Hydrogen car - Introduction and home page of Going green with hydrogen fuel cell powered cars. Page 1 of this article will introduce you to the environmental toll fossil fules are putting on our environment.

Hydrogen Powered Car - Page two of Going green with hydrogen fuel cell powered cars gives you a basic introduction to the alternatives available to fossil fuels.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car - Page three of Going green with hydrogen fuel cell powered cars gets to a great possible solution to our environmental issues caused by fossil fuels, and to weather hydrogen fuel cell powered cars are efficient and clean.

Hydrogen Fuel Car - Page four of Going green with hydrogen fuel cell powered cars provides you with some basic technical information to how this energy works, and also includes our conclusion to this article.

Buying a Car - New vs Nearly New vs Used

Buying a Car - New vs Nearly New vs Used is an article that explores the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and of course puts alternative fuel vehicles in the mix.

Buying a Car - New vs Nearly New vs Used

Budget conscious car shoppers must weigh the good with the bad when buying a new vehicle as opposed to one that is nearly new or used.

In the past, it was not smart to buy a new car because of the financing costs and the taxes added to the listed price. On top of that, a car depreciates in value rapidly, unlike a new home, generally 50 percent over the first three years.

Furthermore, penny-pinching car buyers could not fathom buying a new vehicle in years past because their investment will generally last only a few years. Studies show that car owners usually keep their vehicles for about five years when the cars start to show signs of wear and tear.

However, with advanced automobile construction technology, cars are built to last longer, which means they depreciate less. They are more environmentally friendly, and the efficient operating life of a new car is generally eight years now.

The increased reliability and lower costs of finances have made buying a new car a more economically sound decision, especially in the last three to four years.

In that same time frame, hybrid vehicles have hit the market, adding another choice to the car-buyer’s plate. With these fuel-efficient models in limited production, the cost of purchasing one is about $3,000 more than a gas-equipped vehicle.

However, it appears the benefits of purchasing a hybrid vehicle outweigh the disadvantages.

While it is a fact that hybrid vehicles cost substantially more than gas-equipped cars, the tax credits earned in the United States, for example, help make up for the additional cost. Credits range from $250 for Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra hybrid pickups to $3,150 for the Toyota Prius.

Several states also offer tax deductions for hybrid car buyers.

Maintenance and repair costs for hybrid vehicles are average or below average and major repair issues are virtually non-existent. And, of course, a hybrid car has more miles per gallon (40 to 50 mpg with a Prius) than a gas-equipped car.

However, these fuel-efficient models comprise just 1.8 percent of car sales in the United States. Until they are in mass production – in the next 10 years or so – and their premium price is greatly reduced, hybrid vehicles will mostly act like a marketing incentive by automakers to get buyers into the showrooms.

Analysts warn that you have to own a Prius for at least 10 years in order to recoup money from gas savings.

In terms of buying a nearly-new gas-equipped car as opposed to a new one, the buyer must study the pros and cons in depth.

Buying a nearly-new car was once the best option financially because the buyer of a three-year-old car was still getting a nearly fresh vehicle with minimal mileage. The price was nearly 50 percent off its new-car price because of the depreciation.

However, the increased demand for quality used cars has forced prices to increase as much as 10 percent in the last couple of years. The question you need to think about is, Is it really worth it to pay 10% more for a nearly-new car than in years past with finance costs higher in most cases than a new one?

To assist you in tackling a great deal on new or nearly new cars, the internet is opening a door for deal seekers and for savvy car dealerships who wish to cash in on easy sales by cutting their commission on the deal. Just do a search on the net in your area for a web site that offers cheap new cars. Many of them will hunt down the best possible deal for in exchange for a small commission… definitely worth checking out.

The best option for a car buyer in terms of total costs is to purchase an old car. If you buy a 5-year-old car that has been well-kept without a lot of miles on it, the car should last another five good years.

The risk is buying an old car and then being saddled by repair costs. If you buy a car 5 years or older, it would be wise to pay $200 or so to have the car thoroughly inspected by a trusted mechanic to make sure you avoid any surprises.

As is the case in any situation, the best decision depends on the individual making the purchase.

If you have enough money to spend, purchasing a hybrid vehicle or a new vehicle can make dividends in the long run. If you don’t have a lot to spend, buying a nearly-new or old car can be beneficial in the short term.

Thank you to Javier Morales for this "Buying a Car - New vs Nearly New vs Used" article"