In deciding if buying another vehicle would be a smart money move, you have to weigh factors.

That said you always want to make sure when considering another auto how it will play into your finances.

So, do you have the money now for getting a new set of wheels?

Being Smart with Your Finances

In deciding if another vehicle is financially in the cards for you, here are some things you want to mull over:

1. How you stand now – What would best describe your current financial situation? If things are a little challenging, now may well not be the best time to consider another car or truck. Struggling with your finances is not something you want to weigh on your shoulders. It may be best for you to wait a little further down the line until things get better with money.
2. Buying versus leasing – Another thought to cover would be if you should buy versus lease a vehicle. When it comes to buying, you own the vehicle once it is paid off via the bank or credit union. As for leasing, the dealership owns the car and you in essence rent it from them. While you may like the idea of owning the vehicle, leasing does have some advantages. Of most note would be not having the same vehicle year after year. Sit down and go over the finances to see which may be best for you now and down the road.
3. Should you go the used vehicle route? – You may also be tinkering with the idea of buying a used car or truck. If this sounds like a possibility, be sure to do as much homework as possible on any such vehicles of interest. That is because older vehicles have a history to them. As such, you want to delve into as much of it as possible. Failure to do so can lead you to buy the wrong used vehicle if not careful. Use some of the online tools at your disposal to help you. One would be opting for a VIN owner lookup. Such a lookup can provide you with valuable details on the vehicle or vehicles of interest. 
4. Can you get a loan or other financial help? – Also think about if you will need a loan or other such financial help to get another vehicle. If so, how easy do you expect that process to be? If you have a sketchy credit report or have filed for bankruptcy, you can be up against the wall. That would be when it comes to landing the help you need.
5. Do you have a family and is it growing? – Last, do you have a family at home? If yes, is it growing or do you hope to grow it sooner than later? You may find you have more important money tasks ahead of you than buying another vehicle. On the flip side, buying something now before you have a child coming into the world could be a good move. Even better if you have kids now or are expecting more than one in the coming years. You will want a vehicle that you trust to get the family around.

By giving your finances a good review, you can better determine if buying a vehicle now is the way to drive forward.

When you’re in search of motorcycle helmets for sale, safety should be your top concern. While helmets are a crucial piece of gear, choosing one that is high quality is just as important. For a helmet to offer the highest level of protection, it must offer the right fit for your head shape and size. It must also have a DOT label, which indicates it meets the safety standards set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Here are some things to keep in mind the next time you’re shopping for motorcycle accessories.

What Motorcycle Helmets Are Made of

When shopping for accessories and motorcycle parts on sale, you might see that helmet styles vary quite a bit. However, virtually all motorcycle helmets have the same components:

• Outer shell
• Visor
• Interior liner
• Chin bar
• Vents

The outer shell protects your head in a crash by absorbing some of the impact. It can be made from a few different materials, such as polycarbonate. This lightweight polymer is a common choice, as it’s durable and affordable. Fiberglass is the next step up, as these helmets tend to be more expensive. While they’re lighter weight, they’re also able to withstand a greater impact. When it comes to the top of the line helmets, carbon fiber is a natural choice. Carbon fiber is often used for racing because it’s lightweight and has a high impact rating.

The interior liner also helps absorb impact in the event of a crash. Expanded polystyrene foam is the most common choice, as foam offers the right amount of cushioning while also being comfortable enough for riders to wear on their heads. Less expensive helmets will have fewer layers of foam as compared to high-end helmets. A removable comfort liner may also be present.

Why Your Motorcycle Helmet Is One of Your Most Important Pieces of Riding Gear

While you certainly won’t get far without motorcycle batteries, brakes, or clutch lever, your helmet is the most crucial piece of gear you’ll buy. Motorcyclists lack the protection of passenger vehicles, which means even a minor accident can cause major injuries. No matter how skilled a rider you are, no matter how many precautions you take when riding, you can still be hurt by a careless driver. Many motorists fail to recognize the presence of motorcycles on the road, which leads to accidents while merging and when making left turns. Head-on collisions are also common for motorcyclists, which often have tragic results.

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious, life-changing injuries. Head injuries cause a range of serious effects, both physical and mental. Some people lose their ability to walk, while others must go through extensive rehab just to regain some function. Substantial head injuries can also cause damage to the brain that affects a person’s memory, cognition, and emotional responses.

Wearing a helmet every time you ride greatly lowers your risk of the above effects. Study after study has shown that helmets save lives when worn correctly. Studies also show that helmets reduce the severity of head injuries by absorbing shock and shielding the face from flying debris. That’s why shopping for helmets with a reputable retailer is a must to find a quality product.

To many car lovers, an automobile is not just a tool to get you from one place to another. It’s also a work of art. And this is especially true when it comes to exotic cars.

While there is no rigid criteria for what makes a car exotic, there are some things that many car fans will agree on. For example, an exotic car should be exceptional, exclusive, expensive, and extraordinary. 

But which cars are the most exotic? Continue reading to find out for yourself!

1. Aston Martin DBS Superleggera

We all know that cars made by Aston Martin are exotic. However, the DBS Superleggera (“super light” in Italian) really takes the cake. This car was given its name because it uses a lot of carbon fiber for its construction.

The material is stronger than steel but weighs a lot less. 

The DBS Superleggera comes with a twin-turbocharged 5.2-liter V12 engine. This gives the vehicle a powerful 715 horsepower and 633 pound-feet of torque.

When you pair that engine with a super light body, you get an incredible acceleration of 3.4 seconds from standstill to sixty mph. The car also has a top speed of 200 mph.

2. Audi RS6 Avant

This mid-size exotic car from Audi is also a wagon. It’s been through the RS process, which means that there is no other kind of A6 Avant that’s more powerful. This vehicle offers 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. 

It also comes with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. The RS6 Avant can go from zero to sixty in 3.6 seconds.

3. Bentley Continental GT V8

Can a car be both magnificent and exotic at the same time? When you’re talking about a Bentley, the answer is almost always yes.

Especially noteworthy is the Continental GT, now that you can get it with a V8 engine. You can also get a 12-cylinder engine with this car but we like the V8 more because it’s lighter and more nimble. Thus, it’s likely going to offer you the most pleasant driving experience. 

You’ll get some nice 542 horsepower from that V8 but some other attractive features too. Those features include a beautiful cabin that’s been crafted by hand and a rotating three-sided display that features a wooden face to match the rest of your dashboard, an infotainment screen, and a variety of gauges.

4. Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+

This is one of the most extreme and exotic cars on the market today. With a price tag of around $4 million, this may be one of the fastest and most expensive cars in the world. 

So why do they call it the 300+? Because this car tops out at just under 305 miles per hour. 

The car is able to do this by utilizing a quadruple-turbocharged W16 engine. Imagine two V8 engines that are connected by a common crankshaft. That’s a lot of cylinders.

In fact, this engine is so powerful that it’s able to provide the driver with 1,570 horsepower!

One big difference between this model and the standard 261-mph Chiron is that the tail on this one is slightly extended for aerodynamic purposes. 

While most people could never purchase a car like this, they could rent a luxury car in order to whet their appetite.

5. Ferrari SF90 Stradale

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drive a Formula One car on the highway? If so, then this is the exotic car for you. That’s because Ferrari has taken their turbocharged hybrid drivetrain technology and made it work with the SF90 Stradale.

This car is able to achieve 985 horsepower thanks to its twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine and three electric motors. The front wheels each have their own motor. 

It can go from zero to sixty in only 2.5 seconds and tops out at 210 miles per hour. And like actual F1 vehicles, this model has plenty of controls on its steering wheel.

6. Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Four-Door

For people who are just getting into luxury cars, one of the first lines they’ll hear about are the two-door Mercedes-AMG GT sports cars, both in convertible and coupe form. These cars are exclusive to AMG which is the high-performance branch of Mercedes-Benz. You won’t find tuned-up versions of lesser-powerful cars at this division.

The GT S Four-Door can still be considered a coupe thanks to its sloping roof and it has a door for each of the four occupants. This is by far the most exotic and expensive car in the series. 

The twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine is built by hand and provides the driver with 630 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. The car tops out at 195 miles per hour and can go from zero to sixty in 3.1 seconds.

7. Polestar 1

It might appear odd to have a vehicle that’s so closely related to Volvo being listed among the most exotic cars in the world. However, the Polestar 1 deserves the recognition.

While it used to be a Volvo tuner, Polestar has since been turned into a discrete high-tech marque. This car is a plug-in hybrid and comes with a combustion engine that’s both turbocharged and supercharged. It also comes with an electric motor that moves the rear wheels. 

With this engine, you can expect 620 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. 

Which of These Exotic Cars Do You Want to Try?

For many people, they don’t really start to appreciate the beauty and ingenuity of automobiles until they start learning about exotic cars. And the list above certain displays the best of the best. So which of these exotic cars are you desiring to try?

If you’re like us, then the answer is probably all of them.

Are you looking for other interesting auto articles? If so, then make sure to check out the rest of our blog today for more!

The debate between buying and leasing a car is never ending. There are fair arguments for both, but there are few ways to get the latest model car unless you decide to lease.

Leasing a car is the perfect solution for many people who just don’t see the value in car ownership. Here’s a car leasing guide to help you navigate the process once you’re ready to get started.

Getting Started with Leasing 

Car leasing isn’t an option for everyone. It’s important you prepare both your finances and credit before getting involved with a lease. 

You’ll get the best deals and lowest payments if you choose to lease your car with good credit. Interest rates can mean the difference between hundreds of dollars a month in car payments. 

Boost your credit score quickly by paying down debt on credit cards and making on-time payments. These both account for more than 60 percent of your credit score.

Avoiding closing any accounts while you’re working on your credit. If you can get your credit above a 750, you’ll have to most opportunities to get the car of your dreams at a fraction of the cost. 

Where to Look for Leases

The next step to the leasing process is finding the car you want. Many people look to lease cars they couldn’t afford to buy in cash.

Start at the best car dealership in your area with a wide assortment of new cars. This isn’t a requirement, but it’s definitely a good place to start if you’re in the market for a luxury vehicle. 

Look for cars with low expenses like low gas mileage, dependability, and inexpensive insurance plans. Expect to pay a significantly less insurance premium for a new car rather than a used car.

Start by making a list of cars in your price range and desired features. Schedule appointments with local dealerships so you’re not blindsided by distractions when you visit the lot.

Salesman can be adamant about alternative deals and offer especially if there’s a bonus in it for them. Be clear about your budget range and the make and model car you’re looking for. 

What Kind of Lease Can I Get?

Lease terms vary based on the kind of deal you want. Negotiate the purchase price of the car. This sounds counterintuitive for a lease but you need to know this in order to make sure it works for your budget.

Your monthly car payments are based on this purchase price. Discuss this before locking yourself into any deals with the salesman. 

You can research this amount before heading to the dealership if you’re very sure about what kind of car you want. Check Consumer Reports to learn how much the dealer pays for a certain kind of car.

There’s a small fee to check, but this is the difference in thousands of dollars in payments. Knowing ahead of time can spare you embarrassment of having to switch gears because there’s no room to negotiate.

Only work with dealers that carry top of the line models like Alejandro Tabosky Group so you have a decent amount of options to choose from. 

Make a Down Payment

It’s a good idea to put some money down on the car you plan to lease. This might not make sense if the reason you’re leasing is to avoid too much overhead.

But it’s a good rule of thumb if you really need monthly payments. People with inconsistent income are good candidates for this. 

Lump sums of money allow you the flexibility to put down a large amount at once, but when you’re waiting for your next paycheck, the low payments help you avoid getting overwhelmed. In general, down payments reduce your overall financial liability with both a lease and a purchase. 

Keep in mind that if you choose to skip a down payment there are bigger penalties on late lease payments than on regular payments. Because you don’t own the car and never will, there’s a heftier late fee for falling behind. 

The same goes for breaking your lease early. If there’s any chance you won’t want the vehicle for the full lease term, you’ll pay expensive fees to get rid of the car since it’s considered a breach of contract. 

When to Just Buy a Car

There are times when buying a car just makes more sense. For example, if you have access to the cash to skip financing, get a used car instead of a lease.

The same applies if you’re not that interested in having the latest model. A lease is valuable because it gives you access to cars just outside their reach.

If you’re indifferent to car models, it makes no sense to miss out on the equity you receive from buying a car. Lease payments are slightly less than financing on a loan but at the end of the lease term you have nothing to show for your payments. 

Car Leasing Guide for Success

This car leasing guide is just a start for finding the perfect deal on a vehicle. You’ll need to check local inventory to make sure there are even viable options for you and your family.

Dealerships might have great promotions in place to help you get into a car for far less than you expected. Stay flexible in the features you want so you aren’t limiting your options.

Getting cars shipped from other regions is an option, but it comes at a cost. For more information and tips, visit our blog for updates