According to Edmunds.com, the Hyundai Elantra was awarded the annual Used Car Best Bet award. Because of their safety, reliability and availability Hyundai Elantras along with 14 other select few vehicles were given the prestigious award.

Edmunds provides a listing other top performers by category. If you’re looking for a Minivan, you’re pretty safe choosing a Honda Odyssey manufactured in the years 2003-2008. However if your more of a pick up truck type of driver, the compact Toyota Tacoma (2003-2008) or the large Ford F-150 (2003-2008) are winners.

Here’s Edmunds listing of the 2010 Used Car Best Bet awards:

Searching for a used car can sometimes be a crap shoot, but selecting a vehicle from the list above may help to stack the odds in your favor. For more information on how Edmunds chooses its winners and more details about each winner, visit their website.

1. Go over to the Edmunds website and access the “Appraise a Car” link. You’ll find it by clicking on Used Cars and then right beneath the Used Cars text you’ll find Appraise a Car.
2. Click on a series of links. First you’ll have to click on the link for the make of your car, then link for the year of the car and finally the link for your car’s model. At this point, Edmunds will give you a car price for a private sale, but this price isn’t the one you want. You want a fair car price that’s tailored specifically for your car. So, you need to continue the car appraisal process.




3. Enter details about your car. Since you’re selling the car click the “Sell” option and enter the car color, mileage and check off all optional equipment that applies. The more information you enter, the more accurate your pricing will be.
4. Tell Edmunds the condition of your car. Select the option that bests describes your car’s interior, exterior and mechanical soundness. Most used cars fall into the average category, but if your car is in exceptional shape, select “outstanding.”
5. Confirm your zip code and get your pricing report.

Make sure to print a copy of the report and keep a copy in the glove compartment. This way potential buyers can see what the car is actually worth before you start the negotiating process.

The Other Way Around

The American and Indian consumers should take a page out of the Chinese car buying book. Save money and buy cash. Why go into debt over a commodity that starts to depreciate the moment you get into it.

Because the Chinese consumer prefers to save money and buy items only when they can afford it, I wonder how much money on advertising, rhetoric and persuasion the large auto companies will have to shell out in order to sway the Chinese public to abandon long standing traditions.

Struggling American Families

The American spendthrift mantra of buy now, pay later doesn’t always work. Too many Americans are paying now for foolish impulsive spending earlier. If the Chinese consumer is smart, all they have to do is look at a few American families who are living paycheck to paycheck as a result of their buy now pay later habits.

To the Chinese car buying public I say…Resist!

Most people run to the Kelley Blue Book when they’re looking to purchase a car. They don’t realize how valuable the Blue Book is when it comes to selling a car. It can help you to determine whether you’re getting a good deal on a trade in at a dealership or you’re being taken for a ride. Here’s how to use the Kelley Blue Book to help determine a car’s trade in value.

1. Go to the Kelley Blue Book website and locate the car’s year, make and model under the Used Car section of the page. You can locate the car by using their category search function or you can insert the year, make and model directly. Don’t forget to enter your zip code so that the trade in value will be specific for your area of the country.
2. Click the “Trade-In Value” link. After inserting the car’s year make and model, Kelley Blue Book wants you to select the valuation method. Since you’re looking for the trade-in value of the car, click the appropriate link.
3. Choose the car’s trim. Trim is another word for further defining the vehicle. For example, a 2001 Ford Windstar has 6 different trim selections such as Cargo, LX, SE Sport, SE, SEL and Limited. Make sure to select the correct trim. Kelley Blue Book’s trade in value is based on the vehicle specifics. If you put in the wrong specifics, you won’t get an accurate trade in value.
4. Enter the mileage and ancillary features. Kelley Blue Book checks off the standard equipment and it’s up to you to check off the added non standard features. It’s your chance to increase the value of the car by listing special features such as video systems, dual power seats or sun roof.
5. Select the vehicle’s condition. Hopefully the vehicle is in excellent shape. Although, according to Kelley Blue Book, only 5% of used cars fall into the excellent category. More likely the vehicle is in good condition, although there are two other alternatives, fair and poor. Be honest. You want an accurate trade in value.



6. Print the trade in value. After selecting the vehicle’s condition, Kelley Blue Book will display the trade in value. Print it out and use it just in case a dealer tries to lowball your vehicle’s value.

Tip

Consider selling the car privately if you find the Kelley Blue Book trade in value is too low. Most often sellers get more through a private sale than through a dealer trade in.

• Go to the Consumer section of the NADA.com website and click on the “New & Used Prices & Specs” link and then click the “New and Used Car Center” link. Since NADA is used by businesses and consumers, make sure to access the Consumer section.

• Choose the car that you’re trading in. You need to select the make, year, model and style (trim) of the car. This is the basic information NADA needs to begin determining your car’s trade-in value.

• Insert the vehicle mileage and select the additional equipment options for your car. NADA pre-selects the standard issue equipment, but you have to tell them of the add on features your car has.

• Click “Continue” to see your trade in value report. In reviewing the report, you’ll notice that NADA provides three prices, Rough, Average and Clean, which refer to the car’s condition.

Tip

You should totally prepare yourself for trade in value negotiations by getting the Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds trade in values. The more information you have the better your negotiating position.

When a manufacturer releases a redesign of a particular car model, the older version drops in value. It doesn’t drop in reliability, efficiency or any of the things that really matter, it drops in value because it no longer looks, feels and smells like the latest and greatest edition of the style (if the Jonses purchase the latest model car, everyone wants to keep up with them).

If you’re truly looking for value in your new car (not just to keep up with the Jonses), check out Edmunds Upcoming Model Year calendar l when you begin shopping for your used car. Knowing which models have undergone a total redesign will be very helpful in getting a good deal on the newly outdated older model.

Fuel additives can improve fuel quality (the octane level) and/or help keep injectors and combustion chambers clean. Without the use of fuel additives, unsightly deposits may start to build up in the engine. Using fuel additives can help improve and maintain the efficiency and performance of your car’s heart-the engine.

If your car’s injectors are clogged, the buildup of these deposits can deprive an engine of its power, fuel efficiency and overall drivability. Drivers might notice these deposits forming when their vehicle starts to experience hesitation, rough idling and increased starting difficulty. Adding a specially formulated fuel additive can help resolve these problems and won’t end up costing drivers that much.

“Using a fuel additive is simple enough that you don’t have to be a car junkie to do it yourself,” said Jay Buckley, Prestone training manager and ASE-certified master mechanic. “Plus, adding a fuel additive on a regular basis for preventative maintenance is worth the investment.”

Here are Buckley’s tips on choosing and using the right fuel additives:

1. When using an additive on a regular basis during fill-ups, choose a low-concentration product, such as Prestone® Gas Treatment.
2. If you are interested in a one-time treatment every few months, consider a highly concentrated product such as Prestone® Complete Fuel System Cleaner.
3. Some fuel additives are designed to increase engine performance. Typically, these products include the word “octane” in the name, as they’re formulated to raise the octane level of gasoline.
4. Always pour the entire bottle into your gas tank and be sure you have a full tank of gas.

“Our lab engineers actually created a new line of 6-oz. fuel additives. They deliver premium performance in a smaller, more environmentally responsible and convenient package,” said Buckley.

While regular use of a fuel additive can help a vehicle run smoothly and efficiently, it should not serve as a substitute for regular vehicle maintenance. The regular use of fuel additives will help keep your combustion chambers and fuel injectors clean, allowing your engine to run at its best. Follow the guidelines in your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the proper maintenance schedule.

For more car care tips, visit Prestone.com.

(NAPSI)-Following a few simple tips could help you extend the life of your vehicle and keep it running well today and down the road.

That’s good news for budget-conscious drivers, many of whom are holding on to their vehicles longer and finding ways to get more out of them for their money. In fact, J.D. Power & Associates projects 6 million fewer cars will be sold this year than just two years ago, as more people opt to keep their current rides on the road. So how can you help keep your car running longer? Try these tips:

Check The Oil

Keep an eye on your vehicle’s oil, especially if it is an older model. Start by removing the oil dipstick from the engine and wiping it clean. Then replace the dipstick and remove it again. Look to see where the oil is on the dipstick. It should be between the stick’s “full” and “empty” lines. If the oil is low, slowly add more into the oil case, continuing to check the dipstick to see when the case becomes full. It’s important not to add too much oil. You can refer to your owner’s manual for types of oil to use.

Kick The Tires

The right tires can have a positive impact on the performance and handling of your car. For instance, Michelin’s Energy Saver A/S tires are designed to provide up to 109 gallons of fuel savings over their lifetime, while the company’s HydroEdge tire is designed to stop 14 feet shorter than other tires and last up to 33,000 miles longer. They can help provide a safer and less expensive ride, but also save the cost of early tire replacement down the road.

Change The Filters

Air and oil filters help protect the engine from damage caused by grime and dirt. When they are clean, the filters also help automobiles operate more efficiently, which can improve performance and gas mileage.

A good rule of thumb is to replace your air and oil filters every time you have the oil changed. You might also change the filters yourself. Just be sure to check your owner’s manual for specific filter sizes and requirements.

For more tips and information, visit Michelinman.com.

Vehicle recalls have become increasingly common. In 2008 alone, hundreds of recalls were issued, affecting more than 10 million vehicles.

Vehicles with open recalls are bought and sold every day-some with recalls change hands multiple times. Estimates are that nearly a third of all recalled vehicles go unfixed by their owners. All the more reason for car buyers to be careful.

Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you’re at a disadvantage when buying a used car. Here are some tips:

• Remember that “recall” is not necessarily a bad word. Recalls may be mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or voluntarily issued by auto manufacturers to help prevent safety failures.

• With the exception of those involving tires, recalls are in effect for the lifetime of a vehicle. Under federal law, recalls must be remedied at no cost to consumers. Open recalls will only be repaired for free by authorized dealers-those that sell and service your particular vehicle make.

• Check for open recalls when you shop for a used car. If one exists, make an appointment to have it taken care of as soon as possible.

• Recall information is reported to CARFAX and can appear in CARFAX Vehicle History Reports. A free Recall Check also is available at CARFAX.com. This free resource helps car buyers instantly identify an open recall on a vehicle they are thinking of buying.

CARFAX Vehicle History Reports are available for used cars and light trucks manufactured since 1981. Using the unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN), a Carfax Report is instantly generated from a database of over 7 billion records reported by 34,000 sources.

For more information about open recalls and other used car buying tips, CARFAX.com.

Here’s lesson 101 on what not to do when buying a used car!

‘Nuff Said.