Protecting Your Stored or Classic Vehicle Against Mice

What’s the best way to keep mice out of my car while in storage during the winter?

First, try to store your car in a location that is free of rodents. Second, remain vigilant in visiting, cleaning, and running your vehicle as often as possible. Many collectors suggest surrounding the outside of the car with mothballs placed a few inches apart. Mice hate the smell and usually will not walk through this "barrier." And just to be safe, consider putting shaved pieces of Irish Spring soap on foil or in small open containers inside the vehicle. The odor from the soap is less objectionable than that from the mothballs, but will still help you deter the rodents. You can also consider one of the electronic deterrent devices available for your garage, but the ultimate protection may just be a "car cocoon" device (www.classiccarcocoon.com), which completely encloses the vehicle and can assist with controlling moisture as well.


Thank you to Hagerty Insurance Company

CarMax Advises How to Avoid Flood-Damaged Cars

In the wake of recent flooding, CarMax, Inc., (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, is advising consumers on how to avoid purchasing flood-damaged vehicles.

"Consumers should be aware that some businesses and individuals may try to sell salvaged and flood-damaged cars without revealing the vehicle history," said Jason Day, Atlanta region vice president of purchasing for CarMax.
Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers."

CarMax’s purchasing team offers these ten tips for identifying a vehicle with possible flood damage. If any of these signs are identified, ask further questions to determine if flood damage occurred:

Check for a moldy smell inside the car and feel the carpet for dampness

Be suspicious of an older car with a brand new interior or carpeting

Check for rust under the brake or gas pedals

Look for dirt or rust under the dashboard and floor mats

Inspect the bolts and screws under the seats for evidence of rust

Check the undercarriage for excessive rust

Check inside the trunk under the carpet and in the spare tire well area for rust, dirt or sand

Look for corrosion, water marks, or a thin brown line on the exterior of the vehicle

Check to see if the electrical system works

Check the VIN number with AutoCheck or Carfax to see whether a flood claim has been filed or a salvage title has been issued on the vehicle

Earthquake Preparedness: What To Do Before an Earthquake

Check for earthquake hazards

Fasten shelves securely to walls.

Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves and store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in low, closed cabinets with latches.

Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds, couches, and anywhere people sit.

Brace overhead light fixtures.

Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These are potential fire risks.

Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it to the floor.

Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice if there are signs of structural defects.

Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.

Identify safe places indoors and outdoors

Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table.

Against an inside wall.

Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors, pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.

In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

Have disaster supplies on hand

Flashlight and extra batteries.

Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries.

First aid kit and manual.

Emergency food and water.

Nonelectric can opener.

Essential medicines.

Cash and credit cards.

Sturdy shoes.

Make sure the whole family knows the plan

Make sure children know how to call 911 and how to tune into emergency radio broadcasts

Teach family members how and when to turn off water, gas, and electricity

Have an earthquake drill

Have a plan to reunite after a disaster if family is separated

Have an out of state family member or friend as an emergency contact in case local friends and family are not reachable due to the disaster


Thank you to FEMA

New Car Shopping Tips Part 2

You can do several things to ensure you get the best value possible when shopping for a new car. If you have a good relationship with a dealer, you’re in great shape. Otherwise, here are some tips:

Determine a Fair Price
First determine the fair price. Edmunds and FightingChance are both resources for finding this information. And furthermore, we've tracked down a spreadsheet to help determine what you want at the price you can afford. Click here.

Use The Competition
After finding the fair price, fill out a free quote request from the following: InvoiceDealers, Cars.com, Yahoo!Autos, Autos.com, Edmunds.com, MyRide.com and CarsDirect.
You'll shortly be contacted by the internet sales manager. Tell them up front that you are working with multiple dealers. Give them the details on the car you are looking to purchase, and ask them to give you a bottom line price including all dealer fees. At this point, tell the dealer that you will not be trading in a car. If the subject of financing or special financing deals come up, tell them you will deal with this later and are only interested in the price of the car, not what your monthly payment will be.

Get Your Financing In Check
Before anything, you need to find out your credit score by going to Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. This determines your APR.
The dealership is not the only place where you can get new car financing! Try online lenders Up2Drive and FirstAgain.com. No credit or poor credit? Try AutoCreditFinders

Find Your Trade-In Value
Use Kelley Blue Book or NADA to find out your private resale or trade in value. You should determine what will work best for you.

Let The Negotiations Begin
The key to getting an accurate offer from the dealer is to request that they give you the out-the-door cash price excluding rebates, incentives or trade-in's. The price should include all dealer added fees. At the beginning, don't let them use your trade-in or financing as part of the negotiation.

Tell the dealer that you will be paying cash and you will be selling your existing car on your own. Get the starting price from each dealer that you have made contact with. Then, take the lowest price and contact each of the other dealers. Tell them, another dealer offered me $XXXX.XX and ask if they can beat it. After round 2, take the lowest offer and repeat. At some point, they will stop going lower. You can tell that it is a fair price, by using the free "offer" spreadsheet, as well as forcing the dealers to compete against each other. Once the dealers have stopped lowering the price, contact the dealer which gave you the lowest price and say you would like to purchase the vehicle.

Now is the time to negotiate your trade-in value (unless you decided to sell it on your own). If the dealer doesn't offer you something close to the Kelly Blue Book price threaten to walk. Once you have agreed upon a fair trade-in value or decide to sell it yourself, you are ready to negotiate your financing.

NEVER NEGOTIATE BASED ON MONTHLY PAYMENT
Only negotiate based on the interest rate of the loan. There are many “games” the dealer can play with loan term and down payments amount. By this point you should have your quote from Up2Drive or FirstAgain.com. Tell the dealer what rate they have offered you and ask if they can beat it. There is a good chance they will say "we can't beat the rate but if you finance with us you can get a $1500 rebate.” You have to be very careful here. Sometimes it is better to take the lower rate instead of the higher rate with the rebate. Use the spreadsheet, to figure out which is better. If the dealer offers you better financing, by all means, take it. If the Up2Drive deal is better, follow the instructions to use the check that you should have in hand to complete the transaction. Some dealers will try and scare you away from using Up2Drive by saying their checks bounce and they won't take it. This is not true. Tell them either they can take the check or you will find another dealer that will.


HUGE thanks to Jeff's CarBuyingTips.com

New Car Shopping Tips Part 1

You can do several things to ensure you get the best value possible when shopping for a new car. If you have a good relationship with a dealer, you’re in great shape. Otherwise, here are some tips:

Don't Wait Until Your Old Car Breaks Down Before Shopping For A New One
If you’re desperate for a new car, you might not make the best decision. It’s always best to allow yourself time to get exactly what you need.

Become Informed
There are many Web sites you can visit to get information, quotes, and prices for new cars. Autoweb.com, Vehix.com, and CarsDirect.com are just a few. Go to a search engine like Yahoo! or Google to find others. Then take a look at those sites to discover the features you want and what different cars cost. Visit dealers to check models and options. Knowledge is power, and the more you know the better choice you’ll make.

Buy At The Right Time Of Year
In general, there are two times during the year that are the best to buy a new car. One is the last two weeks of December. With everyone out buying holiday gifts, attending parties, and traveling, the traffic at car dealerships is down. That motivates dealers to cut costs, and there usually are year-end sales records they’re trying to break. Another good time is July to October, because that’s when dealers clear out last year’s models so they can sell the new model year. However, with the economic situation, many are finding now is a great time too!

Set A Price You Can Afford, And Don't Pay More
If you can remain firm in your price, you stand a better chance of paying the price you want. Dealers have many ways to make a deal profitable. Some you may never be aware of, such as factory-to-dealer incentives.

Thank You to Pemco Insurance Company

How to Apply Chains

If you're a Seattlite, I thought I'd warn you before you venture out in the snow.

I attempted such a feat on Sunday out of pure desparation for getting some butter and flour to make some Christmas Cookies. My initial thought was to bus it! Well...unfortunately I wasn't aware of it but buses weren't running at a regular schedule or pace. I ended up walking and gave up to take a bus home (right past the store).

My suggestion is to get yourself some good chains if you can find them. This is a VERY helpful video from WSDOT on applying your chains:

How to Remove Ice from your Driveway

First, it's smart to prepare for ice and snow by using markers to mark the perimeter of your driveway to avoid damage to the vegetation.

There's a nifty product you apply about 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the snow hits which acts as an "anti-snow agent". Essentially this reduces snow accumulation and therefore the formation of ice. One gallon of this liquid product protects 1000 square feet and lasts about 2 weeks. The product is called Bare Ground and can be used from 35 degrees to -20. Anything above 35 degrees F will cause a slippery surface.

Other options are to shovel the snow before it becomes ice or laying down heavy plastic over small areas before the storm.

When it comes to chemicals...

Sand does not remove the ice, however it does provide traction. You may even want to use a pick to chop up ice, shovel it, and then spread the sand out evenly over remaining icy spots.

Rock salt aka sodium chloride is probably the most well known product to remove ice. It is inexpensive and usually readily available. Keep it mind it does damage vegetation and can damage metal and concrete.

CMA or Calcium Magnesium Acetate is a low toxicity product that's safe for vegetation, concrete, and metal. However, it is one of the slower working products and more expensive too.

Potassium Chloride is OK for plants and concrete but is not very effective. It also will work only to the lowest temperature of 12 degrees F.

Calcium Chloride is fast acting and effective to -25 degrees F. It will likely cause damage to concrete, vegetation and metal and tends to leave an oily residue.

Magnesium chloride is also one of the best known products. If followed as directed, it will not harm vegetation, metal, or concrete. It will usually leave an oily residue.

With possibly the next few days being a snow storm over in the Seattle area, take care and do as little driving as possible!

Thank you to, Associated Content