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Cars & Motor Vehicles

New Cars
Buying
Lemon Laws
Loans
Getting Your Car Fixed While Still Under Warrantee

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Buying A New Car

A Consumer's Guide to Car Buying (Texas)
Tips and warnings for both new and used cars from the Texas Dept. of Transportation.

Preventing Auto Theft (Texas)
See links on the left for tips and brochures from the Texas Auto Theft Prevention Authority.

Tips On Buying A New Car

Pricing A New Car (Consumer-SOS)

New Or Used Cars-Which Should You Buy?

Car Models-Which Ones Cost The Most To Insure

NADA Guides 
The National Automobile Dealers Association web page allows you to find values for new and used cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and even airplanes.

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Car Loans

www.eloan.com
Search thousands of loans with no hidden lender fees.

www.bankrate.com
Get the Best Rate! To get the rate of your choice,
click on "select a state" in the box above and then click on your choice.

Auto Loan Finder

Google Search On The Lowest Rates
Get the best savings for auto loans, credit cards, savings accounts and CD's, home equity loans & mortgages and unsecured credit lines.     

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Used Cars

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Buying A Used Car

Vehicle History Reports-Learning About Prior Defects Before You Buy (Consumer-SOS)

Used Car Pricing Guide (Various Makes and Models)
Determine price by vehicle's make, model, year, mileage and accessories.

Buying A Used Car (Texas)
Very basic tips on selecting, financing and what documents the the dealer must furnish you with.

How To Buy a Used Car & Avoid Scams
In depth and with lots of links.

A Consumer's Guide to Car Buying (Texas)
Tips and warnings for both new and used cars from the Texas Dept. of Transportation.

Preventing Auto Theft (Texas)
Tips and brochures from the Texas Auto Theft Prevention Authority.

New Or Used Cars-Which Should You Buy?

Finding A Low Priced Used Car Nearest You (AutoTrader.com) Select make model and year and then enter your price range. Auto Trader will find the best deal nearest you.

Pricing Used Cars & Trade-Ins (Websites)

Buying From a Dealer vs. a  Private Seller

NADA Guides 
The National Automobile Dealers Association web page allows you to find values for new and used cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, boats, and even airplanes.

Government & Non-Profit Brochures

Buying a Used Car (BBB)

Don't Get Soaked Buying a Flood-Damaged Car (BBB)

Donating Your Used Car to Charity (BBB)
From December 1997, so tax laws may have changed.

How to Get a "Peach" Instead of a "Lemon" (FTC)


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Advertising Through Auto trader
For about 25 dollars, Auto Trader can display your ad to a bevy of buyers in your area.

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Auto Repair, Tags & Other Ownership Issues
Repairs
Auto Tags
Damage Caused By Pavement
Auto Recalls

Where To Go For Help

Preventing Auto Theft (Texas)
See links on the left for tips and brochures from the Texas Auto Theft Prevention Authority.

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Repairs

Trouble Shoot Your Car's Problem By Plugging in The Symptoms
Find out what's wrong with your car using our troubleshooting guide. All you need to know is what the problem feels like, looks like, smells like or sounds like.

Car Repairs-Your Rights and Some Good Sense (Texas)
Good tips on how to protect yourself and resolve billing disputes.

Deceptive Practices & What To Do (Consumer-SOS)

Help Agencies In Your State

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

Lemon Laws For New And Leased Vehicles (Consumer-SOS)

Auto Repair Encyclopedia

Where Else To Go For Help


BBB Brochures

Auto Repair and Services (September 1999)


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Cheap Gas

Tips To Save Gas (For Your Car)

Cheapest Gas Rates In Your Area (Gasbuddy)

GasPriceWatch
Has about 380,000 volunteer spotters. Prices are color-coded for freshness, and users can filter out old entries.

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Motor Vehicle Laws
Driving Related Agencies
License, Tags, Emissions.... 
Violations & Penalties
Laws On Safety

Driving Related Agencies

Texas Drivers' License Page (Dept. Of Public Safety)
FAQs forms, records, fees and more.

Office Of The Consumer Credit Commissioner (Texas)
To protect consumers from abusive and deceptive practices regarding mortgages and home loans, fraud, and misrepresentation by a pawnshop, regulated lender, or registered creditor.

Motor Vehicle Departments (All 50 States & DC)
(Left Side Bar) Learn what you need to know about taxes, titles, insurance, licenses, fees, and fines, etc.

Department Of Transportation (DOTs) (All 50 States, Not DC)
For help with car related issues ie, car damaged caused by pavement, unsafe streets, traffic, bridges and roads, etc.

Texas Traffic Laws Enforcement Page (Dept Of Public Safety)

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License, Tags, Emissions....

Vehicle Requirements For New Residents (Texas)
License plates, registration, titles, emissions testing, insurance and more.

Practice For The Written Driver’s Test (50 States & DC)
Links to the official state practice test for your state, and to other practice tests when not available.

Vehicle Inspections & Emissions (Texas)

Driver-Related Forms & Applications (Consumer-SOS)
Title and registration forms, driving record forms and more.

Avoiding A Ticket-What Texas Law Requires (Basics)
Checklist on items like inspection stickers, license plates and more.

Vehicle Title and Registration Regional Offices (Texas)
Addresses and phone numbers. No links.

License Renewal Procedures For Older Drivers (All 50 States & DC)

Driver's License & Traffic Accident FAQs (Nolo.com)

Emission Testing in All 50 States & DC
Chart with Basic Facts, Fees, & other requirements for every state and DC.

For More Help See Repairs, Tags, Recalls & Other Ownership Issues

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Violations & Penalties

Texas Traffic Laws Enforcement Page (Dept Of Public Safety)

Points & Driving Violations in Texas

DUI FAQs (Texas)

DUI Laws (All 50 States & DC)

Texas Drivers' License Page (Dept. Of Public Safety)
FAQs forms, records, fees and more.

Complaints Against The Texas Dept Of Public Safety
This is through their internal affairs division.  May also want to find an outside regulatory agency like the FBI or another Texas agency.

A Guide to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act

Texas Deceptive Business Practices Act
Find out if the business you're dealing with has broken the law by being deceptive. 

Search Opinions Of The Texas Attorney General For Your Consumer Issue

Lemon Laws For New And Leased Vehicles (Consumer-SOS)

Driver's License & Traffic Accident FAQs (Nolo.com)

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Laws On Safety

Seat Belt & Occupant Restraint Laws (Texas)

Motorcycle & Helmet Laws (Texas)

Texas Traffic Laws Enforcement Page (Dept Of Public Safety)

Commercial Motor Vehicle Laws (Texas)

Speed Limits For Passenger Vehicles  (All 50 States & DC)

Minimum Levels Of Required Auto Insurance (All 50 States & DC)

Seat Belt & Child Restraint Laws (All 50 States & DC)
Not sure how often this is updated. Also check link below.

Child Safety Laws & Regulations (All 50 States & DC) 
Child protection laws on car safety seats, seatbelts, helmets, consumer goods, swimming pools, playground structures, toys and more.

Driver's License & Traffic Accident FAQs (Nolo.com)


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Driver-Related Forms & Applications

Application for Copy of Driver Record  (Texas)

Minor's Restricted Driver License Application (Texas)

Request for Parent Taught Driver Education Packet (Texas)

Request for a Certified Abstract of an Operating Record (Texas)

Drivers' License Change of Address Form (Texas)

Texas Vehicle Title and Registration Home Page (DOT)
Great FAQs on car titles and registrations.

Vehicle Title & Registration Forms (Texas)

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Auto Recalls

Office Of Defects Investigation Car Recall Database

www.recalls.gov
A "one stop shop" for U.S. Government recalls. Has recall information on cars, boats, medicine, consumer products, food, cosmetics and environmental products. Just follow the tabs to obtain the latest recall information, to report a dangerous product, or to learn important safety tips.

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

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Where To Go For Help

Complaints Against Texas Dealerships & Other Car Matters

Consumer Complaints (Requires Acrobat Reader)
General tips plus the role of the Texas Attorney General's Office in resolving disputes.

Consumer Complaint Form & Instructions (Texas)

Other Help Agencies In Your State

Occupational Licensing Boards (Consumer-SOS)
Find out who regulates car dealers and repair shops.

Office Of The Consumer Credit Commissioner (Texas)
To protect consumers from abusive and deceptive practices regarding mortgages and home loans, fraud, and misrepresentation by a pawnshop, regulated lender, or registered creditor.

Find The AARP In Your State
The AARP offers legal advocacy for seniors and may also have state specific consumer brochures which are available to everyone.

Find Your Local Newspaper, Magazine, Radio & TV Stations
Give them a little bad press and you're bargaining power increases tremendously. Select your state, and then click on your county or city for the proper media to report to. (DC Not Included).

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

Better Business Bureaus (Throughout The U.S.)

Government, Trade Associations, & The Media

DOT In All 50 States & DC

Department Of Transportation (DOTs) In All 50 States (Not DC) 

National Help Orgs For A Variety Of Consumer Problems
The Elderly, Environment, Families, Fraud, Health & Safety, Insurance The Handicapped, Medical Problems, Telemarketing and more.

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Deceptive Practices

Used Car Buyers Guide (Texas)
The rules car dealers must follow when they sell you a used car.

Required Records to be Kept by Dealers (Texas)
Car dealers must by law keep certain records. If they don't they could be fines up to $10,000.

A Guide to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act

Auto Repair And Deceptive Practices (Texas)

Texas Deceptive Business Practices Act
Find out if the business you're dealing with has broken the law by being deceptive. 

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

Help Agencies In Your State

Where Else To Go For Help

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Sample Complaint Letters

Complaint Form Against A Car Dealer (Texas)
Good for dealer related problems like failure to transfer title, deceptive business practices, etc. 

Complaint Letter To Used Car Dealer

Complaint Letter To Consumer Protection Agency

List Of  U.S. Car Manufacturers (Includes Links)
Plus some tips on resolving complaints.

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Repossessions

Vehicle Repossession And Your Rights (Texas)
Learn what the repo man can and cannot do.

Repossessions Your Rights & Responsibilities


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