General Automotive: Expert Guides and Resources

People have questions about electric vehicles — this cheat sheet provides some answers. Whether it’s about the mysteries of charging, the vagaries of tax laws, extending battery life, or having a set of talking points you can use when people are asking you why you’re investing in an electric vehicle, this cheat sheet has you covered.

Leasing is a fast and easy way to get a car with little or no down payment. Monthly lease payments usually are less than loan payments for a new car. Additionally, you’ll encounter less paperwork, inspections, and registration hassles when leasing a car. Leasing appeals to individuals who use cars for business, need a car for a limited period of time, trade in their cars at regular intervals, want to know their monthly costs in advance, or want to invest their cash in different activities.

Whether you've found the vehicle you want through your own research or have been steered to a dealership by a buying service, you're still going to have to do some negotiating before you drive away in your new car. Even "one-price" dealerships and those who "commit" to "lowest possible prices" through buying services leave some room for making more profit, and it's up to you to recognize and resist the pitfalls that await you.

Since Apple CarPlay has been introduced, you may be curious about whether or not your car is equipped with this new safety feature. Most automobile manufacturers have already started incorporating Apple CarPlay into many of their upcoming models. If the make and model you desire is not in the list below, contact the automobile manufacturer and ask if they plan to include this feature in a future model you wish to purchase.

To get the best used car, know the prices, actual value, vehicle options, mileage, and condition of the make, model, and year of your targeted automobile. Do not talk with a car salesperson, or an owner selling a car, other than exchanging some pleasantries and indicating you are just gathering information. Do not fall in love with a specific car that you must have!

Shopping for car financing in advance can mean a better car loan. Compare the Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) of different loans. If all other things are equal, the car loan with the lowest APR is the best deal. Having your financing in hand when you go car shopping is a good idea because that way you negotiate based on the price of the car, rather than monthly payments.