Auto Warranty News

It’s pretty obvious that carmakers are having a difficult time.  And just to make things even harder, some cars that are perfectly good don’t even get a fair shake.  One car model can be just as good as another one, yet consumers don’t give it the attention of a competing model.

For instance, the Saab 9-5 gets 21 mpg and comes with a sunroof and leather seats, and goes for $37,685 with new car warranties.  However, 1,943 consumers only bought that car, while 81,967 people purchased the similar BMW 3-Series for $32,700, which is the segment leader.

Another story of tough luck is the Acura RL, which is a competitor in the large luxury car division and is one of the Top Safety Picks, along with the S80.  However, the RL, which is powered by a V-6, isn’t a match for competing car models that have V-8 engines.  Because of higher fuel prices, the RL appeals to some shoppers who are fuel-conscious, but it seems that buyers looking for luxury cars have a preference for power over safety.

These cars are great examples of vehicles that deserve a second look because they have features that are unique and high quality.  Unfortunately, they are small players in a huge market.  Consumers should consider the benefits of these cars because not only do they have a lot of features to offer, but also they are priced right with a good auto warranty.

Microsoft’s latest attempt at vehicle technology appears to be promising.  Vi-Fi, or vehicle Wi-Fi, is Wi-Fi connections in vehicles.  Microsoft has partnered up with the University of Washington and the University of Massachusetts in order to make Wi-Fi connections a reliable and steady experience, which hasn’t happened with offerings by cell phone makers and their cards for laptops.

This new system allows for multiple Wi-Fi signals to come in and out at any given time in order for the signal to remain strong and steer clear of “hand-offs”, which are known to fumble and lead to spotty service.

But many people might ask, “Why do we need Wi-Fi in cars anyway?”  Do we really need to net surf behind the wheel?  Well, Wi-Fi- would be a good addition to technology in cars because it would replace satellite subscription services that are expensive, and it would allow us to have an unlimited amount of applications.  With Wi-Fi in cars, the weather and movie times could be displayed, as well as Internet radio, live stock quotes, instant messaging, and pretty much anything else you could access on a laptop.

For this to be an option for the everyday driver, there will need to be a larger infrastructure for Wi-Fi, but Microsoft has proven they can produce terrific technology in cars with the Sync system. Just make sure you have a good auto warranty to cover you in case new car technology fails.

The Acura ZDX was one of the car models that were the most intriguing at the 2009 New York auto show.  This car is part crossover, hatchback and sport vehicle.  According to Acura, this car is designed for the Baby Boomers, which has a growing population.  In fact, it is projected to be about 80 million people in the year 2010.

There are important crossover attributes in the ZDX, such as a seating position that is high in a distinct stylized package. Whereas the carmaker’s MDX crossover with seven seats is aimed at families, the ZDX is targeted for empty nesters.

Information for the price of the ZDX and auto warranty details hasn’t been announced yet, however, insiders say it will be in a position above the MDX in the lineup.  This means that the ZDX’s starting price will probably be above the $40,990 base price of the MDX.

Regardless of if the economy is in its death throes, the children still need to be able to get to soccer, ballet, or baseball practice.  That means that the minivan will survive.

There has been a great deal of focus on falling truck and SUV sales, but the minivan has also experienced a slump lately.  For people who are interested in purchasing a minivan out there, know that there are many deals right now.  You will find some significant deals like getting $3,500 cash back for the 2008 Chrysler Town & Country and $5,000 or 0% financing for 60 months for the 2008 Kia Sedona.

You can also get some cash-back deals on 2009 models as well.  For instance, you can get $2,500 cash back or 2.9% financing for 72 months for the 2009 Nissan Quest or get $1,000 back for the 2009 Dodge Grand Caravan.  In addition, be aware that you can get a good auto warranty with most new minivans.

General Motors recently announced that it is extending an auto warranty offer on its certified used trucks and cars, citing quality gains and less auto warranty-funded repairs.

GM claims it will begin to offer a 12-month, 12,000-mile auto warranty that is “bumper to bumper” on all certified used trucks and cars that are eligible for the coverage by GM dealers.

This change will start September 13, and will extend the terms of the GM auto warranty on late model used vehicles in good condition an extra 9 months and 9,000 miles.

This step comes one day after an announcement by GM that it is putting out a new discount program on new trucks and cars that will provide employee-level pricing to new buyers.

GM, as well as other U.S. carmakers, has been arguing that their quality improvements in their vehicles have long been ignored by American consumers.

In response to this, the Big Three have offered more generous used car warranties over the last few years in order to gain consumer confidence.

Getting the word out about a new product that meets the driving needs of young people, or a cynical attempt at branding oneself as “hip” by latching onto Millenials?

This question must be asked after the announcement by Ford about its scheme for advertising for the Fiesta, which is the European compact car that Ford is bringing to the U.S. in 2011.  This “Fiesta Movement” entails giving the keys of 100 Ford Fiestas to “100 socially vibrant Fiesta Movement ‘Agents’”, which will expand on their driving experiences on websites like YouTube and Facebook.

If you look at it from a business standpoint, the campaign is smart.  After all, Barack Obama proved that tapping into America’s youth could win you a Presidency.  In fact, Millenials are going to account for around 70 million motorists by the year 2010, or 28% of drivers who haven’t yet gotten the chance to develop loyalty for a particular brand.

Only time will tell if the Fiesta will catch on as a “movement”.  However, regardless, people are anticipating its arrival.  Information about pricing and new car warranties is yet to come.

A recent study by Ford shows that its Sync entertainment system causes drivers to be less distracted than with other entertainment systems, according to the carmaker.

Ford claims that this assessment is due to the fact that voice commands are used with Sync, which causes drivers to look away from the road about two seconds during a commute, as opposed to around 25 seconds for a driver using a phone or standard MP3 player.

Ford studied 25 drivers by asking them to do simple tasks, such as dialing a number consisting of ten digits, finding a person in a digital phone book, text messaging and finding a certain song.  The researchers examined time with eyes off of the road; speed changes, swerving out of a lane, and differences in the amount of attentiveness while doing a task.

While, Ford’s report may be true, there is room to be skeptical.  After all, it has been reported that it is just as dangerous to talk on the phone hands-free, as it is to hold a cell phone while driving. Drivers should be responsible and purchase a good auto warranty to protect them from new technology failure.  And of course, motorists need to be more cautious than ever because of all of the distractions on the road.

Mitsubishi just confirmed that in the near future it would sell an electric car in the U.S. that is fairly inexpensive.

This small electric vehicle is called the i MiEV, which is short for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle, and will be one of the very first EVs that will be mass-produced on the global scene, according to the carmaker.  Over the next several years, this car will begin to show up in Japan and Europe.

This car is based on the i, which is a small city car sold in Japan.  The transmission, gas engine, and fuel tank are replaced by an electric motor and battery pack.

The car will be able to travel 80 miles on a single charge, thanks to the lithium-ion battery pack.  When using a normal outlet it will take approximately 12-14 hours to charge.  According to Mitsubishi, though, there is a fast charger that will only take 30 minutes to give the car an 80% charge.

Consumers are excited about this vehicle coming to the U.S.  However, with any car make sure to get good new car warranties in case of unexpected repairs.

If you are concerned with driving a “green” vehicle, you need to think about a small car, or a hybrid.  The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy says that out of the 12 cars that are ranked the highest for being green in 2008, one third of them have hybrid powertrains.  These cars have a combination of an internal-combustion engine along with a motor that is electric.  This improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions.

The last few years one of the mainstays of the list was the natural gas powered Honda Civic GX.  It is back at the top for 2008, it scored 57 points.  This car operates with compressed natural gas.  The Civic GX was the highest-ranking car environmentally because of its high efficiency rating and emissions that are near zero.

There are some new additions to the Greenest list for 2008.  One is the smart fortwo, which came in at number four.  Another model from Europe that made the list is the Mini Cooper.  This vehicle comes in number eight, scoring 44.  The only domestic car to make the list was the Ford Focus.  It comes in ninth place.

Consumers are becoming more concerned with “green” cars.  These cars are environmentally friendly, as well as fuel-efficient.  This will save you money at the gas pump and allow you to put your money towards important things, such as an auto warranty, and maintenance costs.

Many motorists don’t realize that buying a less-expensive vehicle model can actually end up costing you more in the long run than a model that is more-expensive up front.

One example of this is a Mitsubishi Lancer vs. a Mini Cooper Clubman.  A new Lancer costs around $17,500, which is $5,000 less than the initial cost of the Mini Cooper.  Yet, when you consider what ownership costs will be with each vehicle, the Mitsubishi Lancer will end up costing you about $3,000 more after owning the car for five years.

Also, a Toyota Highlander will initially cost you $3,000 more than a Ford Explorer V6.  However, when you consider ownership costs you will end up paying $6,500 more over a five-year period.

Motorists are very concerned with the sticker price of a vehicle when choosing a car, but many people fail to factor in the ownership costs.  For example, auto loans, maintenance costs, an auto warranty, fuel costs, repair costs, and sales tax need to all be factored into the equation.