Renting a Car

All too often, renting a car means standing in long lines, discovering that the car you reserved is not available, and learning that the price quoted over the phone doesn't include additional charg

Leasing a Car

Many new car drivers lease, rather than purchase, their vehicles. Although leasing can be a good deal for some people, for many it's not. Before the dealership persuades you that leasing is the answer to your prayers, you should have a good understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of a lease,

Buying a New Car

All too often, people in the market for a new car walk out of the dealership with a car they can't afford, a car they don't really want, or a car for which they paid far too much. This is not surprising, because dealers are masters at applying high-pressure sales tactics. The key to buying the car you want at a good price is to do your homework before you enter the dealership and to negotiate effectively with the dealer. Here's how.

Buying a Used Car

Although buying a used car is often a smart financial decision, it's also a transaction full of potential for disaster. We all know someone who paid too much for a used car that fell apart on the way home. To better your chances of getting a reliable car at a good price, follow these pointers. (If you're

Buying a Used Car Privately

Helpful things to know before you buy a used car from a private individual.

Women Buying Cars

Women buy 54% of the cars in the United States, and influence 84% of all vehicle purchase decisions. Yet most women dread the car buying experience, with good reason. Women often get ignored, patronized, or just plain ripped off at car dealerships.

Car Warranties: The Basics

An automobile warranty is a promise by a manufacturer or dealer that it will repair or replace defects in your car, or that your car will be of a certain quality, for a specified period of time. Warranties are not just for new cars and are not always in writing. In some cases, even used cars purchased

Automobile Service Contracts: Are They Worth it?

An automobile service contract is similar to a warranty -- they both promise to perform or pay for certain repairs or services to your car. However, unlike a warranty, a service contract always costs extra. (To learn more about automobile warranties, see Nolo's article Car Warranties: The Basics.) Sometimes

Lemon Law for New Cars

An estimated 150,000 cars each year (or 1% of new cars) are lemons -- cars that have repeated, unfixable problems.

Buying Car Insurance

Most states require that every registered vehicle carry some sort of auto insurance. But even if there were no such requirements, all drivers would be wise to think carefully about how much and what kind of insurance coverage they need. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 6.9 million

Gap Insurance for Your Car: Do You Need It?

For many drivers, a standard auto insurance policy provides enough protection to cover the cost of repairs or replacement if their car is damaged or stolen. However, if you total your car and the car's actual cash value is lower than the amount you owe on your loan balance or lease, that difference, or "gap," is not covered by insurance. Gap insurance, more accurately called gap protection, covers the difference between what you owe on your car and how much the car is worth.

How to Buy a Boat

Part one of a two part article on buying a boat. Learn how to protect your financial interests when you put cash down on a new ship.

How to Buy a Boat

Learn about inspections for engineering problems and title checks when buying a used boat.

Must I buy the rental car company's insurance coverage?

On a recent trip, I got into a big argument with the person at the airport rental car counter. She told me that I couldn't rent the car if I didn't buy their company's insurance. She won the argument -- but who was right?