Car-leasing (Auto Leasing) has been lauded as a more attractive alternative to buying, offering in the process the flexibility to drive a new car for less. The reality, however, is that leasing is an option that is fraught with many pitfalls for the average customer. Leasing regulation does not require as much disclosure as buying a vehicle. This has given rise to many leasing scams that trick the customer into believing they are into a good deal when, in effect, all he is getting is a rough deal on the dealer’s terms.

Here we look at some of these common auto leasing (car leasing) scams and how to avoid them?

Artificially low interest rates:

Some dealers quote a lower interest rate when in reality it’s much higher. They do this by either purposefully quoting the money factor as the interest rate or calculating the loan without amortizing some closing fees, like the security deposit, into the loan lease.

Take the money factor for example:

This is typically expressed as a four decimal digit, something like 0.004. Some dealers quote this as a 4% interest rate when in fact you need to multiply it by 24 to get a rough idea of the interest rate on your loan. In this example, the interest rate is a much higher 9.6% than the “quoted” rate of 4%.

Make sure you crunch the numbers and understand the formula they use to calculate their interest rate. Look out for any fees not factored into the calculation.

If you are not satisfied, do not enter into the lease agreement.

Terminate your lease early for a low penalty:

This is an all-time leasing scam. You ask your dealer how much you will pay if you want to terminate your lease and he tells you: “You want to get out early? Sure thing, you only pay an early termination fee of $300”. What he is quoting is only the small administrative penalty of early termination, there is a much stiffer penalty called early termination fee and this runs into thousands of dollars.

So you want to start racing dirt bikes?

Who can blame you; dirt bike racing is an increasingly popular choice for many thrill seekers. It’s true that in the wrong hands racing dirt bikes can be incredibly dangerous but with a little care and attention and some experience there is no reason why you can’t have the adrenalin fuelled excitement while considerably minimising the risks many people associate with the sport.

Racing dirt bikes is a popular pastime with people of all age, many grandfathers and grandchildren take part in regular races and the younger you start the better you will be. Many professional bike racers started with dirt bike racing and they usually started at the age of 4 or 5. While you may consider this to be far too young, there is no reason you can’t get your children into practise when they hit their teenage years and are a good age to be trying out a mini dirt bike.

Things to consider if you want to try racing dirt bikes.
The first thing you need to consider is your safety. When buying your bike and equipment make sure that you make safety of the most paramount importance. If you don’t ride safe you won’t ride long. Even second hand bikes can be purchased in a ready to ride condition and you should make sure that all parts are in very good working order before you start racing. If you have no or little knowledge of racing dirt bikes then you should get a professional to look at your bike for you and make the necessary repairs or replacements.

When I think of motorcycles, it is extremely hard to picture them being able to carry both rider and luggage. Yet there is luggage available specifically geared for motorcycles. There are several types of cycle luggage available.

Among the various types of motorcycle luggage are leather weekenders, Kuryakan Full Dresser Bags or Gran Tour Bags. There are Tbags expandable Tahoes, Universal expanding bag, and the Tbag Dekker Supreme. Tombstone makes a backrest bag that comes replete with lumbar support. Expanding bags allow you to pack more stuff in a smaller space.

Some motor cycle luggage can be universally mounted somewhere on the bike. Others are created for specific models of motorcycles. Some bikes have space under the seat for small travel bags. Others have compartments that are on either side of the bike above the rear wheel for luggage and other gear.

Most motorcycle luggage have convenient front openings for easy access. Other bags have security locks. Still others have multiple uses such as bags that mount behind the rider and double as lumbar supports. This provides a comfortable ride. This type of luggage is mostly used for short road trips. It comes in leather as well as typical fabric used for luggage.

Classic car parts are not easy to come by. But if you have finally been able to purchase the classic car you’ve always dreamed of, finding the classic car parts to restore and accessorize it may be a high on your priority list.

Whether you have a muscle car, an antique or a vintage model, you will inevitably find the need to replace and restore some of your car parts. Classic car parts are not as readily available as for the cars that are still in production. You can’t just walk into a dealership and place your order because the parts are no longer being made. But with a little digging, they can be found.

Some places to start your search include:

Online Auctions
Online auction sites, such as Ebay, are probably the easiest place to begin your search for classic car parts. If you’ve seen the ads that Ebay has “It,” you know this is true. Ebay Motors has many listings for hard to find vehicles and classic car parts. You’ll have to cover the shipping charges, so that is something to consider when purchasing larger items.

Swap Meets
Finding a local swap meet may be just the thing you need to locate the classic car parts you need. They are great places to find older model accessories and other outdated items.

Classic Car Part Dealer Publications
Often times you can find the parts you are looking for in car part dealer magazines. The only drawback here is that you will probably have to spend top dollar. This option could be used as a last resort though if you are unable to find a specific part anywhere else. Exhaust all other possibilities first if money is tight.