Tips for Selling Your Car

Planning to sell your car this spring or summer? Follow these quick tips to make everything go smoothly.

• If you still owe money on the car you are selling, determine the payoff amount. If the sales price that you get for your car doesn't fully cover the amount you owe, you'll probably have to pay the balance separately.
• Determine how much you can expect to get for your car. Estimate trade-in versus private sale price and check out used-vehicle guides such as Kelly Blue Book to identify a reasonable starting price.
• Have your car fully detailed and get any needed repairs done. This can make a difference in how much buyers are willing to pay for your vehicle. 

33rd Annual Atlanta International Auto Show Opens

The 33rd annual Atlanta International Auto Show is underway at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta, with a number of automakers showing off their latest and greatest wares.
The event, which opened Wednesday, runs through Sunday, March 29.
As usual, there are a wide range of types of vehicles on display, such as family vehicles and sports cars.
And the show isn't just about the new stuff. Classic car enthusiasts will find a nice selection of older models on display.

To see a few photos from this year's show floor, please follow douthitrob on Instagram.

Auto Show Returns to Atlanta

Atlanta Daybook Presents - Atlanta International Auto Show Ticket Giveaway

The Atlanta International Auto Show will celebrate its 33rd anniversary when it returns to the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) from March 25-29, 2015. It is produced by the Metro Atlanta Automobile Dealers Association (MAADA).
Not only is the Atlanta International Auto Show the largest annual consumer event held annually at the GWCC, it is also one of the nation’s great auto shows, attracting many of the world’s major automotive manufacturers during its five day run.
There will be over 400 new and preproduction vehicles on display on the 400,000 square foot show floor. At press time, the following manufacturers have agreed to participate in the show: ACURA, AUDI, BMW, BUICK, CADILLAC, CHEVROLET, CHRYSLER, DODGE, FIAT, FORD, GMC, HONDA, HYUNDAI, INFINITI, JEEP, KIA, LEXUS, LINCOLN, MASERATI, MAZDA, MINI, MITSUBISHI, NISSAN, RAM, SCION, SUBARU, TOYOTA, and VOLKSWAGEN.
The following 2016 pre-production vehicle are also scheduled to be on display: ACURA ILX, BUICK CASCADA CONVERTIBLE, FIAT 500X, FORD EXPLORER, HONDA HR-V, KIA RIO, KIA SORENTO, MAZDA6 and MAZDA CX-5.

Today Only (Friday, March 20), Atlanta Daybook will be giving away 40 pairs of tickets, valid for the two opening days of the show:
Wednesday, March 25, 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 26, 12:00 noon - 9:00 p.m.
Want to be our guest?
Simply click here to visit our Contest Page 
Or visit our Facebook page, and follow the directions on our Giveaway tab
And if you haven't already, please like our Facebook page. (not necessary to win)

This event will once again take place in the C Building of the GWCC. This is a perfect location, since the exhibition area is located on the street level of Northside Drive, where there is plenty of available public parking and a shorter walk to the facility. Those who wish to take a test drive merely have to sign up in the lobby area and then go outside to visit their manufacturer of choice. It doesn’t get easier than that!
At press time, the following manufacturers will be participating in Ride & Drive events: CHEVROLET, CHRYSLER, DODGE, FIAT, FORD, JEEP, KIA, LINCOLN, MAZDA, RAM, and TOYOTA.
Jeep will once again present Camp Jeep, a unique, interactive, off-road experience, to consumers. The Jeep Test Track is an interactive adventure zone where professional 4x4 drivers allow riders to experience a Jeep’s on and off-road capabilities. It features a thrilling, “can’t miss” hill climb where passengers experience the Jeep’s traction capabilities while climbing the 18-foor high, 35 degree Jeep Mountain.
PARKING:
The Georgia World Congress Center is offering a $3.00 discount off public parking on March 25 & 26 ONLY in their Yellow or Gold Parking Lots on Northside Drive. To receive this discount, attendees must tell the parking attendant that they are attending the Auto Show.

The Right Time to Go Car Shopping

Here are a few tips for timing your car shopping so you get the best deal.

Shop early in the week. Most consumers shop on weekends when dealerships are full and salespeople are busy. By avoiding the crowd, you can get the salesperson's undivided attention.

Make your offer late in the day. If you've done your homework, know exactly what car you want and are ready to make a reasonable offer, visiting the dealership near closing time may save you time and money.

Shop at the end of the month or quarter. Dealers and salespeople have monthly and quarterly sales goals they must meet to qualify for certain bonus levels. So the end of the month (or the quarter) is a good time to go shopping.

Although you can't predict whether the dealers or salespeople have made their sales goals, it's still worth checking to see if they're hungry to make some real deals.

Get deals on outgoing models. Manufacturers typically roll out new models in late summer and fall, and dealers need to make room for incoming inventory. This often creates a great deal of price flexibility. Though a shorter supply of outgoing models may limit your choice of colors and options, manufacturers frequently offer additional sales incentives, bringing their prices down even further.

Snag year-end savings. As the new calendar year approaches, dealerships are trying to meet sales quotas that could reduce fees and taxes on year-end inventory. Plus, salespeople are trying to meet sales goals that may trigger holiday bonuses. On top of that, incoming newer models may be in greater supply, making their pricing more flexible.


Watch the season. Statistics show that springtime may not be the best time to buy a new car: More people are out and about as winter weather clears, and tax refund checks are warming consumers' pockets. With summer days ahead, more shoppers are looking for their next new car, which means dealers don't need to offer quite as many discounts to entice buyers.

Chevrolet Traverse Honored by Automotive Media

The Southeast Automobile Media Organization recently honored the Chevrolet Traverse with its Best-in-Family-Vehicle Category award. The Traverse is a crossover SUV that has a smooth ride, nice comfort features and it gets pretty good fuel economy.

A Few Tips for Chilly Weather Car Care

It's pretty cold across a good portion of the country these days, including below normal temperatures in our Georgia home base. So, make sure you follow a few tips to avoid auto problems in the chilly weather.

-- In order to avoid a gas line freeze, keep your gas tank above half full. When you run your vehicle on gas fumes in the dead of winter, condensation can build up and this leads to fuel line freeze-up; the end result is no-starts!

-- Make sure your battery terminals are clean and sans corrosion (white powder around the nodes or the clamps), so that your car will start without hesitation.

-- Use a winter blend windshield washer fluid, it contains more alcohol and has less water, so a freeze up is pretty unlikely.

--Switch to low-viscosity oil in winter because it will flow more easily between moving parts when it’s nippy outside. 

--If you have an older car you shouldn’t have to idle in the cold more than 30 seconds to get her going. The best way to warm up a newer vehicle is to drive gently at the start.

Four Steps to Negotiate Your New Car Purchase

Buying a new car can be a white-knuckle ride.
Emotions run in the red, salespeople push for breakneck decisions and financing comes with tricky twists and turns.
But here are four steps to help you negotiate the course safely and cross the finish line with a deal you are happy about.

Stick to the plan. Before you start negotiating, decide what you want, how much you can pay and stick to it. During those fast-and-furious talks, a salesperson may urge you to add anything from extended warranties to a high-end sound system. Don't end up with a pricy case of buyer's remorse.

Square up. Auto dealers use a worksheet called a "four-square" when they negotiate your transaction. To avoid being boxed into a corner, figure out each worksheet component before you sit down to deal and keep all the details, except the total purchase price, close to the vest.

• Total purchase price. This is the only one of the squares you should discuss with the dealer. Know the new vehicle's base price, add-ons and other potential charges.
• Trade-in value. Find the value of your old ride; decide whether you're better off selling it yourself. Only discuss the trade-in after finishing up your purchase price negotiations.
• Down payment. Strive for 15–20% of the total price, if possible.
• Monthly payments. Remember, these can be influenced by other factors such as loan term or interest rate, which can make you lose sight of the actual purchase price. Keep your total transportation costs — loan payments plus fuel, insurance and maintenance — around 10 to 15% of your take-home pay.

Pick your battles: Sticking to the plan is good, but consider being flexible on minor details like color, trim and less-expensive options if they give you negotiation room. When a lower payment's at stake, do you really care whether those seat covers are taupe or rainstorm gray?

Get preapproved: If possible, show up with a preapproval from a lender of your choice. That way you know how good a deal you're getting, and you're not relying that the dealer will get you the best financing package.
-USAA

2015 Toyota Camry: Still at the Top of the Sedan Game

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2015 Subaru WRX STI: Strictly for Kicks

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Top 10 Vehicles of 2014

Atlanta Auto Beat is proud to present the 2014 edition of its annual list of top-ranked vehicles. Rankings are based on vehicles tested by The Beat, and measure traits such as affordability, fuel economy, functionality, looks and predicted reliability.

We hope you enjoy this list, and as always, feel free to comment.

No. 10 Volkswagen Jetta

If you're talking fantastic fuel economy in a fun-to-drive package, you're talking the VW Jetta. This little machine makes it fun to zip through city streets or get out on the open highway and cruise to your heart's delight.

No. 9 Honda Pilot

You want rugged? The Pilot can be that. You want refined? Yep, it does that too. This versatile SUV is great for families and has a number of really neat features that make it a great choice.

No. 8 Toyota RAV 4

After many years on the market, this small crossover SUV has been through a lot of changes. But it has consistently remained a good choice for those who want practicality and reliability.

No. 7 Lexus LS 460

When it's time for a luxury sedan that lets you step out in style, it's time for the LS 460. This roomy car is full of creature comforts and provides the typically smooth Lexus ride.

No. 6 Nissan Altima

This is just one of those all-around good, solid sedans that you would recommend to almost anyone who's shopping for a car. It has a sporty look inside and out, and is also practical.