Sisters got style! - car buying tips for African American women - Buyers Guide

When it comes to buying cars, Black women are in the driver's seat. We know the kind of automobiles we want and have the money to buy them. We can strut into a dealership with savvy and glide away in a dream car.

Some of us want that flashy convertible for nights out with sisterfriends. Others need a family car to tow a few kids, a dog -- and three tons of groceries. The good news? There's a car for all of us! Essence rounded up some of the best new automobiles of 1999 -- ones with traffic-stopping style. So whether you're an all-frills diva, a simple girl or somewhere in between, fasten your seatbelt and cruise through our picks.

Hyundai Accent This front-wheel-drive subcompact is among the least expensive cars on the market, with prices starting just over $9,000. But you'll still get a lot of car for your cash: The spirited Accent accommodates six-footers in the front seat and delivers 28 miles to the gallon. Amenities include a five-way adjustable driver's seat on some models and a leather-wrapped steering-wheel option. Available in two-door, two-door hatchback or four-door.

Chevy Metro With a base price of less than $9,000, the Metro is the value leader in the subcompact department. No, this small car isn't the best choice for long road trips or family vacations, but it's great for getting around town in style. It offers two engine choices -- either three- or four-cylinder -- and the four-cylinder version allows drivers to opt for a three-speed automatic. Available with two or four doors.

Honda Odyssey Nothing says "family car" better than the Odyssey! It features dual electric sliding doors for easy access to passenger spaces, a sliding right-side seat that can be configured into a bench for squeezing in lots of kids and a hideaway seat in the rear. Another plus: When the rear seat is in use, it provides a deep well behind that can hold ten grocery bags. Seats seven. Two doors, plus sliding door. Price stay at at $24,000.

Volkswagen Beetle This is not your mother's VW! The interior features brushed aluminum, and the bug is now front-wheel drive. But some things never change: The Beetle still has that endearing round shape. And the $1,200 turbocharged diesel-engine option will more than pay for itself, since you'll get 45 miles per gallon of fuel. It's the most fun a sister can have for prices beginning around $15,000. Two doors. Available with sunroof

Jeep Grand Cherokee It gets a makeover for 1999 -- a more fluid silhouette is accented by bold tricolor tail-lamps. The Cherokee's enlarged cabin boasts a luxurious interior and all driver controls at one's fingertips -- the radio, cassette and CD functions are on the steering wheel. Best features: It gets 20 miles per gallon of fuel and has new front and rear suspension that gives a smooth, carlike ride. Four doors. Price starts at $25,695.

Volvo C70 Safety turns sexy in 1999 with the new C70. It delivers the excitement of a convertible without compromising the safety that Volvo is known for. The car comes standard with rollover protection that keeps you from hitting the ground in case of an accident. And it has a concert-hall sound system complete with ten loudspeakers and a three-CD player. Two doors. Price starts at $45,000.

Cadillac STS Seville The 1999 version features a 300-horsepower engine that can purr like a kitten -- but it roars like a lion on demand! Outfitted with a host of amenities and safety features, such as antilock brakes, all-speed traction control and a flash-to-pass signaler, the STS Seville gives other luxury cars a run for their money. Another nice touch: The glove box is deep enough to contain a full-size executive planner and has a checkbook holder and tissue dispenser. Four doors. Price starts at $47,850.

Toyota Camry Solara The most exciting news in the 1999 Camry camp is the addition of the Solara to the lineup. As practical as the four-door Camry, the coupe comes in a sportier package. Like Camry sedans, the Solara has seat-mounted, side-impact air bags as an option. Drivers will also have the choice between a four-cylinder or V-6 engine. Two doors. Price starts at $18,600.

Lincoln Town Car It's riding high on a wave of renewed popularity. A touch of European flair in handling makes it a winner in the smooth-ride category, and cushions and side bolsters improve back support. New for the model year: standard front-seat side air bags and a valet key that allows parking attendants to access only the ignition. Four doors. Price starts at $38,995.

Ford Taurus This car's motto may well be "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." You will see no exterior changes in the 1999 model year, and interior changes will be limited to trim upgrades. Yet the Taurus will continue to deliver the safety it's known for with its childproof locks, SecuriLock antitheft system and remote keyless entry. Four doors. Price starts at $17,995.

When Should I See a Mechanic?

Car experts agree that maintenance is the key to keeping your car in tip-top shape. Mike Fisher, a New York State-certified vehicle inspector and mechanic for 12 years, offers these guidelines on when you should have your auto serviced:

* Every 3,000 to 3,500 miles -- get lube, oil and filter service (gear oil, brake fluid and power-steering fluid should be checked).

* Every 6,000 miles (or every other oil change) -- have tires rotated.

* Every 15,000 miles -- service automatic transmission for rear-wheel drive; every 12,000 miles for front-wheel drive. (Warning: Do not change transmission fluid if transmission is burnt or if there are other transmission problems.)

* Every 50,000 to 60,000 miles -- replace timing belt to avoid engine damage; replace spark-plug wires.

* Every year -- replace serpentine belts.

* Every two years -- change antifreeze.

* Every two years -- replace regular belts and hoses (but check all hoses before every summer and winter and during lube, oil and filter service).

The Lowdown on Leasing

Beware: Financial expert Mary Hunt says a leasing deal could take your pocketbook for a ride

If you're thinking about leasing an automobile, think long and hard. Leasing only makes sense if you don't plan to keep your car for more than five years, want to purchase high-cost insurance, don't drive mare than 15,000 miles per year and can return the car in pristine condition.

The sky-high insurance that leasing companies often require adds hundreds to your annual premium. And if you like the ride well enough to complete the lease -- three to five years -- you'd better hope that the car has held it's value. If it hasn't, they'll slap you with an invoice based on some algebraic formula. And you'll pay dearly for every mile over 15,000 and for each scratch or dent. The bottom line: Many consumers pay as much to lease a car as they would to buy it, yet they own nothing in the end.

Your smartest move is to buy a car with excellent durability ratings and a high resale value (check your Consumer Reports ratings). Then as you make your monthly payments, set aside money each month to maintain your car and start a fund for your next car. As you make your payments, you can rest assured that you will one day own your auto -- one that you will have the option of selling to purchase your new car free and clear.

Six Things Most Mechanics Won't Tell You

New York State-certified vehicle inspector Mike Fisher, a mechanic for 12 years, tells how some mechanics rip off customers at the repair shop:

1. You probably can't get a great tune-up for $29.95. 1 know you see plenty of ads touting tune-ups for one "low, low price." But the truth is that mechanics often only change your spark plugs for this kind of money. So be sure you ask what your $29.95 is paying for -- and ask your mechanic to define tune-up by writing out what work will be done.

The least you can expect from a tune-up is that your spark plugs will be changed, your car's timing will be checked with a computer and adjusted, and your air and gas filters will be changed. You should expect to pay between $125 and $250 for an excellent job -- the price depends on the type of car and what parts are needed.

2. Watch the mechanic add your oil. Why? Some mechanics at full-service gas stations pretend to be adding oil and other fluids when, in fact, they are simply tilting an empty can into your car.

3. Beware of brake-job rip-offs -- a common scam. In parts of the country where the cost of living is highest, a standard brake job -- installing front brake pads and resurfacing rotors -- should cost you around $125, including parts and labor. Yet some people charge more than $300. Your vehicle may require extra work that will cost you more than $125, but get a second opinion. Mechanics know that brake problems scare most people, and some take advantage of that fear.

4. You do not need an engine flush. In fact, flushing out the engine of you car will likely cause such problems as oil leaks.

5. You should winterize your car only every two years. What is winterizing? Simply changing the antifreeze. So don't be suckered in by all the ads that tell you to summerize or winterize your car every year. It all means the same thing!

6. Double-check oil leaks. Some mechanics have been known to charge consumers for fixing oil leaks that don't exist.

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