When I turned 30 and bought a little red convertible, my friends congratulated me on my new cop magnet.  After all, everyone knows that red cars are more likely to get pulled over, right?  One theory says that the bright color attracts the attention of the police.  Another says that an optical illusion makes red cars appear to be going faster than other colored cars.  That got me thinking – are certain cars more likely than others to be cited for speeding?  After all, it couldn’t possibly have anything to do with the way I drive…

According to data compiled by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, red cars do not get more speeding tickets than their less vivid counterparts.  Nor are they more likely to be stolen.  One would also assume that sports cars are more likely to be cited for speeding.  That’s what sports cars are for, after all.  Yet, the data tells a different story.  According to a study by ISO Quality Planning, a risk assessment company, the following ten vehicles are the biggest cop magnets on the road. (I wonder where my pink Mini would fall on this list?)

1.  Hummer H2 (and H3) – Perhaps the owners of these flashy behemoths drive like they own the road.  Maybe they are just easier for cops to spot.  Either way, Hummer drivers get more traffic tickets than drivers of any other vehicle.

2.  Scion tC – This entry level vehicle from Toyota’s Scion division is popular with young drivers, which easily explains why it’s on the top 10 ticketed list.  This little coupe delivers good performance at a very low price, which should at least make the speeding tickets more affordable.

3.  Scion xB – Popular with both young drivers and small businesses, the boxy xB certainly attracts a lot of attention.  The xB isn’t exactly fast, so it must be all of the catchy graphics that get these roving billboards pulled over.

4.  Mercedes CLK63 AMG – Luxury has its price, and if you can afford one of these babies, you can afford the speeding tickets that go with it.

5.  Toyota Solara – Although sportier than the 4-door Camry, the 2-door Solara is far from a high performance machine, but it is fun to drive.  Maybe the convertible models just look like they are going faster with the top down.

6.  Mercedes CLS AMG – Between its smokin’ hot looks and 507 hp V8 engine, this car has more than earned a spot on this list.  Of course, with that much horsepower, I’m surprised the cops can even catch it.

7.  Scion xA – With this model making the list, Scion completes the traffic ticket trifecta.  The xA was discontinued in 2006, but I’m sure it’s replacement, the xD, will uphold the tradition.

8.  Subaru Outback – Subarus are known for being reliable, “green” vehicles driven by environmentally conscious, outdoor-types.  I guess those otherwise responsible people are in a hurry to pick up their organic groceries. 

9.  Toyota Matrix – More expensive than its Scion cousins, but still affordable and attractive to younger drivers, this sporty hatchback is a blast to drive.  And Mr. Highway Patrol knows it.

10.  Audi A4 – Offered as a sedan, a wagon or a convertible, all three versions of the upscale Audi A4 are likely to get you noticed – by the neighbors and the police. 

Of course, it’s not the car that gets the speeding ticket – it’s the driver.  Statistics show that younger drivers are more likely to speed than older drivers, which explains the prevalence of Scions on the list.   Rich people, it seems, are also more likely to ignore the speed limit if the number of luxury cars listed is any indication.   Maybe that’s what they mean by “time is money”.  

Keeping a clean driving record is your responsibility, not your car’s.  If you watch your speed and obey the traffic laws, you can avoid costly citations no matter what vehicle you drive.   So, please drive safely!

(Women’s Automotive Solutions can help buy a car - cop magnet or not!  Check out our unique car buying service at www.WomensAutomotiveSolutions.com and see how you can get the best deal without all the hassle!)

“May you live in interesting times.”  With automobile sales down nearly 40%, tighter credit markets, and the Big Three American automakers on the verge of bankruptcy, this old Chinese proverb has never been more true.  (Even the almighty Toyota reported its first full-year loss in more than 70 years!)  The challenges facing the automotive industry today are unprecedented, and that can mean both challenges and advantages for the consumer.  Here are five things you need to know in order to successfully navigate today’s uncharted market:

 1.  Deals, deals and more deals!  For perhaps the first time in history, the supply of new automobiles far exceeds the demand.   Even after production cutbacks, there are still more cars than can fit onto already the overstocked dealer lots.  So, what do businesses do when they have too much inventory?  They have a REALLY BIG SALE!  The level of incentives, including rebates, financing specials and manufacturer-to-dealer bonuses, is astounding -  which is good news for you!  Even small, fuel efficient cars, which rarely need incentives to move, are being discounted.  Be sure to negotiate hard on the price of the car even before the incentives are applied.  The car dealers are hungry for your business, and they know they must compete to earn it.

2.  Beware of creative advertising!  When car dealers are desperate to make sales, they often get very creative with their advertising campaigns in order to entice you into their showrooms.  Offers such as “buy one, get one free” and “$12,000 minimum for your trade” may technically be valid, but they usually come with a stack of fine print that would make an attorney faint.  Be sure to weed through that fine print before signing on the dotted line.  And, remember the old adage, “if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is”.

3.  Credit is tighter, but still available.  Just six months ago, you could get a no-money-down auto loan with a credit score of just 650.  You will likely need at least a 720 credit score to get that same deal today.  The credit crunch has hit the automotive industry, with banks and manufacturer finance companies alike tightening the strings on subprime lending.  Rates on subprime car loans are higher and may require a 10-20% down payment.  You may have a hard time finding those longer 72 and 83 month loan terms, or you may pay a one to two point premium to get one.  However, if you have excellent credit, then you can take advantage of incredibly low rates for 36 to 60 month loans - under 5% at some credit unions!

4.  Fewer lease deals.  Over the past decade, insanely cheap lease deals have allowed Americans to drive far more expensive cars than they could otherwise afford.  Those days are over - at least for the foreseeable future.  The leasing companies are being killed by the number of vehicles coming off lease that have depreciated much more than expected.  Most manufacturers are raising lease rates or even suspending lease programs entirely.  Luxury car makers, like BMW, whose business depends heavily on leasing, will still have good lease programs – but probably not as good as they used to be.

5.  Watch what you buy.  Many cash-starved automakers are looking to cut costs by downsizing their lineups.  Manufacturers are canning poor selling vehicles, consolidating twinned models and even axing entire brands in order to stop the bleeding.  (See side bar for vehicles “on the chopping block”.)  So, is it still safe to buy American, even if it’s a steal?  Yes, it is.  Even in the event of a bankruptcy, the manufacturers will still do everything possible to honor your warranty, and mechanics will still be able to service and repair your vehicle.  (Heck, they still make parts for the Model-T!)  While there are no guarantees, vehicle makes and models always come and go.  It’s just part of the business.  However, the biggest risk is depreciation – orphaned vehicles typically lose their value faster than normal.

Truly, there has never been a better time to buy a car.  With great deals everywhere you turn, purchasing a new car can save you a ton of cash.  And, more importantly, it will also help revive our economy.

The internet can be a wonderful tool for buying and selling automobiles.  You can shop for thousands of new and pre-owned vehicles, 24 hours a day, from the comfort and convenience of your own home – even in your pajamas.  Online marketplaces like AutoTrader, eBay, AutoConsign and Craigslist connect buyers and sellers across the world, but not all of those buyers and sellers are honest.  Thousands of people each year still fall victim to fraud when buying and selling vehicles online.

The most common scam that people encounter when selling a vehicle online is the “419 Nigerian Scam”, also known as the “Advance Fee Scam”.   A prospective buyer emails you (often in very poor English) and says that he is interested in your vehicle and agrees to your selling price.  He claims that he a previous deal fell through, and he has a cashier’s check in an amount that is several thousand dollars more than your selling price.  He says that he will FedEx you the cashier’s check and asks that you wire the difference back to him via Western Union, once the funds have posted to your account.  How trusting of him, right?  Not so much.

It is a common misconception that cashier’s checks are as good as cash, and that they clear the bank within 48 hours.  In reality, your bank is required to make the funds available in your account within 48 hours.  However, it may take up to two weeks for the check to actually clear.  The counterfeit cashier’s check will eventually bounce, and then you are in real trouble.  Not only will you have lost the thousands of dollars that you wired to the scammer, but depositing or cashing a counterfeit check, even unknowingly, is a felony. 

Sellers of automobiles are not the only ones at risk online.  Scammers target eager buyers by posting popular vehicles for sale at enticing prices.  The post looks perfectly legitimate, complete with pictures, VIN and even a free Carfax report.  The seller claims that the vehicle is being stored in the warehouse of a transportation company that will ship the vehicle and handle all DMV paperwork.  To appear even more genuine, the seller says that he will process the transaction through the “eBay Safe Trade”, or similar, department.  No such department exists, nor does the vehicle!  The pictures, VIN and Carfax report have been expertly fabricated or stolen from another seller’s post.  Some scammers even create elaborate, professional websites to make you think that the transportation company, escrow company and “safe trade department” are real.

The online market places work hard to try to protect buyers and sellers from these scams, but there is only so much they (and the authorities) can do.  Most of the scammers live in foreign countries (as evidenced by their abysmal English) and use “spoofed” email addresses.  Even if the authorities could track them down, they are almost always outside US jurisdiction.  So, it is up to you to protect yourself!  Here are five tips to help you avoid falling victim to an internet automobile scam:

1.  Never sell your vehicle to someone in a foreign country.  Think about it – they have cars in Nigeria and other countries, so why would someone want to buy yours and incur the shipping costs and import fees?  Why would someone in the UK, where they drive on the left side of the road, want to buy an American car with the steering wheel on the wrong side? 
 
2.  Never trust someone who offers to pay you more than you are asking for your car.  If an honest person had a certified check for the wrong amount, he or she would simply return to the bank and get a new one.

3.  Be wary of a buyer who insists on using an escrow service to “safeguard” the transaction.  Scammers often setup fake escrow services that claim an affiliation with AutoTrader, eBay, or eTRUST.  None of these companies operates or partners with an escrow service. 

4.  Never ship your car to the buyer or allow a seller to ship a car to you (unless the seller is a legitimate car dealership).   The buyer and seller should arrange to meet and complete the transaction in person.
 
5.  Secure payment for a vehicle before transferring the title to the buyer.  Insist on certified funds, and verify the check with the issuing bank before you release the vehicle. 

Buying or selling a vehicle online can be a fun and financially rewarding experience, but it is not without risk.  Before you buy or sell, review the fraud awareness information provided by the various online marketplaces.  And, above all, trust your instincts.  If something feels hinky, it probably is.

Want to avoid online car scams altogether?  Women’s Automotive Solutions can help you buy OR sell a vehicle!  We’ll make sure you get the best possible price without having to worry about online scams, fraudulent deals, and unscrupulous characters with bad grammar.

When temperatures drop to somewhere between chilly and frigid, it’s time to check the air pressure in your tires. As we learned in high school physics, air compresses as it gets colder, which lowers your tire pressures.

Low pressures cause the sidewall of the tire to flex, leading to handling problems, excessive tire wear, reduced fuel economy and even tire failure.

Signs of low tire pressure may include your car pulling to one side, a drop in fuel economy, and “squealing” sounds during normal acceleration and cornering. Of course, if you are lucky enough to have a vehicle with a tire pressure monitoring system, that little yellow warning light is a dead giveaway.

If you don’t know the proper air pressure for your tires, check your owner’s manual or look on the side of the tire itself, near the rim of the wheel. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your car and check your pressures often, adding air as needed.

When temperatures warm up again, the air in your tires will expand, and you will need to let air out to prevent over-inflation.

Drive safely!

Travel by automobile is statistically one of the most dangerous forms of transportation.  Yet, driving is such an integral part of our daily lives that we don’t think much about the dangers.  No matter how skilled of a driver you may be, an accident could happen to you.  If you are involved in an accident, remain calm and follow these steps to lessen the stress and protect yourself from potential liability.

1.  STOP!  Stop your vehicle and, if necessary, move it to a safe position near the location of the accident. The law requires that you stop at the accident scene.  Failure to do so could result in a traffic ticket or a warrant for your arrest.
 
2.  Check all involved parties for injuries.  Seriously injured persons should not be moved unless they are in imminent danger from fire, traffic or other hazards.  Everyone who can walk should move to a safe location.  If necessary, call 911 for medical assistance.  If you are injured or think you may be injured, seek medical attention immediately.  If you do not seek it from the scene, do so as soon as possible thereafter and keep all related paperwork for possible reimbursement.

3.  Contact the police. The police will advise you if their response to the scene is necessary. Contact the police if the accident involves a hit and run, if there are injuries to people, or if it is apparent that liability will be disputed. If police are present at the scene of the accident, get the police officer’s name, phone number, and the police report number.

4.  Do NOT admit fault!   It is natural to want say that you are sorry to the other people involved in the accident, but this could be construed as an admission that you were at fault.  Instead, simply give the details of the accident and cooperate with the police in providing answers to their questions.

5.  Exchange contact information.  Exchange names, addresses, and phone numbers with all parties involved in the accident.   Get the year, make, model, license plate number, insurance carrier, and insurance policy number for all vehicles involved.  Identify any witnesses to the accident and gather their contact information as well.

6.  Call your insurance company.  If there is damage to any vehicle or injuries as a result of the accident, immediately report the accident to your insurance company and cooperate in the same manner as with the police.  If you have a camera in your possession, take photos of the damage to the vehicle, accident scene, and people involved.
  
7.  Take care of your vehicle.  If your vehicle isn’t drivable and must be towed, be sure to write down the name, address, and phone number of the towing company and be advised of the towing and storage fees.  Arrange for your vehicle to be repaired as soon as possible.  If it appears your vehicle may not be repaired soon after the accident, make sure you remove it so storage fees don’t accrue.  (You will have to pay the fees up to that point, but seek to get those reimbursed.)  If you vehicle is totaled and cannot be repaired, contact Women’s Automotive Solutions to discuss replacement options.

8.  Find the best repair shop.  Depending on your insurance company and coverage, you may be able to choose any body shop to repair your vehicle, or you may be required to select one that is pre-approved by your insurance company.  Don’t assume that a body shop is good just because your insurance company recommends it.  Research local repair facilities to find the one that is best qualified to fix your type of vehicle and has a solid reputation.  Contact Women’s Automotive Solutions if you need a referral.
    
9.  Consult an attorney.  If you are injured and want to seek compensation for medical bills and pain & suffering from another vehicle’s insurance company, do NOT make the claim or speak to them without consulting with an attorney.  Even if you are making a claim for property damage for your vehicle, consult with an attorney before speaking to the adverse insurance company so you know and can protect your own rights.  If you are contacted by another party involved in the accident or by someone acting on his/her behalf (such as an investigator or representative from his/her insurance company), do NOT speak with him/her unless and until you have contacted an attorney.
 
10.  Take care of yourself.  Give yourself sufficient time to rest and recover after an accident, even if you don’t think you suffered any injuries.  The stress of being in an accident causes a rush of adrenaline in the body, which can mask pain and inflammation.  It can often take 24 hours or longer for aches and pains to surface.  Always follow up with your doctor and/or chiropractor to assess any underlying injury and take corrective action to prevent potential long term damage.  Keep track of all medical expenses and any lost wages and seek to get them reimbursed.

Nearly 6.5 million automobile accidents happen in the United States each year, with a financial cost of over $230 billion, according to the Federal Highway Administration.  If you are involved in an accident, take the steps necessary to protect yourself, your family and your assets.  Of course, prevention is always the best tactic, so DRIVE SAFELY!

(This article was co-written by Justin Lowenberger.  Justin is an attorney with Ted A. Greve & Associates, a law firm that represents clients who have suffered personal injuries or property damage in automobile or truck accidents in North Carolina and South Carolina.   Learn more about how they can help and protect you on the web at www.MyDrTed.com.   Justin can be reached directly at 704-804-7114.)

Do you feel like you are going to be taken advantage of the moment you set foot on a car lot?  In many cases, this is a misconception.  Remember - a car dealership is a business, and even the most honest dealership has interests that are very different from yours.  The goal of a car dealership (and any business) is to sell its products in such a way that maximizes its profits.  You, on the other hand, want to get the best car at the best possible price.  Due to the “haggling” nature of the car buying process, you will eventually have to negotiate those conflicting interests. 

Buying a car is a lot like playing poker, and you need to play your cards close to the vest if you want to “win”.  Here are six “tells” that you should never let slip when you are shopping for a car:

1. “I LOVE this car!” - No matter how beautiful, fast, shiny or perfect the car is, keep your emotions in check.  It’s just like holding a pair of pocket aces - never let on how excited you are.  If you admit that you are smitten, you have essentially told the sales person that you are not likely to walk away from the table.  The sales person, in turn, will tell you that the car is really hot in the market, someone else was seriously looking it that very morning and the manager just won’t take less than sticker price.  Instead, remain calm and pretend you’re looking at a 2-7 off suit, which is the poker equivalent of a Yugo.  The less emotion you show, the cheaper the car will be.  There is no room at the negotiating table for emotions, so keep a poker face!

2. “I need a car today” — There is nothing worse than being in desperate need of a car.  Except letting on that you are in desperate need of a car.  This says to the salesman, “I won’t be applying any brain cells whatsoever to this purchase.”  He knows you won’t be scrutinizing the numbers and doing the math, and you aren’t likely to drive across town to try to get a better price. It also means you are likely to take whatever he happens to have in his inventory, even if it doesn’t fit your needs or is a piece of junk.  If you really do need a car quickly, BLUFF!  Act like you have several weeks to decide and shop for the best deal.  Tell the sales person you would consider buying today, but only if you found the right car at the right price.

3. “I need a monthly payment of $X”– Most car shoppers are “payment shoppers” because most of us have no clue how much car we can afford except by looking at how the payment fits into our monthly budget.  The catch is, there are many different ways to get to a certain monthly payment, and most of them are not to your financial benefit.  For example, you can get a $35,000 car for under $500 a month, but you have to finance it for 7 years!  With the loan terms that are available today, you can get to almost any monthly payment if you drag it out long enough.  So, do the math before you get to the dealership, and understand exactly how much car you can afford based on a realistic interest rate and loan term.

4. “I have my trade with me” - A savvy salesperson will usually want to know up front if you have a vehicle to trade. If you tell him, “Why, yes I do, and it’s parked right outside!”, he’ll ask you for the keys so the used car manager can assess its value while you’re shopping. Sounds good, right?  After all, it will save time!  The problem is, you have just handed the keys to your only means of escape to a person who wants to keep you there until you agree to buy a car.  You have just lost the ability to throw in your cards and leave the table. 

5. “I’m thinking about leasing, but I don’t know much about it” — Leasing is a whole ‘nother game compared to traditional car financing.  Like a friendly game of 5 card draw vs. a Texas Holdem tournament.  If you are considering leasing a vehicle, you must learn the special rules of that game and make sure it’s really the right decision for you.  The monthly payment calculations are very complicated, and the laws governing leasing vary by state.  You need to understand the unique terminology as well as the extra costs and fees involved.  You also need to know how many miles are included in the lease and the penalties for exceeding the mileage limits. 

6. “My credit isn’t very good” - Most people don’t know their exact credit score, much less what interest rate it qualifies them for.  Those are the people who are big moneymakers for car dealers (and anyone else who sells financing).  The dealership makes money on the “yield spread” - the difference between the wholesale interest rate offered by the lending institution and the interest rate the dealer charges you.   If you tell the salesman that your credit is less than perfect, he may be pleased to confirm your belief that you don’t qualify for a low interest rate. To make sure you get the best interest rate, shop for your own financing before you start shopping for the car.  Having a loan secured outside of the dealership gives you added negotiating power.  If the dealership can beat the interest rate - great!  If not, you have an ace in the hole.

The truth is that most car dealers do not “take advantage” of people — they are simply better at playing the sales game.  After all, they get more practice at it than you do.  To win the game, you must educate yourself, play smart and keep your emotions in check or risk losing all your chips.

It’s summer!  For many families, that means making the yearly pilgrimage to the beach or hot vacation spot.  However, record high gas prices are putting a damper on many people’s vacation plans.  But, don’t throw in the beach towel just yet.  Here are ten ways you can improve fuel efficiency and save valuable vacation money at the pump.

1.  Don’t Skimp on the Octane - Some people try to save money by putting regular gas into a vehicle that actually requires premium fuel.  This skimping may save you a few bucks today, but it will cost you much more in the long run.  High-performance vehicles need higher-octane fuel because the combustion chamber environment is much hotter in a performance engine. Using a lower octane fuel reduces fuel efficiency and can damage valves and pistons, which can cost you thousands of dollars in repair costs down the road. 

2.  Take Care of Your Ride – Proper maintenance is crucial to your vehicle’s fuel economy.  Be sure to adhere to the maintenance schedule in the owner’s manual.   Dirty air and fuel filters, old spark plugs and low fluid levels can affect engine performance and significantly reduce fuel efficiency. Have these items checked by your mechanic before you go on vacation.  Not only will you get better gas mileage, but you will reduce the chance of a breakdown on the way to the beach. 

3.  Keep Those Tires Inflated - Under-inflated tires increase the amount of friction between your car and the pavement.  This makes it harder for your car to move down the road, which means your engine uses more fuel to maintain speed.  In fact, just one under-inflated tire can increase fuel consumption by one percent or more. Check your owner’s manual for correct inflation levels, and ensure all four tires are properly inflated before setting off on your trip.

4.  Leave the Kitchen Sink at Home – We all like to pack everything we own when we go to the beach.  We load up our with pillows, beach chairs, toys, charcoal grills, coolers, and enough food for the Chinese army until every square millimeter of trunk and cabin space is filled.  However, this pack rat behavior weighs down your vehicle, and heavier vehicles use more fuel.  Roof racks (which I have affectionately termed “hamburger boxes”) on the top of the car make it even worse.  So, put some careful thought into your packing, and only take what you absolutely need for the trip.  Remember – they probably have stores where you are going, and it may be cheaper to buy some items (especially food) once you get to your destination.

5.  Fuel Up in Advance – Statistics have shown that gas prices cheapest on Wednesdays because most people fuel up on the weekends for trips or Monday mornings before work.  So, plan ahead and fuel up for that vacation on Wednesday instead of waiting until Saturday before you leave.  Even if you have to “top off” on Saturday, you will still save a buck or two.

6.  Slow Down – As your speed increases, the aerodynamic drag on your vehicle increases exponentially.  This means that your engine has to work harder, and use more fuel, to maintain your speed.   Adhering to a speed of 55 mph (the most common highway speed limit) will yield 21% better mileage than driving 65 mph.  Driving 62 mph instead of 75 mph can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 15%.  Furthermore, maintaining a consistent speed over long distances saves gas, so use the cruise control as much as possible.   It might also save you from a speeding ticket!

7.  Accelerate and Decelerate Gently - A car uses more fuel under hard acceleration (another bad habit of mine).   Resist the urge to floor it “off the line”, just because you can.  Don’t race up to red lights or stop signs and then slam on the breaks.  Instead, anticipate the need to stop and lift your foot off of the accelerator early, allowing the engine to slow the vehicle before gently applying the break.  This requires patience, but it also saves on gas.

8.  Avoid Idling - Unless you are fortunate enough to own a hybrid, idling wastes fuel.   If you anticipate being stopped for more than one minute, turn off the ignition. Restarting the car actually uses less fuel than letting it idle.  Go into restaurants to purchase food instead of using the drive through when it’s time to refuel the family.  If possible, plan your route to minimize traffic lights and left hand turns, which increase idling time.  Don’t’ laugh – making only right hand turns saves UPS nearly $600 million per year!

9.  Don’t Blast the A/C - The air conditioner puts extra load on a vehicle’s engine, requiring an average of 20% more fuel to be used.   Since cruisin’ without A/C is not really an option in the South, try to keep it set at around 75 degrees.  Don’t blast the air when you first get into your car, even if it is stifling hot.   Instead, open the windows initially to release the stale, hot air.  Once you get moving, close the windows and set the A/C at 75 degrees. Your car will cool down quickly.

10.  Keep the Windows Up - Wide-open windows, especially at highway speeds, significantly increase the aerodynamic drag on your vehicle.  This drag can decrease your fuel economy by as much as 10%.   Run the fan on “outside air” instead, and just crack the window or sunroof for additional ventilation.

The reality is that high gas prices will negatively impact vacation plans for many people this summer.  However, by following these suggestions, you may be able to save enough to pay for that all-you-can-eat seafood buffet!  Have a safe and fun summer vacation!