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GM launches 2 new sales initiatives
August 20, 2008
The Detroit News reports that GM is running short of cash. The dire financial straits have prompted 2 recent major announcements from the automaker.
First, GM is offering a new warranty for used cars under their certified-car program. This is a highly unusual move that you can benefit from. This bumper-to-bumper warranty is for 12 months/12,000 miles.
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CLARK'S TIP TOPICS
Find more consumer advice in Clark Howard's book, "Get Clark Smart" |
The second announcement concerns employee pricing on new vehicles. This is not a gimmick. It's a longstanding perk that's been enjoyed by the employees of many American automakers. Now it's being extended to the general public in the hopes that they'll buy more GM vehicles.
Now is the time for great deals -- unless you're seeking a highly coveted small car or a hybrid!
Cost of a vehicle at all-time low
August 13, 2008
The Vehicle Affordability Index now shows that cars are the most affordable they've been since Jimmy Carter was president.
That's partly because of the intense competition in the car market that makes new vehicles a real deal at this point.
To arrive at this finding, researchers took the average income and figured out how many weeks you'd have to work to equal the average cost of a vehicle. The result? 23 weeks of work.
But here's the disturbing news: We're snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. First off, the average length of a loan is now 63 months, which is way too long. Second, repossessions have skyrocketed at all levels of car purchases -- partly because of the economic downturn.
42 months is the longest auto loan you should ever take out, according to Clark. If you can't afford the payment on a 42-month loan, then you need to buy a cheaper car. Paying cash upfront for a vehicle is always a good idea too.
Meanwhile, the price of used vehicles is down because there's too much supply. CarMax is among the major used-car sellers that's really taken it on the chin. So in addition to the great deals on new vehicles, there's never been a better time to buy a used car either. As always, remember to get a mechanic to carefully vet any used car before you actually buy it.
In related news, Clark recently read that an SUV purchased today will be worth a mere 30 cents on the dollar in 36 months. That's food for thought!
J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study released
August 7, 2008
When it comes to research about reliable cars, there are two highly respected sources -- Consumer Reports and J.D. Power and Associates. ... More
Clark eats humble pie over SUV leasing advice
August 4, 2008
If you're a longtime listener, you know that Clark has frequently bashed vehicle leasing. He's called it a recipe for financial disaster, and he's said it's only good if you like new wheels every few years or have a special factory-subsidized lease. ... More
Oilman's energy plan has a green angle
July 9, 2008
Getting our country on a better footing with energy has been a longtime personal mission for Clark. Some of you may have heard about his 3-wheel car called the Freeway. This vehicle ran on a 12-horsepower Tecumseh engine and had no reverse gear! ... More
More recent Car Cost Tips from Clark:- Driver monitoring devices yield big savings on auto insurance
- IRS' new mileage numbers underscore mpg craze
- The 10 cheapest cars to own and operate
- Big 3 automakers rolling out great incentives and rebates
- Are gas rebate credit cards a deal?
- Clark's used car buying tips
- Are gas additives for real?
- Scooters and bus commuters all the rage
- Compact vehicles may be a better deal than sub-compacts
- Getting out of a car lease
Have fun
An Excuse to Celebrate
National Hunger Awareness Month
November is Hunger Awareness Month. Ways to curb hunger in America: 1. Volunteer your time or money to charities that feed the hungry. 2. Eat some good food so that you are no longer hungry. We can help you do both!
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Best of Dayton
You Decide What's the Best
Best Barbecue Restaurant [poll]
Here's where you get to tell the world what you think. Every week you get to vote on the best that the Dayton area has to offer in entertainment, restaurants, recreation & and a few other bizarro categories.
Voting in this category ends on Nov. 24.
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- Buddha Den NTRO/XPO at Oregon Express
- Ladies Night Luau at Brixx Ice
Wright State University
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Kenny G and ice, what could be better? [things to do]
What would Brian Boitano do? If he lived in the Miami Valley, he'd check out "Skate for the Heart" featuring saxophonist Kenny G. and Olympic and World Champion figure skaters at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Nov. 19, at the Nutter Center. Boitano won't be there, unfortunately, but here's who will: Ekaterina Gordeeva, Irina Slutskaya, Viktor Petrenko, Jeffrey Buttle, US Pairs Champions Rockne Brubaker and Keauna McLaughlin, Shae-Lynn Bourne, Caryn Kadavy, Jozef Sabovcik and Steven Cousins. Tickets are $42 to $100. More »
What's happening this week
- Skate for the Heart featuring Musical Guest Kenny G at Ervin J.
- Auntie Mame at Dayton Playhouse
- Mothergrove at Peach's Grill
- Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra with Violinist Vadim Gluzman at Schuster Performing
- The Cover of Life at the Dayton
- Third Friday Fling in Yellow Springs
- 103.9 The X and Live Nation Present Staind, Seether and Papa Roach in Concert at Hara Arena
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What's happening this week
- Skate for the Heart featuring Musical Guest Kenny G at Ervin J.
- Auntie Mame at Dayton Playhouse
- Mothergrove at Peach's Grill
- Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra with Violinist Vadim Gluzman at Schuster Performing
- The Cover of Life at the Dayton
- Third Friday Fling in Yellow Springs
- 103.9 The X and Live Nation Present Staind, Seether and Papa Roach in Concert at Hara Arena
Movies
Movies & Showtimes
'Quantum of Solace'[movies]
Men have curious ways of getting over a romantic betrayal. Some try avoidance. Some go on the rebound. James Bond's method, as seen in "Quantum of Solace," involves shooting, ducking, running, bleeding, locking dudes in car trunks and the massive destruction of parts of Italy and Bolivia. Obviously Daniel Craig is back as the shoot first, drink cocktails later version of 007 in the follow-up to 2006's "Casino Royale". More »
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Food & More
Local Dining
Amelia's Bistro, Bellbrook, restaurant review [review]
Call it comfort food, gourmet style. From crab raviolis with vanilla lobster sauce, to a hand-cut and brined pork chop served with a fig jam, to a simply "Big-Ass Cake" that's a chocolate lover's dream, Amelia's has the potential to become a destination restaurant — worth the drive to Bellbrook. More »
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