Caveats for the Car Buyer

Caveat Emptor (Latin: “let the buyer beware”), in the law of commercial transactions, the principle that the buyer purchases at his own risk in the absence of an express warranty in the contract.

Buying a new car, repeated over a lifetime of transactions, is the single biggest financial decision most people make. And the majority make automotive choices without in-depth knowledge of the industry, the dealership, and the individual vehicles they purchase.

Articles linked below detail tricks, scams, rip-offs, mistakes, and debacles in the auto industry.

Lot Lizards: Auto Retail Basics

Ten Recommendations for New Car Buyers

Standard Industry Sponsored Car Reviews: Automotive Journalism 101

Cars are not Investments: Rapid Depreciation

Causes of Depreciation

J D Power Customer Retention Trends, 2004-2007

"Shop the Dealer Harder than the Deal"

Disappearing Dealers: Will Yours be Next?

The Case Against Cross Shopping Dealers

Paying Cash for a New Car

The Rise of the MegaDealers: Car Dealership Groups

Penske Automotive Group

Gillman Automotive Group

Online Dealer Investigation and Evaluation

Preliminary Dealer Onsite Investigation and Evaluation

Yo-Yo Financing: the Spot Delivery Scam

Car Sales Psychology: Why Do People Buy Cars?

Timing a Car Purchase: Best Times to Buy

When is dealer VIN etch a scam?

Additional Dealer Markup

Auto Design and Marketing Issues for Buyers

Cheap by Comparison: The Rise and Fall of the Minivan

"Chick" Cars: Auto Marketing and Women

Automotive DNA: Platform Sharing

When Does Platform Sharing Become Badge Engineering?

Clean Diesel Passenger Vehicles are Coming

Cars Are Lasting Longer, Will Yours?

Disc Vs. Drum Brakes on the New Small Cars

Run Flat Tires:BMW, Bridgestone Potenza RE050 and Turanza EL42

Lemons: Bad Cars

Odometer Rollback: Still a Common Fraud

Service Department: The Real Dealership

Automotive Mechanic/Service Technician Shortage What it means for New Car Buyers.

Oil Change Special: The Risk of Amateur Lube Technicians

Quick Lube Shop Rip Offs

Previously Owned Vehicles

Curbstoning and the Used Car Market

Hail Damaged Cars