May 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Most people depend on major car companies, like Avis for rentals on business trips and vacations. Yet, most people don’t realize that firms such as these are great sources of well-priced used vehicles. Avis’ business is rental cars, however, they also sell their older models. Car shoppers get a big savings by purchasing a vehicle from Avis instead of car dealers. This gives people the opportunity to put their money towards used car warranties that will protect their car.
Avis sells their vehicles that are more than one year old so they can make room for more recent models. This is how Avis ensures that they have a well-maintained and current fleet. When certain car models prove to be popular, Avis often sells them early, after the car has passed a certain mileage.
Another good thing about purchasing a car from Avis is that they treat their vehicles with metallic paint. On the other hand, car dealers usually don’t do this. One concern that car shoppers have is that rental cars have been through a lot of wear and tear. Yet, Avis points out that vehicles for sale are around six months old and less than 13,000 miles. Also important is that many times the car’s auto warranty is still valid. However, the auto warranty will only last for approximately one year, so it is important to shop around for used car warranties.
May 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
When thinking of the engine, most people don’t consider how important the alternator is. In fact, the alternator is indispensable because the engine won’t run without it. The alternator is the source where the power train derives power.
Alternators were created in order to convert mechanical energy into a current that is alternating. In order to do this the engine belt drives the alternator shaft. Doing this allows electricity to be produced from the mechanical energy of the machines. Then, the power becomes channeled. The electricity produced recharges the battery and powers the electrical system of the vehicle.
If you need to replace your alternator you will discover that some contain more amps and some are definitely more costly. However, an auto warranty will give you peace of mind with any vehicle repairs.
Whatever car you have, make sure you can see the bolts. Many times, other parts have to be removed to have access to the bolts. Before you remove your alternator, take note of the way it’s connected. Then, mark its location so you know where to connect it. Afterward, start to unplug the wires that connect to the alternator. Finally, take off the bolts and remove the alternator.
Without the alternator, the engine can’t function. If you can’t replace it yourself, find a professional to take care of it. Whatever you decide, make sure you have an auto warranty to save you from costly repairs. After all, you never know when you will need to replace a part on your vehicle.
May 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
The reliability ratings for Ford had a significant jump, which makes it the most reliable American carmaker, according to Consumer Reports, which just released its ratings. Other than a few of Ford’s pickup trucks, Ford’s reliability is comparable to that of the Japanese carmakers that are the best.
Other carmakers that received the highest ratings went to the usual winners, including Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. Toyota received below-average ratings last year for the V-6 Camry and Tundra, however now all of the 42 Toyota, Lexus, and Scion models had ratings that were average or above. After several years of experiencing trouble, Nissan’s Armada and Titan and Infiniti’s QX56 had improved ratings, which now are average. Kia and Hyundai also got rankings equal with the best Japanese carmakers, with Kia making a 12 spot jump in one year.
American carmakers need to make improvements in reliability so consumers will purchase American made cars, and Ford has now achieved this. Consumers are very concerned with safety and reliability and are purchasing cars with the best ratings. Motorists are also protecting themselves by purchasing new and used car warranties.
May 16th, 2009 by Hal Moses
According to J.D. Power and Associates, in 2008, overall satisfaction for customers with dealer service improved drastically. Over two-thirds of the 37 brands that were ranked showed gains.
The study, which is now in its 28th year, looks at the satisfaction among car owners who get maintenance or repairs done at the service department of the dealership within the first three years, which is a large part of the auto warranty period.
After staying generally flat since 2005, satisfaction has increased to 882 on a scale of 1,000 in 2008. This is a significant improvement from 2007 of 6 points.
The reason for the improvement is primarily because of an increase in the amount of maintenance work done and improved satisfaction in repair work. Motorists who go to the dealer for routine maintenance are on average more satisfied (894) than customers who have repairs done (862).
Improvements in vehicle quality have caused a decline in the need for car repairs within the initial three years of car ownership. Dealers are more focused than ever on satisfying their repair customers because they are finding it hard to achieve profitability.
May 15th, 2009 by Hal Moses
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a recall has been issued by Nissan for 242,720 Pathfinders, Xterras and Frontiers for model years 2005-2009. The recall is due to a crash sensor that causes the airbag to deploy in an accident. This recall is mainly aimed at cars that are sold in climates with cold weather, in which road salt causes the crash sensor to corrode. The warning light for the airbag may become illuminated.
Nissan says they will replace sensors that are faulty and put new ones in, and all vehicle owners will receive a 10-year extended warranty for the crash sensors. Nissan urges people to look for the warning light regardless. This recall is the second one Nissan has had in the last three months that involves an airbag sensor. Nissan owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261.
It is important for car owners to protect themselves by purchasing new car warranties, since you never know when your car will fail.
May 15th, 2009 by Hal Moses
There are many great deals out there on new cars, especially since car sales have been down, yet you need to understand the offers. For example, are there any “restrictionsâ€, “qualifiersâ€, “exclusionsâ€, or “limitationsâ€? Make sure you know what the fine print means.
Often, dealerships offer regional incentives. In other words, you must live in the area to get the deal. For example, you might be able to get a new car for $1,500 less if you live in the right area.
Some deals on financing may be contingent on a down payment amount that is predetermined. For example, you might need to have $4,000 cash to put down at the time of the sale. If you don’t have this amount of money, you might get stuck with finance rate that is higher.
Sometimes an offer may be contingent on if the dealer participates with the program. This could include a special financing rate, rebate, etc. Remember that dealers are operated independently and you are not dealing directly with the automaker.
These are just a few things to look out for when it comes to offers by dealers. Make sure you read the small print to understand the terms of the offer. And make sure that the car you are looking at comes with good new car warranties.
May 15th, 2009 by Hal Moses
Americans need to take action immediately to help the nation’s economy improve and bring back American jobs. Americans have purchased 11 million foreign vehicles over the last 10 years. That is equal to about $25.5 billion exported out of the U.S. economy. Buying American cars with an auto warranty would improve the economy greatly.
It seems that Americans have become numb to the on-going announcements that the “Big Three Auto Makers†are cutting jobs and closing plants. This year alone, Ford Motor Co. announced that they were closing three plants and cutting more jobs. Chrysler Motors had to close three plants and cut approximately 12,000-15,000 jobs. GM announced a loss of $11.8 billion in the first quarter of 2008, which is its second largest loss ever, and also had to close plants.
Over the last 10 years American cars have improved greatly in quality. In fact, J.D. Powers has recognized that American cars have had substantially higher improvement in comparison to their foreign competition. It’s time for Americans to change their way of thinking and buy American cars. And consumers can always rest assured that they won’t be paying unnecessary costs if they have new car warranties.
May 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
When purchasing a family vehicle several things should be considered. These include reliability, safety, fuel-efficiency, and other personal concerns. In addition, consumers should factor in the price of the vehicle to own, not just the sticker price. For instance, new car warranties, maintenance costs, and insurance all need to be part of the equation.
It doesn’t have to be a hard process to shop for the right family car. All you need to do is put some time into research beforehand so that you know your options. Parents should evaluate how they will be using the car, the type and amount of cargo they intend on carrying, and how their needs might vary in the future.
Generally, parents need to focus on finding a vehicle that offers a lot of space and is versatile. Families need a sufficient amount of cargo space, easy access, and windows that the kids can look out with ease. If the rear seats are low, kids won’t be able to see out the windows, and they won’t be as happy.
There are many great options for family vehicles. Small families will be just fine in four door sedans, or station wagons, whereas large families will benefit from an SUV or minivan. Thinking through your needs in advance will ensure the proper choice. In addition, doing your homework will save you money on the sticker price and an auto warranty.
May 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
If you’re looking to buy a cheap used vehicle, you might want to look online. One website that is a good place to start is Car-Auction.com. This is an auction website featuring seized vehicles by the government. Consumers can select what type and model of vehicle you are looking for, as well as the price. Results will appear within a few seconds. This is a lot more convenient than attending an automobile auction and waiting to see if the car you want is up for auction.
When you are looking to buy a cheap used car follow these simple tips.
The most difficult part of the process is finding a quality car that you would like to purchase. People make the mistake of buying a car because they like the way it looks. You need to get the full history of the vehicle before making an agreement. Also, get the VIN of the vehicle and do a search of the number through a local agency. You want to get the vehicle inspected by a professional.
An online auction is a great place to buy a used car. However, beware. To protect yourself, do your homework to get a good buy and make sure to purchase used car warranties.
May 14th, 2009 by Hal Moses
If you’re planning to purchase a used vehicle you need to find out as much as you can about it. The car could have problems that you can’t detect by looking at it. In order to understand the car that you are getting, get a vehicle history report. This will give you combined information from DMVs, RMVs, and police reports about the car that you are looking at. Here are some things to consider when looking at the vehicle report.
Determine if the car has had many owners. You are better off with a car that has had fewer owners because there is more of a likelihood that the car has been taken good care of. Although inexpensive, rental cars will have undergone a great deal of abuse.
Also, consider the location that the car has been in. This is important because some climates are harsher on cars. For example, winter conditions are hard on cars because of salty roads. Obviously, excessive heat and flood areas are also of concern.
Finally, make sure that the name and description on the history report actually match the vehicle you’re looking at. This will help avoid types of fraud, such as vehicle identification number cloning.
A used car is a great way for people to save money and get a great car. Just do your homework to make sure you are getting a good buy. You need to consider the costs of used car warranties, auto insurance, and maintenance costs. An auto warranty is a good way to get peace of mind when purchasing a used vehicle.