TidBits and Other Interesting Car Related Things
Contributions and Suggestions are Welcome
Auto Auctions
Beaters and Daily Drivers
What is a Beater Car and Why Would I Want One
Discovering the Perfect Beater Car
Beater Cars -Why They Make More Sense Now Than Ever Before- by iSeeCars
Dealing with Dealers - Fees, Culture, and Sales Trash Talk
Car Dealer Fees - Required and Optional - Click Here for the full article
Ultimate Guide to Car Salemen Talk and Dealer Terms - Click Here for the full directory
The slang, lingo, and terms used by car salespeople at car dealerships can sometimes be very cryptic to the uninformed car buyer. Dealership employees use slang terms covering almost everything related to selling cars
Insurance
Insurance for Classic and Collectible vehicles Hagerty Insurance Click Here for Hagerty SIte
Internet Resources
Best OnLine Car Buying Web Sites - Compare.com Click Here for the article
The 25 Best Web Sites for Car Buying in 2025 - The AutoStarTransport Blog Click Here for the article
Auto Museums - From Wikipedia
We like visiting auto museums large and small. We were humbled (once again) by the large number of museums - so we included here the link to the Wiki entry for Auto Museums.
Safety
Driving with Lights on During the Day
Tire Safety Ensuring Your Vehicle's Roadworthiness
Winter Tire Rating - the Three Peak Mountain Safety Rating
Restoring the Clarity of Your Headlight Glass
Scams
Auto Transport Scams - From Auto Star Transport Blog - Click Here for the link
Titles
A vehicle title is a legal document that establishes ownership of a motor vehicle. It serves as proof that you legally own the vehicle and have the right to sell, transfer, or dispose of it. The title contains critical information including: Click Here for a comprehensive description of vehicle titles.
VINS - Vehicle Identification Numbers
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the unique 17-digit “name” assigned to every vehicle. Composed of both letters and digits, each VIN is specifically designated by the automaker to identify that particular car. Every character in this sequence holds specific information about the vehicle, including its year, country of origin, engine type, and more. This systematic coding ensures that each car can be individually tracked and identified. Click Here for details on How to Read A VIN on Car - the Ultimate Guide to Vehicle Identification Numbers. The VIN on the title must match the VIN on the car. If it does not matcc something is fishy, probably the title.
Typically, you can locate the VIN on the driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield, which makes it easy to access and read. Additionally, the VIN is often found on the driver-side doorjamb, where the door latches when closed. For further verification or in cases where those spots might be inaccessible, the VIN is also stamped on the engine’s firewall, integrating it into the very structure of the vehicle. These multiple placements help ensure that the VIN can always be found, regardless of external conditions or modifications to the car.
VINCheck® Lookup -
National Insurance Crime Bureau NICB's VINCheck is a free lookup service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle may have a record of an insurance theft claim, and has not been recovered, or has ever been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies. To perform a lookup, a vehicle identification number (VIN) is required. A maximum of five searches can be conducted within a 24-hour period per IP address. Click Here to access VINCheck® Lookup/
What Are Car Window Stickers?
Car window stickers, also known as Monroney stickers or window labels, are federally mandated labels that provide detailed information about new vehicles. Named after Senator Mike Monroney who sponsored the Automobile Information Disclosure Act of 1958, these stickers must be displayed on all new cars sold in the United States. It is also possible to get window stickers for used cars. Click Here for much more on window stickers.
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