Now is the Time to Make Deals
To Buy New Wheels

Lauren Fix

Although it may sound a bit odd at first, the first few months of 2009 will go down in history as one of the best times to have bought a new car. Of course, this is not the best time for everyone out there - just for those with quality credit ratings who will be looking to buy in the next 2 years. Here’s why -

1. Cheap Credit for Good Borrowers. For those with a FICO scores (FICO guages your credit-worthiness) greater than 660, also known as 'prime' borrowers, the recent drop of the fed funds rate means a direct reduction in how much you will spend on interest when you finance a vehicle. In fact, this will be the least you spend on interest when you finance a car ever (unless you include financing incentives which are really just discounts). With record low interest rates, it also means that savings accounts will give you less interest, and the opportunity cost to buying a new car also goes down. Also interesting ? Obtaining a Better Credit Score
   
   
2. Rising Foreign Currencies. With the yen (87 yen=$1) and euro (1.44 euro=$1) at their highest level in years against the US Dollar, Japanese- and German-made cars will be a lot more expensive next year. While the Japanese government has already indicated that it will help its exporters by artificially weakening the yen, most believe that the dollar will continue to weaken into 2009. CarZen recommends looking for Model Year 2008 cars from Japan or Germany, which many dealers likely still have on their lots (Most dealers are currently selling 'Model Year 2009' cars right now).
   
   

So with dealerships offering deep discounts and fabulous incentives, the likes of which have rarely been seen, consumers need to find their perfect car match online at vertical car search sites such as CarZen. For consumers who qualify for loans or have the cash to buy outright, the time is ripe for some of the best car deals in a decade. What makes CarZen stand out from the rest (Edmunds.com, Cars.com, etc?) There are many car websites that provide consumers with car data. But consumers need to turn to vertical car search sites that actually help them make a comprehensive decision based on their individual wants and needs. CarZen has quickly emerged as the gold standard of car research sites. CarZen seeks to become each individual's personal car consultant. Unlike most competitors, who inundate visitors with useless jargon, pages of content, stats and figures, CarZen streamlines the process through its consultative auto personalization tools. Within minutes, CarZen's CarConsult tool provides consumers with their "car match," which enables the laser focus they need in this challenging environment. But first tart by finding the right car with CarConsult.

At CarZen, we recommend that any new car buyers gets Price Quotes for all the vehicles they are looking at. Compare the cost of the vehicle to CarZen's published 'Target Price' and the dealer's 'Invoice Price' (what the dealer paid) to the quote that you receive. You can find these prices in any car?s CarPage (i.e. the Chrysler 300C). It?s easy to see that many cars are selling for Invoice or slightly higher than Invoice price.

CarZen... finally, Auto Enlightenment!

Lauren Fix, the Car Coach®, is a nationally recognized TV Automotive Expert, frequently-quoted authority on automotive culture and issues, a journalist, author of three books (most recently "Lauren Fix's Guide To Loving Your Car"), and co-host of DIY's Talk 2 DIY Automotive. She is also the Automotive Editor in Chief for CarZen.