not to UPGRADE them to an autocross/race tire just yet. Most autocross enthusiasts will tell you to get used to the stock/regular tires on your car first.

Once you get used to stock type tires, modifying them to a race tire or softer tire will actually improve your lap times (that's the theory anyway).

One last note. I recommend replacing the fluids in your car with as many synthetics as you can. Synthetic fluids have higher heat resistance and can take the intense moments you will be putting on the car during the autocross laps.

Autocross Buying Guide - Select the Right Car

How to Get Debt Free - Proven Ways to Get Out of Debt

With today's economy reeling from the high prices of gasoline, food and everything else, it can be a little harder to become debt free but, it can be accomplished.

With thousands of people losing their homes to foreclosure, which by the way was their own fault because most of them bought more home then they could afford, not including those who where hit by a job loss or worst yet, health reasons. To people maxing out their credit cards just trying to survive. Is the economy really that bad?

I Bought The Car

We feel that most of the problem is really not that bad due to the fact that there is a lot of political manipulation, being election year and all. That is not to say that there isn't a hint of inflation happening right now. Just look at all the prices for the basics such as bread, milk, meats and gasoline.

How to Get Debt Free - Proven Ways to Get Out of Debt

People have been in debt since we began to barter and created currencies to exchange for things. The wise man always said, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be." Those words are very powerful but, unfortunately, not many live by that today. We have been programmed to believe that in order to be successful in life, we have to accumulate physical products so that we may show others how successful we have become. In order for most of us, that means charging everything in sight!

The problem is, that the majority of people get into debt very quickly and never really learn how to get debt free afterwords. The most basic idea to being without debt is to not en cure it at all. But, the life style that we have chosen and has been bombarded into our minds through media and our parents not fully explaining to the younger generation that it is much wiser to pay for things only if you can afford it!

But, once you are in debt up to your eyeballs, what can you do? There are some very basic principals that one can follow to do just that. You need to understand one thing first and foremost. That being, that your income is the most powerful tool you have to erase the problem and build wealth. No matter how bad things are financially, you can do it.

One of the basic steps in reducing your debt is to take all your credit card bills, personal loans etc., write them down from smallest to largest and attack the smallest one first with a vengeance. Then, when that one is paid off, you take those savings and use it towards the other one. Until you complete the cycle. There is a pain factor involved in learning how to get debt free, but if you are truly passionate about it, you can do it.

Make the goal a passion, a deep desire to pay off everything. Attack it with as much aggression as you did when you thought about the time that you just had to have that car or home. Do not loose focus of your goal. Eat and breath the desire to learn how to be debt free.

How to Get Debt Free - Proven Ways to Get Out of Debt