If you are like me, you are probably not going to be purchasing a real expensive car anytime soon.  Hey you can get great used cars for half the price!  But hold on a second...you can also get a NEW car for pretty cheap, but the question is, are cheap cars worth it, even if they are brand new?  Check out the 10 least expensive rides of 2010, along with a quick review of each car, here. 

Check out the Wall Street Journal article on Ford's recent $450 million investment in Thailand, which, according to the article, is "expected to provide a boost to the Thai auto industry and help an economy racked by months of political turmoil."  Ford is not moving into Asia because it likes Chinese food, but because Asia is where the most people are buying the most cars.  What, if any, are the effects of such a strong foreign market on our own market here in the U.S.?  Is this a sign of good things to come?

"...9 out of 10 guys don’t live in the actual city that they play in, so you’ve got to ship your cars"

In honor of game 7 of the NBA playoffs, which airs tonight, we put our internet research team on the hunt for some goods regarding the fast paced world of the NBA and something car related.  No its not about their car loans or any kind of financing.  It is about the wild world of shipping...that's right...shipping.  Bored yet?  Its actually kind of interesting, at least the New York Times thinks so.  Have you ever thought about what the big ballers drive?  They make a lot of money and so it should be no surprise that they aren't driving Hyundais, regardless of their strong warranties.  Here's the deal, few of these ballers actually live in the cities in which they play, which means their phat rides need to get home somehow.  How do they do it?  Check out the article to find out.  

There is no doubt that buying a used car has its advantages.  They generally cost less, so smaller loans make for fuller bank accounts, which translates to a happier you.  This is obvious.  But what about when it inevitably breaks down and the warranty is up?  At this point many a used car owner find themselves willing to pay the big bucks for a shiny new car that apparently doesn't break down. What are the options for the used car owner? 

1.  Forget about used cars and fork over the dough for a brand new one.  This will last for a couple of years if you're lucky, but alas, every new car becomes a used one once its driven off the lot.  Still, it is worth noting that most new cars come with hefty warranties, especially now that car dealers are dying to sell, sell, sell!  

2.  Get an extended warranty.  Here is a great list of how to buy an extended warranty for your vehicle.  

Many people are willing to fork over the extra dough to have the peace of mind that comes with driving a new car.  But that same peace of mind, at least in part (I mean who doesn't want a NEW car?), can be regained by purchasing an extended warranty.  

If you could get a loan for this car, would you buy it?  Hyundai, who is the official auto sponsor for FIFA, is blessing the world with a special series of turf cars for the World Cup in South Africa this year.  Could I get that in baseball please?  Check out a quick article here.  

How's this for an overload of information?  If you have a wild hair and want to see every car ever made in the U.S., check out this list from Wikipedia.  If you want to see every car brand ever made in the world, look here. 

Check out the 2010 Kia Sportage.  A wide array of standard safety features; competent handling; stylish and versatile interior; and of course the remarkable warranty that KIA is so well known for.  Enjoy the video! 

1.       Applying for a refinance takes a lot of time

Completing an auto refinance application is fast an easy. It usually just takes a few minutes to complete the online form.

2.       I need to get my car appraised before I can refinance it

Contrary to refinancing your home, refinancing your automobile does not require an appraisal. You won’t have to worry about incurring appraisal expenses since lenders determine the value of your car by using Kelly Blue Book, NADA or a similar tool that provides vehicle values.

3.       It costs a lot of money to refinance my car

Most lenders do not charge any application or closing fees for you to refinance your auto loan. Depending on your state, a title transfer and/or registration fee may apply, which usually ranges from $5 to $65. Most lenders pay the fee on the customer’s behalf, and simply add it to the final loan amount. 

4.       I’ve had credit problems in the past, so I won’t qualify

Lenders understand that things happen in life. Having gone through some tough times in the past does not mean you can’t be approved. Even applicants with previous Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcies can be approved, as long as the bankruptcies are discharged. The only way to find out if you qualify is to apply.

5.       I will not be approved because I am self-employed

Even if you are self-employed you can be approved to refinance your vehicle. Just like any other applicant, it is important that your income is verifiable. For self-employed applicants, this usually means providing an IRS form that allows your lender to request transcripts of your last 2 tax returns.

Pretty interesting article written a couple of years ago about the history of car loans.  According to the author, the article was written so that people could "gain a working knowledge of car loans, so that when you go to get one, you’ll know where they came from, why they were invented, and how all that affects the transaction you’re about to undertake."  This is indeed important.  As car loans have become a staple to the vast majority of those buying new and used vehicles, the tendency is for people to assume that they have always been there.  There are so many moving pieces behind each transaction with o many people vying for their piece of the pie.  Simply put, so much business!  And that is what makes it all so interesting.  Read on and get some foundational street knowledge about the industry. 

Check out Consumer Search for their top 5 auto tires in the following categories:

• Best all-season tires
• Budget all-season tires
• All-season tires for performance cars
• Budget high-performance all-season cars
• Max-performance summer tires