I Just Bought a Used Car, What Do I Do Now?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Buying a used car is arguably one of the best ways to get yourself a set of wheels. You can save a lot of money upfront by buying a used car, especially from a private party, and insurance will cost less as well. However, if you have just purchased a used car from a private seller, then you might not be aware of what to do. Here are some steps to take after procuring your new-to-your ride.

1. Transfer the title

Used Cars At Dealership | JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

If you bought the used car from a dealership, then the title transfer and registration should be taken care of by them. However, if you purchased the car from an individual seller, then you will have to get the title transferred to you. This process can differ by state, so be sure to check your local laws and see if you need to visit the DMV to get this step done. In most cases, you will have to after the seller signs the car’s “pink slip” or title.

2. Get the car insured

Before you head to the DMV to get the car registered, Auto.com recommends getting the car insured. In fact, almost every state requires that a car be insured before it’s registered, however, those laws might vary.

Fortunately, finding insurance for your car is easy nowadays as insurers like Geico and Progressive offer quick and easy quotes online. Or, if you already own another car, then you can insure the newly purchased car under the same policy and save some money.  

3. Register the car

A view of the NY DMV's signage, if you lose your car's title, you will need to visit the DMV
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. | ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

Now that you have the car insured and the title in hand, it’s time to get the car registered. You’ll typically have to visit the DMV in order to get this step done, so be prepared to wait in line or make an appointment. If you purchased the used car from a dealership, then this step is typically done by them and not you.

4. Have the car inspected

While we always recommend getting a pre-purchase inspection done, we can understand if you don’t have the time to do it before purchasing a car. In that case, Car and Driver recommends that you get an inspection done after you have taken care of the registration and insurance requirements. A good inspection can detect any current and potential issues down the road, which could end up saving you money in the long run.

5. Plan for any maintenance required down the road

independent car repair shop service technician
A worker with a face mask testing battery. | (Photo by: Jeffrey Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

After getting the car inspected and ensuring that it’s in tip-top shape, we recommend checking the car’s owner’s manual to see if there is a maintenance schedule to follow. Maintenance items like tire rotations, oil changes, and even changing the battery are very important, so make sure to account for those expenses later down the road.

Enjoy your car

Now that your new-to-you car is all maintained, registered, and insured, it’s time to enjoy it. At this point, not only did you save a lot of money by not buying a new car, but you also most likely saved money on your insurance and registration fees. That’s a lot to celebrate, so we recommend taking your car on a nice drive and enjoying your newfound freedom and more money in your pocket.

RELATED: How to Pick the Best Car Dealership to Buy a New Car

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5 Toyota Models That Won’t Cost You a Fortune to Insure

by Gabrielle DeSantis

When it comes to car buying, there’s more to it than calculating the MSRP. Consumers know they also must consider interest on auto loans, fuel costs, and insurance rates. And in many of these categories, Toyota dominates as a top value.

In a recent analysis of insurance rates for 2020 and 2021, Toyota proves it builds affordable cars. Five models appear on a recent NerdWallet list of the cheapest cars to insure. So if you have your eye on one of these Toyota vehicles, you won’t be disappointed.

Which vehicles make NerdWallet’s list of the cheapest to insure?

NerdWallet, a personal finance company covering consumer products and services, recently compiled a list of the most affordable and cheapest cars to insure. NerdWallet often suggests tips that help people improve their credit scores, find ideal credit cards, and secure low-interest loans. In this latest compilation, the nerds did all the heavy data lifting to show the vehicles with the lowest insurance costs.

There are 25 vehicles in the running. And if you’re in the market, these models are worth a look. Based on the national yearly average cost of insurance — $1,427 — the Subaru Outback and the Jeep Wrangler come out on top. Other models with low insurance costs are the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Chevy Equinox, and a slew of Toyota models.

Toyota makes 5 models with low insurance costs

In some circles, Toyota and Honda tend to be the most competitive brands when it comes to insurance rates. Car Insurance Comparison found that average Toyota monthly insurance premiums are $118, while Honda rates average around $115.

On NerdWallet’s list, five Toyota vehicles are among the most affordable to insure. They are the Tacoma, RAV4, Camry, Corolla, and Highlander.

Insurance rates among Toyota models

You might assume vehicles with lower purchase prices are also the cheapest to insure. But that isn’t always the case, especially because several other factors contribute to insurance risk assessments. The NerdWallet team assembled the monthly premiums for each Toyota, along with the percentage of each vehicle’s MSRP. 

For example, the Tacoma averages $1,527 to insure annually, 6.09 percent of its $25,050 MSRP. The RAV4 costs about $1,555 a year to insure, 5.99 percent of its $25,950 sticker price. The Corolla costs about 8.58 percent of its purchase price to insure, with rates around $1,701 per year. The Camry’s average annual premium comes in at $1,704, or 6.98 percent. And the Highlander will set you back around $1,773 yearly, a mere 4.82 percent of the sticker.

What drives car insurance rates anyway?

Insurance companies tend to set pricing according to a few key risk factors. Accident occurrences, theft rates, and average repair costs usually factor into the equation.

For instance, sports cars have some of the highest insurance rates because of their speed and a higher percentage of accidents. Value Penguin suggests small pickups and minivans tend to be the least expensive because of their owners’ more conservative driving habits. Based on these criteria, the Toyota models tend to perform better than others, with practicality, better safety equipment, and lower-than-average incident expenses.

Cost of ownership matters when it’s time to buy a new vehicle. And car insurance rates can certainly be expensive. Check out some Toyota models. With a great reputation for value, the automaker proves it can deliver dependable vehicles that won’t cost a fortune to insure.

RELATED: The 2 Best Used Toyota Camry Models Under $20,000 According to Consumer Reports

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Is a Manual Transmission Really an Anti-Theft Device?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There’s few better feelings in the world than driving a car with a manual transmission. Pushing in the clutch, shifting the stick into the next gear, and being able to rev the engine to its redline at will is an almost spiritual experience (depending on the car you’re in). Unfortunately, for most driving enthusiasts that love the analog feel of driving a car, the manual transmission is being phased out by most automakers.

However, if you currently own a car with a manual transmission, you’re still in luck. Not only do you get to experience that fun driving feeling every day, but your car is less likely to get stolen.

If they can’t drive it, they can’t steal it

Have you ever heard the term “drive it like you stole it?” Well, that term isn’t going to mean much to any would-be thieves casing the parking lot and peering into your car’s windows. The sight of that stick shift in the center console is enough to get them to keep walking. If they can’t drive your car, then they can’t steal it.

That has been the case multiple times, just like the story reported in the video above. According to Fox News, the sales of stick shift cars and trucks made up just 6.7% of all sales in 2010. Compare that percentage to a take rate of 26.8% back in 1995 and we can see how much the advent of dual-clutch transmissions and CVTs have really changed the automotive landscape.

Despite the news stories, there’s no real data on theft rates

Interior detail of a Porsche 997 GT2 RS sports car. | (Photo by Daniel Pullen/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

According to Carmax, cars with manual transmission only take up about 2.4% of their sales which shows that there’s definitely less public interest in them. Furthermore, many teen drivers nowadays aren’t learning how to drive stick in their driver’s education courses, and we would be surprised if their parents even knew how. That being said, it’s still hard to track how many thefts have been thwarted by manual-transmission-equipped cars.

Carbuzz reported that there’s no real data that proves that cars with stick shifts are stolen less frequently. However, if you currently own a car equipped with one, then you can at least rest assured that it’s less likely to get stolen than any of the cars parked around it. That probability alone is worth knowing how to drive a car with three pedals.

Other tips to prevent your car from being stolen

A car thief in a car.
A car thief in a car. | Photo: Nicolas Armer/dpa (Photo by Nicolas Armer/picture alliance via Getty Images)

While you can technically rely on your car’s manual transmission to keep it from being stolen, there are still a few other steps you can take to protect it. Some of the most obvious tips include always locking your car, investing in a car alarm, and ensuring that you never leave your car alone with the key in it.

These may seem like the most basic tips to follow, but you would be surprised as to how many cars are stolen due to these basic reasons. According to National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) data in 2015, thieves stole 57,096 cars that had the keys left in them. That was up by 22 percent from the year before, reports Advanced Transmissions.

We suggest not being a victim of easy auto thefts like this and locking your car when you leave it, every single time.

RELATED: What is a Dual-Clutch Transmission?

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The Honda Prologue EV SUV is Coming in 2024

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Honda’s lineup is extremely successful. The Japanese automaker seems to have a vehicle to suit the needs of every consumer in 2021. Compacts sedans, SUVs, minivans, recently it seems like Honda cannot miss. Honda has some interesting hybrid options, but it hasn’t had much success in the electric vehicle arena. Will Honda’s newest EV, the Honda Prologue SUV, be the final puzzle piece to complete Honda’s vehicle lineup?

Honda’s missing puzzle piece

The Honda CR-V | Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Honda has enjoyed great success over the years with best-selling models like the compact Honda Civic and the Honda CR-V SUV. It competes with automakers like Mazda and Toyota but has developed a strong following and a brand-loyal customer base. Honda’s lineup has improved dramatically recently, but it has yet to produce a great EV.

The Honda Odyssey minivan has received positive reviews from critics and consumers as a great family vehicle. Likewise, the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck’s last few model years have been amazing. The Honda CR-V and Honda Civic remain two of the brand’s most popular creations, but the automaker missed the mark with the Honda Clarity hybrid and EV models.

The short life of the Honda Clarity

A red Honda Clarity.
The Honda Clarity | Honda

The Honda Clarity debuted in 2015 as the automaker’s eco-friendly alternative-energy vehicle. The Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Variant shared a similar body style as the Honda Civic and Honda Accord. It was able to go 366 miles without producing any emissions. The Clarity’s range was considered one of the best at the time for alternative-energy vehicles, and it was off to a great start.

In 2017 the brand announced that a fully electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid version of the Honda Clarity were coming. The Clarity Electric offered 89 miles on a charge, and the Clarity Plug-in Hybrid offered 47 miles on a charge without the use of gas. The vehicles certainly weren’t the worst in their class, but they were hardly the best.

The Honda Clarity.
The Honda Clarity | Honda

The Honda Clarity was quickly eclipsed as other automakers rolled out newer and more practical electric and hybrid models. As a result, sales became stagnant for the nameplate, and companies like Tesla began to dominate the EV market. The Clarity simply could not compete.

Honda discontinued the Honda Clarity EV because of poor sales. In August, the company will cease production of the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and Clarity Fuel Cell. Unlike other models in the automaker’s lineup, no one seemed to want the Clarity.

The Honda Prologue BEV

Honda has planned to reduce vehicle emissions and gas-powered vehicles drastically by 2040, but some factors could present challenges. Unlike Ford and other automakers, Honda has yet to produce an exciting EV that consumers are drawn to. Honda has a popular lineup today, but it needs a cool and capable EV to survive tomorrow.

Enter the Honda Prologue BEV or Battery Electric Vehicle. Finally, Honda has recognized the shortcomings of the Honda Clarity, and the Prologue is its next step in the journey to produce a popular eco-friendly vehicle. Offering great gas mileage on its gas vehicles is one thing, but Honda desperately needs a quick win in the EV space.

The Honda Prologue BEV is Honda’s next attempt at a successful EV. Honda is tapping General Motors to help produce the Honda Prologue BEV as well as a new Acura EV. The Prologue BEV could either propel the automaker to new heights, finally completing its lineup by adding a vital piece to the puzzle, or it could be a major setback depending on its reception.

According to Autoweek, Honda’s Prologue BEV is set to release in 2024. It will use Ultium batteries manufactured by GM and LG. The crossover is novel in many ways, being the first vehicle produced by Honda’s collaboration with GM and Honda’s first electric SUV. Let’s see if Honda can make a comeback in the EV race in the years to come.

RELATED: New Honda Prices Increase 10% Over the Last Year

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