5 Must-Have Accessories for Your New Car

Your previous car is on its last leg, you have a full-time job which requires you to be there around 6 a.m. every morning, and no other choice but to invest in something that will get you back and forth to work. You've finally decided to take that leap and put the money down on a new ride. So, now that you've gone ahead and purchased something you can depend on to not leave you stranded - let's get that bad boy fixed up!

In this article, I'll be covering 5 must-have accessories for your new car. These are accessories that I think every vehicle should come "equipped" with.

1. Portable Air Compressor

I can guarantee you've woken up some mornings, jumped in the shower, got dressed for work and rushed out the front door only to realize you weren't going nowhere with a flat tire. I've been there myself, and so have many others, I can imagine. Picking up a small, portable air compressor that plugs directly into your cigarette lighter will make sure you get to work at a reasonable time, the next time you encounter a flat tire.

2. Sun Shade

Have you ever went to the grocery store and left your car out in the blazing heat of the day, only to return to a car that is so hot you can't sit in the seat or even think about touching the steering wheel? I absolutely hate this! Do yourself a favor and purchase a sun shade for your ride, you'll be thanking me later.

3. Battery Jumper Cables

Leaving your headlights on or your keys in the ignition, accidentally, has to be one of the worse things aside from a flat tire. I can't tell you how many times I've managed to do this, but I can certainly say I've done it more than I can count on both hands. Don't get stranded somewhere with no one around to help; invest in a good pair of jumper cables. If not, you'll quickly come you know the phrase "I told you so".

How to Get the Most Cash for Junk Cars

If an old clunker is sitting idle in your garage or driveway, you'd probably like to get rid of it soon.

But don't be in a rush to sell the vehicle. Although it may look like it belongs in a demolition derby, chances are that its panels and engine parts are worth something. Before you dispose of the car, consider your options carefully, and choose the one that will pay you the most money. If you need help determining the best option, the tips below should help.

Sell To an Individual

Most private buyers want automobiles that run. If your vehicle is down for the count, your chances of selling it to an individual are slim -- unless, of course, the car is a classic. In that case, the body alone may be valuable. If your clunker is just a regular automobile, though, selling it to a dealership, or a salvage yard that pays cash for junk cars, is a better option.

Sell to an Auto Dealership

Auto dealerships are interested in buying used vehicles. After all, research shows that many dealers make a better profit from selling pre-owned models than new ones. For an automobile to be valuable to a dealer, it needs to be in reasonably good condition. Dealers don't mind replacing tires or a few bad engine parts, but they want to invest as little money as possible to make a vehicle salable. Consequently, they usually don't offer cash for junk cars.

How to Sell Cars for Scrap

If you have a clunker sitting in your driveway, garage, or -- heaven forbid -- your front yard, you may have more than a useless vehicle on your hands. Although your car may look like it came from the set of "Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome," it could still be worth money. To find out if it is, you should take it to a salvage yard that offers cash for junk cars, or have the company come to you if the vehicle is un-drivable. Before you make a phone call, though, there are a few things that you should know about how to sell cars for scrap, information that will help you get the most money for your clunker -- maybe even enough to put a down payment on a new set of wheels.

Don't Undersell a Usable Vehicle

If the automobile still works, you may get more money from offering it as a used vehicle than as a useless clunker. Some salvage lots buy drivable vehicles in addition wrecked and broken down automobiles that aren't usable. If your clunker still runs, check out how much it is worth in the Kelly Blue Book before you liquidate it for its parts.

Don't Pay a Towing Fee

If a salvage yard that pays cash for junk cars wants your vehicle, it should tow it from your property for free. When a salvage lot liquidates an automobile, it receives far more money than it costs to buy the vehicle and tow it. Therefore, there's no reason to get stuck with a towing bill.