Does cruise control actually save fuel?
Cruise control can save 7–14% fuel on a flat highway. On a hilly road, it can cost you more. Here's when to use it and when to turn it off.
Car dealership myths, debunked
Is it always a bad idea to shop for used cars online? And are used car dealers out there, hiking up their prices on a whim? It’s time to reconsider some of those well-established car dealership myths and see how things might have changed – particularly in the digital era.
Myth #1: Dealers always mark up prices unfairly
We've all seen this stereotype in movies and TV shows: dealers slapping massive mark-ups on cars and deceiving customers into a sale, then rubbing their hands with glee as they carry their bags of cash to the bank. While there might be the odd price-hiker out there, online reviews pretty much guarantee that they’d be revealed quickly. The competition in the second-hand car market also helps to keep prices in check, as it’s never been easier to check out comparable car prices online.
Myth vs reality: The sheer amount of competition out there is good incentive for dealers to keep their profit percentage as low as possible. At Carma, we check the market every day to keep prices fair and competitive. We also make a point of including everything in the price, so everything is clear and upfront.
Myth #2: You should never trade in your car
We probably all have an uncle or cousin who swears by the private market and tells us to sell via an online marketplace to get more cash. And while you can sometimes get more with a private sale, you can also find your fair share of headaches. Super-keen messages that go nowhere; tyre-kickers that waste your time; straight-up weirdos who want to take your car for a spin first. Trading in, on the other hand, can be a straightforward and efficient way of doing things. These days it’s exceedingly easy to get a quote to trade in your car without feeling obligated to actually go through with it. What’s there to lose?
The reality: Sometimes, the uncomplicated option can be worth sacrificing a few dollars for – particularly when you factor in the time and hassle you could be saving yourself.
