How to Finance for a Car on a Student Budget
The next school year is starting soon, which may mean that you need some reliable transportation to get to classes on time. If you are a student shopping around for a car, you’re likely on a tight budget. To help you find the right car at the right price, follow these simple steps.
[ READ MORE: Where Can Students Get Car Loans in Central Florida ]
College tuition and textbooks are expensive. On top of that, students will need to pay for rent, utilities, food, and more if they aren’t staying with family throughout the semester.
Before you begin shopping, you must have a clear understanding of how much you can afford to pay towards your car. Determine your monthly income and subtract all expected costs, including any cash you put into savings. If you don’t have any income, consider finding employment as the search will be much harder without a job. Once you determine how much money you have left over, set this number as your budget. Remember that this budget should include the cost of the vehicle, interest, gas, and insurance.
Unless you chose to go back to school as a non-traditional student, you likely only need the vehicle for commuting purposes. In other words, if you aren’t taking care of a family throughout college, you likely don’t need a large vehicle. Cars like sedans or hatchbacks are the most common choice among students as they are the most affordable to own and insure. However, if you are taking care of a family throughout college and need the extra space, then you should consider potentially selecting a larger vehicle like a crossover or SUV.
In addition to body style, students typically don’t have the funds to purchase a vehicle new. Instead, you can easily find a pre-owned model that can take care of your needs at a fraction of the cost. Many options could even be in like-new condition!
Let’s assume that after budgeting and setting your requirements, your plan is to find a sedan or hatchback within $10,000. To get started, you will want to browse a variety of models, add potential candidates to your list, and research those models. At OKCarz, we offer hundreds of affordable options and dozens of popular and reliable brands that you can view right at home. Once you find a vehicle you are interested in, contact us to learn more, schedule a test drive, and review finance options. We’d love to help you select the right vehicle for your budget and requirements.
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What is the best way to clean cloth car seats?
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A car is one of the biggest investments a person will make, other than buying a home. It is only natural that they will want to make sure they get the most out of the money they spent. The best way to protect that investment is to take proper care of the car, truck or SUV they have decided to take home from OKCarz. Obviously, keeping up with regularly prescribed maintenance will help keep the vehicle on the road. But, making sure it’s kept clean will help the resale or trade-in value when it’s time to move on to something different. So, what is the best way to clean cloth car seats? The team of product experts at OKCarz did a little online research to help you keep your vehicle as close to showroom condition as possible. Let’s take a look at what they found.
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Before we get to how you can get your car seats clean, we want to remind you that experts suggest starting with the floor mats and carpets. Shake out the mats and aggressively vacuum the carpets before moving on to the seats. For more stubborn stains or dirt, you might want to invest in some cleaning products that are approved for automotive use. Always test the cleaner in an area that is hard to see to make sure it doesn’t cause any discolorations.
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How do I clean my car’s cloth upholstery?
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If you’ve already purchased material cleaner to get stains out of the carpet, you might also be able to use it on the seats. Before you start spraying cleaner and scrubbing, make sure you vacuum up any lingering crumbs, dirt or debris. Each cleaner will probably have more specific instructions to get the best results, but for the most part, you will spray the seats with the cleaner and let it dry. Some scrubbing will be required, and you may have to run the vacuum over the seats one more time.
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Your relationship with OKCarz isn’t over when the ink on your sales paperwork dries. Reach out to one of our product experts today if there is anything we can help you with.
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How can I make my car insurance less expensive?
Tips on Lowering your Car Insurance Payment
Nobody likes paying a big bill for their car insurance. Even if you are a good driver, your insurance payments can go up. We have some solutions to help you save more money. Here are our tips on lowering your car insurance payment.
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Research
One of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of money you pay for car insurance is to do your research. The phrase shop around is very helpful here. There are several car insurance agencies that you can call and see if they can give you the same coverage for a lower rate.
Discounts and Savings
Asking your insurance company about discounts can also help you save. Asking for a higher deductible can also shave off the top of your payment. If you have an older car, you can reduce the coverage to help you save as well. Maintaining a good credit score can also help you save on future payments and shows new car insurance companies that you’re a reliable driver.
Driving Behavior
Driving safely is another way you can keep your car insurance payments down. Anytime you are in an accident, your payments will go up. Making sure that you go the speed limit and driving safely can make your payments less of a headache.
READ MORE: How Will Late Car Payments Hurt My Credit Score?
These tips on lowering your car insurance payment can help you save. If you are looking for other tips and tricks, you can take a look at our blog for more information. If you are looking for a budget-friendly, used vehicle, we have several to choose from. Visit our online inventory and schedule an appointment with us at OKCarz today on our website. We hope to see you soon inside our dealership.
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Where to Go to Watch Movies During the Pandemic
Drive-In Movie Theaters in Central Florida
We are several months into 2020, and the pandemic has brought many activities to a halt. One of the countless industries impacted was the movie industry, with movie theaters closing and movie studios stopping production. Luckily, there is still a way you can support a local business while enjoying a movie away from home. If you are itching to leave the house and want to watch something fun with the family, check out these recommended drive-in movie theaters in central Florida.
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5 Places to Go Car Camping in Central Florida
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There seem to be two major definitions for what exactly car camping is. A lot of people consider car camping anywhere that you can drive your vehicle right up to your campsite, while other people take things a little more literally defining it as going camping with your car as your resting place rather than having to put up a tent etc. In Central Florida, there are all sorts of places you can visit for car camping by either definition, but we figured we’d just put together 5 of the top places you can do it.
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[ SHOP NOW: Find your Car to go Camping In! ]
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Lake Louisa State Park
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Located between Dixie and Hammond Lake, Lake Louisa State Park features 60 full-facility campsites, a pair of bathhouses, a pair of piers upon which you can fish and even a pavilion. These campsites are even pet friendly, and there are options for glamping, equestrian camping and primitive camping in addition to car camping. Lake Louisa State Park is located in Clermont.
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Magnolia Park
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Our next option is Magnolia Park in Apopka, which has 1.5 dozen campsites for RVs and/or tents. Each campsite features things like firepits, grills, picnic tables and even water and electricity, plus more. There is also a pair of group sites, access to the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, 24-hour access boat ramp and, as long as you register them properly, the park is pet friendly.
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Kelly Park
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Kelly Park is also in Apopko, part of the same series of parks. It has a little over 2 dozen campsites and is otherwise very similar to Magnolia Park.
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Wekiwa Springs State Park
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Located in a sandhill habitat in Apopko, Wekiwa Springs State Park offers 60 campsites similar to Lake Louisa. The park features a dump station, a pet-friendly policy, accommodations for RVs up to 50 feet long and hook-ups for water and electricity on each site. But, be careful, as the Florida black bear is native to the area.
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Lake Mills Park
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Our fifth and final option is Lake Mills Park located in Chuluota. With 50 acres of land, it offers both primitive camping and pavilion rentals.
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Wherever you decide to go car camping here in the Central Florida area, we simply hope you have a good time.
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Tips for Protecting Your Car’s Paint
Ways to Keep Your Vehicle Looking Good
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How old is your current car? Does it look like-new or like it has been through a lot? Nowadays, drivers are keeping their cars longer than ever before. While part of that is due to vehicles being large investments for buyers, but also to the fact that manufacturers are constantly finding ways to enhance the quality and lifespan of their vehicles. Of course, cars don’t last forever, and neither does the paint. Thankfully though, there are ways to help preserve and protect your car’s paint to keep it looking good. Here are a few tips.
[ READ MORE: How Often Should You Wash Your Car? ]
Wax Your Vehicle Regularly
While modern vehicles tend to come with some protection in the form of clear-coat paint, your vehicle is still vulnerable to some damage, such as fading from the sun’s UV rays. Car wax offers an extra layer of protection for your vehicle if you wax your vehicle regularly. It’s recommended that drivers wishing to wax their car do so every three months as wax will break down eventually.
Clean Bird Droppings and Tree Sap Quickly
Bird droppings and tree sap are notorious for damaging the paint of cars. Bird droppings are acidic and can eat away at your paint while tree sap hardens over time, staining your car and making it more difficult to remove the longer it sits. If you notice either of these on your vehicle, you will want to wash it off as soon as you can.
Shelter Your Car If Possible
Of course, the easiest way to avoid having to clean your car as often is to shelter it in a garage or other covered structure. This will help prevent harmful environmental factors from reaching your vehicle.
Use a Car Cover
Parking under a covered structure isn’t an option for everyone. So, what do you do in this situation if you don’t wish to wax or wash every time a bird flies by? Car covers are great options for those that must park outdoors as they provide extra protection for an affordable cost.
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Tips and Tricks for Removing Oil Stains in Your Garage
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We’ve all been there, no matter what kind of car, truck or SUV we’ve got in a garage – eventually it’s probably going to leak a little oil on the garage floor. So, what happens then? How do we get that stain off of our garage floor? Well, it may seem like a tough task but it’s actually a pretty clean up process – as long as you know what you’re doing. And you’ll be able to easily figure out what you’re doing with the video below, which shows you all the tips and tricks you need to know to remove oil stains in your garage.
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[ GET MORE AUTOMOTIVE TIPS AND TRICKS IN OUR OKCARZ BLOG ]
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Watch Now: All You Need to Know to Get Oil Stains Off Your Garage Floor
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We promised you a video showing you all you need to know about getting oil stains off of your garage floor, and that’s what you’re going to get. Enjoy!
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If you’d like to learn more automotive tips and tricks, or if you’d like to learn more about the high quality used cars, trucks and SUVs here at OkCarz in central Florida, please contact our staff.
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10 Things You Need To Do After a Car Accident
What Should You Do if You Get in a Car Accident?
When you get behind the wheel of your Toyota RAV4, there is always a risk that you find yourself in a car accident. No matter how it happens – it is important to know what to do in that event. Many new drivers and drivers who have been behind the wheel for years want to know – what should you do if you get in a car accident? Find out with this list of 10 things you need to do after a traffic accident created by OkCarz!
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1. Check Yourself and Passengers for Injuries
The first – and most important – thing to do when you are involved in a car accident is to check yourself and passengers for serious injuries. Do not move if you have any neck or back pain unless there is immediate danger – wait for paramedics and first responders to arrive.
2. Check the Immediate Area
Assess the area and situation around you to make sure there is not any additional danger. Are you in a safe place? Is there a risk of fire? Do what you need to do to ensure that you are safe from additional danger.
3. Move Your Car to a Safe Place
In the event that it is a minor accident, and your vehicle is still operational, it is important to move your vehicle to a safe location and turn on your hazard lights. Do not leave the scene of the accident – wait for first responders.
4. Check On the Driver and Passengers of the Other Vehicle
If there is another vehicle involved in the accident, make sure you check on the occupants of the other vehicle and call 911 if there are any injuries. Make sure to check for traffic when you exit your vehicle.
5. Call Police and First Responders
It is important to have a police report for insurance companies. Contact emergency services immediately after the accident when there are injuries, or the accident is a traffic hazard. Provide police offers with your driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance.
6. Be Aware of Your Emotions
Traffic accidents can lead to many emotions – anger, confusion, frustration and more. Make sure to take a moment and rein in your emotions when you interact with first responders, police and other drivers.
7. Exchange Insurance Information
In the event of a traffic accident – it is required by law – to exchange information with the other parties involved in the collision. Provide your name, address, phone number, email address, insurance company and insurance policy numbers. Take photos of the documents provided for your records.
8. Photograph and Document the Scene
To avoid issues with insurance, it is important to photograph and document the scene. Take pictures of the damage on all four sides of your car, property damage, skid marks, road conditions and anything that may have had an impact on the accident.
9. Visit Your Doctor
With the adrenaline rush that comes with a car accident, it can be easy to overlook any injuries that you may have sustained, and many minor injuries can become major without the right medical attention. Visit your doctor or an urgent care clinic after the accident.
10. File an Accident Report and Contact Your Insurance Company
Following the accident, it is important to file an accident report with the police or with your local DMV office. Accident reports may be available online. Make sure to contact your insurance company to inform them of the accident.
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What should you do if you get in a car accident? Do you know? Here is a list of 10 things to do if you are ever in a traffic accident. Visit the OkCarz online inventory today to find a used car that will fit your budget!
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What are the Pros of AWD?
Snow/Ice/Sand/Mud
AWD is fantastic for winter driving. Since heavy snowfall and ice aren’t as common of issues here in Florida as they are in other parts of the Country, AWD is also useful for driving in sand, on slick or oily roads, or anywhere else where a wheel or two might just start spinning because it can’t get traction.
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Advanced AWD Systems
Highly advanced AWD systems will use computers to automatically adjust how much torque needs to go to each wheel so the right wheels get enough traction to get you over rocks or through mud and sand. Advanced systems will also turn torque down for wheels that slip. Otherwise, wheels that spin freely draw power away from the wheels that need it most.
What are the Cons of AWD?
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Reduced Fuel Efficiency
If you compare to vehicles that are otherwise identical except for their drive type, you will notice that there is a correlation between drive type and fuel economy. AWD systems require a bit more fuel to operate, so you might find yourself filling up a little more frequently. Even part-time AWD drive systems that basically operate as Front-Wheel Drive unless the system detects a need for AWD still use up more fuel overall.
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Overconfidence
Another con comes in the form of driver over-confidence. Drivers who know they have a capable AWD system might find themselves stuck in situations they underestimate or may find they don’t know how to drive in low-traction situations as well as they thought. Human error may be the biggest issue with AWD, so if you are planning to get a vehicle with AWD, don’t do it because you think it will make your vehicle unstoppable. The main goal of AWD is to help drivers out of tough situations, not let them get through anything.
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